MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics Review – Nostalgic Brawls Reborn

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is one of the most anticipated collections among fans. It includes a wide range of Marvel fighting games, along with several crossover titles featuring iconic Capcom franchises such as Street Fighter, Final Fight, and more. Those who have followed these Arcade Classics from the start will recall how the series began with an X-Men fighting game before expanding into Street Fighter and later incorporating other Capcom franchises. These games were once a dominant presence in arcades worldwide, and this collection offers a chance to revisit that nostalgic era and assess how well these titles have aged.

I decided to play through the games in order to see how they hold up today. To my surprise, nearly all of them remain enjoyable, each offering a unique charm. While some of the earlier X-Men games suffer from issues like questionable hit detection and clunky animations, the collection improves noticeably as you progress to the later titles. The older games will likely appeal more to those who feel nostalgic for them, but I suspect newcomers may struggle to appreciate them as much.

One of the first things that stood out to me when I launched the collection was its sleek presentation. Capcom has done an excellent job packaging these games with a modern, visually appealing user interface and a menu system that is easy to navigate. Players also have the option to choose between different regional versions of the games, which is a significant feature for those who spent considerable time playing the originals. In the arcade era, games could not be patched or updated to address balance issues, so regional versions often contained adjustments, such as balance tweaks and bug fixes. While I am not an expert on the specifics of these changes, I can understand why this feature would be valuable to dedicated fans.

I played this collection on a Steam Deck, where the vibrant colors truly shine on the OLED screen. The game includes an easily accessible menu that allows users to customize various UI elements, such as wallpaper, display size, music, and display filters. It is simple to find a filter that suits your preferences. The game also supports quick save and load features, which are a great help if you struggle with some of the more challenging aspects. While these games do offer an assist mode for easier gameplay, you can bypass that entirely by using dedicated hotkeys. With a single button press, I was able to execute supers or special moves, which can be particularly useful in tight situations. For those who may not excel at fighting games, these hotkeys, along with the assist modes, make it easier to enjoy the story mode without frustration.

The story mode in these games is quite enjoyable. The endings often provide neat bits of lore or character relationships that deepen the experience. The story modes are relatively short, allowing you to breeze through them with each character. I was also impressed by the online mode. While the offline content alone makes this collection worth owning, the online component adds significant replayability. The online experience can vary depending on your connection and your opponent’s. In my case, I encountered matches where poor connections ruined the experience, but there were also matches with virtually flawless gameplay. While the netcode is not perfect, it generally works well enough to provide a solid experience.

The only outlier in this collection is perhaps The Punisher. Unlike the other titles, it is not a traditional fighting game but a side-scrolling beat-’em-up that has aged remarkably well. Although the game is fairly short, it offers co-op play, which is a fun bonus if you want to team up with a friend. The story in The Punisher is also well done, staying true to the comic book source material. The gameplay offers a fresh take on the beat-’em-up genre, utilizing Capcom’s custom arcade engine. If you are familiar with titles like Cadillacs and Dinosaurs, Final Fight, or Captain Commando, the controls and gameplay elements in The Punisher will feel familiar.

It is fascinating to explore the history of this collection, starting with the X-Men fighting game, which eventually led to the inclusion of Street Fighter and other Capcom franchises in Marvel vs. Capcom. The most modern gameplay in the collection comes from Marvel vs. Capcom 1 and 2. These are team-based fighting games where you can call for assists from other fighters or tag them in and out of combat. They feature flashy combos and super moves that feel satisfying when executed well. Since the entire collection can be played offline, you can enjoy it with friends or jump into online matches.

Having played through most of Capcom’s fighting game collections, I believe that the Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is the best one. While I have enjoyed Street Fighter, Darkstalkers, and other fighting game franchises, the Marvel games hold a special place in my heart, making this collection a dream come true. I highly recommend it to anyone who is a Marvel fan, even if they are not particularly skilled at fighting games.

MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics Game Information

• Price: $49.99
• Publisher: Capcom
• Developer: Capcom
• Platform: PC (Reviewed)
• Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher