Marvel vs. Capcom Legacy Revived: Collection Unlocks Iconic Arcade Classics

The Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a phenomenal compilation for fans of Capcom's fighting game history, especially considering recent events and the mixed reception of previous entries. This collection offers a fantastic opportunity to experience classic titles praised by both casual and competitive players. The inclusion of the Marvel vs. Capcom 2 soundtrack alone is a significant draw.

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 based on arcade versions, ensuring complete feature sets. English and Japanese versions are included, a noteworthy detail for fans of variations like Norimaro in Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (Japanese version).

This review is based on extensive playtime across Steam Deck (LCD and OLED), PS5 (backward compatibility), and Nintendo Switch. While lacking deep expertise in these classic titles (this was my first time playing most), the sheer enjoyment, especially with Marvel vs. Capcom 2, easily justifies the purchase price. I'm even tempted to get physical copies for my collection.

New Features

The collection's interface and front-end are reminiscent of Capcom Fighting Collection, inheriting both its strengths and weaknesses (discussed later). Key features include online and local multiplayer, local wireless on Switch, rollback netcode, a robust training mode with hitboxes and input displays, customizable game options, a crucial white flash/flicker reduction setting, various display options, and several wallpaper choices. A noteworthy addition is a one-button super move option, togglable for online play.

Museum and Gallery

The impressive museum and gallery contain over 200 soundtrack tracks and 500 pieces of artwork, some previously unreleased. While a welcome addition for longtime fans, the lack of translation for Japanese text in sketches and design documents is a minor drawback. The inclusion of the soundtracks is a major plus, hopefully paving the way for future vinyl or streaming releases.

Online Multiplayer

The online options menu offers customizable network settings, including microphone enable/disable, voice chat volume, input delay, and connection strength (PC only; Switch lacks connection strength). Pre-release testing on Steam Deck (wired and wireless) showed 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 are included. The convenience of retaining character selections after rematches is a thoughtful touch.

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

Issues

The most significant issue is the single save state (quick save) for the entire collection, not per game. This flaw from Capcom Fighting Collection carries over. Another minor complaint is the lack of universal settings for light reduction and visual filters; adjusting these requires individual game settings.

Platform-Specific Notes

• Steam Deck: Perfectly functional and Steam Deck Verified, running at 720p handheld and supporting 4K docked (tested at 1440p docked and 800p handheld). 16:9 aspect ratio only.

• Nintendo Switch: Visually acceptable, but suffers from noticeable load times compared to other platforms. The lack of a connection strength option is disappointing. Local wireless support is a plus.

• PS5: Backward compatibility performance is excellent, loading quickly even from an external drive (SSD recommended for optimal speed). The absence of native PS5 support means no Activity Card integration.

Overall, Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is one of Capcom's best compilations, offering exceptional extras and fantastic online play (on Steam). The single save state is the most significant drawback.

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