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 fighting games were a dream. From the excellent X-Men: Children of the Atom, the series consistently improved, expanding to 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 captures this era, adding Capcom's classic Punisher beat 'em up as a bonus. A truly fantastic collection of great games.

This compilation, seemingly handled by the same team behind the Capcom Fighting Collection, shares similar features, unfortunately including a single shared save state across all seven games. This is frustrating, especially with the beat 'em up where independent saves would be beneficial. However, the collection otherwise delivers. It boasts numerous visual filters, gameplay options, extensive art galleries, a music player, and rollback online multiplayer. New to this collection is NAOMI hardware emulation, expertly implemented, making Marvel vs. Capcom 2 look and play exceptionally well.

While not a criticism, I wish some home console versions were included. The PlayStation EX versions of the tag-team games offer distinct differences, and the Dreamcast version of Marvel vs. Capcom 2 includes fun extras ideal for solo play. Including Capcom's two Super NES Marvel titles, 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 is a near-perfect compilation. Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a must-have for Switch owners.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Yars Rising ($29.99)

Initially, I was skeptical. I love Yars’ Revenge. A WayForward Metroidvania Yars game featuring a young hacker, code-named Yar, seemed… odd. But is my skepticism justified? Partially. It’s a good game; WayForward delivers solid gameplay, visuals, sound, and level design. Boss battles, in typical WayForward fashion, are a bit drawn out, but not game-breaking.

WayForward admirably attempts to bridge the gap between this new game and the original single-screen shooter. Yars’ Revenge-style sequences are frequent, abilities evoke the original, and the lore is surprisingly well-integrated. The connection feels strained, but Atari's attempts to revitalize its classics are understandable. The game feels split between two largely disparate audiences, which might not have been the best approach compared to creating something entirely original.

Regardless of its conceptual coherence, Yars Rising is enjoyable. It may not challenge genre titans, but it provides a satisfying Metroidvania experience for a weekend playthrough. Perhaps future installments will solidify its place.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland ($24.99)

My nostalgia for Rugrats is limited, though I recall watching it with my siblings. I knew the characters and theme song, but my familiarity doesn't extend to movies or later iterations. Therefore, Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland was an unknown quantity. Comparisons to Bonk were made, fitting Tommy's build. My playthrough began with Tommy.

The visuals were crisp, exceeding the show's quality. The controls were initially awkward, but adjustable. The Rugrats theme song played, and Reptar coins, puzzles, and enemies were present. A standard platformer with exploration elements. Not Bonk-like, but that wasn't promised.

Switching to Chuckie revealed a familiar high jump, reminiscent of Super Mario Bros. 2 (USA). Phil had a low jump, and Lil could float. Enemies could be thrown, and blocks stacked. The gameplay strongly evoked Super Mario Bros. 2, with non-linear levels and verticality. Sand-digging mechanics were present, with Phil excelling. It was fantastic.

While other platformer influences exist, the core gameplay is inspired by a classic. Boss battles were engaging. The visuals and soundtrack could be switched between modern and 8-bit styles. Both versions are enjoyable. Multiplayer is available. The only drawbacks are the slightly awkward controls (easily fixed) and its brevity.

Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland exceeded expectations. It's a quality Super Mario Bros. 2-style platformer, enhanced with extra elements. The Rugrats license is well-integrated, though voice acting in cutscenes would have been a welcome addition. It's short but worthwhile for platformer and Rugrats fans.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5