Marvel vs Capcom Classics Reborn for Switch, Steam Deck, and PS5

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

Game Lineup

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 Punisher (a beat 'em up, not a fighter). All are arcade versions, ensuring complete feature sets. English and Japanese versions are included, a significant bonus for fans.

My 15+ hours on Steam Deck (both LCD and OLED), 13 on PS5, and 4 on Switch provided ample playtime. While I lack deep expertise in these older games (this was my first experience), the sheer fun, especially with MvC2, easily justifies the price. I'm even tempted to buy physical copies!

New Features

The interface mirrors Capcom's Fighting Collection, including its flaws (discussed later). Key features include online and local multiplayer, Switch's local wireless, rollback netcode, a training mode with hitboxes and input displays, customizable game options, adjustable white flash reduction, various display options, and wallpapers. A helpful one-button super move option caters to newcomers.

Museum and Gallery

The extensive museum and gallery are highlights, boasting over 200 soundtrack tracks and 500 pieces of artwork, some previously unreleased. While impressive, Japanese text in sketches and documents lacks translation. The inclusion of the soundtracks is fantastic, though I hope it leads to vinyl or streaming releases.

Online Multiplayer

Network settings allow for microphone and voice chat adjustments (PC only offers more granular control than Switch). Pre-release Steam Deck testing (wired and wireless) showed online play comparable to Capcom Fighting Collection on Steam, a significant improvement over the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection. Cross-region matchmaking and adjustable input delay are available. The rematch feature retains cursor positions, a small but appreciated touch.

Matchmaking supports casual and ranked matches, plus leaderboards and a High Score Challenge mode.

Issues

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

Platform-Specific Notes

• Steam Deck: Perfectly functional (Steam Deck Verified), running at 720p handheld and supporting 4K docked. 16:9 aspect ratio only.

• 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. Local wireless is a plus.

• PS5: Backward compatibility means no native PS5 features like Activity Cards. Otherwise, it looks and performs excellently.

Conclusion

Despite minor flaws, Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a superb collection. The extras, online play (particularly on Steam), and the opportunity to experience these classics make it highly recommended. The single save state remains the most significant issue.

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