Admit it, you are singing the song right now.
Collections are always the best thing. Not only do we get to see older games make a return, but we also get a collection of classic games with a host of new options and features. While these might be a dime a dozen, this collection might be one of the most anticipated in a very, very long time. Yes, Marvel and Capcom have finally got their licenses sorted out. It is time for all your favorite versus games to make a return, but also for some reason, the Punisher arcade game. The gang is all here, but what else is included in this amazing package?
OK let’s kick off with what is included. Of course we get the two namesakes with Marvel vs. Capcom games, but that is not all. The origins are also here with X-Men vs. Street Fighter, Marvel Super Heroes/vs. Street Fighter, and the OG X-Men: Children of the Atom. The oddest inclusion though has to be the Punisher arcade game. I get it is part of the Marvel universe, but a non-fighting game certainly makes it stand out.
MSRP: $49.99
Platforms: PlayStation (reviewed), Xbox, Switch, PC
Price I’d Pay: $49.99
Of course, the best part of any good compilation is what is new and what is included. This package is jammed with goodies. The first big update is easily online play. All fighting games include casual matches as well as tournaments and ranked play. It supports rollback netcode and the matches I got into felt great. I am terrible at these games, but it was still a lot of fun to be able to play with anyone at any time thanks to online play. The Punisher even comes with online co-op which is a nice bonus.
For newcomers there are a host of difficulty options to make any game beatable and the new one-button special option is a nice touch to let novice players pull off those flashy super moves. Another cool feature is that you can pull up the original arcade marquees during the game for a move list. It is not ideal, but I love the artwork. The scans are very high resolution and can be zoomed in on.
There are also a host of display options. You can implement the normal CRT filter from the arcade and even curve the screen to simulate an arcade machine. I still prefer the original pixel, but these are neat for those that enjoy them. I do wish they were labeled a little easier to understand.
Finally, we have a host of extras for single players. There are challenges that can be completed with medals to earn. There is also a high score leaderboard to compare with others. Finally, there is a robust training mode that showcases hitboxes and combo challenges. There is a lot here to learn how the game works for both veterans and newcomers.
Most players know whether they are interested in this collection. The fans have been begging for it for years. We finally have it, and as of this writing they managed to sort out the issues with the Xbox version, so it is coming to that console next year, so it will be available on literally everything. It is impossible not to recommend this package if you have any sort of interest in fighting games. There is a reason these games are still so well revered, and this collection gives a whole new generation of players a chance to find out why.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
