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Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
1997
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PLAYSTATION
9.9
1997 · Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo
Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes
Reviewed by Marcus Webb & Elena Castillo ·
Capcom's 1999 PS1 crossover fighting game completing the Marvel-Capcom series — Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes features 15 selectable characters (plus hidden), introduces the partner assist system from the arcade, includes Variable Cross move, and represents the peak of the 2-on-2 vs. series before Marvel vs. Capcom 2 expanded to 3-on-3 with 56 characters.
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💡 Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes — Key Facts
- → Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes was developed by Capcom and published by Capcom
- → Released in 1999 on PLAYSTATION
- → Genre: Fighting
- → We rate it 9.2/10 — an absolute classic
- → Capcom's 1999 PS1 crossover fighting game completing the Marvel-Capcom series — Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes features 15 selectable characters (plus hidden), introduces the partner assist system from the arcade, includes Variable Cross move, and represents the peak of the 2-on-2 vs. series before Marvel vs. Capcom 2 expanded to 3-on-3 with 56 characters.
Overview
Spider-Man and Mega Man on the same team. Strider Hiryu and Captain America. Morrigan from Darkstalkers calling in Wolverine as an assist.
Marvel vs. Capcom resolved the crossover premise across three previous games into a single title where the two companies’ characters occupied the same roster without conceptual friction.
The Assist
The PS1 version of X-Men vs. Street Fighter had lost the partner assist. Hardware memory constraints. Two characters on screen simultaneously exceeded what the PlayStation could process.
Marvel vs. Capcom on PS1 had the full system. Pressing the assist button while the active character attacked brought in the partner for a brief attack — one hit, one motion, then back to the sideline. The cooldown ticked down. The next call-in was available.
Assists changed how combos worked. The partner call-in mid-aerial extended the sequence. The correct assist covered approach angles the active character’s own attacks couldn’t reach. Team synergy created combination potential that either character alone didn’t have.
Strider Returns
Strider Hiryu had been absent from major Capcom releases. Marvel vs. Capcom brought him back with the fast, cinematic movement that had defined the 1989 original.
Players who remembered Strider from the arcade or NES found the character translated well to the vs. system — his speed and aerial options were more at home in MvC’s fast-paced tag environment than in any more grounded fighting game format would have provided. Players who discovered Strider through MvC sought the original game.
Before MvC2
The entire vs. series — X-Men: COTA, Marvel Super Heroes, XvsSF, MSHVSF, MvC — pointed toward MvC2. Fifty-six characters. Three-on-three teams. The final expression of what the series had been building.
MvC: Clash of Super Heroes is the last 2-on-2 version — the complete form of what two characters, two assists, and one tag system could be. MvC2 expanded beyond it. Both remain worth playing.
Our Review
9.2
Outstanding / 10
🎮
Gameplay
★★★★★
🎨
Graphics
★★★★★
🎵
Audio
★★★★★
🔄
Replay
★★★★★
Gameplay
Marvel vs. Capcom is a 2-on-2 tag-team fighting game with assists featuring 15 selectable characters plus hidden unlockables. Characters from Marvel (Spider-Man, Hulk, Wolverine, Captain America, War Machine, Venom, Rogue, Gambit) and Capcom (Ryu, Chun-Li, Morrigan, Mega Man, Strider Hiryu, Zangief, Jin Saotome). The partner assist is restored: pressing an assist button calls in the inactive partner character for a brief attack without switching. The Variable Cross mechanic allows both characters to attack simultaneously in a special mode. Hyper Combos, aerial combos, and tag switches from previous vs. games continue. The PS1 version is considered a faithful port with the complete system.
Graphics
MvC brings together Capcom's Marvel sprite library (from Children of the Atom, Marvel Super Heroes) and Capcom's own characters (Mega Man's sprite, Morrigan from Darkstalkers, Strider). The visual mashup of the two universes on screen simultaneously is the game's most immediately striking element.
