Capcom's Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics delivers a knockout punch for fighting game fans. This collection, a surprise hit given recent franchise history, offers a compelling package of classic titles for both seasoned veterans and newcomers. My experience across Steam Deck, PS5, and Switch reveals a mostly stellar experience, marred only by a few minor frustrations.
A Roster of Arcade Classics
The collection boasts seven titles: X-Men: Children of the Atom, Marvel Super Heroes, X-Men vs. Street Fighter, Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter, Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes, Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes, and the beat 'em up, The Punisher. All are based on their arcade counterparts, ensuring complete feature sets. The inclusion of both English and Japanese versions is a welcome bonus, with the Japanese version of Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter notably featuring Norimaro.
My 32+ hours of gameplay across multiple platforms (Steam Deck, PS5, and Switch) cemented my appreciation. While I'm not a fighting game expert, the sheer fun of Marvel vs. Capcom 2 alone justifies the price tag. I'm even tempted to grab physical copies for my collection!
Modern Enhancements
The user interface mirrors Capcom's Capcom Fighting Collection, including its flaws (more on that later). Key additions include online and local multiplayer, Switch's local wireless support, rollback netcode, a comprehensive training mode (with hitboxes and input displays), extensive customization options, a vital white flash reduction setting, diverse display options, and several wallpapers. A particularly useful feature for beginners is the optional one-button super move.
A Treasure Trove of Museum Content
The collection's museum and gallery are highlights, boasting over 200 soundtracks and 500 pieces of artwork, some previously unreleased. While the Japanese text in sketches and design documents remains untranslated, the sheer volume of content is impressive. The official soundtrack release is long overdue and hopefully paves the way for vinyl or streaming options.
Online Multiplayer: Rollback Netcode Triumphs
The online experience, tested extensively on Steam Deck (wired and wireless) and PS5, is a triumph. Rollback netcode shines, delivering smooth gameplay even across distances. Matchmaking supports casual and ranked matches, plus leaderboards and a High Score Challenge. The retention of cursor positions after rematches is a small but appreciated detail.
Minor Gripes
The single save state for the entire collection is a significant drawback, carrying over from the Capcom Fighting Collection. The lack of universal settings for visual filters and light reduction is another minor inconvenience.
Platform-Specific Notes
- Steam Deck: Verified and runs flawlessly, offering 720p handheld and up to 4K docked.
- Nintendo Switch: Visually acceptable, but suffers from noticeable load times. The lack of a connection strength option is disappointing. Local wireless is a plus.
- PS5: Backward compatibility means no PS5-native features, but it runs smoothly and looks great.
Final Verdict
Despite minor issues, Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a remarkable collection, easily one of Capcom's best. The impressive extras, excellent online play (on Steam, especially), and the joy of rediscovering these classics make it a must-have for fighting game enthusiasts. The single save slot remains a frustrating blemish.
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics Steam Deck Review Score: 4.5/5
