Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection took us ALL for a ride with its announcement during the Nintendo Direct this past summer. I have spent a lot of time with the collection and have a lot to share. In this review I will explain why it is an exciting time to be a fan of fighting games.

The Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection is a compilation of classic fighting games featuring characters from both Marvel Comics and Capcom’s roster of video game characters. It includes seven games in total, where players can choose fighters from both universes and battle in 2D arcade-style gameplay. The games included in this collection are:

• X-MEN: CHILDREN OF THE ATOM
• MARVEL SUPER HEROES
• MARVEL VS. CAPCOM CLASH OF SUPER HEROES
• MARVEL VS. CAPCOM 2 NEW AGE OF HEROES
• MARVEL SUPER HEROES VS. STREET FIGHTER
• X-MEN VS. STREET FIGHTER
• THE PUNISHER

The Marvel vs. Capcom series is known for their fast-paced combat, flashy combos, and iconic crossover battles. Battles between characters like Spider-Man, Ryu from Street Fighter, Wolverine, and many others fill the rosters. The art style is one of the most iconic aspects of the series. The vibrant color schemes and distinctively fluid animations for each character stand out among the many fighting games out there. There is a flashy coolness this series radiates that anyone in the fighting game community can appreciate. 

Why the Excitement?

Something to understand is how exciting it is to see this collection come to fruition. The Marvel vs Capcom series of games have been long sought after by many in the fighting game community (FGC) to make a return. Marvel vs. Capcom 2 was the first non-Street Fighter game to be held at Evo. Why has it been so long since we have seen the series? It has been stuck in large part due to licensing challenges between Marvel and Capcom in the past. Despite this, the fans that love the storied series are passionate and have stuck with it through the years. Some of the most exciting moments in fighting games can be seen in Marvel vs. Capcom 2.

The Battle for Survival Begins!

There are several features included across the collection that are worth noting. It includes various quality-of-life updates, such as detailed training modes that are decked out with hit box visual data, settings to help train newcomers and veterans alike. Added online play for the fighting games as well as co-op play and high score challenge for The Punisher are welcome features! 

The decision to ensure there is rollback netcode for online play is another particular feature that I greatly appreciated. You may be curious what rollback netcode is and why it’s often brought up as a must-have for fighting games. Rollback netcode is a method of networking for online games. It helps synchronize the fighting game on both user ends. This aids in creating an experience that is latency free and smooth even when network connections are not optimal.

The online play offered also allows for casual, ranked, and custom games. The custom games are where groups of friends can join a lobby and spectate one another between matches. This can be fun for tournaments or larger gatherings. I played mostly solo, local versus, and online casual matches and the experience was great in all scenarios. In fact, I would definitely recommend this for Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck users for how easy it is to play at home and then pack your console with some game pads and go play with friends. This past weekend I spent much of it playing this collection with my girlfriend. We connected fight sticks to my Nintendo Switch and played many rounds having a blast.

Get Ready!

It can often be daunting to learn how to play fighting games for the first time, always wanting to learn how to go toe-to-toe with your friends or pull off the wild special moves. One of the appeals for me growing up with Marvel vs. Capcom 2 was the ease at which I can jump in and enjoy feeling like I can hold my own in a fight. The barrier for entry was low but the ceiling for high level play was so high. For newcomers, there are accessibility features with customized button layouts and one-button specials. These help get a taste of what the games offer as well as difficulty settings on the arcade solo modes.

Let Me Take You for a Ride!

Marvel vs. Capcom 2 alone is enough reason to jump into this collection. The fact that we get the entire collection of the Marvel vs. Capcom series is icing on the cake. I have finally had the opportunity to try X-Men Children of the Atom and X-Men vs Street Fighter!

I grew up with my brother loving this game at first site in the arcades. Neither of us knew what we were doing at first but that fun we felt seeing one of us pull off a triple special combo with Iron Man, Ryu, and Cable is a memory that lives with me forever. 

Having played locally solo, online casually, and local co-op with fight sticks, this collection has been the experience I have dreamed of. Whether you prefer to play at home or take it on a steam deck or your switch to play at a gathering with friends, you are going to have a great time with this collection.

Kurosh’s Verdict: 9.5/10

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection Arcade Classics is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Steam digitally. Physical versions will be available on November 22nd, 2024, with the Xbox One version slated for 2025.

Review code provided by the publisher.

Have you had a chance to play the collection yet? What do you think? Share your thoughts with us on our socials!