Experiencing the Intense battlefield of Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection
Strap on your fighting gloves, true believers! I've had a darn good time with Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics, a love letter to gaming's retro past that'll toss you headfirst into classic fights between your favorite Marvel and Capcom characters.
This baby brings back six timeless Capcom fighting games starring Marvel icons in a new and polished package that's sure to please. You might recognize titles like X-Men: Children of the Atom, Marvel Super Heroes, and of course, the legendary Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes. And just when you thought things couldn't get better, they've tossed in The Punisher, a 90s beat-em-up that was omitted from my hands-on demo.
But that's not all, Capcom's got a few more treats up its sleeve. The game boasts online co-op play and the option to watch others dominate the game online. Now you can demonstrate your fighting prowess to the world, or just watch others struggle; either way, it's all good sport.
The game is a fine port of these arcade classics, with a widescreen view and slim side panels to keep that square arcade ratio feeling nice and authentic. Oh, and for all you pixel peepers out there, there's even an option to add scanlines for a CRT TV nostalgia trip.
I had the pleasure of playing the PS4 version, which is set for release on Sept. 12. But if you're into collecting physical copies, you'll have to wait until Nov. 22. And here's a fun little bonus for those who pre-order: you'll get a 32-page comic!
Now, I didn't test out the online features or the full game roster during my playtime, but lemme tell ya, the games played like a dream. The speed, the moves, the iconic character barks (yes, even the repetitive ones), it all feels just right.
If you've been longing for the simpler days of fighting games--you know, the ones that make you want to tear your hair out with frustration sometimes--then this collection's the perfect pick-me-up. And if Capcom's ever gonna dive back into the crossover game pool, let's hope they take a page from this compilation's playbook and bring back the manic, hilarious, and utterly chaotic goodness of the spammy moves and screen-filling attacks.
But hey, Capcom ain't stopping at revisiting their past. Since I got my mitts on this beautiful bundle, Capcom's announced they're bringing Terry Bogard from SNK's Fatal Fury series into Street Fighter 6. It might not be a Marvel crossover, but it's still a great throwback to the old days. Plus, Terry's endearing sportsmanship is thing of beauty, boy.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to perfect my infinite Psylocke mirror clone combo. Wish me luck!
View PS4 version at Best Buy
View Nintendo Switch version at Best Buy
- In the future, Capcom plans to reintroduce Terry Bogard from SNK's Fatal Fury series into Street Fighter 6, hinting at a possible revival of old crossovers.
- The Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics offers a new and polished package, featuring reviews for timeless Capcom fighting games like X-Men: Children of the Atom and Marvel Super Heroes, which are endearingly presented on widescreen.
- For those who prefer physical copies, the PS4 version of the Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics will be available on September 12, while the cabinets will be reintroduced in November.
- Online reviews of the Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics reveal that it retains the original speed and moves from the arcade classics, preserving the simplicity and chaotic fun that made these games popular in the future.
