Capcom CPS Changer

CPS Changer is the only console released by Capcom. Distributed exclusively in Japan in 1994, its discontinuation came shortly after, in 1996. Only eleven games were released for this console, and its creation purpose was to sell Capcom’s arcade games in a home-friendly format, as well as to compete with SNK's Neo Geo AES.

Technical Features

Capcom created an adapter that could interface with existing boards.  The Capcom Power System Changer (or CPS Changer) is plugged into the arcade board CPS-1 JAMMA connectors.  It provided two joystick ports, TV composite video output, TV S-Video output, and an 8 channel Q-sound audio output.  Obviously, the CPS Changer requires the arcade board, so Capcom sold the adapter in a package deal.  The package contained the CPS Changer, one CPS fighter controller, and the Street Fighter II Turbo arcade board sold for 39,800 yen.

Other compatible arcade boards could be purchased for 20,000 for a single title, 2 for 38,800 and 3 for 55,000 yen.  Due to these high prices, coupled with the fact that home console conversions were reaching near-perfect arcade quality, sales began to dwindle.  By March of 1996, Capcom had dropped all support for CPS Changer.

So, in technical terms, CPS Changer is not ‘a real console’ by itself. 

The Games

Capcom released the following eleven games for CPS Changer:

• Capcom World 2: Adventure Quiz

• Captain Commando

• Final Fight

• Knights of the Round

• Muscle Bomber Duo: Ultimate Team Battle

• Saturday Night Slam Masters

• Street Fighter II' Turbo: Hyper Fighting (a pack-in game)

• Street Fighter II': Champion Edition

• Street Fighter Alpha

• The King of Dragons

• Warriors of Fate

A Rare Collectible

The CPS Changer rarely appears for sale in the US or even on eBay. If you are looking to buy one, get ready to have a mediator in Japan and start attending Yahoo Japan auctions. The system and its games are priced high, between $ 700- $ 1000 per piece. So, both because of the high price and the difficulty to get it, this console (as well as its video games) is aimed at the most hardcore collectors.