Marvel and Capcom Classics Revived: Collection Reviewed for Switch, Steam Deck, and PS5

The Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a phenomenal compilation for fans of the series and newcomers alike. Its recent release on Steam, Switch, and PlayStation (with Xbox slated for 2025) has been met with overwhelmingly positive reception, largely due to its inclusion of beloved titles and impressive features.

Game Lineup:

This collection boasts seven classic 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 based on the arcade versions, ensuring a complete and faithful experience. Both English and Japanese versions are included, a detail appreciated by fans of the series.

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 games prior to this collection, the sheer enjoyment, particularly with Marvel vs. Capcom 2, far surpasses the asking price.

New Features and Enhancements:

The user interface mirrors Capcom's Capcom Fighting Collection, inheriting both its strengths and weaknesses. Key additions include online and local multiplayer, local wireless (Switch only), rollback netcode, a comprehensive training mode (with hitboxes and input displays), extensive customization options, adjustable white flash reduction, diverse display settings, and a selection of wallpapers. A noteworthy feature for newcomers is the optional one-button super move.

Museum and Gallery:

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

Online Multiplayer:

The online experience, tested extensively on Steam Deck (wired and wireless), is comparable to Capcom Fighting Collection on Steam, a significant improvement over the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection. Rollback netcode ensures smooth gameplay, even across distances. Options include adjustable input delay, cross-region matchmaking, casual and ranked matches, and leaderboards. A thoughtful detail is the preservation of cursor positions upon rematch, enhancing user experience.

Issues and Shortcomings:

The collection's most significant flaw is the single, global save state. This applies to the entire collection, not individual games, a carryover from Capcom Fighting Collection. Another minor issue is the lack of universal settings for visual filters and light reduction, requiring individual adjustments per game.

Platform-Specific Observations:

• Steam Deck: Fully verified, running smoothly at 720p handheld and supporting 4K docked. Graphics options include resolution, display mode, and v-sync.

• Nintendo Switch: Visually acceptable, but suffers from noticeable load times compared to other platforms. Local wireless is supported, but a connection strength option is missing.

• PS5: Runs via backward compatibility, lacking native PS5 features like Activity Cards. Loads quickly, especially when installed on the SSD.

Overall:

The Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a superb compilation, excelling in its extras and online functionality. Despite a few minor issues, such as the limited save states, it's a must-have for fighting game enthusiasts.

Steam Deck Review Score: 4.5/5