Marvel vs. Capcom Revive Arcade Nostalgia with Collection Release

Capcom's Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics delivers a nostalgic knockout! For long-time fans and newcomers alike, this collection is a must-have, offering a compelling blend of classic arcade titles and modern enhancements. Recent controversies surrounding Capcom's fighting game releases made this announcement a pleasant surprise. Even those familiar only with Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite will find themselves captivated. The iconic soundtrack alone is worth the price of admission.

Game Lineup:

This impressive 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 PUNISHER (a beat 'em up, not a fighting game). All are based on the original arcade versions, ensuring complete feature sets, and offering both English and Japanese language options (allowing access to characters like Norimaro in Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter using the Japanese version).

This review reflects 15 hours of playtime on Steam Deck (both LCD and OLED), 13 hours on PS5 (via backward compatibility), and 4 hours on Nintendo Switch. While lacking deep expertise in these classic titles (this was my first time playing most of them!), the sheer fun of Marvel vs. Capcom 2 alone justifies the purchase price. I’m even tempted to get the physical console releases!

Enhanced Features:

The user interface mirrors Capcom Fighting Collection, though it shares some of that collection's minor flaws (discussed later). Key additions include online and local multiplayer (with local wireless on Switch), rollback netcode, a robust training mode (with hitboxes and input displays), customizable game options, a vital white flash reduction feature, various display options, and a selection of wallpapers. A helpful one-button super move option caters to newcomers.

Museum and Gallery:

A treasure trove awaits in the museum and gallery, showcasing over 200 soundtrack tracks and 500 pieces of artwork – some previously unseen by the public! While a welcome addition, Japanese text in sketches and design documents remains untranslated. The inclusion of the official soundtracks is a significant achievement, sparking hope for future vinyl or streaming releases.

Online Multiplayer Experience:

Network settings allow for microphone/voice chat adjustments, input delay control, and connection strength monitoring (PC only; Switch lacks connection strength options; PS4 offers input delay and connection strength). Pre-release Steam Deck testing (wired and wireless) revealed online play comparable to Capcom Fighting Collection (Steam), a vast improvement over the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection. Cross-region matchmaking and input delay adjustments enhance the experience. The ability to retain cursor positions after rematches is a thoughtful touch.

Casual and ranked matches, along with leaderboards and a High Score Challenge mode, are all included.

Issues:

The most significant drawback is the single save state (quick save) for the entire collection – not per game. This carries over from Capcom Fighting Collection. Another minor inconvenience is the lack of universal settings for light reduction and visual filters. Individual game adjustments are provided, but a global toggle would be preferable.

Platform-Specific Notes:

• Steam Deck: Steam Deck Verified! Runs flawlessly at 720p handheld, supporting 4K docked (tested at 1440p docked and 800p handheld). 16:9 aspect ratio only.
• Nintendo Switch: Visually acceptable, but load times are significantly slower than other platforms. Local wireless is supported.
• PS5: Backward compatibility performance is excellent on a 1440p monitor, with fast loading (even from an external hard drive; SSD recommended for optimal speeds). PS5 Activity Card integration would have been a welcome addition.

Overall, Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a top-tier compilation, excelling beyond just fighting or arcade games. The extras are exceptional, online play is superb (on Steam, at least), and experiencing these classics is a joy. The limited save states remain the most significant frustration.

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics Steam Deck Review Score: 4.5/5