I clearly remember walking over to the nearby laundromat, not to clean any clothes, but to meet up with neighborhood friends to play Marvel vs. Capcom. Thanks to Capcom, I have been reliving the feeling of playing with my friends again, thanks to the recent release of the Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Game Collection. This collection assembles seven iconic titles that not only shaped the fighting game genre but also brought together beloved characters from Marvel and Capcom. It is not a remaster or remake, but simply a re-release.
Capcom has previously released collection series for many of its other great titles, including Mega Man, Street Fighter, and the Capcom Fighting series. The Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection includes X-Men: Children of the Atom, Marvel Super Heroes, X-Men vs. Street Fighter, Marvel vs. Street Fighter, Marvel vs. Capcom, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, and The Punisher. Each game made an iconic impact within the classic Vs. series.
First, we have X-Men: Children of the Atom, which was released in 1994 and was revolutionary for its time. The game pioneered the concept of air combos, allowing players to launch opponents into the air and continue attacking them. Marvel Super Heroes followed in 1995 and introduced the innovative Infinity Gems system, enabling players to collect gems during fights that granted special powers, like increased damage or invulnerability.
Next is X-Men vs. Street Fighter, which debuted in 1996. This title marked the first official crossover between Marvel and Capcom, introducing players to a unique tag-team mechanic that allowed for dynamic team combinations. This was the first time players could switch characters mid-fight.
One of my favorites is Marvel vs. Street Fighter, released in 1997. It introduced a new tag-team system that allowed for assist mechanics. Marvel vs. Capcom 1 launched in 1998, establishing the concept of three-on-three battles by allowing players to select two characters to control and a random assist character.
My favorite of the bunch is, of course, Marvel vs. Capcom 2. Released in 2000, it is often regarded as the pinnacle of the series, renowned for its expansive roster of 56 characters and refined gameplay mechanics. Players can choose three characters, with each character having their own assist.
All of these games (including The Punisher) have their respective English and Japanese versions. Besides the original titles, the games offer a training mode for practice, and all characters are available, including secret ones. Shadow Lady is one of my favorite secret characters, and it’s great to finally use her. The collection also features a museum archive of art and music from these classic titles.
Additionally, all the fighting game titles include online play, allowing for casual, ranked, or custom room matches. I found the online connection to be solid, but matchmaking was sometimes frustrating. I waited several minutes just to find a match. My experience with ranked matches felt fairly balanced. There were moments when I could tell who had played this game two decades ago and who was new to the Marvel universe. Getting spammed by Cable, anti air by Psylocke was a fresh breath of air I haven’t had in a while. Playing online was a breath of fresh air, and while I ranked up slowly, I hoped to bump into the infamous Wazzler—unfortunately, no luck.
There are different online settings for players who find the game imbalanced (and it can be). Capcom thoughtfully added features to enhance the experience for those unfamiliar with the quirks of Marvel games. These titles are known for their fast-paced action, high damage, and occasionally unbreakable infinite combos. While all these features remind me of my childhood, you can disable certain aspects, like Juggernaut’s power buff bug, by turning off the “Cyttorak Power-Up.” This prevents getting caught in assists or supers that can eliminate you in one hit. I know many people who aren’t avid Marvel fans due to the game’s balance issues. Adding these features shows that if this game were released today, Capcom would likely fix bugs quickly.
Let’s not forget the seventh title in this collection, The Punisher. Released in 1993, it is a unique addition that deviates from the traditional fighting game format, offering a side-scrolling beat ’em up experience. This game is fun as you get to play as both Punisher and Nick Fury. However, it does not include online gameplay, which would have been a nice addition since all the other titles feature online play. Luckily, I could still enjoy the game’s cooperative mode.
I feel like an old timer saying this, but (old man voice) ” back in my day this is what me and the boys would do”. This collection truly embodies nostalgia. The music, characters, and overall feel transport me back to a time I never wanted to leave. I will never forget the solo training sessions, wild matches, and the excitement surrounding the era in which these games were released. Capcom did a fantastic job encapsulating this in the *Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Game Collection*. It is a must-have for fighting game fans and comic book enthusiasts alike. With fighting games at an all-time high, this collection only heightens our anticipation for a new title in the Vs. series. Despite the stellar lineup and solid online features, I wish the matchmaking were more reliable. This collection celebrates two beloved universes and is sure to keep players engaged for hours. Whether you’re revisiting these classics or experiencing them for the first time, this collection stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Marvel and Capcom in the gaming world.
