Marvel vs. Capcom Nostalgic Gems Resurface

This review dives into Capcom's Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics, a compilation that surprised many given the mixed reception of recent Marvel vs. Capcom titles. For those familiar only with Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite, this collection offers a chance to explore the lauded classics. The inclusion of Marvel vs. Capcom 2's soundtrack alone is a significant draw. Available on Steam, Switch, and PlayStation (with Xbox to follow in 2025), the collection has been thoroughly tested across multiple platforms.

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). These are arcade-perfect ports, ensuring complete feature parity. Both English and Japanese versions are included, notably offering Norimaro in Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter's Japanese version.

This review is based on extensive playtime across Steam Deck (both LCD and OLED), PS5 (via backward compatibility), and Nintendo Switch. While lacking deep expertise in these classic titles (this was a first playthrough), the sheer enjoyment derived from Marvel vs. Capcom 2 alone justifies the price.

New Features

The interface closely mirrors Capcom Fighting Collection, inheriting both its strengths and weaknesses. Key features include online and local multiplayer (with local wireless on Switch), rollback netcode, a comprehensive training mode, per-game customization options, adjustable white flash reduction, various display options, and several wallpaper choices. A noteworthy addition is a one-button super move option, ideal for newcomers.

Museum and Gallery

A rich museum and gallery showcase over 200 soundtrack tracks and 500 pieces of artwork, some previously unseen. While a welcome addition, Japanese text in sketches and documents remains untranslated. The inclusion of the soundtracks is a major plus, sparking hope for future vinyl or streaming releases.

Online Multiplayer

The online experience, tested extensively on Steam Deck (wired and wireless), mirrors Capcom Fighting Collection's quality on Steam, significantly surpassing Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection. Options include adjustable input delay, cross-region matchmaking, casual and ranked matches, leaderboards, and a High Score Challenge mode. A thoughtful detail: rematch cursors retain previous selections, enhancing usability.

Issues

The collection's primary flaw is the single, universal save state (quick save) for all games – a carryover from Capcom Fighting Collection. Another minor issue is the lack of global settings for visual filters and light reduction; adjustments must be made individually per game.

Platform-Specific Notes

• Steam Deck: Verified and runs flawlessly, supporting 720p handheld and up to 4K docked (16:9 only).
• Nintendo Switch: Visually acceptable, but load times are significantly longer than on other platforms. The connection strength option is missing. Local wireless is supported.
• PS5: Backward compatibility performance is excellent, loading quickly even from an external drive. Native PS5 support would have unlocked PS5 Activity Card integration.

Conclusion

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a top-tier compilation, exceeding expectations in many areas. The online play on Steam is exceptional, and the extras are fantastic. The single save state remains a significant drawback, however.

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