Capcom's Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics delivers a knockout punch for fighting game fans. This collection, a surprising delight given recent franchise history, offers a compelling retrospective for veterans and a fantastic introduction for newcomers. Having only played Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite previously, I was blown away by the earlier titles. The iconic Marvel vs. Capcom 2 soundtrack alone justifies the purchase, and the addition of other classics makes this a must-have.

Game Lineup

The collection boasts seven 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. All are based on the arcade originals, ensuring a complete and faithful experience. Both English and Japanese versions are included—a welcome addition for those seeking the Japanese Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter version with Norimaro.

My review encompasses roughly 15 hours on Steam Deck (LCD and OLED), 13 hours on PS5 (backward compatibility), and 4 hours on Nintendo Switch. While I lack deep expertise in these classic titles (this being my first playthrough), the sheer enjoyment of Marvel vs. Capcom 2 alone surpasses the asking price, prompting me to consider purchasing physical copies as well.

New Features and Enhancements

The interface mirrors Capcom Fighting Collection, sharing both its strengths and weaknesses (discussed later). Key additions include online and local multiplayer, Switch local wireless, rollback netcode, a comprehensive training mode, customizable game options, a crucial white flash reduction setting, diverse display options, and several wallpaper choices.

The training mode is a standout, offering hitboxes, input displays, and other tools beneficial to both veterans and newcomers. A helpful "one-button super" option caters to players new to the series.

Museum and Gallery: A Treasure Trove

The collection includes an extensive museum and gallery, featuring over 200 soundtracks and 500 pieces of artwork—some previously unseen by the public. While impressive, Japanese text in sketches and design documents remains untranslated. The inclusion of the soundtracks is a major win, though I hope it paves the way for future vinyl or streaming releases.

Online Multiplayer: Rollback Netcode in Action

The online options menu allows for microphone and voice chat adjustments (PC only offers more granular control than Switch). Pre-release testing on Steam Deck (wired and wireless) with another player revealed online performance similar to Capcom Fighting Collection on Steam, a significant improvement over the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection. Input delay and cross-region matchmaking are adjustable. The seamless co-op experience in The Punisher highlights the quality of the online implementation.

Matchmaking supports casual and ranked matches, along with leaderboards and a High Score Challenge mode. The retention of cursor positions after rematches adds a polished touch.

Issues and Shortcomings

The collection's single save state (per collection, not per game) is a significant drawback, unfortunately carried over from Capcom Fighting Collection. The lack of universal settings for visual filters and light reduction is another minor inconvenience.

Platform-Specific Notes

Steam Deck: Verified and runs flawlessly, offering 720p handheld and up to 4K docked (16:9 only).

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

PS5: Backward compatibility performance is excellent, though native PS5 support would have enabled PS5 Activity Card integration. Loading is fast, even from an external drive.

Overall:

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics stands as one of Capcom's best compilations, excelling beyond fighting game standards. The impressive extras and smooth online play (on Steam) make this a truly enjoyable experience. The single save state remains the most significant flaw.

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