Capcom's Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics delivers a knockout blow for fans of classic fighting games. This collection, a surprise hit given recent franchise history, offers a compelling package for both veterans and newcomers. My experience across Steam Deck, PS5, and Switch highlights its strengths and minor shortcomings.
A Roster of Classics
The collection boasts seven arcade-perfect 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 beat 'em up, The Punisher. Both English and Japanese versions are included, a welcome detail for fans. The inclusion of Norimaro in the Japanese version of Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter is a particularly nice touch.
My 32 hours of playtime across multiple platforms confirmed the fun factor. Marvel vs. Capcom 2, in particular, exceeded expectations, easily justifying the purchase price. I'm even tempted to buy physical copies for my collection! While this was my first experience with these titles, the gameplay is immediately engaging.
Modern Enhancements
The user interface mirrors Capcom's Capcom Fighting Collection, including both its strengths and weaknesses. The collection features robust online and local multiplayer (with wireless support on Switch), rollback netcode, a comprehensive training mode with hitbox displays, customizable game options, a crucial white flash reduction setting, various display options, and several wallpapers. A helpful one-button super move option caters to newcomers.
A Treasure Trove of Extras
A vast museum and gallery showcase over 200 soundtracks and 500 pieces of artwork, some previously unseen by the public. While Japanese text in sketches and documents lacks translation, the sheer volume of content is impressive. The inclusion of the soundtracks is a major win, and hopefully, a precursor to vinyl or streaming releases.
Online Play: Rollback Reigns Supreme
Online play, tested extensively on Steam Deck (wired and wireless) and across platforms, rivals Capcom Fighting Collection in quality, significantly outperforming Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection. Input delay adjustment and cross-region matchmaking are available (though Switch lacks connection strength options). The online experience is smooth and responsive, even across distances. Leaderboards and a High Score Challenge mode add replayability. The persistent cursor memory for character selection after rematches is a welcome quality-of-life improvement.
Minor Issues
The single, collection-wide save state is a significant drawback, inherited from Capcom Fighting Collection. The lack of universal settings for visual filters and light reduction is also inconvenient.
Platform-Specific Notes
- Steam Deck: Verified and runs flawlessly, supporting 720p handheld and up to 4K docked (though no 16:10 support).
- Nintendo Switch: Visually acceptable, but suffers from noticeable load times. The lack of connection strength settings is a missed opportunity. Local wireless is a plus.
- PS5: Runs via backward compatibility; looks great, loads quickly (especially on an SSD). The absence of native PS5 features is a missed opportunity.
Final Verdict
Despite minor flaws, Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a superb compilation. The excellent extras, smooth online play (especially on PC), and the opportunity to experience these classics make it a must-have for fighting game fans. The single save state remains a frustrating limitation.
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics Steam Deck Review Score: 4.5/5
