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

Capcom's Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics delivers a nostalgic knockout! This compilation, a surprise hit for many longtime fans, offers a compelling package of classic fighting games, exceeding expectations despite some minor drawbacks. The collection includes seven titles, spanning various eras of the beloved franchise, all based on their arcade counterparts ensuring a faithful experience.

Game Lineup: The collection boasts 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, adding depth for seasoned players.

This review reflects extensive playtime across Steam Deck, PS5, and Nintendo Switch. While not an expert on these titles (this was my first experience with many of them!), the sheer fun of MvC2 alone justifies the purchase price.

Modern Enhancements: The collection features a polished interface similar to Capcom's Fighting Collection, although it shares some of that collection's minor flaws. Key improvements include online and local multiplayer, rollback netcode (a game-changer for online play), a robust training mode with hitbox displays, customizable game options, and a crucial setting to reduce screen flicker. A helpful one-button super move option caters to newcomers.

Museum & Gallery: A treasure trove of extras awaits! The included museum and gallery boast over 200 soundtracks and 500 pieces of artwork, some previously unseen by the public. While some Japanese text remains untranslated, the sheer volume of content is impressive.

The inclusion of the soundtracks is a significant win, sparking hopes for future vinyl or streaming releases.

Online Multiplayer: The online experience, tested extensively on Steam Deck and across platforms, is a success. Rollback netcode delivers smooth, lag-free matches. Options for input delay and cross-region matchmaking further enhance the online experience. The inclusion of casual and ranked matches, leaderboards, and a High Score Challenge mode adds replayability.

Convenient rematch functionality preserves character selections, a small detail that greatly enhances user experience.

Minor Issues: The collection's biggest shortcoming is the single, universal save state. This applies across all games, a significant inconvenience. Another minor issue is the lack of universal settings for visual filters and light reduction.

Platform Performance:

• Steam Deck: Runs flawlessly, Steam Deck Verified status is well-deserved. Supports 4K docked and 720p handheld.
• Nintendo Switch: Visually acceptable, but suffers from noticeable load times. Local wireless support is a plus.
• PS5: Excellent visuals on PS5 (via backward compatibility). Fast loading times, especially when installed on the SSD. The lack of native PS5 features is a missed opportunity.

Overall: Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a fantastic compilation, a testament to Capcom's commitment to delivering a high-quality retro experience. Despite minor issues, the wealth of content, superb online play, and extensive extras make this a must-have for fighting game enthusiasts.

Steam Deck Review Score: 4.5/5