Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics review

Few fighting game franchises have left a mark as lasting as Marvel vs. Capcom. These crossover classics combine Capcom’s polished mechanics with Marvel’s iconic heroes, creating a series that has drawn gamers to arcades and consoles for decades. With Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics, Capcom has bundled seven games into a single package, offering fans a chance to experience these games in their original and enhanced glory.

This collection not only preserves the gameplay that made these games famous but also adds features to improve accessibility for modern audiences. Whether revisiting these classics or discovering them for the first time, the collection offers a deep dive into the evolution of crossover fighters. But how well does it hold up? Let’s take a closer look.

Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PC
Developer(s): Capcom
Publisher(s): Capcom
Genre: Fighting game
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer (local and online)
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Evolution across eras

The Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection serves as a time capsule, showcasing the progression of fighting game mechanics over nearly a decade. Each game in the collection reflects the experimentation and refinement that shaped the franchise. To make sense of this journey, let’s break down the titles by their key innovations.

Early innovations

The journey begins with X-Men: Children of the Atom and Marvel Super Heroes. These games introduced Marvel’s characters to Capcom’s fighting formula, with mechanics inspired by Street Fighter. Children of the Atom stood out for its Super Jumps and multi-layered arenas, giving matches a vertical dimension uncommon in fighters of its era. I remember playing Children of the Atom at a local arcade, watching my fighter leap off the screen with Super Jumps. It was a moment that made every match feel bigger and more dynamic.

Marvel Super Heroes added the Infinity Gems mechanic, allowing players to activate temporary power-ups mid-battle. While dated by today’s standards, these games laid the groundwork for the franchise’s trademark fast-paced action.

Tag-Team battles take over

Tag mechanics made their debut with X-Men vs. Street Fighter, setting a new standard for the series. This game introduced the ability to swap fighters during matches, letting players combine characters for powerful combos. I’ll never forget the first time I pulled off a seamless tag-team Hyper Combo, chaining Cyclops and Ryu together. It was the kind of moment that made me feel invincible, even if it only lasted until the next round.

Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter built on this by adding Variable Assist moves, allowing partners to attack briefly without tagging in fully. Together, these games elevated the franchise with their team-focused gameplay and diverse rosters.

The pinnacle of crossover chaos

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics reaches its peak with Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes and Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes. The former introduced cameo partners for added flair, while the latter revolutionized the genre with its massive 56-character roster and 3v3 battles.

Marvel vs. Capcom 2 remains a fan-favourite, though its chaotic controls divide opinions. I vividly remember the first time I played Marvel vs. Capcom 2. I felt completely out of control, frantically mashing buttons and somehow pulling off an epic combo. It wasn’t pretty, but it was unforgettable—a perfect snapshot of the game’s unpredictable charm. Regardless, these titles represent the franchise at its most ambitious and inventive.

A unique twist

Rounding out the collection is The Punisher, a side-scrolling beat ’em up that feels worlds apart from the fighting games. You take on waves of enemies as Frank Castle or Nick Fury, delivering intense action in a comic-inspired setting.

I remember playing The Punisher at a friend’s house and being blown away by the brutal simplicity of the gameplay. Smashing through enemies with Nick Fury felt oddly satisfying—like stepping into the pages of a comic book and becoming the hero (or anti-hero) for a day. While simplistic compared to the fighters, it offers a refreshing change of pace and highlights Capcom’s versatility.

Enhancing the classics

The Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection includes features that make these classics more accessible and enjoyable for modern audiences. Display filters and screen overlays allow you to customize the visuals, from replicating the glow of arcade monitors to sharper, modern looks. The Museum mode provides access to concept art, storyboards, and a music player, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the games’ creation. Browsing through character designs reminded me of flipping through an old comic book collection, rediscovering favourites and hidden gems.

Save states are another thoughtful addition. For someone like me, who never managed to finish Marvel Super Heroes in arcades, they make revisiting the toughest battles far less intimidating. The online multiplayer options—Casual, Ranked, and Custom matches—give the collection long-term appeal, though the lack of crossplay feels like a missed opportunity.

The extras aren’t exhaustive, but they strike a good balance between preserving nostalgia and adding value. Features like these ensure that both returning fans and first-time players can appreciate what made these games special, without feeling left out by their arcade-era difficulty.

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics delivers a well-curated selection of games that showcase Capcom’s mastery of the fighting genre. Each game, from X-Men: Children of the Atom to the iconic Marvel vs. Capcom 2, represents a milestone in the evolution of crossover fighters. The addition of The Punisher adds variety, offering a change of pace while celebrating another aspect of Capcom’s legacy.

What stood out most to me was the care taken to make these classics accessible. Save states and online multiplayer bring modern convenience, while customizable visuals and the Museum mode highlight the collection’s nostalgic charm. Revisiting these games felt like catching up with old friends—familiar, yet offering new details I’d missed the first time around.

Gameplay: 4/5
Graphics: 4/5
Sound: 4/5
Lasting appeal/Replayability: 4/5

Overall rating: 4/5 (80%)

While the collection isn’t perfect, with its lack of crossplay and limited Museum content, it accomplishes its main goal: preserving and celebrating some of the greatest fighting games ever made. Whether you’re an arcade veteran or exploring these titles for the first time, this collection is a must-have for anyone who loves fighting games.

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