Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics ($49.99)
For 90s fans of Marvel, Capcom, and fighting games, Capcom's Marvel-based fighters were a dream. Beginning with the excellent X-Men: Children of the Atom, the series consistently improved, expanding to the wider Marvel Universe with Marvel Super Heroes, culminating in the iconic Marvel vs. Capcom and the phenomenal Marvel vs. Capcom 2. Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics compiles these titles, plus Capcom's Punisher beat 'em up, offering a fantastic retro gaming experience.
This collection shares similarities with the Capcom Fighting Collection, including a single shared save state across all seven games. While this is inconvenient for fighting games, it's particularly frustrating for the beat 'em up, where independent saving would be preferable. However, the collection excels in other areas, offering extensive customization options (visual filters, gameplay adjustments), a wealth of bonus content (artwork, music player), and rollback online multiplayer. The inclusion of NAOMI hardware emulation ensures Marvel vs. Capcom 2 runs exceptionally well.
While the arcade focus is appreciated, the omission of certain home console versions is a missed opportunity. The PlayStation EX versions of the tag-team games offer unique features, and the Dreamcast version of Marvel vs. Capcom 2 boasts additional content. The absence of Capcom's Super NES Marvel titles, despite their imperfections, might have enhanced the collection's completeness.
This collection is a must-have for Marvel and fighting game enthusiasts. The games are excellent, meticulously preserved, and complemented by a strong selection of extras and options. The single save state is a significant drawback, but otherwise, this is a fantastic compilation. Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a superb addition to any Switch library.
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Yars Rising ($29.99)
Initially, Yars Rising's concept seemed questionable. A Metroidvania Yars' Revenge starring a young hacker named Yar? However, WayForward delivers a solid game. The visuals and audio are impressive, gameplay is smooth, and level design is well-executed. While boss battles occasionally overstay their welcome, this doesn't detract significantly from the overall experience.
WayForward cleverly integrates elements of the original Yars' Revenge, incorporating similar gameplay sequences and abilities within the Metroidvania framework. The connection to the expanded lore is surprisingly effective, despite the inherent challenges of bridging the gap between a classic single-screen shooter and a modern Metroidvania. The game's appeal might be divided between fans of the original and the Metroidvania genre, potentially limiting its overall reach.
Regardless of its conceptual coherence, Yars Rising is enjoyable. While it may not surpass the genre's best, it provides a satisfying Metroidvania experience for a weekend playthrough. The potential for future installments could further solidify its place within the franchise.
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland ($24.99)
Despite limited personal nostalgia for Rugrats, Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland exceeded expectations. The game boasts crisp visuals, surpassing the original show's animation quality. While initial control placement is awkward, customizable options alleviate this issue. The game's core gameplay is inspired by Super Mario Bros. 2 (USA), featuring a similar character-switching mechanic and gameplay style. Each character possesses unique abilities, reflecting the personalities from the show (e.g., Phil's digging).
The game incorporates elements from other platformers, but the core mechanics are clearly rooted in Super Mario Bros. 2. The boss battles are engaging, and the inclusion of both modern and 8-bit visual/audio modes adds replayability. The ability to switch between graphical styles and the addition of filters enhance the overall experience. The only significant drawbacks are the game's brevity and the lack of voice acting in cutscenes.
Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland is a surprisingly high-quality platformer. Its clever use of the Rugrats license, combined with its solid gameplay mechanics and multiple visual/audio options, makes it a worthwhile purchase for platformer fans and Rugrats enthusiasts. The short length might disappoint some, but the overall experience is enjoyable and creative.
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
