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Capcom's Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a revelation for fans and newcomers alike. Given the mixed reception of recent Marvel vs. Capcom titles, this collection's release was a welcome surprise. As someone familiar only with Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite, I eagerly dove into this historical retrospective. The legendary Marvel vs. Capcom 2 soundtrack alone was enough to justify the purchase, and the experience far exceeded expectations. Available on Steam, Switch, and PlayStation (with Xbox slated for 2025), this collection offers an incredible value.
Game Lineup
The 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). These are faithful arcade ports, ensuring complete feature parity. Both English and Japanese versions are included, a delightful detail for fans, as it means Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter includes Norimaro in the Japanese version.
My review is based on extensive playtime across Steam Deck (both LCD and OLED models), PS5 (via backward compatibility), and Nintendo Switch. While lacking deep expertise in these games (this was my first time playing most), the sheer fun of Marvel vs. Capcom 2, even pre-release, easily justified the price. I'm even tempted to purchase physical copies for my collection.
Enhanced Features
The user interface mirrors Capcom's Capcom Fighting Collection, inheriting both its strengths and weaknesses (more on that later). Key additions include online and local multiplayer, local wireless on Switch, rollback netcode, a comprehensive training mode, customizable game options, a crucial white flash reduction setting, diverse display options, and a selection of wallpapers.
The training mode is a standout, featuring hitboxes, input displays, and other helpful tools perfect for newcomers. A new one-button super move option, togglable for online play, further enhances accessibility.
Museum and Gallery
A substantial museum and gallery showcases over 200 soundtracks and 500 pieces of artwork, some previously unseen by the public. While a welcome addition for longtime fans, Japanese text within sketches and design documents remains untranslated. The inclusion of the soundtracks is fantastic, raising hopes for future vinyl or streaming releases.
Online Multiplayer with Rollback Netcode
Network settings offer microphone and voice chat control (PC only offers more granular control than Switch or PS4), input delay, and connection strength (PC and PS4 only). Pre-release Steam Deck testing (wired and wireless) revealed online play comparable to Capcom Fighting Collection on Steam, a significant improvement over the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection. Cross-region matchmaking and adjustable input delay further enhance the experience. Co-op in The Punisher also functioned flawlessly.
Matchmaking supports casual and ranked modes, along with leaderboards and a High Score Challenge. A thoughtful detail: rematching preserves cursor positions, a small but appreciated quality-of-life improvement.
Issues
The collection's biggest flaw is the single, global save state. This applies to the entire collection, not individual games, a disappointing carryover from Capcom Fighting Collection. Another minor issue: lack of universal settings for light reduction and visual filters. Per-game adjustments are present, but a global toggle would be preferable.
Platform-Specific Notes
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Steam Deck: Steam Deck Verified, running smoothly at 720p handheld and supporting 4K docked (tested at 1440p docked and 800p handheld). 16:9 aspect ratio only.
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Nintendo Switch: Visually acceptable, but load times are significantly slower than Steam and PS5 versions. Local wireless is supported.
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PS5: Backward compatibility title, performing well at 1440p. Faster loading on SSD. Lack of native PS5 features is a missed opportunity.
Overall, Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a top-tier collection, surpassing expectations in terms of content and online play. The single save state remains a frustrating limitation, but the overall experience is overwhelmingly positive.
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics Steam Deck Review Score: 4.5/5
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