Audio
Character audio from both Marvel and Capcom universes — Spider-Man's quips, Mega Man's arm cannon sounds, Strider's blade audio — creates an audio mashup as visually surprising as the character combination.
Replayability
15 selectable characters creating 105 base team combinations, assist system, Variable Cross, aerial combos, and competitive two-player provide substantial depth. Hidden characters add surprise.
Historical Significance
Marvel vs. Capcom (1998 arcade; 1999 PS1) is the third entry in the vs. series and the peak of the 2-on-2 format before MvC2's 3-on-3 expansion. Strider Hiryu returned to a major Capcom release for the first time since the early 1990s — his inclusion in MvC drove renewed interest in the Strider character. Morrigan Aensland's appearance brought Darkstalkers characters into the vs. series. Jin Saotome from the obscure Capcom game Cyberbots appeared through MvC's crossover. The PS1 version successfully preserved the partner assist system that the PS1's X-Men vs. Street Fighter port had lost.
✅ Pros
- + Full partner assist system restored after PS1 XvsSF's omission
- + Strider Hiryu's major comeback appearance
- + Morrigan and Jin Saotome expand Capcom character variety
- + Variable Cross simultaneous attack mechanic
- + Peak of 2-on-2 vs. series format
❌ Cons
- - Smaller roster than MvC2's 56 characters
- - Some character matchups heavily favor specific assists
- - Venom and War Machine added over other frequently requested Marvel characters
- - Game balance less polished than MvC2's extensive refinement
Also Known As
MvC1MvC PS1Marvel vs Capcom 1マーベル VS. カプコン
Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes FAQ
How does the partner assist work in Marvel vs. Capcom?
The partner assist in Marvel vs. Capcom allows calling in the inactive partner character for an attack without switching the active character. Pressing the assist button causes the partner to briefly appear and execute one attack before returning to the sideline. Each character has multiple assist types — pressing different assist button combinations executes different partner moves. Assists are on cooldown after use, requiring recovery time before the next call. The assist system creates a layer of team synergy: specific partner assists complement specific active characters' combos or defensive situations. An assist can extend a combo sequence mid-aerial chain, cover the active character's approach, or interrupt the opponent's attack. The system restored what the PS1's X-Men vs. Street Fighter port had removed.
Who is Strider Hiryu and why was his inclusion significant?
Strider Hiryu is a Capcom character from the 1989 arcade game Strider — a futuristic ninja mercenary who fights with a high-tech sword and robotic companions. The original Strider game was notable for its fluid movement and cinematic design, and the character appeared in sequels. Strider Hiryu's inclusion in Marvel vs. Capcom marked his return to a prominent Capcom release after years of absence. His high-speed playstyle — fast dashes, aerial options, robot companion assists — made him immediately popular with players who encountered him through MvC. The character's inclusion drove nostalgia for the original Strider game and created a new generation of Strider fans. He appears as a recurring character in subsequent vs. games.
What is the Variable Cross mechanic?
Variable Cross is a super mechanic unique to Marvel vs. Capcom. Activating Variable Cross summons both team members to the screen simultaneously — both characters can attack independently for a brief period. During Variable Cross, the opponent faces two fighters at once rather than one. The mechanic creates overwhelming offensive pressure when both characters' attacks cover the screen. Variable Cross consumes super meter and has limited duration. It represents the most spectacular offensive option in the game — the two-character simultaneous attack visualizes the crossover concept in gameplay terms. MvC2's 3-on-3 format expanded this concept into the general assist system.
Is Marvel vs. Capcom available on modern platforms?
Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes has not received a modern digital re-release. The Capcom-Marvel license has expired. The game was available digitally on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network for a period before being delisted. Physical PS1 and Dreamcast discs are available through retro game stores. The arcade version runs in MAME emulation. Marvel vs. Capcom 2 was also digitally available and delisted. Current Marvel vs. Capcom entries (Infinite, 2017) use a different Marvel license arrangement. A complete Capcom Marvel vs. series compilation has been requested by fans but not announced.
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