SwitchArcade Review Round-Up: ‘Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection’, ‘Yars Rising’, & ‘Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland’

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 into the wider Marvel universe with Marvel Super Heroes, then the groundbreaking Marvel/ Street Fighter crossovers, culminating in the iconic Marvel vs. Capcom and the phenomenal Marvel vs. Capcom 2. Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics encompasses this era, adding Capcom's Punisher beat 'em up as a bonus. A truly fantastic collection of classic titles.

This compilation shares many features with the Capcom Fighting Collection, including, unfortunately, a single shared save state across all seven games. This is particularly frustrating with the inclusion of a beat 'em up, where independent save progress is desirable. However, other aspects are excellent: visual filters, gameplay customization options, extensive art galleries, a music player, and rollback online multiplayer. New to this collection is NAOMI hardware emulation, expertly implemented, resulting in a superb Marvel vs. Capcom 2 experience.

While not a criticism, I wish some home console versions were included. The PlayStation EX versions of the tag-team games offer unique differences, and the Dreamcast Marvel vs. Capcom 2 boasts enjoyable extras, making it superior for solo home play. Including Capcom's two Super NES Marvel games, despite their imperfections, would have been a nice addition. However, the title accurately reflects its content: Arcade Classics.

Marvel and fighting game enthusiasts will rejoice. The games are exceptional, meticulously preserved, and complemented by excellent extras and options. The single shared save state is a significant drawback, but otherwise, this collection is nearly flawless. Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a must-have compilation, particularly enjoyable on the Switch.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Yars Rising ($29.99)

Initially, I was skeptical. I love Yars’ Revenge, a 2600 favorite. A Metroidvania Yars game featuring a young, bare-midriff hacker named Yar felt… odd. However, WayForward delivers a solid game. The visuals and audio are excellent, gameplay is smooth, and level design is competent. Boss battles, typical of WayForward, are somewhat lengthy, but not overly detrimental.

WayForward admirably attempts to bridge the gap between this game and the original single-screen shooter. Yars’ Revenge-style sequences are frequent, abilities evoke the original, and the lore is surprisingly well-integrated. It still feels like a significant stretch, but Atari's attempts to revitalize its classic library are understandable. The game struggles to balance two distinct audiences with limited overlap, which may have been a questionable design choice compared to a wholly original concept.

Despite conceptual questions, the game is enjoyable. It may not challenge genre leaders, but it provides a satisfying Metroidvania experience for a weekend playthrough. Perhaps future installments will solidify its identity.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland ($24.99)

My nostalgia for Rugrats is limited, though I recall watching it with siblings. I knew the characters and theme song, but lacked deep attachment. Therefore, Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland was an unknown quantity. Comparisons to Bonk proved partially accurate, reflecting Tommy's physique. The game surprised me.

The visuals are crisp, exceeding the show's quality. Control customization is welcome, addressing initial awkwardness. The Rugrats theme song is present, and Reptar coins, simple puzzles, and enemies are standard fare. It's a platformer with exploration, a proven formula. The gameplay deviates from Bonk, but that wasn't promised.

Switching to Chuckie revealed familiar high, difficult-to-control jumps, reminiscent of Super Mario Bros. 2 (USA). Phil's low jump and Lil's floating ability confirmed the inspiration. Enemies could be picked up and thrown, and blocks could be stacked for vertical traversal. The game features non-linear stages with verticality, sand-digging sections (Phil excels at digging), and interesting boss battles. Visual and soundtrack options toggle between modern and 8-bit styles, both effective. A filter is also available. Multiplayer is supported.

The only significant issues are the slightly short length and simple design, and the initial control issues. The game's creativity and fun shine through. The Rugrats license is well-integrated. The lack of voice acting in cutscenes is a minor disappointment.

Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland surpasses expectations. It's a high-quality platformer in the style of the Western Super Mario Bros. 2, enhanced by additional features. The Rugrats theme is well-integrated, though voice acting would have been a plus. While concise, it's enjoyable for platformer and Rugrats fans.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5