Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics Review – Switch, Steam Deck, and PS5 Covered

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 offers a comprehensive retrospective, including seven classic titles, playable in both English and Japanese versions. For newcomers like myself, it's been a revelation, and the sheer fun of Marvel vs. Capcom 2 alone justifies the purchase price.

Game Lineup

The collection boasts a stellar roster: X-Men: Children of the Atom, Marvel Super Heroes, X-Men vs. Street Fighter, Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (with Norimaro available in the Japanese version!), Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes, Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes, and the beat 'em up The Punisher. All games are based on their arcade counterparts, ensuring a faithful and complete experience.

My review is based on extensive playtime across Steam Deck, PS5, and Nintendo Switch. While I lack the expertise to provide in-depth game analysis (this being my first time with most of these titles), the sheer enjoyment I've derived, especially from Marvel vs. Capcom 2, speaks volumes. The collection's value is undeniable.

New Features and Enhancements

The collection shares a familiar interface with Capcom's Fighting Collection, though it inherits some of the same minor flaws. Key features include online and local multiplayer (with wireless support on Switch), rollback netcode, a greatly improved training mode with hitbox displays, customizable game options, an essential white flash reduction setting, diverse display options, and a selection of wallpapers. A helpful one-button super move option caters to both veterans and newcomers.

Museum and Gallery

The impressive museum and gallery are highlights, showcasing over 200 soundtrack tracks and 500 pieces of artwork, some previously unseen by the public. While Japanese text in sketches and documents remains untranslated, the sheer volume and quality of content are impressive. The inclusion of the soundtracks is a welcome addition, hopefully paving the way for future vinyl or streaming releases.

Online Multiplayer Experience

The online experience, tested extensively on Steam Deck and with a fellow reviewer, is a significant improvement over previous Capcom collections. Rollback netcode ensures smooth gameplay, even across distances. Options include adjustable input delay and cross-region matchmaking. The inclusion of casual and ranked matches, along with leaderboards and a High Score Challenge mode, adds to the replayability. A small but appreciated detail is the retention of cursor positions when rematching, streamlining character selection.

Issues

The collection's biggest drawback is the single, global save state—a carryover from the Fighting Collection. Another minor issue is the lack of universal settings for visual filters and light reduction.

Platform Performance

On Steam Deck, the game runs flawlessly, achieving 720p handheld and supporting 4K docked. The Switch version, while visually acceptable, suffers from noticeable load times. The PS5 version, while via backward compatibility, performs admirably, with fast loading times.

Overall, Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection is a superb package. The wealth of content, excellent online play (on Steam especially), and the sheer joy of rediscovering (or discovering) these classics make it a must-have for fighting game fans. The single save state remains a frustrating limitation, but it doesn't overshadow the overall positive experience.

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