Capcom shocked the world last month by announcing Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics during the Nintendo Direct (all locations). This compilation of games is set to bring back seven iconic titles from the Versus series, all playable on modern platforms with online play, new training mode features and more.
Due to huge licensing hurdles, a relationship that has reportedly not been the best for a while, and several other factors, most fans believed that the Marvel vs. Capcom and the Versus series games will be virtually impossible to accomplish. However, Capcom and Marvel did, and in a new exclusive interview with Dexerto Street Fighter 6 producer Shuhei Matsumoto shed some more light on the whole matter and revealed that Capcom really wants to make new crossover games with Marvel and SNK.
Following the reveal of the upcoming Marvel vs. Capcom, fans have been clamoring for more details on what all of this could mean for the future of the franchise. Likewise, Terry Bogard and Mai Shiranui announced as DLC guest characters in Street Fighter 6 Season 2 seem to have opened the door for Capcom vs. SNK 3, but could that realistically happen?
Right out of the gate, Dexerto asked Matsumoto just that question, and the Street Fighter 6 producer complied.
“The Capcom development team has big dreams,” Matsumoto began. “Maybe there’s a possibility of a new Marvel vs. Capcom game. Maybe there is a possibility of a new SNK game based on Capcom.
“I do not know. But if that happens, it will take some time and effort to create and release such games, but in the short term what we can do now is at least reintroduce this legacy of past games to a new audience, for people who may not be able to play it because it may not be available on modern or current platforms,” continued Matsumoto.
According to the Street Fighter developer, it comes down to exposure to old and new fans as well as interest. Matsumoto says that if people become more familiar with these series nowadays, then maybe there really will be opportunities in the future to make new installments of games like Marvel vs. Capcom and Capcom vs. SNK.
Matsumoto has made it very clear that he and his team at Capcom truly love these classic fighting game series. In fact, according to him, Capcom has wanted to re-release these titles for many years, and the time was finally right to cook up Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics.
Even more interestingly, Matsumoto not only reveals that Marvel and Capcom have been in talks for years to make this collaboration happen, but also that Marvel is very aware of how much fans love the Versus and Marvel vs. Capcom series. In fact, their realization of how dedicated a fan base these games have and how big the competitive scene still is was part of their inspiration to even get involved in creating the upcoming collection in the first place.
“[Marvel was] also on board. Because of that, the stars kind of aligned,” Matsumoto explained. “The moment was great, and now we’re actually able to bring it to life. We are all very excited. And part of the inspiration for that was Marvel noticing community tournaments at places like EVO.”
Yes, the future potential for new installments of Marvel vs. Capcom and Capcom vs. SNK is stronger than ever right now, and the relationship between Capcom and SNK at this point was further strengthened today with the re-release of SNK vs. Capcom : SVC Chaos.
In an absolutely out-of-left-field announcement, both companies have revealed that SNK’s version of the iconic crossover is available to purchase right now on Steam, with a PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and GOG launch coming next week.
You can read more about what Matsumoto had to say about future crossovers, as well as what the MvC compilation could mean for a potential Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 re-release, over at Dexerto.
