MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a beautifully curated selection of some of the best one-on-one combat games ever created.

94%Game Brain Score

gameplay, music

stability, story

94% User Score Based on 1,645 reviews

Critic Score 85%Based on 27 reviews

Platforms

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About

"Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics" is a compilation of seven classic crossover fighting games featuring popular Marvel and Capcom characters, including X-MEN VS. STREET FIGHTER and MARVEL vs. CAPCOM 2 New Age of Heroes. Players can enjoy smooth online play with rollback netcode and a high score challenge mode, making it accessible for both newcomers and veteran fans alike.

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MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics screenshot

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,645 reviews

gameplay12 positive mentions

stability11 negative mentions

The collection features a nostalgic lineup of classic Marvel vs. Capcom games, including the highly acclaimed MvC2, which many consider the greatest fighting game ever made.
The online play is smooth and responsive, thanks to the implementation of rollback netcode, making matches enjoyable and competitive.
The inclusion of training modes, customizable controls, and a gallery of artwork and music enhances the overall experience, making it accessible for both newcomers and veterans.

Matchmaking issues have been reported, with players experiencing long wait times to find matches, particularly in ranked modes.
The absence of crossplay limits the online community, making it harder to find opponents and reducing the overall player base.
Some players have noted that the controller mapping options are limited, particularly for keyboard users, which can hinder gameplay.

