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 knockout punch for fighting game fans. This comprehensive collection, following the somewhat disappointing reception of the last Marvel vs. Capcom title, has exceeded expectations for many long-time players and newcomers alike. The inclusion of classic titles and the addition of modern features make this a must-have for any fighting game enthusiast.

Game Lineup: A Retro Throwback

The collection boasts seven classic titles: 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. These are faithful arcade ports, ensuring a pure, unadulterated retro experience. A nice touch is the inclusion of both English and Japanese versions, offering variations like Norimaro in Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (Japanese version).

This review is based on extensive playtime across Steam Deck (both LCD and OLED), PS5 (via backward compatibility), and Nintendo Switch. While not a seasoned expert on these individual games (this was my first experience with most of them!), the sheer enjoyment derived from Marvel vs. Capcom 2 alone justifies the purchase price. I'm even tempted to get the physical copies for my collection!

Enhanced Features: Modern Conveniences

The user interface shares similarities with Capcom's Capcom Fighting Collection, including some of its drawbacks (discussed later). Key features include online and local multiplayer, local wireless on Switch, rollback netcode, a training mode with hitboxes and input displays, customizable game options, a crucial white flash reduction setting, various display options, and a selection of wallpapers. A helpful one-button super move option caters to both seasoned players and newcomers.

Museum & Gallery: A Treasure Trove

A comprehensive museum and gallery showcase over 200 soundtracks and 500 pieces of artwork, some previously unseen by the public. While the Japanese text in sketches and design documents remains untranslated, the sheer volume of content is impressive. The inclusion of the soundtracks is a particular highlight, sparking hopes for future vinyl or streaming releases.

Online Multiplayer: Rollback Netcode in Action

The online experience, tested extensively on Steam Deck (wired and wireless) and across platforms, mirrors the quality of Capcom Fighting Collection on Steam, a significant improvement over Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection. Rollback netcode delivers smooth online play, regardless of geographical distance. Adjustable input delay and cross-region matchmaking further enhance the online experience. The convenient persistence of character selection cursors between rematches is a welcome touch. Matchmaking options include casual and ranked matches, along with leaderboards and a High Score Challenge mode.

Minor Issues: Room for Improvement

The collection's biggest drawback is the single, global save state. This is a carryover from Capcom Fighting Collection and is disappointing. Another minor issue is the lack of universal settings for visual adjustments like light reduction and filters. Per-game adjustments are present, but a global toggle would be preferable.

Platform Performance: A Cross-Platform Look

• Steam Deck: Perfectly optimized, running smoothly at 720p handheld and supporting 4K docked (tested at 1440p docked and 800p handheld). No 16:10 support.

• Nintendo Switch: Visually acceptable, but hampered by noticeable load times. The lack of a connection strength option is also a downside. Local wireless support is a plus.

• PS5: Excellent visuals on a 1440p monitor, with fast loading times (even from an external hard drive). The lack of native PS5 support means no Activity Card integration.

Overall, Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a top-tier collection, exceeding expectations in terms of content, features, and online play. While a few minor issues remain, they don't detract significantly from the overall exceptional experience.

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics Steam Deck Review Score: 4.5/5