Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics Review

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Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics Review

As a seasoned gamer with decades of arcade and console gaming under my belt, I must say that Capcom has truly outdone themselves with their latest offering – the Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics. The sheer variety and quality of games included in this collection are enough to make any fighting game enthusiast’s heart skip a beat.

2022 saw the debut of the Capcom Fighting Collection to a mix of astonishment and warmth among gamers. While there were reservations following the release of the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection in 2018, which encountered issues with delay-based netcode, an irregular online match structure, and noticeable input lag, the Capcom Fighting Collection significantly addressed these concerns. Given that future collections like Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics and Capcom Fighting Collection 2 are leveraging the initial CFC’s architecture, it’s fortunate that improvements were made. These collections boast flagship titles that have been unplayable for quite some time. The ball is rolling with the arrival of Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection in 2024, marking a new era for classic Capcom fighting games.

The Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection, featuring classic arcade games, is not only backed by the original Fighting Collection, but also decades of passion from Marvel vs. Capcom (MvC) fans and creators. For the first time since the PS3, Xbox 360, or even the PS1 for certain titles, you can easily access games like 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, and Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes. Additionally, it includes the first direct port of Capcom’s 1993 arcade brawler, The Punisher. Given these inclusions, the Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection seems like a essential collection to have.

The Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics has been bolstered not only by the original Fighting Collection, but also by decades of devotion from MvC enthusiasts and creators alike.

As a gaming enthusiast, if you’re intrigued by the idea of clashing Marvel heroes with Capcom characters, I’ve got some exciting news for you! The Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection is exactly as advertised. It retains all the contemporary features and museum-worthy goodies that the initial Capcom Fighting Collection provided, both positives and negatives. This new collection is dedicated to preserving the seven games of the Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection in their optimal condition, nothing more. There are a few enhancements that distinguish this collection from its predecessor, but long-time fans will quickly realize how minimal the changes actually are.

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection Is Capcom Fighting Collection 1.5

In general, it’s a positive aspect that the PS5 version of this collection offers a consistent 60fps frame rate for each game. Users have the flexibility to minimize flashing lights and bypass start-up screens per game, ensuring swift loading times overall. The resolution and VCR filter options cater to personal preferences, making these classic games appear optimal on individual screens. If resolution permits, separate sidebars can be customized for each game. Each title also includes its original artwork as a handy reference for gameplay reminders. Although tutorials typically found in modern fighting games are not included, a basic yet effective training mode is available across all six fighting games.

While a hitbox viewer, rollback netcode, and the vast array of artworks and music in Museum mode are certainly appealing additions to the Capcom Fighting Collection, they merely meet the basic requirements one would expect from such a collection. The iconic title, Marvel vs. Capcom, has the potential to attract numerous new players, so widespread dissatisfaction due to lack of enhancements may not be prevalent. However, there seems to be a concerning level of complacency considering this is supposed to be a sequel.

This heightened scrutiny is due to the collection’s high-profile Capcom-made Marvel games, and the surrounding missteps do little to harm their worth. Japanese and English ROMs offer slightly different balance for every title, and some new bug fixes, mostly for MvC2, have resolved crashing issues while also creating new tech for competitive players. Of special note, however, is Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter’s inclusion of the comedian guest fighter Norimaro in its Japanese version. It’s the first time this joke character has officially left Japan, and demonstrates effort beyond the first Capcom Fighting Collection‘s failure to include a version of Darkstalkers 3 with its complete roster, or secret character Dee.

Clearing an arcade run for fighting games typically requires around 20-30 minutes, but be prepared for The Punisher scenario to last about 50-60 minutes.