gameplay
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
72%
6%
The gameplay of the Marvel vs. Capcom collection is widely praised for its deep mechanics, smooth execution, and chaotic energy, reminiscent of classic arcade fighting games. Players appreciate the complexity and variety of mechanics, including unique features like infinity stones and assist calls, though some express frustration with precision issues on controllers. Overall, the collection is celebrated for its timeless gameplay, vibrant visuals, and a nostalgic yet refined experience that appeals to both newcomers and veterans alike.
- “A collection of masterpieces, featuring incredible mechanics, gorgeous visuals, and some of the best and most underrated soundtracks in all of gaming.”
- “The gameplay is crisp and the online is buttery smooth.”
- “Years later it is still unrivaled in terms of gameplay mechanics, speed, combo potential, and presentation.”
- “Mechanically, the game is very loose and strange.”
- “This game is full of infinites—that is, combos that can be sustained all the way to KO (barring anti-infinite mechanics, which COTA does not do effectively).”
- “If you're an average controller/keyboard gaming warrior with 70%+ gaming mechanics... you will feel your limits... if you have the will to face that failure time and time again and not get frustrated by your lack of precision/accuracy due to your tool... I'd say with 68% confidence that this game might be for you.”
music
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
69%
8%
The music in the Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection is a highlight for many players, featuring a nostalgic soundtrack that includes iconic tracks like "I'm Gonna Take You for a Ride" from Marvel vs. Capcom 2. While the music player allows players to enjoy the soundtracks from each game, some users express a desire for more flexibility, such as a jukebox feature to customize music during gameplay. Overall, the collection is praised for its robust music offerings, though some players find the looping main menu theme grating and wish for better options to control the in-game music.
- “A collection of masterpieces, featuring incredible mechanics, gorgeous visuals, and some of the best and most underrated soundtracks in all of gaming.”
- “The presentation of the collection is very slick, the new (and the old) music is fantastic.”
- “The soundtrack and art of this title are on another level.”
- “They toned down the music and I really don't like it; even adjusting isn't the way it was before.”
- “Please, if you change nothing else, at least let us turn the music off, especially on the main menu, or at the very least make it play through all the tunes in the game so there is variety and not just one grating tune going on forever until I enter a match.”
- “Sadly, the music from the soundtracks only plays within the music section and nowhere else. Instead, you have standard music made specifically for the compilation piped through in a loop everywhere else.”
graphics
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
71%
8%
The graphics in the game collection are generally praised for their sharp visuals and charming artwork, showcasing a blend of classic and modern aesthetics. While some players note that the art style can feel mismatched or dated, particularly in comparison to contemporary standards, the inclusion of extensive galleries featuring original artwork and concept designs adds significant value. Overall, the graphics are considered serviceable and appealing, especially for fans of the franchise, despite some criticisms regarding the blending of Capcom and Marvel styles.
- “A collection of masterpieces, featuring incredible mechanics, gorgeous visuals, and some of the best and most underrated soundtracks in all of gaming.”
- “Every game here has crisp visuals, tight controls, and in the case of the main event, MVC2, is the top shelf in fighting game quality.”
- “The gameplay is smooth, and the graphics still look good.”
- “The mismatch in art style is weird; the music doesn't fit, and the game is super unbalanced.”
- “Art style-wise, this game has not yet managed to blend the two brands of Capcom and Marvel together, making the characters have conflicting art styles at times.”
- “This game on the surface seems to not offer anything new: bland menu design, bland art style, reused stages, and a weak final boss.”
stability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
69%
Overall, the game's stability has improved significantly after recent patches, with many users reporting smooth performance and minimal glitches. While some minor issues, such as audio glitches and missing features, persist, the collection is largely considered stable and enjoyable, with no major crashes or freezes. Players appreciate the crisp visuals and solid online play, making it a reliable experience for both new and returning fans.
- “Everything runs great and the CRT filters they offer to the CPS2 games look super crisp and very nice.”
- “Amazing collection runs great.”
- “Everything runs great and plenty of extras to go through between fights.”
- “Good to go now, rough start but feels better... hopefully they fix the few minor glitches that shouldn't be in the game.”
- “I've also experienced numerous crashes and other glitches like text disappearing from the main menu screens.”
- “Aside from a couple nitpicks and annoyances like missing glitches, errors with some sounds, censorship, no rematch button, no replay feature and a random matchmaking system (which is usually better for games with low player population but frustrating for newbies), this is an amazing collection of broken, unbalanced games that are incredibly creative, fun and look great.”
story
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
The story aspect of the game is largely criticized for being minimal or nonexistent, with players noting a lack of depth and character development. While some find humor in the unconventional matchups, such as Spider-Man fighting Thanos, the overall narrative is seen as underwhelming, with hints that more engaging content may be found in online play.
- “I played as Spider-Man, and fighting against Thanos is funny for me because it is a totally different story compared to the modern interpretations of these characters, especially the MCU’s version.”
- “Other games have character endings that show a glimpse of life behind the fights, which usually reveals what the story is all about.”
- “Honestly, I think the real story is locked behind online, something about a guy named Wazzler.”
- “The only flaw I found for this game is the story and finale.”
- “The story is kinda nonexistent.”
- “Other games have character endings that show a glimpse of life behind the fights that usually shows what the story is all about.”
optimization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
Overall, the optimization of the game is generally praised, with smooth performance reported across platforms, including the Nintendo Switch, and no significant input lag. However, some users have experienced severe issues with a particular port, citing constant stuttering and lag during gameplay, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “With the performance of the game being fantastic on the weakest console (Nintendo Switch), there's no reason to not believe that it is attainable across Steam and PSN either.”
- “Runs smoothly and the online is peachy perfect.”
- “The games run smoothly, and there is no input lag of any kind.”
- “The worst port ever made, constantly stuttering, lagging, and always in slow motion as soon as you get into any game, not in the menu. My PC is fine; it's this horrible port that just ruins the long wait.”
- “Performance will vary on your part, not for lack of knowledge or mechanical skill (you know what you want to press, and you know you pressed the right buttons), but for some reason your character whiffs or doesn't execute because you slightly missed a button or your finger slid a bit early or late off the buttons/keys of your controller/keyboard.”
- “Considering that this is just an emulation of the old games, there isn't much to expect in terms of performance issues.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
83%
The monetization of the game is criticized as a blatant cash grab, with users feeling that it offers little more than an overpriced emulator of classic arcade titles without significant enhancements or features. While there are no microtransactions or DLC, the lack of meaningful content and online engagement has led to negative perceptions, particularly in comparison to previous collections.
- “There are no microtransactions or DLC, which makes the game feel complete and rewarding.”
- “I appreciate that the game doesn't include any microtransactions or additional downloadable content.”
- “The absence of microtransactions and DLC really enhances the overall experience.”
- “Overpriced cash grab with no people online and cheating AI to feed quarters as this is arcade classics, no remaster of any kind.”
- “Just like Street Fighter 30th Anniversary, another cash grab on 80s kids who happened to see and play those arcade games in the 90s.”
- “This is just a cash grab as it's just an expensive emulator.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its absurd character matchups, such as Spider-Man fighting Thanos, which contrasts with modern interpretations and adds a comedic twist. Players find the game's intentional glitches amusing, reflecting a commitment to authenticity, while the matchmaking system's randomness also provides humorous moments, especially when inexperienced players face off against highly skilled opponents. Overall, the game is described as genuinely funny, with a mix of situational comedy and character interactions.
- “I played as Spider-Man and fighting against Thanos is funny for me because it is a totally different story compared to the modern interpretations of these characters, especially the MCU’s version.”
- “They literally patched the game to break it, which is quite funny, but this speaks volumes about how authentic of an experience they want it to be (similar to the original).”
- “This game is very funny!”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
50%
While the game offers enjoyable co-op gameplay and features multiple playable Marvel characters, it lacks the depth and replayability found in more complex titles. Matchmaking issues may detract from the experience, but the option to play in both English and Japanese adds some value. Overall, it provides a fun diversion, though it may not keep players engaged long-term.
- “Insane replay value.”
- “It's cool that other Marvel characters are playable.”
- “Though the matchmaking feels a little off, all the games are playable in English and Japanese versions.”
- “It's a fun break from all the fighting games, but it's never going to have the depth and replayability of the other games simply because it's a co-op beat-em-up.”
- “Though the matchmaking feels a little lacking, all the games are playable in both English and Japanese versions.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively time-consuming and tedious, often requiring significant effort to progress, particularly in challenging encounters like beating Wazzler. Additionally, the lack of a streamlined control configuration process for multiple games adds to the frustration.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Grinding to beat Wazzler.”
- “It's also very tedious to change every single button/video configuration for each game, and there should be an option to change the controls for every game at once.”