Capcom's Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics delivers a knockout blow for fighting game fans. This collection, a surprise hit given recent Capcom titles, offers a nostalgic trip for veterans and a thrilling introduction for newcomers. Having only played Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite previously, I was blown away by the earlier entries. The iconic Marvel vs. Capcom 2 soundtrack alone is worth the price of admission. Now available on Steam, Switch, and PlayStation (with Xbox to follow in 2025), this collection is a must-have.
Game Lineup
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 Punisher (a beat 'em up, not a fighter). All are arcade versions, ensuring complete features. Both English and Japanese versions are included – a treat for fans eager to play the Japanese Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter with Norimaro.
My review is based on extensive playtime across Steam Deck (LCD and OLED), PS5 (backward compatibility), and Nintendo Switch. While not a fighting game expert, the sheer enjoyment of Marvel vs. Capcom 2 alone justifies the purchase price – I'm even tempted to get the physical console versions!
New Features and Enhancements
The interface mirrors Capcom's Capcom Fighting Collection, including some of its quirks (discussed later). Key additions include online and local multiplayer, Switch local wireless, rollback netcode, a robust training mode (with hitboxes and input displays), customizable game options, a crucial white flash reduction setting, diverse display options, and several wallpapers. A beginner-friendly one-button super move option is also available.
Museum and Gallery: A Treasure Trove
The collection features a comprehensive museum and gallery, showcasing over 200 soundtracks and 500 pieces of artwork – some previously unseen by the public! While impressive, it's worth noting that Japanese text in sketches and documents remains untranslated. The inclusion of the soundtracks is a welcome addition, hopefully paving the way for vinyl or streaming releases.
Online Multiplayer: Rollback Netcode in Action
The online options menu offers network settings (microphone, voice chat volume, input delay, connection strength on PC; limited options on Switch and PS4). My pre-release testing on Steam Deck (wired and wireless) showed online play comparable to Capcom Fighting Collection on Steam, a significant improvement over Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection. Cross-region matchmaking and adjustable input delay are also available. The convenient persistent cursor placement during online rematches adds a polished touch.
The collection supports casual and ranked matches, along with leaderboards and a High Score Challenge mode.
Issues and Shortcomings
The collection's most significant flaw is the single save state for the entire collection (not per game). Another minor issue is the lack of universal settings for light reduction and visual filters; adjusting these requires individual game settings.
Platform-Specific Observations
- Steam Deck: Verified and runs flawlessly, supporting 720p handheld and 4K docked. I used 1440p docked and 800p handheld. No 16:10 support.
- Nintendo Switch: Visually acceptable, but load times are significantly longer than on other platforms. The lack of a connection strength option is also disappointing. Local wireless is a plus.
- PS5: Backward compatibility means no native PS5 features like Activity Card support. Visually excellent, but fast loading is contingent on using the SSD.
Overall, Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is one of Capcom's best collections. The extras are superb, online play is fantastic (on Steam), and experiencing these classic games is a joy. The single save state is a significant drawback, however.
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics Steam Deck Review Score: 4.5/5
