The Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a triumphant return for fans and newcomers alike. This comprehensive collection, available on Steam, Switch, and PlayStation (with Xbox to follow in 2025), delivers a nostalgic punch with seven classic arcade titles.

Game Lineup:

The collection boasts an impressive roster: 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 games are based on their arcade counterparts, ensuring a faithful and complete experience. The inclusion of both English and Japanese versions is a significant bonus, with features like Norimaro in Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (Japanese version) adding extra depth.

This review is based on extensive playtime across Steam Deck, PS5, and Nintendo Switch. While lacking expertise in the individual games, the sheer enjoyment, particularly with Marvel vs. Capcom 2, easily justifies the purchase price.

New Features & Enhancements:

The collection shares a familiar interface with Capcom's Fighting Collection, but with significant improvements. Online and local multiplayer are supported, along with Switch's local wireless functionality. Crucially, rollback netcode ensures smooth online play. A robust training mode with hitbox displays and customizable options caters to both veterans and newcomers. A helpful one-button super option is included, toggleable for online play.

Museum & Gallery:

A treasure trove of content awaits in the museum and gallery, featuring over 200 soundtrack tracks and 500 pieces of artwork—some previously unreleased. While Japanese text in sketches and documents remains untranslated, the sheer volume of content is impressive. The inclusion of the soundtracks is a welcome addition, sparking hope for future vinyl or streaming releases.

Online Multiplayer Experience:

The online experience shines, thanks to the implementation of rollback netcode. Network settings allow for microphone and voice chat adjustments (PC offers more granular control than Switch). Cross-region matchmaking and input delay adjustments further enhance the online experience. The ability to retain cursor selections after rematches adds a touch of polish.

Issues:

The collection's primary drawback is the single, global save state. This limitation, inherited from the Capcom Fighting Collection, is disappointing. Another minor issue is the lack of universal settings for visual filters and light reduction.

Platform-Specific Notes:

• Steam Deck: Fully verified, running smoothly at 720p (handheld) and supporting 4K docked.
• Nintendo Switch: Visually acceptable, but suffers from noticeable load times. Local wireless is a plus.
• PS5: Runs via backward compatibility, looking excellent but lacking PS5 Activity Card integration.

Overall:

The Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a stellar collection, offering exceptional value and a fantastic online experience. Despite minor shortcomings, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, making it a must-have for fighting game enthusiasts.

Steam Deck Review Score: 4.5/5