SwitchArcade Review Round-Up: ‘Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection’, ‘Yars Rising’, & ‘Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland’

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics ($49.99)

For 90s fans of Marvel, Capcom, and fighting games, Capcom's Marvel-themed fighters were a dream. From the superb X-Men: Children of the Atom, the series consistently improved, expanding to the broader Marvel universe with Marvel Super Heroes, then the groundbreaking Marvel/ Street Fighter crossovers, culminating in the wildly popular Marvel vs. Capcom 2. This Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics captures this era perfectly, even including Capcom's excellent Punisher beat 'em up as a bonus. A truly fantastic collection of classic titles.

This compilation shares much in common with the Capcom Fighting Collection, including its features and extras – unfortunately, this also means a single shared save state across all seven games. While inconvenient for fighting games, it's especially problematic for the beat 'em up, where independent saves would be ideal. However, the collection shines in other areas, offering plentiful options like visual filters and gameplay adjustments, extensive art galleries, a music player, and rollback online multiplayer. The inclusion of NAOMI hardware emulation is a notable improvement, resulting in a fantastic presentation and gameplay for Marvel vs. Capcom 2.

While not a criticism, I wish some home console versions were included. The PlayStation EX versions of the tag-team games offer distinct differences, and the Dreamcast version of Marvel vs. Capcom 2 boasts enjoyable extras that enhance the single-player experience. Adding Capcom's two Super NES Marvel games, even if not their best, would have been a nice touch. However, the title accurately reflects its contents: these are truly arcade classics.

Marvel and fighting game enthusiasts will be thrilled with this exceptional collection. The games are fantastic, meticulously preserved, and complemented by a wealth of extras and options. The single shared save state is a significant drawback, but otherwise, this is a near-perfect compilation. Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a must-have for Switch owners.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Yars Rising ($29.99)

Initially, I was skeptical. I adore Yars’ Revenge, a 2600 favorite. The idea of WayForward creating a Metroidvania Yars game featuring a young, bare-midriff hacker named Yar felt… odd. But is my skepticism justified? Partially. This is a good game; WayForward delivers a polished experience with excellent visuals, sound, and level design. The bosses, however, are a bit too lengthy, a common WayForward trait.

WayForward admirably attempts to bridge the gap between this new game and the classic single-screen shooter. Yars’ Revenge-style sequences are frequent, abilities evoke the original, and the lore is surprisingly well-integrated. While a significant departure, Atari's attempts to revitalize its classics are understandable. The game, however, seems to cater to two distinct audiences with minimal overlap, raising questions about its overall direction.

Despite the conceptual debate, Yars Rising is undeniably enjoyable. It may not challenge genre leaders, but it offers a satisfying Metroidvania experience for a weekend playthrough. Perhaps future installments will better integrate the two styles.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland ($24.99)

My nostalgia for Rugrats is limited, though I recall watching it with siblings. I know the characters and theme song, but beyond that, my knowledge is superficial. Therefore, I approached Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland with an open mind. Comparisons to Bonk were made, and while Tommy's physique fits the description, the game is quite different. The tutorial stage immediately revealed crisp visuals, surpassing the show's animation quality, though control placement felt awkward (fortunately adjustable). The Rugrats theme song plays, Reptar coins are collectible, and simple puzzles and enemies are present. A classic platformer formula.

Tommy's taking damage prompted a switch to Chuckie, revealing a familiar high-arcing jump. Switching to Phil and Lil revealed a low jump and floating ability, respectively. This is a Super Mario Bros. 2 (USA) clone! Enemies can be picked up and thrown, blocks piled for vertical traversal, and sand-digging mechanics are included. The stages are slightly non-linear with significant verticality. It's fantastic!

While other platformers are referenced, the core gameplay is reminiscent of Super Mario Bros. 2. Boss battles are engaging, and the option to switch between modern and 8-bit visuals and soundtracks adds replay value. A filter is also available. Creative and fun! The license is used effectively, and multiplayer is supported. The only drawbacks are the slightly awkward controls and its short length.

Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland exceeded expectations. It's a high-quality Super Mario Bros. 2-style platformer with added elements. The Rugrats license is well-integrated, although voice acting in cutscenes would have been a nice addition. While brief, it's a worthwhile experience for platformer and Rugrats fans.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5