Marvel vs. Capcom Collection: Retro Arcade Action Resurrected

The Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a phenomenal compilation for fans of the series and newcomers alike. Its release was a surprise hit, especially given the mixed reception of previous entries. This review covers experiences across Steam Deck, PS5, and Nintendo Switch, highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of this impressive collection.

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). All are arcade versions, ensuring complete feature sets. Both English and Japanese versions are included, a delight for fans wanting to experience regional variations like Norimaro in Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter.

Based on extensive playtime across multiple platforms, the fun factor of Marvel vs. Capcom 2, in particular, easily justifies the purchase price. The experience was so enjoyable that a physical copy purchase is strongly considered. While this reviewer is a newcomer to most of these titles, the overall quality is undeniable.

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, Switch-specific local wireless, rollback netcode, a comprehensive training mode with hitbox displays, extensive customization options, and a crucial feature to reduce screen flickering. A welcome addition 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 treasure trove for fans, the lack of translation for Japanese text in certain documents is a minor drawback. The inclusion of the soundtracks is a significant win, sparking hope for future vinyl or streaming releases.

Online Multiplayer Experience

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. Matchmaking supports casual and ranked matches, along with leaderboards and a High Score Challenge mode. Conveniently, rematch selections retain character choices, a small but appreciated detail.

Issues and Shortcomings

The most significant issue is the single save state for the entire collection, a carryover from Capcom Fighting Collection. Another minor inconvenience is the lack of universal settings for visual filters and light reduction, requiring per-game adjustments.

Platform-Specific Observations

• Steam Deck: Perfectly functional, Steam Deck Verified status is well-deserved. Runs at 720p handheld, supports 4K docked.

• Nintendo Switch: Visually acceptable, but suffers from noticeable load times compared to other platforms. The absence of a connection strength option is a drawback. Local wireless is a plus.

• PS5: Runs via backward compatibility; native PS5 support would have been preferable for better integration with PS5 features. Loads quickly, looks excellent.

Overall Conclusion

The Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a top-tier compilation, excelling in extras and online play (especially on Steam). The experience is largely positive, despite the single save state limitation.

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