Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Nostalgia Revived on Modern Platforms

Capcom's Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics delivers a knockout punch for fighting game fans. This collection, a surprising delight given recent franchise history, offers a compelling retrospective for veterans and a fantastic introduction for newcomers. Having played only Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite previously, I was blown away by the earlier titles. The legendary Marvel vs. Capcom 2 soundtrack alone justifies the purchase, but the entire package far surpasses expectations.

Game Lineup

The collection boasts seven 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. English and Japanese versions are included, a detail that excites fans of the series' history.

This review reflects 15 hours on Steam Deck (LCD and OLED), 13 hours on PS5 (backward compatibility), and 4 hours on Nintendo Switch. While I lack deep expertise in these classic titles, my enjoyment of Marvel vs. Capcom 2 alone makes the purchase price a steal.

New Features and Enhancements

The interface mirrors Capcom's Capcom Fighting Collection, including its shortcomings (discussed later). Key additions include online and local multiplayer, local wireless on Switch, rollback netcode, a training mode with hitboxes and input displays, customizable game options, a crucial white flash reduction setting, various display options, and several wallpaper choices. A helpful one-button super move option caters to newcomers.

Museum and Gallery

A comprehensive museum and gallery showcase over 200 soundtracks and 500 pieces of artwork, some previously unseen by the public. While a welcome addition, the lack of translation for Japanese text in sketches and design documents is a minor drawback. The inclusion of the soundtracks is a major win, hopefully paving the way for future vinyl or streaming releases.

Online Multiplayer and Rollback Netcode

Online options include adjustable input delay and cross-region matchmaking (PC and PS4 versions offer additional network settings). My 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. Matchmaking supports casual and ranked matches, along with leaderboards and a High Score Challenge. The persistent cursor memory during rematches is a thoughtful touch.

Issues and Shortcomings

The collection's biggest flaw is the single save state for the entire collection, not per game. Another minor issue is the lack of universal settings for visual filters and light reduction. Per-game adjustments are helpful but a global toggle would be preferable.

Platform-Specific Notes

• Steam Deck: Verified and runs flawlessly, supporting 720p handheld and 4K docked (tested at 1440p docked and 800p handheld). 16:10 support is absent.
• Nintendo Switch: Visually acceptable, but load times are significantly longer than on other platforms. The lack of a connection strength option is also disappointing. Local wireless is a plus.
• PS5: Backward compatibility performance is excellent, though native PS5 support with Activity Card integration would have been ideal. Load times are fast, even from an external drive.

Overall, Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a top-tier compilation, exceeding expectations in most areas. The superb extras and online experience make this a must-have for fighting game enthusiasts. The single save state is the only major drawback.

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