Capcom's Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics delivers a nostalgic knockout! For fans who missed the earlier entries, or those yearning for a retro fighting game fix, this collection is a dream come true. My experience across Steam Deck, PS5, and Switch reveals a compelling package, though with a few minor stumbles.
A Roster of Classics
Seven games are included: 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 the arcade originals, ensuring a faithful experience. The inclusion of both English and Japanese versions is a nice touch, particularly for Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter fans eager to play with Norimaro.
My 32 hours of playtime across multiple platforms (Steam Deck, PS5, Switch) confirmed the immense fun factor, especially Marvel vs. Capcom 2, making the price more than worthwhile. While I'm a newcomer to most of these titles, the gameplay is immediately engaging.
Modern Enhancements
The user interface mirrors Capcom's Fighting Collection, offering online and local multiplayer, Switch wireless support, rollback netcode, a training mode, extensive customization options, and a crucial feature to reduce screen flickering. A helpful one-button super move option caters to newcomers.
A Museum of Marvels
The collection boasts a comprehensive museum and gallery showcasing over 200 soundtracks and 500 pieces of artwork—some previously unseen. While Japanese text in some documents remains untranslated, the sheer volume of content is impressive. The inclusion of the soundtracks alone is a significant win for fans.
Online Play: Rollback Ready
Online play, tested extensively on Steam Deck, provides a smooth experience thanks to rollback netcode. It surpasses the online performance of previous Capcom collections. The option to adjust input delay and cross-region matchmaking enhances accessibility. Co-op in The Punisher also worked flawlessly. Ranked matches, casual matches, and leaderboards add replayability.
The smart rematch feature preserves cursor positions, a small but appreciated touch.
Minor Gripes
The single save state for the entire collection is a significant drawback, a carryover from the previous collection. The lack of universal settings for visual filters and light reduction is also inconvenient.
Platform Performance
Steam Deck compatibility is flawless (Verified!). Switch performance is acceptable, but load times are noticeably longer than on other platforms. The PS5 version, while via backward compatibility, runs beautifully and loads quickly.
Final Verdict
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a fantastic collection, marred only by minor technical issues. The sheer amount of content, improved online play, and excellent extras make it a must-have for fighting game fans.
Steam Deck Review Score: 4.5/5
