Today marks a red-letter day for fighting game enthusiasts. Capcom has officially announced the release date for the highly anticipated Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics. It comes out on digital platforms on September 11, 2024. This collection offers gamers a long-awaited opportunity to access these iconic titles on modern platforms, without the need to resort to downloading ROMs, using emulators, or paying exorbitant prices for rare physical copies.

Until now, the only practical way to play games like X-Men: Children of the Atom, Marvel Super Heroes, Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes, Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes, Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter, and The Punisher was through emulation. For those who wanted to experience these classics online, Fightcade became the go-to solution. However, setting up Fightcade required a level of technical know-how, from acquiring ROMs to navigating potential toxicity within the online community.

Fightcade has been a lifeline for fans, offering a reasonably well-maintained platform for playing these games. Yet, it’s not easily accessible to everyone—especially those who lack the tech-savviness to get it running. This has left a significant portion of the potential player base in the dust, unable to enjoy these games because they haven’t been officially re-released for over a decade—until now.

The need for an official re-release was brought into the spotlight by the #FreeMvC2 movement, championed by the popular content creator Maximilian Dood. His Twitch and YouTube channels have become hubs for the fighting game community, and his reaction to the collection’s announcement—a resounding “FINALLY!”—echoed the sentiments of the entire FGC (Fighting Game Community).

Capcom’s decision to release this collection couldn’t come at a better time. The company is in the midst of a renaissance, making smart decisions about which franchises to revive and how to price them. The Marvel vs. Capcom Collection, priced at $50, offers an incredible value proposition—especially considering that buying these games at market rates prior to the announcement would have cost over ten times as much. With this exciting release on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to dive into each game in the collection and explore its significance to the series and to gamers as a whole.

X-Men: Children of the Atom

X-Men: Children of the Atom is the game that started it all. Released in 1994, this 2D fighter introduced players to a vibrant, fast-paced combat system featuring popular X-Men characters like Wolverine, Cyclops, and Magneto. It was the first fighting game to use the six-button layout Capcom would become famous for and laid the groundwork for the Vs. series, with its dynamic combo system and super moves becoming staples in later games. Its influence on the fighting game genre and the evolution of the Marvel vs. Capcom franchise is immeasurable.

Marvel Super Heroes

Building on the foundation set by Children of the Atom, Marvel Super Heroes took the next leap by expanding the roster beyond the X-Men to include other Marvel characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Thanos. Released in 1995, this game introduced the Infinity Gems system, allowing players to harness the power of the iconic gems for temporary boosts. The game was praised for its deep mechanics and strategic possibilities, setting the stage for even more ambitious crossovers in the future.

X-Men vs. Street Fighter

Released in 1996, X-Men vs. Street Fighter was a groundbreaking crossover that brought together characters from Capcom’s Street Fighter series and Marvel’s X-Men universe. This game introduced the revolutionary tag team mechanic, allowing players to switch between two characters during a fight, leading to dynamic and fast-paced battles. It was a dream come true for fans of both franchises and laid the blueprint for the tag-team format that would define the Vs. series.

Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter

Following the success of X-Men vs. Street Fighter, Capcom released Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter in 1997. This sequel refined the tag team mechanics and introduced new characters from both the Marvel and Street Fighter universes. It also added the Variable Assist feature, allowing the off-screen character to assist with attacks, which added another layer of strategy to the gameplay. This game continued to build the momentum of the Vs. series, further solidifying Capcom’s reputation for creating exciting and innovative crossovers.

Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes

Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes, released in 1998, took the crossover concept to the next level by expanding the roster to include not just Marvel and Street Fighter characters, but also a variety of characters from other Capcom franchises. The game introduced the “Variable Cross” and “Assist” mechanics, enhancing the strategic depth and making battles even more dynamic. This title became a fan favorite, known for its chaotic, high-energy gameplay and its eclectic roster, setting the stage for the even more ambitious sequel.

Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes

Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes is often regarded as the pinnacle of the series. Released in 2000, it featured a staggering roster of 56 characters, drawing from a wide range of Marvel and Capcom properties. The game introduced three-on-three tag team battles, allowing for incredibly deep and complex gameplay. Its fast-paced action, massive roster, and iconic soundtrack have made it a beloved title in the fighting game community, with a lasting impact that endures to this day.

The Punisher

The Punisher, released in 1993, is a unique entry in the collection as it is not a traditional fighting game, but a side-scrolling beat ’em up. Players take on the role of Frank Castle, the titular Punisher, as he wages a one-man war on crime. The game features co-op play, allowing a second player to join as Nick Fury. With its gritty atmosphere, satisfying combat, and memorable boss battles, The Punisher remains a standout in Capcom’s catalog of Marvel games, offering a different flavor of action alongside the more traditional fighters in the collection.

The release of the Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is not just a nostalgic trip down memory lane—it’s a celebration of one of the most beloved fighting game franchises in history. From the origins of the Vs. series with X-Men: Children of the Atom to the pinnacle that is Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes, this collection brings together the best of Marvel and Capcom in a way that both honors the past and excites the present-day community.

For years, fans have kept the spirit of these games alive through emulation and platforms like Fightcade. Now, with this official release, a whole new generation of players can experience the thrill of iconic matchups, the depth of complex mechanics, and the sheer fun of these crossover battles. And for those who have been part of the journey all along, this collection is a triumphant return, offering a seamless way to relive those classic moments without the hurdles of outdated hardware or complicated setups.

What’s Next for Marvel vs. Capcom?

But as we celebrate this release, one can’t help but wonder—what’s next? With Capcom’s recent track record of bringing back fan-favorite titles and the success of collections like these, and the Capcom Fighting Collection 2 on the horizon? Imagine revisiting other iconic Capcom fighters, perhaps with even more obscure or forgotten gems, all polished and ready for modern systems.

As we look forward to the future, one thing is clear: Capcom has shown that they understand the importance of preserving their legacy, not just for the dedicated fans who have been there since the beginning, but for the newcomers eager to experience what made these games legendary. Whether you’re a veteran of the arcades or a new player stepping into these worlds for the first time, the Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection is a must-have for anyone who loves fighting games.

So get ready to dust off your arcade sticks and sharpen your skills—because this is just the beginning. With the potential for even more collections and re-releases on the horizon, it’s an exciting time to be a fan of Capcom’s fighting legacy.

James G. Kennedy