Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes

"Almost hit the mark"

Marvel vs. Capcom is probably one of the best known, and most played Vs. games in the Capcom line. Here, with the PSX version, they bring an almost perfect version of the fan-favorite arcade game.

-Visuals 9/10-

Clean, crisp and fast. There isn't any other way to describe it, and with no slow down, or image break up on screen, you're treated to not only a visual display of special effects and super moves, but to something that shows how far the Capcom fighters have come on the PSX. While this may sound great, there are a fair share of problems with the visuals.

The first of these being is the over abundance of special effects in the game. Once you start playing, you'll notice that alot of the special moves have flare...well...too much flare, and it can be distracting. Also, with certain air combinations, the camera moves in close, leaving you to wonder if you can hit your opponent with the next part of your air combo..this can be quite annoying. Also, if you play for too long, you'll get a headache...too many extra flashes and dramatic flares is what brings the score down a notch, nothing else.

-Audio 9/10-

The music is exactly the same from the Arcade port, so you'll hear the familiar tunes of the game that you're so used to hearing. There is no option to have a PSX only music selection like there is with some fighting games, which could be a downfall if you're looking to hear something new. The music, while familiar, still holds that tone of something out of a cartoon...this could be annoying after awhile, but, it's nothing to complain about.

The sound effects are also clean and crisp, each one that you heard while battling it out in the arcade, is back again in the PSX version. From the cry of Ryu throwing a fireball, to the grunt/roar of the Hulk ripping up the floor, you'll find yourself back at home in that familiar territory.

-Control 9/10-

Easy to pull off the special moves, the control of MvsC is the same as it would be if standing at the cabinet fighting it out with the computer, or another player. The control itself is easy to use, but complex enough to open up hundreds of different combinations. If the default setting doesn't suit you, it can be changed with the Configuration option in the Options menu at any given time. Regardless of the control configuration, you'll find the moves easy to pull off, with little effort, definately a plus.

-Gameplay 9/10-

Several options await your choosing, from one player battle to the Gallery option where you can find the ending movies and pictures of all the characters in the game once you've defeated it with that particular character. When selecting these options, keep in mind that you'll be thrust into battle against a relatively easy computer AI..and when it comes down to it, if you're a master in the arcade, then this will be no sweat, and really no challenge, no matter high up you turn the difficulty.

The Cross Over Mode is the only part of the game that you can actually use the in-game swapping system. For some reason, Capcom keeps releasing games that offer this feature in the arcade, but not on the home system. This is a bane for those who want the arcade feel, and in all reality, sometimes it can make the difference. The first player that you choose, is the one that you use primarily through-out the game, and the only time that you have your secondary, is when you perform a team combo...that's it. With the Cross Over Mode, you can actually switch up, but only if you're fighting the opponent team that has the exact same two characters...

Versus Mode and Single Player round out the title's gameplay with the usual assortment of fighting rounds and rounds against computer controlled opponents, and after a while of playing, you may notice a pattern that comes up with a team that you always use, somewhat like with X-Men Mutant Academy. It might have been nice to add in a Survival Mode, but they do offer a Training Mode in which you can hone your skills against a prone opponent. Outside of that, you have nothing else to look forward to.

The actual in-game playing gives you a multitude of options in terms of air combos, ground combos, and the new Aerial Rave combos, which start up your air combos. With that, you have your partner character, which gives you a 3 or 4 hit combo to start with, your Super Moves, which range from the extremely damaging, to the ''It looks neat, but does nothing'' type. Once you get into the game, you'll note the complexity of the combos and just what you can pull off, but after awhile, you'll find that there is nothing that you can't do with a little practice.

-Overall 9/10-

While near perfect, it isn't. It does make a good stand against it's Arcade ancestor, but it still doesn't offer the swap out option that is only found so far on the Dreamcast. The visuals, while awesome and clean, get a little cluttered in game with too many special effects, and the sound, while familiar and exact to the Arcade, is missing that one thing that most home game system owners want: Variety. The control is another great addition to a great game, and the gameplay is perfect...but it still leaves you wanting a little more. With all of these things being said, there may be one question on your mind, that does eventually sit there: Is this fun? Or more of the same stuff?

Rent or Own: Choice

It's up to you weither to own it, or rent it. Hardcore fighting game fanatics will love it, while the weekend player may just want it for when a friend comes over, so it'll be a rent. Either way, if you liked the arcade version, you'll love this.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/20/00, Updated 10/20/00