The Xbox Live service provides fans of Capcom vs. SNK 2: EO the opportunity to fireball, uppercut, and trash talk any challenger from opposite ends of the continent. Such online gameplay opens up an entirely new existence of entertainment as game owners can spend a near-unlimited number of hours duking it out over a broadband connection. Xbox Live's Match Making feature can additionally enhance the overall experience by hooking up foes for a quick bout, weeding out the "laggers" that hinder gameplay or matching up opponents of similar skill. Capcom vs. SNK 2: EO will also support the Xbox Communicator, which permits combatants to easily communicate through a headset without having to rely on a keyboard.

"The launch of Xbox Live would not be complete without a Capcom fighting game," said Todd Thorson, director of marketing, Capcom Entertainment. "Xbox Live will revolutionize the 2D fighting genre, as players are no longer bound by the arcade or the console for competition but can now easily hook up with brawlers around the continent instantly."

Capcom vs. SNK 2: EO boasts the following features:

- Online gameplay - Take advantage of all the features Xbox Live has to offer.

• Quick Match Making - Allows players to get right into the action and battle it out with the first available gamer.

• Play against others with the same skill level - A novice or seasoned brawler can seek challengers of similar aptitude.

• Xbox Live Communicator Compatible - Deliver taunts and trash talking to any opponent crisply and cleanly as if they were on the other side of the couch.

• Player Rankings - The real competition begins as players around the world duke it out to become number one.

- Multiple Game Modes - The game offers six modes of play including arcade mode, versus mode, survival mode, training mode and color edit mode.

- More than 40 characters from world famous Capcom and SNK franchises, such as Street Fighter, Final Fight, Darkstalkers, Fatal Fury, Samurai Shodown and King of Fighters.

• C Groove - Players can use level 1-3 Super Combos, 'Air Block' and Counter attack to defeat their opponent. This groove is similar to the Capcom groove found in the original.

• A Groove - This is the original combo style used in the Street Fighter Zero series. Players can freely mix and match moves to create their own "Custom Combos."

• P Groove - Players can use the 'Parry' feature to avoid any attack. A level 3 super combo can only be used in this groove.

• S Groove - This groove is similar to the SNK groove found in the original. In this groove, when a character's vitality is low, the player can unleash a super combo limitlessly. If the gauge reaches its limit when the vitality is almost gone, players can perform a "Max Super Attack."

• N Groove - From King of Fighters '98, players can stock up to 3 levels of super gauge. In this groove, players can perform a 'Power Max' by using a level gauge to enhance the character's attack power for a while.

• K Groove - The groove uses a combination of 'Just Defense' which makes the opponent's attacks ineffective, and a 'Rage Gauge'. Once this gauge is full, the player's attack power increases and they are able to use a 'Max Super Attack.'

- Groove Point System - Points are accumulated through a judgment performance in real-time that is based on the player's game performance.