Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes
In February 1998, the CP System II arcade board powered a new fighting game called Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes. This title marked a shift in how players could summon support during battle. The previous entry allowed teams to call offscreen teammates for special attacks through a feature known as Variable Assist. That system disappeared here. Instead, each player received a randomly assigned Guest Character or Special Partner at the start of every match. These guests had limited uses per round. A new technique called Variable Cross let two characters attack simultaneously for a short window. Players also gained unlimited access to the Hyper Combo Gauge, a colored meter below the screen that enabled rapid execution of powerful moves.
The Dreamcast version arrived on the 25th of March 1999 in Japan and October 7 in North America. It preserved tag team battles and added four-player Cross Fever Mode. The PlayStation port followed later, released the 11th of November 1999 in Japan under the name EX Edition. Limited RAM forced developers to remove tag team functionality from most modes. Only Cross Over mode allowed dual-character play by forcing identical team selections. Many animation frames were omitted due to insufficient memory, especially within larger character sprites. Game Informer praised the Dreamcast version for its seamless animation and flashy effects. Jeff Gerstmann of GameSpot called it everything expected from an over-the-top fighter. Critics noted the PlayStation version lacked depth compared to its sibling release.
Fifteen regular fighters appeared on the playable roster alongside six secret characters accessible via input codes. Shadow Lady served as a palette swap of Chun-Li with modified move properties. Roll from the Mega Man series offered unique sprites while sharing most attacks with her brother. Guest partners included Colossus, Cyclops, and Jubilee from Marvel Comics. Capcom contributors featured Arthur from Ghosts 'n Goblins, Devilotte from Cyberbots: Full Metal Madness, and the Unknown Soldier from Forgotten Worlds. Unlike earlier entries limited to Street Fighter characters, this game drew from multiple franchises including Darkstalkers and Strider. Each match required selecting two fighters who could swap freely during combat. One teammate regenerated health off-screen while the other fought.
Capcom exhibited the game at the AOU Show in February 1998 before releasing it in Japanese arcades that same month. North American arcade locations received copies in March 1998. The Dreamcast port was revealed by the Computer Entertainment Software Association at the 1999 Tokyo Game Show. European distribution occurred the 23rd of June 2000 through Virgin Interactive Entertainment. Licensing contracts between Capcom and Marvel Comics expired in 2013. This led to removal of the Origins collection from online stores in December 2014. In June 2020, Arcade1Up released home arcade cabinets featuring this title alongside three other games. A new compilation called Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics arrived September 2024 for Switch, PlayStation 4, and Windows platforms.
Game Machine ranked the arcade version as the second most successful title of March 1998 in Japan. United States sales reached approximately 3,000 units, surpassing Street Fighter III (1997) during that period. Famitsu awarded the Dreamcast port a score of 33 out of 40. Jeff Gerstmann of GameSpot criticized the PlayStation version for removing tag team battles entirely. Douglass C. Perry of IGN described it as an average game with lasting appeal despite flaws in fighting styles and soundtrack. GamePro acknowledged the developer's decision to strip features to maintain speed and graphical integrity. Most reviews favored the Dreamcast release over its PlayStation counterpart due to preserved mechanics and visual fidelity.
The Marvel vs. Capcom Origins collection launched via PlayStation Network on September 25 in North America and the 10th of October 2012 in Europe. Xbox Live Arcade received the title worldwide on September 26. Online stores removed both games from availability following contract expiration in December 2014. Toy Biz produced action figure two-packs featuring Captain America paired with Morrigan, War Machine with Mega Man, Spider-Man alongside Strider Hiryu, and Venom matched against Captain Commando. The 2024 compilation included this entry among others in the Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics package. Home arcade cabinets released by Arcade1Up in June 2020 offered physical playability for collectors and fans seeking authentic cabinet experiences.
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Common questions
When was Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes released in arcades?
Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes launched in Japanese arcades on the 2nd of March 1998 after being exhibited at the AOU Show earlier that month.
What platform received a Dreamcast version of Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes and when did it arrive in Japan?
The Dreamcast version arrived in Japan on the 25th of March 1999 with four-player Cross Fever Mode added to the tag team battles.
Which characters served as guest partners in Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes?
Guest partners included Colossus, Cyclops, and Jubilee from Marvel Comics alongside Capcom contributors Arthur, Devilotte, and the Unknown Soldier.
Why was the PlayStation port of Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes criticized by critics?
Critics noted the PlayStation port lacked depth because limited RAM forced developers to remove tag team functionality from most modes and omit many animation frames.
When did licensing contracts between Capcom and Marvel Comics expire leading to game removals?
Licensing contracts expired in 2013 which led to the removal of the Origins collection from online stores in December 2014.