Capcom has done a great job of rereleasing its classic titles and making them playable on modern systems. Games like the Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle, Capcom Fighting Collection, and Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection have done a great job of bringing forth some of the Japanese publisher’s most iconic arcade hits. However, one major franchise was missing, and that was all of Capcom’s Marvel fighting games. Thankfully, the new Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics compilation includes seven classic Marvel games made by Capcom between 1993 and 2000 that have largely stood the test of time.
While the first two Marvel vs. Capcom titles are the most anticipated games in the collection, going through all the games in release order is a fun look through history lane. I recommend people check out Capcom’s two Marvel-only fighting games first, as X-Men: Children of the Atom and Marvel Super Heroes have a lot of charm and some brilliant sprite work despite not being as polished as later entries. The wholly Marvel games also feature some cool but more obscure characters that likely wouldn’t make the cut in a crossover game, like Blackheart, Omega Red, Silver Samurai, and Spiral.
The first proper crossover was 1996’s X-Men vs. Street Fighter. This was the first Marvel fighter to incorporate the tag team mechanic that would later become engrained in the MvC formula, so these are particularly fun to revisit. Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter is even more in line with what the series would become. What’s so fun about revisiting these games in order is that you get to see the iteration Capcom was making and see it refined over time until we got to its apex.
While Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes is a lot of fun in its own right and added in the summoning of assist characters, there’s no denying the gem of the collection is Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes. Simply put, MvC2 is one of the best fighting games ever made, and having it easily playable on modern consoles and in its pure arcade form is a real treat. Like all the other games, you can pick between the Japanese and English versions and can play against friends online. It is still an utter blast to play, with a massive roster of 56 characters, and is arguably the greatest tag team fighting game ever made. The port is stellar, and it single-handedly makes the collection worth buying (and the other games are good, too, so it’s quite the main course).
The final game in the collection is actually what came out first and is the lone non-fighting game, 1993’s The Punisher. This beat ’em up is in the Final Fight formula and has you playing as either the titular anti-hero or Nick Fury. I had never played this before, and it wound up being quite a fun change of pace for the collection as you take down the Kingpin and his thugs. I recommend going through it in cooperative play as beat ’em ups are always better with a friend.
Finally, Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics features a museum filled with bonus content. The most sizable feature is a ton of design and promotional images in the gallery, which range from stage and character concept art to posters. I got a real kick out of looking at them, and as a bonus, you can listen to all of the game’s soundtracks, as well.
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection Review: Final Verdict
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a stellar collection featuring one of the greatest fighting games ever made, all of its predecessors, and a rare beat ’em up as well. Releasing Marvel vs. Capcom 2 on its own would’ve been cause for celebration, and Capcom has gone above and beyond with this compilation. It’s a must-have for any Marvel or fighting game fan.
SCORE: 9/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 9 equates to “Excellent.” Entertainment that reaches this level is at the top of its type. The gold standard that every creator aims to reach.
Disclosure: The publisher provided a PS4 code for our Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics review. Reviewed on version 1.01.
