We review what’s on offer in Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3, and what makes this game such an instant classic. From new character reveals to new game modes, we look at everything this title has to offer and how the gaming crossover blends comic book characters with video game favorites superbly.
Our in-depth review of the Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 game and what you can expect from this classic fighting game.
The very first time we saw the worlds of Capcom and Marvel collide was in 1996 on an arcade game titled X-Men vs Street Fighter. Even if you were too young to play it in a real arcade, there’s no doubt you’ve heard of it before, and it was this iconic game that sparked a complete series of amazing titles that mix the best of two worlds.
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3: New Age of Heroes is the fifth game in this series of fighting and superhero crossovers that mix our favorite characters from the Marvel universe with some action legends from Capcom.
And it’s got everything on offer that people love about the high-intensity series.
Released in 2011, this game was the very first of its kind to make the move into 3D territory, with previous Capcom/Marvel titles only ever offering 2D. True to form, it managed to excite gamers everywhere with its usual high-intensity fight scenes and all of your favorite characters, which makes it such a popular game even to this day.
This review of Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 will look at exactly what makes this game so great, and how it differed from those before it and the ones that would come after. For those who love their superheroes and classic arcade fighting games, this is a classic title that will surely go down with legendary status.
The Story Behind the Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 Game
When we saw the very first mix of Capcom and Marvel in the 1996 X-Men vs. Street Fighter, we really had no idea what would come of it. Rather than having an array of Marvel stars, we were only able to fight with the X-Men but did so in the style of Street Fighter, so it made gamers and comic books fans intensely happy.
Over the years, more and more Marvel characters were added to the roster. Our favorites including Hulk, Captain America, and Spider-Man were all there to be found, and when you add to them other Capcom characters like Akuma, Chun-Li, and Ryu, it made for a truly spectacular fighting experience.
These games were initially released for arcade systems only but then moved over to the Sega Saturn. From there, more titles were made with advancements to the stories, characters, and gameplay, and then more and more consoles were able to host the games as well.
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Who Is the Game Suitable For?
For those who have never played any of the Marvel vs. Capcom games, you might be wondering who they’re suitable for. The game is rated M for violence and online interactivity, so it’s best to keep younger kids away when you’re playing.
The main concerns with this game are the violence and somewhat provocative outfits that the female characters wear. However, there’s no visible blood and most of the fight scenes seem more comical than anything, so it’s not as if the game is overtly graphic.
What Consoles Can You Play the Game On?
Marvel vs. Capcom 3 was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles in 2011. Since then, there has also been a PC version available. The original Marvel and Capcom games were made for arcade use only and then transported to Sega, however, these were never released as arcade versions.
During the initial release, some versions came with additional features like a comic book, subscription to Marvel Comics, and other downloadable content. These versions were more expensive and considered special edition, although they were still popular with fans of Marvel.
How to Get the Game
For those looking to get the game today, you can find it still available for both consoles and the PC version. However, depending on what system you want to play on and what condition you are shopping for, you may have different needs.
There are still new and unopened versions of the game available otherwise you can buy a pre-owned game. These are available for both PlayStation 3, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and Xbox 360, with some gaming stores still selling them or a wide selection online.
The Characters of the Game
One of the most important things that people consider when investing in a game like this is what characters are available to play with. Compared to the previous versions, there have been some changes to who you can play with from both the Marvel and Capcom universes, and here are some of the more popular faces that you can expect to see.
Marvel
- Captain America
- Deadpool
- Doctor Doom
- Hulk
- Iron Man
- She-Hulk
- Spiderman
- Thor
- Wolverine
Capcom
- Akuma
- Arthur
- Dante
- Felicia
- Jill Valentine
- Mike Haggar
- Ryu
- Tron Bonne
- Zero
This list is by no means extensive, and what each character is capable of has also changed. Players are able to have more control over their attack and defense, and there are a number of special moves that have been improved or added.
What Changes the Game Has Made
Just prior to releasing the Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, there was a Marvel vs. Capcom 3 game made. One of the main things that changed since the previous version was the capabilities of the characters. Also, with new ones being added that brings the tally up to almost 50. Other changes included new stages, game modes, and online functionality.
Some notable changes that we saw came from Akuma who had his health decreased but additional hits added, Captain America has the strength of some of his attacks decreased, and Deadpool can cancel special attacks with a teleport. Although they might sound minor, when you consider each character’s new and improved fighting styles, it definitely makes a difference.
