’90s Marvel vs. Capcom arcade games coming to consoles this year
The days of playing at the arcade might have been long gone for the Batang 90s, but it’s not too late to get their rematch against Magneto, Thanos, Apocalypse, Onslaught, and Abyss. Video game company Capcom is making seven classic games, including six fighting crossovers and a side-scrolling beat 'em up, playable on Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Steam later this year.
This time, we no longer need to “insert coin.”
The Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection Arcade Classics includes X-Men: Children of the Atom (1994), Marvel Super Heroes (1995), X-Men vs. Street Fighter (1996), Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (1997), Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes (1998), Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000), and The Punisher (1993), the first game created in the partnership between Capcom and Marvel.
“Is it bad that I know all of them and suck at playing all of them?” asked cosplayer Will Monteclaro.
“Pure Nostalgia!!! Some of these games helped me earn some cash through my college days via side bets on versus challengers,” entrepreneur Hedrinel Rubia Austria commented on Facebook.
While the games honor the past, Capcom has made sure returning and new players enjoy the updated settings.
Online Play
Because they are translated to gaming consoles, Capcom introduced new features that capture that adrenaline rush when your fight suddenly stops midway and announces, “Here comes a new challenger.”
Now with Online Play, you can play casually (Casual Matches) or competitively (Ranked Matches) with people from all over the world. You can also reunite the old gang with Custom Matches, where you can either watch your friends or play along with them using your chosen rules.
However, crossplay between platforms is not supported—meaning you cannot play against someone using Nintendo Switch if you’re on PS4. Apart from an internet connection, players would need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription or PlayStation Plus to access online modes for their respective platforms.
Fighter Awards
Each game now comes with new challenges where you can earn Fighter Awards. Unlock each challenge and relive the glory days of completing all Marvel and Marvel vs. Capcom levels in a breeze.
Marquee Card
The marquee cards used to serve as our cheat sheet for attacks, combos, and supers were usually stickered below the screen. You can pull these up while you’re playing, in case your muscle memory fails you.
High Score Challenge in The Punisher
Remember leaving your codename after landing on the high scorers' list at the arcade game for bragging rights? You can also compete for the spot at the top of the leaderboards under set rules. Take note that for The Punisher, you can play the co-op High Score Challenge by selecting Event Mode from a Custom Match lobby.
Beginner-friendly features
Except for Ranked Matches, struggling players can customize one-button specials. They can adjust the Difficulty Settings if they can’t get past one fight or one level.
But for the serious combatants, you can practice your moves using the Training Mode. It has settings for input displays, hitboxes, and damage numbers so you can track your progress.
Quick Save
Millennial gamers, now working professionals and parents, need to easily hop in and out of the game. Make sure to Quick Save before Onslaught gives your character a fatal blow and then retry the difficult fight.
Travel back in time, sort of
If the Marvel vs. Capcom games were the reasons you’re into X-Men or Street Fighter, you might enjoy a trip down memory lane. You can view design documents, posters, and instruction cards, and listen to the official soundtrack of the classic games—you can even use Display Filters to recreate the visuals as you experienced them in the arcade, in all of its pixelated glory!
So tito and tita gamers, it’s probably time to show what OG playing looks like. Get your favorite console, appreciate the succubus Morrigan’s endowments, and avenge Megaman’s death after being stomped by the unforgiving Hulk. Two decades is a long time coming.
