Originally released in 2011, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 made a huge splash in the world of fighting games. Now five years later, old and new players can enjoy it in for the current gen consoles. Take control of various characters from the Marvel Comics Universe and many Capcom video game stars to battle it out with friends locally or online. Ever wonder if Ryu from Street Fighter can beat the Invincible Iron Man? Well now you can find out!
With the announcement of Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite earlier this month, slated for a 2017 release, Capcom also announced the re-release of Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 with updated graphics, first for the Playstation 4, and next spring for the Xbox One and Windows PC. This will keep fighting game fans happy and content until the next installment. Being the “Ultimate” edition, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 includes all of the DLC, and this makes the game even more of a value. I never got the chance to play the original on last generation systems, so I was very excited for this release.
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 has various modes to choose from, like arcade mode, where players battle up a ladder against CPU controlled opponents for a final huge boss battle and quick theatrical ending. Versus mode lets you play against a friend with a second controller. Online Versus mode lets players compete against opponents online in ranked battles. A mission mode asks players to pick specific characters and complete challenges related to special moves. Lastly, there is a “Heroes and Heralds” mode that resets every week. Players can go online or off, picking a side of either hero or heralds and fighting for the destruction or salvation of Earth. Included in this mode is also a card system where players can collect and customize with decks of virtual cards for bonuses, depending on their play style. Fun for those who like to min-max and customize.
With 50 characters to choose from, everyone should be able to find a favorite from a previous game or comic book. Deadpool, Ryu, Wolverine, and Morrigan from the Darkstalkers series, are a few of my favorites to choose from. Players pick from three different characters to build a team, and can swap between them during combat or just bring them out for a short time to attack with each other for devastating special attacks. Each character is perfectly voiced with animations and special attacks related to their previous games or comic books. Yes, that is Nolan North, aka Uncharted’s Nathan Drake, as Deadpool… BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
The controls for Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 translate very well to the base Playstation 4 controller, with a simplified button structure of low, medium, high, and special attack buttons, unlike the Street Fighter series where punch and kick each get three. This did make fighting a little disorienting for me coming from Street Fighter V. This simple button format, while not as complex as other games, makes it easier for fighting game non-veterans to learn. Even button mashers can have fun with Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, but with so many characters and moves to learn, old-timers should be busy for a while as well.
The graphics in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, while improved to 1080p, are definitely showing their age, but this did little to hamper the greatness of this title. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is a fighting game for everyone; for Marvel fans, for hardcore fighting gamers, and for newbies alike. The spectacular huge special moves light up the screen and give me that warm fuzzy feeling I would get in the arcade with Marvel vs. Capcom 2. With so much content, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is well worth the $24.99 price and is a must have for any fighting game aficionado. Pick it up and see if Wolverine’s healing factor can bring him back from a nicely timed SHORYUKEN!
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is available now for Playstation 4 and is slated for March 2017 release for Xbox One and Windows PC. This review is based on a Playstation 4 copy provided for review purposes.
