MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,581 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics Game Cover
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a beautifully curated selection of some of the best one-on-one combat games ever created.
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"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.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,581 reviews
gameplay11 positive mentions
stability11 negative mentions
  • The collection features a nostalgic lineup of classic Capcom fighting games, including fan favorites like Marvel vs Capcom 2, which many players have been eagerly awaiting.
  • The online play is smooth and responsive, thanks to the implementation of rollback netcode, making it a great experience for both casual and competitive players.
  • The inclusion of training modes, customizable controls, and a gallery of artwork and music enhances the overall experience, making it accessible for newcomers and enjoyable for veterans.
  • Matchmaking issues have been reported, with players experiencing long wait times to find matches or difficulties connecting with friends, which detracts from the online experience.
  • Some players have expressed disappointment over the lack of crossplay, limiting the player base and making it harder to find matches.
  • The absence of certain features, such as a rematch option and the ability to save settings for each game individually, has been noted as a drawback in the overall user experience.
  • gameplay48 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a mix of chaotic energy and deep mechanics, offering a blend of classic arcade fighting with unique features like infinity stones and tag team mechanics. While some players find the controls can be imprecise, leading to frustration, the overall experience is praised for its smoothness and engaging roster. Despite some dated elements, the game remains a standout in terms of combo potential and presentation, making it a nostalgic yet fresh experience for both newcomers and veterans.

    • “The gameplay captures the essence of classic arcade fighting with smooth mechanics and an exciting roster.”
    • “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, comboes 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.”
  • music41 mentions

    The music in this collection is widely praised for its nostalgic charm, featuring a mix of classic tracks and a unique jazz soundtrack that resonates with players. While many appreciate the extensive music player and gallery showcasing the soundtracks, some users express frustration over the inability to fully mute or customize the in-game music, particularly the repetitive main menu theme. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, enhancing the overall experience of the game collection.

    • “The soundtrack and art of this title are on another level.”
    • “The presentation of the collection is very slick, the new (and the old) music is fantastic.”
    • “They toned down the music and I really don't like it; even adjusting isn't the way it was before.”
    • “The music is partly what makes this game so special, so it needs to remain front and center like it always was.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics32 mentions

    The graphics in this collection are generally praised for their sharpness and charm, effectively capturing the arcade aesthetic with some modern touches, though they do show their age as they originate from the late '90s and early 2000s. While the artwork and music galleries are highlights, showcasing a wealth of developer content, some users noted inconsistencies in art styles between the Capcom and Marvel characters. Overall, the visuals are considered solid and serviceable, with a nostalgic appeal that resonates well with both new and longtime fans.

    • “Graphics are amazing, controls feel good, and navigating the menus is a breeze.”
    • “As for graphics, they look nice and sharp and have been touched up a bit for modern 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.”
    • “However, it’s important to remember that these are still games from the late '90s and early 2000s, so don’t expect cutting-edge visuals.”
    • “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.”
  • stability16 mentions

    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 close to arcade-perfect. Players appreciate the solid online experience and the crisp visuals, although a few users have experienced crashes and other bugs.

    • “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.”
  • story10 mentions

    The game's story is largely considered nonexistent, with players noting a lack of depth and character development compared to other titles. While the humorous interactions, such as Spider-Man fighting Thanos, provide some entertainment, the overall narrative feels incomplete, with hints that a more substantial story may be available online.

    • “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 explains what the story is all about.”
  • optimization7 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game is generally praised, with smooth performance reported across platforms, including the Nintendo Switch. However, some users have experienced significant issues with specific ports, leading to stuttering and lag during gameplay. Input lag is not a common complaint, indicating that performance issues are more likely tied to certain versions rather than the game itself.

    • “With the performance of the game being fantastic on the weakest console (Nintendo Switch), there's no reason to not believe that it isn't 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 or keys of your controller or keyboard.”
    • “Considering that this is just an emulation of the old games, there isn't much to expect in terms of performance issues.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The monetization aspect 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 games without significant enhancements or new content. While there are no microtransactions or DLC, the overall sentiment reflects disappointment over the lack of value and effort in the product, likening it to previous underwhelming collections.

    • “There are no microtransactions or DLC, which makes the experience feel complete and fair.”
    • “I appreciate that the game doesn't rely on microtransactions or additional downloadable content.”
    • “The absence of microtransactions and DLC is refreshing and allows for a more immersive gameplay experience.”
    • “Overpriced cash grab with no people online and cheating AI to feed quarters as this is arcade classics with no remaster of any kind.”
    • “Just like the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary, this is another cash grab aimed at 80s kids who happened to see and play those arcade games in the 90s.”
    • “This is just a cash grab as it's simply an expensive emulator.”
  • humor6 mentions

    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 playful absurdity.

    • “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 on how authentic of an experience they want it to be (similar to the original).”
    • “This game is very funny!”
  • replayability4 mentions

    The game offers enjoyable co-op gameplay with some replay value, particularly due to the inclusion of various Marvel characters. However, it lacks the depth and replayability found in more complex fighting games, and matchmaking issues may detract from the overall experience.

    • “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.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    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 universal control configuration option adds to the frustration, as users must individually adjust settings for each game.

    • “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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

85% average critic score

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Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
3-3hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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