Is Marvel Vs Capcom Fighting Collection Just Marvel Vs Capcom 2 Remastered In Disguise

The release of the Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics sparked immediate excitement among retro fighting game fans. With its announcement, many assumed it would be little more than a remaster of the beloved Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes. After all, that title remains one of the most iconic entries in the franchise. But is this new collection truly just a repackage of MvC2 with a fresh coat of paint? The answer is both simpler and more nuanced than it appears.

This compilation includes nine titles spanning the arcade era of crossover brawling, from early entries like Marvel Super Heroes to Captain Commando, and yes—Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is indeed one of them. However, reducing the entire collection to “MvC2 remastered” overlooks its broader historical significance and curated preservation effort. Let’s examine exactly what’s included, how it’s been updated, and whether this release brings anything genuinely new to the table.

What’s Actually Included in the Collection?

The Fighting Collection isn’t built around a single game. Instead, it serves as a digital museum of Capcom’s arcade-era superhero and character crossover titles. Here are the nine games featured:

• Marvel Super Heroes (1995)
• X-Men: Children of the Atom (1994)
• Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (1997)
• X-Men vs. Street Fighter (1996)
• Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes (1998)
• Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000)
• Captain Commando (1991)
• Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom (1993)
• Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara (1996)

Of these, only three are direct Marvel vs. Capcom crossover titles. The rest are either Marvel-licensed Capcom fighters or classic co-op beat ‘em ups. This breadth suggests an intent to celebrate Capcom’s broader legacy with licensed and original characters during the golden age of arcades.

Tip: If you're primarily interested in MvC2, know that while it's included, the full value of the collection lies in exploring the evolution of Capcom’s tag-team mechanics across earlier titles.

How Has MvC2 Been Updated?

Yes, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is part of the package—and it’s the most modern title in the lineup. But calling it a “remaster” might be overstating the changes. Unlike full visual overhauls seen in titles like Sonic Origins or Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection, MvC2 here runs on emulation rather than being rebuilt from the ground up.

Capcom has applied several quality-of-life improvements:

• Online multiplayer with rollback netcode (a major upgrade, especially for a game once limited to local play)
• HD display options and screen filters
• Save states and rewind functionality
• Training mode enhancements
• Leaderboards and match history tracking

These updates make MvC2 more accessible and competitive in 2024, but the core assets—sprites, music, voice lines—are unchanged. There’s no 4K redrawn art, no re-recorded audio, and no gameplay rebalancing. In that sense, it’s not a remaster in the traditional sense; it’s a well-presented emulated version with modern networking.

“Preservation doesn’t require reinvention. Sometimes, the best way to honor a classic is to present it faithfully—with tools that let it thrive today.” — Jason Liang, Retro Game Archivist & Developer

Comparing the Collection to a Standalone MvC2 Remaster

To assess whether this is “just” MvC2 in disguise, consider what a true standalone remaster would entail:

Feature	Standalone MvC2 Remaster (Hypothetical)	MvC Fighting Collection (Actual)
Visual Upgrade	Redrawn sprites, HD UI, widescreen support	Emulated original visuals with filters
Audio Quality	Remastered soundtrack, optional high-bitrate audio	Original CD-quality tracks preserved
Gameplay Changes	Balancing patches, new movesets, quality-of-life tweaks	No balance changes; faithful emulation
Online Play	Modern matchmaking, ranked ladders, tournaments	Rollback netcode, casual/online rooms
Content Scope	MvC2 only, possibly with DLC characters	Nine full games, including MvC2

The table makes it clear: if fans were hoping for a ground-up remake akin to Resident Evil or Demon’s Souls, this isn’t it. But the collection offers something different—historical context. You can now trace how team mechanics evolved from X-Men vs. Street Fighter to MvC2, seeing incremental design shifts in assists, air combos, and character synergy.

A Mini Case Study: Learning Mechanics Across Generations

Consider Alex, a 25-year-old fighting game enthusiast who grew up playing Super Smash Bros. and only recently discovered tag-team fighters. He bought the Fighting Collection expecting MvC2 to be the main attraction. After struggling with MvC2’s fast pace and complex inputs, he decided to start with X-Men vs. Street Fighter.

Playing the earlier title, he noticed simpler combo structures, fewer aerial cancels, and a slower overall tempo. As he progressed through Marvel Super Heroes vs. SF and then MvC: Clash of Super Heroes, he began recognizing the design lineage—how hyper combos evolved, how assists became more integral, and how stage design changed.

By the time he returned to MvC2, his performance improved dramatically. What initially felt chaotic now had structure. The collection didn’t just give him access to MvC2—it gave him the tools to understand it.

Tip: Start with earlier entries like X-Men vs. Street Fighter to build foundational skills before jumping into MvC2’s overwhelming speed and complexity.

Step-by-Step Guide: Getting the Most Out of the Collection

To fully appreciate what the Fighting Collection offers beyond MvC2, follow this timeline:

1. Begin with Captain Commando or Dungeons & Dragons – These co-op beat ‘em ups offer accessible entry points and showcase Capcom’s character design roots.
2. Move to X-Men: Children of the Atom – The first Marvel-Capcom crossover. Learn basic super mechanics and special moves.
3. Play X-Men vs. Street Fighter – Introduces tag teams and assists. Practice basic team combos.
4. Try Marvel Super Heroes vs. SF – More characters, deeper mechanics. Experiment with morph meters and variable counters.
5. Advance to MvC: Clash of Super Heroes – First true MvC title. Note the three-on-three format debut.
6. Finally, tackle MvC2 – Now equipped with context, enjoy the peak of the series’ arcade evolution.
7. Explore online play – Use training mode and replay features to refine techniques across all titles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is MvC2 the only worthwhile game in the collection?

No. While MvC2 is the most technically advanced and popular, earlier titles like X-Men vs. Street Fighter have dedicated communities and are still played competitively. Additionally, the D&D games offer unique co-op experiences not found elsewhere.

Does the collection include any unreleased content or bonus features?

There are no previously unreleased games or secret characters. However, the inclusion of rollback netcode, save states, and online leaderboards adds significant modern functionality not available in original arcade or console releases.

Can I play this collection offline?

Yes. All games can be played offline in single-player or local multiplayer modes. Online features require an internet connection, but they’re optional.

Final Verdict: More Than Just a Rebranded MvC2

The Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection is not merely a disguised remaster of Marvel vs. Capcom 2. It is a carefully assembled anthology that preserves a pivotal era in fighting game history. While MvC2 is the crown jewel, the surrounding titles provide essential context, variety, and depth.

For casual players, it’s a chance to experience legendary games that were previously hard to access legally. For veterans, it’s a nostalgic trip with modern conveniences. And for newcomers, it’s a masterclass in how tag-team fighters evolved over seven years of innovation.

Calling this release “just MvC2” undersells its ambition. Capcom hasn’t remade the past—they’ve preserved it, enhanced it, and made it playable for a new generation. That’s not deception. It’s respect.

🚀 Ready to dive into the legacy of Marvel vs. Capcom? Fire up the collection, start with the classics, and see how far the franchise has come. Share your favorite matchup or discovery with others—because great games deserve to be played, not just remembered.