Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection: A Blast from the Past for Modern Gamers

Capcom's Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics delivers a knockout blow for fans of classic fighting games. This collection, a surprising release given the history of the series, is a must-have for both seasoned veterans and newcomers alike. My experience across Steam Deck, PS5, and Switch reveals a collection brimming with content and largely polished online play, though with a few minor shortcomings.

A Roster of Arcade Classics

Seven games comprise this impressive collection: 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. All are based on the arcade originals, ensuring a faithful and complete experience. The inclusion of both English and Japanese versions adds significant replay value, particularly the Japanese version of Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter featuring Norimaro.

My 32 hours of gameplay across multiple platforms (Steam Deck, PS5, and Switch) revealed a truly enjoyable experience. Even as a newcomer to these titles, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 alone justified the purchase price, prompting me to seek out physical copies as well.

Modern Enhancements and Features

Fans of Capcom's Capcom Fighting Collection will find the interface familiar. However, some of the same issues persist, as discussed later. Key additions include online and local multiplayer (with wireless support on Switch), rollback netcode, a comprehensive training mode, extensive customization options, a crucial setting to reduce screen flicker, and a diverse selection of display settings and wallpapers.

A particularly welcome addition for newcomers is the optional one-button super move. The training mode offers hitbox displays and input tracking, making it accessible for players of all skill levels.

A Treasure Trove of Museum Content

The extensive museum and gallery are highlights. Over 200 soundtrack tracks and 500 pieces of artwork are included, some previously unreleased. While the sheer volume of content is impressive, it's worth noting that Japanese text in sketches and design documents lacks translation.

The official release of these soundtracks is a welcome addition, and hopefully a precursor to vinyl or streaming releases.

Online Multiplayer: Rollback Netcode in Action

The online experience, utilizing rollback netcode, is a significant success. While PC offers extensive network settings (microphone control, voice chat volume, input delay, and connection strength), the Switch version lacks connection strength adjustment, and the PS4 version omits voice chat options.

My pre-release testing on Steam Deck (both wired and wireless) showed online play comparable to Capcom Fighting Collection on Steam, a marked improvement over Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection. Cross-region matchmaking and adjustable input delay further enhance the online experience. The inclusion of casual and ranked matches, along with leaderboards and a High Score Challenge, adds significant replayability.

The preservation of cursor positions during online rematches is a small but appreciated detail.

Minor Issues and Concerns

The most significant drawback is the single save state for the entire collection. This limitation, carried over from Capcom Fighting Collection, is disappointing. Another minor inconvenience is the lack of a global setting for visual filters and light reduction; adjusting these options requires individual game configuration.

Platform-Specific Observations

• Steam Deck: Perfectly functional and Steam Deck Verified, offering excellent performance at various resolutions.

• Nintendo Switch: While visually acceptable, the Switch version suffers from noticeable load times. The lack of a connection strength option is also a drawback. However, it does offer local wireless play.

• PS5: Running via backward compatibility, the PS5 version performs well, but lacks native PS5 features like Activity Cards. Loading times are quick, even from an external drive.

Overall Impression

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a triumph, a high-quality collection that surpasses expectations. The impressive extras, smooth online play (primarily on PC), and the sheer joy of experiencing these classic titles make it a must-have. The single save state remains a frustrating limitation, but it doesn't overshadow the overall excellence of this release.

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