Marvel vs. Capcom

Spider-Man against Ryu, Wolverine amid a barrage of hadoukens and a screen that literally overflows with colors and explosions — Marvel vs. Capcom took comic-book heroes and Capcom's stars, threw them into one melting pot and produced one of the most spectacular fighters the arcades ever saw. This is a game built on pure spectacle.

The team format is its engine. You assemble a duo of fighters, switch between them, call your partner in for an assist and chain attacks into long, staggering combos. The pace is insane, aerial action is everywhere and the super attacks are so over-the-top they fill the entire screen with lights and effects. It is excessive in the best sense of the word — a joy that is not meant to hold back.

The magic of the crossover lies in meeting characters who would otherwise never clash. Seeing Marvel icons side by side with faces from Capcom games was a small miracle back then and it still holds an irresistible charm. Each character carries its own style and fan appeal, so building a team is fun in itself.

Visually the game shines with Capcom's characteristic 2D animation, only polished into an even more exuberant, bombastic form. The speed, colors and chaos on screen turn every match into little fireworks that are a joy to watch even as a mere onlooker.

Marvel vs. Capcom laid the foundations of the entire „vs." subgenre and inspired a string of sequels and imitators. For lovers of fast, flashy and unbridled action it is a staple worth returning to again and again.

Why play: A bombastic team crossover fighter full of combos and effects that founded the entire „vs." subgenre — pure, unbridled fun.