Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics Review – A Masterclass in Retro Fighting

A Legendary Crossover

Preserving classic video games can be complicated, especially when the IP is locked behind complicated licensing arrangements with expiry dates. With Marvel films being box office draws and competitive fighting games being massive eSport extravaganzas, it was about time for the complex web of licensing arrangements and character IPs to bring back one of Capcom’s most cherished fighting franchises. This Versus franchise brought characters from their universe together with those from Marvel to create the ultimate crossover. Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a long overdue modern high-definition remaster and collection of some of the best fighting games almost lost in the retro gaming archives. A 4MB SEGA Saturn expansion cartridge is no longer something you need.

The collection is a fascinating capsule into a time that isn’t so much different from ours. Sure, we now live in a world where the MCU rules over pop culture (for better or worse), but Marvel has always been a big deal, even with just their comics and animated series. Capcom created some of their coolest and most experimental fighting games when they got hold of Marvel characters, and having these games in one place in their best and most playable form is a moment both veterans and newcomers will appreciate.

Classic Gameplay Meets Modern Features

Similar to previous Arcade Classics that Capcom has released, the collection here has all the games polished up for the latest gaming displays and comes with all regional variations, too. The presentation is effective, with all the necessary options and filters. There are more than just the games here; an extensive museum gallery of official artwork can be accessed, and this is especially cool given the source material. Even better is having the entire library of iconic music tracks in one place. The production values of these games exuded creative energy that elevated both Marvel and Capcom material in ways we don’t often see anymore.

The Evolution of the Fighting Arcade Genre

The collection may be named after the most popular game, but it all really began with X-Men: Children of the Atom. This one-on-one fighting game featuring the cast from X-Men established the combat blueprint, and it is absolutely worth diving into, even if most people will pick up the collection for bigger sequels. The game also marked the first time gamers got a comic book fighting game that was actually good, thanks to Capcom. Even now, this is a fascinating game to jump back into as the fighting system feels well thought-out and balanced, but more importantly, the character sprites were richly detailed, and the backgrounds were vivid. Honestly, it still feels like the pages of a comic book come to life.

The next game in the collection, simply titled Marvel Super Heroes, expands the concept by introducing Marvel characters outside the X-Men franchise. Now, there are the likes of Captain America and Spider-Man to create exciting fighting possibilities, and fans of the Avengers films will appreciate the premise built around the Infinity Gauntlet. More than just storyline, the Infinity Gems serve as pick-ups during fights, which can then activate enhancements such as additional power and special moves. It certainly is a neat idea, but it does not always translate well into competitive severe play. Still, this is fun for more casual fighting fans to enjoy.

When we get to X-Men vs. Street Fighter, that’s when business really picks up. This is officially the first game in the Vs. Series, and one that laid the foundation of the franchise we love. This is still a fantastic game to dive into; the gameplay and character cast are interesting and a lot of fun, and the game is also a joy to watch. The characters are perfectly curated to create a balanced roster, the artwork and presentation are full of life, and the tag team gameplay hits all the right notes right out of the gate. Capcom created a winning formula here that would only be expanded on further.

Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter plays just as well as its predecessor, but it finds itself in an awkward position in this collection, sandwiched between much better games in terms of character curation and gameplay diversity. Some may have nostalgia for this particular release, but this will likely be the one players skim over. Still, it’s great to find this piece of fighting game history beautifully preserved for the collection.

Finally, we get to the real namesake of the collection: Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes. This right here is the ultimate culmination of all the preceding games and the perfection of the Vs—tag team gameplay formula. A stunning 2D graphical showcase powered by the artwork of Capcom and Marvel, the character roster here couldn’t be more perfectly curated and balanced. Adding more flair to the fighting system, the tag team fighting is complimented by special assist characters that can jump in to perform combo assists as for the original Vs. The gameplay formula goes, but it doesn’t get much better.

Marvel vs. Capcom 2: The Competitive Favorite

The final game in the collection is perhaps the one that most serious competitive players will lean towards: the enormously ambitious Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes. This isn’t just a direct sequel to its predecessor; it is, in fact, a completely different style of fighting game. It has remained a staple of fighting game tournaments and is likely the game that will get the most playtime in tournaments and in online multiplayer.

Instead of going for a careful curation, the game throws 56 characters at players, and instead of the traditional 2 vs. 2 tag team affair, this game goes for a more significant 3 vs. 3 battle royale affair. The fighting system is perhaps the most complicated ever devised by Capcom, and it’s no wonder this will be the favorite among fighting enthusiasts. The ambitious gameplay does, however, come at a cost, as in terms of graphics and presentation, this is perhaps the franchise’s weakest and most inconsistent-looking game. The 2.5D backgrounds look dull and lifeless, but the music is decent. Again, graphics and artistic presentation were necessary sacrifices to create the most technically ambitious fighting game featuring the most extensive character roster imaginable.

All games are fully playable online and feature detailed training modes with complete frame and character hitbox analysis. The collection no doubt represents Capcom when they were at their creative peak, always willing to experiment and take risks. And to add a cherry on top, the collection even features The Punisher arcade game, a rare cut and surprisingly fun beat ’em up that is more than welcome here. Regardless of preferences, there is something here for all fighting game players to enjoy.

The Verdict: A Must-Have for Fighting Fans

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a no-brainer, assembling some of the best games from Capcom’s fighting catalog into one impressive collection with plenty of features and extras to boot. These are entertaining games, and so whether you’re a casual fighting fan looking to explore a diverse library of fighting games or just a tournament enthusiast looking to dive straight into Marvel vs. Capcom 2 with all the handy training modes, this collection needs to be a part of every gamer’s library, fighting game and pop culture enthusiasts alike.