Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics Review – Switch, Steam Deck, and PS5 Covered

The Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a phenomenal compilation for fans of the series and newcomers alike. Its release was a welcome surprise, especially considering the reception of previous installments. This review covers experiences on Steam Deck, PS5, and Nintendo Switch, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses.

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 Punisher (a beat 'em up). All are arcade versions, ensuring complete feature sets. Both English and Japanese versions are included, a significant detail for fans.

My 32-hour playthrough across platforms (15 hours on Steam Deck, 13 on PS5, 4 on Switch) revealed incredibly fun gameplay, especially Marvel vs. Capcom 2, justifying the purchase price multiple times over. While lacking expertise in these classic titles, the enjoyment was undeniable.

New Features:

The user interface mirrors Capcom's Fighting Collection, inheriting both its strengths and flaws. Key additions include online and local multiplayer (with wireless on Switch), rollback netcode, a comprehensive training mode (with hitboxes and input displays), customizable game options, a crucial white flash reduction setting, various display options, and wallpapers. A helpful one-button super move option caters to newcomers.

Museum and Gallery:

A rich museum and gallery showcase over 200 soundtracks and 500 pieces of artwork, some previously unseen. While impressive, Japanese text in sketches and documents lacks translation. The inclusion of the soundtracks is a significant win for fans, hopefully paving the way for future vinyl or streaming releases.

Online Multiplayer:

Network settings allow for microphone and voice chat adjustments (PC only offers more granular control than Switch). Rollback netcode delivers a smooth online experience, significantly improved over previous Capcom collections. Matchmaking supports casual and ranked matches, along with leaderboards and a High Score Challenge mode. The convenient retention of character selection cursors after rematches is a thoughtful touch.

Issues:

The single save state for the entire collection (not per game) is a significant drawback, echoing a problem from the 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, supporting 720p handheld and 4K docked (tested at 1440p docked and 800p handheld). 16:10 support is absent.

• Nintendo Switch: Visually acceptable but suffers from noticeable load times compared to other platforms. The lack of a connection strength option is also a downside, though local wireless is a plus.

• PS5: Runs via backward compatibility; native PS5 support would have been beneficial for Activity Card integration. Loads quickly and looks excellent.

Overall:

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a top-tier compilation, exceeding expectations in many areas. The excellent online experience and generous extras make it a must-have, despite a few minor shortcomings.

Steam Deck Review Score: 4.5/5