Marvel vs. Capcom Arcade Classics: Nostalgic Collection Returns

Capcom's Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a dream come true for fans of the series, especially considering the mixed reception of recent entries. This collection, boasting seven classic arcade titles, offers a nostalgic trip for veterans and a thrilling introduction for newcomers like myself, who only previously played Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite. The iconic soundtrack alone is worth the price of admission.

Game Lineup:

The collection includes: 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 beat 'em up, The Punisher. These are faithful arcade ports, preserving all the features absent in some older console releases. Both English and Japanese versions are included, a delightful touch for fans (like the inclusion of Norimaro in Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter's Japanese version).

My 32 hours of playtime across Steam Deck (LCD and OLED), PS5 (via backward compatibility), and Nintendo Switch provides a solid basis for this review. While lacking deep expertise in these classic titles, my enjoyment, particularly with Marvel vs. Capcom 2, easily justifies the purchase price. I'm even considering the physical console releases!

New Features and Enhancements:

The user interface mirrors Capcom's Capcom Fighting Collection, inheriting both its strengths and a few of its shortcomings (more on that later). Key additions include online and local multiplayer, Switch's local wireless support, rollback netcode, a robust training mode (with hitboxes and input displays), customizable game options, a crucial white flash reduction feature, various display options, and a selection of wallpapers. A helpful one-button super move option caters to newcomers.

Museum and Gallery:

A comprehensive museum and gallery showcases over 200 soundtrack tracks and 500 pieces of artwork, some previously unreleased. While a treasure trove for fans, Japanese text in sketches and design documents lacks translation. The inclusion of these soundtracks is fantastic, sparking hope for future vinyl or streaming releases.

Online Multiplayer Experience:

The options menu provides network settings (microphone, voice chat volume, input delay, and connection strength on PC; limited options on other platforms). My pre-release Steam Deck testing (wired and wireless) revealed online play comparable to Capcom Fighting Collection on Steam, a significant improvement over Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection. Cross-region matchmaking and adjustable input delay enhance the experience. Co-op in The Punisher also functioned flawlessly. The convenient persistence of character selection cursors after rematches is a welcome touch.

The collection supports casual and ranked matches, along with leaderboards and a High Score Challenge mode.

Issues and Shortcomings:

The biggest drawback is the single, collection-wide quick save slot, a carryover from Capcom Fighting Collection. Another minor issue involves the lack of universal settings for visual filters and light reduction.

Platform-Specific Observations:

• Steam Deck: Steam Deck Verified, running flawlessly at 720p (handheld) and supporting 4K docked.
• Nintendo Switch: Visually acceptable, but hampered by noticeable load times. Local wireless is a plus.
• PS5: Excellent visuals (1440p tested), fast loading (especially on SSD), but limited by backward compatibility.

Overall:

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a top-tier compilation, excelling beyond just fighting games. The exceptional extras and smooth online play (on Steam) make it a highly enjoyable experience. The single save state remains a frustrating limitation.

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