New stages have also been added since the last release of Marvel vs. Capcom 3. Some of the stages include Days of Future Past which is a newer version of Metro City and the S.H.I.E.L.D Air Show. In total there are nine new stages which you can play. So you have quite a bit more variety to this version.
The new game modes are also notable. The most popular ones being Heroes and Heralds mode. This allows players to equip their characters with three different cards that can completely change their attributes, including dizzying attacks and invisibility.
How Does the Gameplay Rate?
In this game, a player selects three characters to be on their team in an attempt to knock out the others by engaging in combat. The original game offered this 3-on-3 approach which was a favorite with players, so it’s nice to see it return.
Some of the game modes could be a little better. Moreover, instead of adding the new modes, they could have given these some more depth. The same could be said for the features, as what’s included seems light for a full feature version. And more like something you’d play on a demo.
However, these things aside, it’s truly a fantastic game with bright graphics and high action the entire time. All of the favorite characters are there from both worlds and you can have fun whether you’re playing against friends or on your own.
The characters themselves seem to have a lot more depth which means their fighting styles are more detailed. And you have options for how they can engage in combat. You now have 48 characters to choose from. They include downloadable ones like Jill Valentine, so there’s no shortage of choice when it comes time to play.
The Graphics, Sound, and Display
The best thing about this game is its vibrant graphics. These are evident no matter what platform you play on. The whole game has quite a cartoonish vibe to it. Which means even though it has an M rating there’s not much reality to the violence. And it can feel more like a glorified cartoon or comic book if you really think about it.
The sounds and music of each level are classic arcade style. And if you close your eyes you can convince yourself that you’re back in a gaming arcade somewhere and not playing from the comfort of your own home. These little touches show us why Capcom will always be the action gaming heroes in our eyes.
For those playing on the PlayStation Vita, you’ll be very pleased with just how well the game is handled. You might expect to lose something when transferring to this console. However, it is almost as good in terms of quality and sound, so you don’t have anything to fear.
What Could Have Been Better About This Game: Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3
Fans had grievances to air about the last Marvel vs. Capcom 3 game, and it seems that although some of these were fixed they weren’t all. The game modes are still incredibly light but instead of fixing this they simply added more. So the problem seems to have been handled the wrong way.
When this game was released we were at the height of online gameplay. However, it doesn’t appear to address it the way it should. If you’re someone who prefers online play to solo or playing in real time with others. Then you probably won’t be too impressed by the lack of options.
For those fans who already bought the last Marvel vs. Capcom 3 title and are wondering whether it’s worth the extra money to upgrade to this. And that will be a personal decision. While there are certainly more characters, new stages, and some additional moves added in, largely it still feels like the same game. If you haven’t bought the last version though, we can definitely recommend this one for a lot of fun.
What to Play Once You’re Done With the Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3
As we mentioned earlier, the Marvel and Capcom crossovers are necessarily a new thing. If you’ve played the games leading up to this one like X-Men vs Streetfighter or Marvel vs. Capcom 1 or 2, then you’re ready to move onto greater things.
Following this title, there have been a few other releases that kind of follow the same format. Only newer and improved. Marvel vs. Capcom Origins and Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite which was just released in 2017 have enjoyed similar reviews, and anyone who’s enjoyed the rest of the series will surely be impressed.
There are also standalone games that you can try from Capcom like Street Fighter and Resident Evil. Or those that just center on the Marvel universe. For fans of the superhero genre you probably already have a few in your game library. However, some popular titles include The Avengers game and the recent Lego Marvel Super Heroes.
The Final Verdict: Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3
Even if you’ve never played any of the previous Marvel vs. Capcom games, we’re certain you’ll still get a lot of enjoyment out of this title. Those who love Capcom games will see their favorite characters and fans of Marvel will be able to play as their beloved superheroes.
There’s a whole lot more to this version than the previous ones. Although it’s lacking a little with the online components, the rest of the game is solid. The special effects are bright and intense and it’s a very high energy game, so if you’re into that sort of thing then it’s definitely one to consider.
For those who really love the game, there are plenty more out there to try that feature the crossover between Marvel and Capcom, and we have to say they’re all pretty entertaining. Whether you have an Xbox, PC, or PlayStation you’ll be able to enjoy this blast from the not so distant past. And fight in various levels with your favorite action book heroes of all time.