Best Games In Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Classics

Key Takeaways

MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Classics: Arcade Collection brings top fighting classics together in their original format, accessible without spending coins.
Games like The Punisher and Marvel vs. Capcom 2 shine in the collection, each offering unique and special features that make them stand out.
X-Men vs. Street Fighter revolutionized game mechanics with tag team play, stunning graphics, and perfect balance, influencing future fighting games.

As a long-time gaming enthusiast who grew up with these iconic titles, I must say that each of these games holds a special place in my heart. The journey through Capcom vs. X-Men, Street Fighter, and Marvel series was an exhilarating ride, one that defined the fighting game genre for me.

Enthusiasts of fighting games and comic book aficionados had plenty to rejoice about post the release of “MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Classics: Arcade Collection“. This collection gathers some of the finest fighting games ever produced, all in their original arcade form, eliminating the need for countless coins to progress and complete the game.

Each game in this collection boasts unique qualities and is renowned in its respective genre. Some excel more than others, with straightforward combat action like that of The Punisher, or reaching lofty heights like the iconic Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age Of Heroes. To help you decide which one shines brightest, here is a comprehensive guide to all the games included in this collection.

7 The Punisher

A Hidden Gem That Still Slaps

In contrast to what one might expect from a brawler, the character known as The Punisher is typically linked to guns, explosives, and massacring wrongdoers using automatic weapons. However, in this 1993 arcade game, he primarily communicates through his fists, battling his way through New York City before a grand confrontation with the ultimate adversary, The Kingpin.

In a delightful twist, you can engage in this unforgettable brawler game either as Frank Castle or the pre-MCU version of Nick Fury. Despite being the most straightforward title among the collection, it continues to be engaging even today. It might be found at the bottom due to its simplicity, but don’t let that fool you – it’s packed with intense special moves and a vibrant environment that perfectly captures the essence of classic comic books. Originally an arcade game with a brief release, it’s a treat to have it back for modern gamers, and it does justice to its original source material.

6 Marvel Super Heroes

Some Odd Quirks Can’t Hold Back A Fighting Champion

In a new twist, the superheroes from Marvel took inspiration from the blueprint set by “X-Men: Children of the Atom” and expanded their roster with well-known characters like Iron Man, Spider-Man, and the Hulk. However, the initial team composition was somewhat peculiar, causing it to rank lower on the list. Characters like Blackheart and Shuma Goth, while skilled fighters, are relatively unknown except to die-hard Marvel fans.

Even though there are some irregularities, the game performs well and includes a captivating gem-collection mechanism that enhances gameplay and delivers a thrilling final battle against none other than Thanos. Appropriately, it was honored in memory of Jack Kirby, the groundbreaking Marvel illustrator who passed away a year prior to its release in 1995.

5 X-Men vs. Street Fighter

A Fighting Match Made In Heaven

Spectators at the arcade surely gasped when they first saw this game title, since it merged two colossal figures in pop culture – the X-Men and Street Fighter – for a groundbreaking fight extravaganza that predates the widespread use of interconnected universes in mainstream entertainment. The captivating image on the attract screen, depicting Ryu and Cyclops shaking hands, has become so memorable that it was reimagined as a strong handshake pose for the cover of Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Classics: Arcade Collection.

In simpler terms, the tag team feature allows players to swap between characters during a match, reshaping the dynamics of upcoming Capcom fighting games and serving as a model for other games. This innovation, combined with impressive graphics and well-tuned gameplay, represents a significant change in the genre, although Capcom is still refining the formula, hence its current position on the list.

4 Marvel vs Capcom: Clash Of Super Heroes

Worlds Collide In A Game That’s Almost Perfect

Game creators kept expanding upon previous work, offering an even more extensive roster of characters, some of whom were popular among Marvel fans, such as War Machine and Venom, who first entered the fighting game scene. Likewise, Capcom broadened its scope beyond the Street Fighter series, incorporating characters from Mega Man, Darkstalkers, and Captain Commando.

In this new version, a gameplay element was added called the Variable Cross. This feature enables players to attack both characters concurrently for a brief period. Additionally, they can utilize the Hyper Combo Gauge, a meter located at the bottom of the screen, which fills up with color. When full, this gauge allows players to execute various special techniques, thereby enabling them to perform multiple Hyper Combo moves. These moves inflict significant damage on the opponent and provide thrilling endings for matches.

3 X-Men: Children Of The Atom

A Dream Come True For X-Fans And A Fighting Milestone

Back in the early ’90s, I was totally captivated by the X-Men pop-culture craze, whether it was the comics or the animated show. And when Capcom released “Children of the Atom,” it was like a dream come true! This was their initial venture into pitting comic book characters against each other in one-on-one battles. To make things even more authentic, they brought back voice actors from the series and utilized Jim Lee’s legendary artwork for the game. It felt like I was right back in the world of X-Men, ready to fight!

It was a bold move on Capcom’s part to take a beloved property and try turning it into a fully-formed fighting game, but the gamble paid off, and the end result is a triumph so it earns its higher position. With a starting roster of ten characters, including mainstays like Wolverine, Storm, and Cyclops, players duke it out before a final gauntlet of unlocked bosses until a face-off with Magneto. The game’s graphics still look great all these years later, and the fan service and ultra-fast fighting moves meant that Capcom was onto a winning formula.

2 Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter

More Groundwork Is Laid For Fighting Greatness

Taking the successful approach of “X-Men vs. Street Fighter“, it made sense to expand the roster with more Marvel characters, mostly swapping out the X-Men for others. The game retained its tag team feature from the previous version but also introduced a new element – Variable Assist. This allows players to summon an off-screen character to execute a unique move without switching their current character, thus creating novel combo opportunities.

The role of the variable feature significantly influenced the series’ progression, and more characters were added to the roster, now totaling seventeen. However, some less popular choices such as U.S. Agent still haven’t garnered much attention. Nonetheless, Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter builds upon the foundation established by earlier games with impressive results, making the gameplay feel remarkably close to perfection, approaching the quality of the following game in the series.

1 Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age Of Heroes

The Formula Reaches The Heady Heights Of Perfection

In the case of Marvel vs. Capcom 2, everything fell into place beautifully. A vast array of characters were at players’ disposal, with the finely tuned combat strategies from earlier games taking center stage. The novel feature introduced in this game was called Snapback, which compelled opponents to switch characters during the battle. Instead of the traditional Capcom layout featuring three pairs of low, medium, and high attack buttons, gamers were given four attack buttons and two for assists.

In this arcade version, some Role-Playing Game (RPG) elements were incorporated through an experience system which granted access to secret characters when a certain amount of experience points was accumulated. Overall, it resulted in one of the greatest fighting and superhero games ever developed, a game so groundbreaking that Capcom didn’t create another game in the series for at least a decade. It deserves its top spot for all the right reasons.

2024-09-17 03:04