Enhancements such as these make the MvC Fighting Collection a definitive assembly of Marvel arcade fighting games. Essentially, simply re-releasing these iconic games on contemporary hardware was enough for this collection. However, it’s worth noting that Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is particularly impressive, striking a balance between casual and competitive play. Each game in the series, including X-Men, Marvel Super Heroes, and those labeled with “Vs.”, has its own distinct charm. From dynamic stage transitions to unique team supers, and even certain attacks and animations that were omitted in later games, these titles, their characters, secret fighters, and arcade modes are all worth revisiting.

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection Has Something For Everyone

As players delve into these timeless games, they often receive Fighter Awards, which are in-game honors similar to PlayStation Trophies or Steam Achievements, providing no additional benefits except for some. However, these awards can guide players towards lesser-known aspects of the game collection. Each game keeps track of which fighters have completed their individual arcade modes, but the real excitement is found in the challenges presented on the main shared menu. Goals such as achieving a specific combo count or reaching a certain score might be out of reach for some players, but the Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection strives to help them improve their skills.

Capcom has incorporated the advanced controls of Street Fighter 6 into all fighting games they’ve produced, making it standard for controllers to have buttons specifically dedicated to special and super moves. These buttons can be reprogrammed not just for button combinations, but also for unique special move inputs for each character in the game. To maintain balance, these shortcuts mimic natural player movements, which might sometimes result in unintentional movement during charge motions, although this is a minor inconvenience compared to the convenience this feature offers. Additionally, these shortcuts can be used to bypass a widespread bug that prevents rapid taps from being recognized as special moves, but this is a rare input and Capcom should quickly address it.

Completing the arcade ladders should be effortless with the different difficulty settings and the handy quick save feature, but for those seeking a challenge, the online mode is there to prove your worth. Features such as stable rollback netcode and multiple search options, including limiting boss characters, were elements that the initial Capcom Fighting Collection passed on to its successors. During the review period, only a handful of people were online intermittently, but the matches Game Rant encountered felt satisfying. Players can customize their preferences and then play offline while matchmaking, or team up with up to eight others in a personal lobby. A high score challenge is also available, though only one game from the MvC series has separate leaderboards for solo and online co-op, and it’s not a fighting game.

The Punisher Stands Out From Its Fighting Game Brethren

Although Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is the main attraction in the MvC Fighting Collection, it’s important not to overlook other games like Red Earth and Puzzle Fighter from the original CFC. One such game that stands out is The Punisher, a 1993 Capcom beat-’em-up that predates the 1994 X-Men: Children of the Atom as the oldest title in the collection. For the first time, it emulates its arcade version on consoles instead of the subpar Mega Drive and Genesis ports. When players need a breather from the battles in the Fighting Collection, they can hop on a crime-fighting adventure with Frank Castle or Nick Fury, an experience that should not be missed.

As a die-hard gaming enthusiast, I’d say that The Punisher, nestled among Capcom’s beat-’em-up classics, is undoubtedly a hidden gem worth every penny for action junkies like myself. It feels like an upgraded version of Final Fight, with Frank and Nick boasting a versatile moveset that blends elements from Cody and Guy. What truly sets The Punisher apart from its peers in the genre is a powerful dodge roll that enhances both offense and defense, a defiant health recovery state when on the brink, contrary to typical beat-’em-up games that can devour quarters, and a context-sensitive third-person shooter arsenal. Although it may seem simple compared to the iconic Alien vs. Predator, The Punisher delivers an approachable gaming experience, making it easy for newcomers to dive into the genre.

Arcade Classics a compelling reason for investment. Although it may not have advanced beyond its predecessor, the appreciation for these classic titles remains evident, and it strengthens the case for a future MvC4 more effectively. Fans of fighting games will find delight in this collection, and The Punisher might even ignite a newfound affection for another segment of Capcom’s gaming library. After a long wait, the comprehensive Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection finally makes its grand entrance, marking an exciting celebration worthy of its release.

The Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Edition is set to debut digitally on September 12 across PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4 platforms. An Xbox One release is planned for 2025. Game Rant received a PS4 code for this review.

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2024-09-09 18:04