Remember the good old days of going to the arcade and playing classic video games like Spider-Man/X-Men: Arcade's Revenge? Or what about coming back home, connecting the Super Nintendo Entertainment System to the TV, and playing Spider-Man/Venom: Maximum Carnage? While that era might seem distant nowadays, we're about to relive it all over again.
During IGN's Fan Fest, it was revealed that Marvel struck a collaboration with Limited Run Games to bring old titles into the modern era. Enter Marvel MaXimum Collection—one bundle with many 8 and 16-bit games for players to enjoy, with new, quality-of-life features. Are you ready to step into the shoes of many iconic heroes and save the day yet again?
Silver Surfer, Spider-Man/Venom: Maximum Carnage, and more games make their way into the Marvel MaXimum Collection
Back in the day, it was common practice for one video game to have multiple versions across different consoles. That's why Marvel MaXimum Collection will feature every existing iteration of all its titles. In total, players will get to experience these 13 gems:
- X-Men: The Arcade Game (Arcade version)
- Captain America and The Avengers (Arcade version)
- Captain America and The Avengers (MEGA version)
- Captain America and The Avengers (8-bit version)
- Spider-Man/Venom: Maximum Carnage (SNES version)
- Spider-Man/Venom: Maximum Carnage (MEGA version)
- Venom/Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety (SNES version)
- Venom/Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety (MEGA version)
- Spider-Man/X-Men: Arcade’s Revenge (SNES version)
- Spider-Man/X-Men: Arcade’s Revenge (MEGA version)
- Spider-Man/X-Men: Arcade’s Revenge (Portable version)
- Spider-Man/X-Men: Arcade’s Revenge (Game Gear version)
- Silver Surfer (8-bit version)
Players will also get access to a digital archive containing scans of the original box art, instruction manuals, and vintage advertisements of these titles. Furthermore, X-Men: The Arcade Game will feature a six-player online mode, while select games will have an integrated cheats menu to enable options such as infinite lives.
We all know arcade and old-school games can be very unforgiving, which is why Marvel MaXimum Collection will have a built-in save-and-rewind feature, similar to the one found in the Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Last, but certainly not least, there will be a music player feature that includes the complete soundtracks of these 13 titles.
Unfortunately, Marvel did not provide a release date for the upcoming MaXimum Collection. However, it is already available to wishlist and will be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Superhero fans are hopeful that the re-release of these classics opens the door for more remasters in the future. Beloved titles like Ultimate Spider-Man (2005), Marvel Ultimate Alliance, or X-Men: Legends have big fanbases, yet they aren't available for purchase on any digital gaming storefront. But could that change in the future?
Unfortunately, licensing rights make the situation very complicated, as some of the original developers and publishers behind old Marvel games aren't working with the superhero giant anymore. However, let's hope that the success of Marvel MaXimum Collection can lead to the re-release of other iconic superhero tales. Meanwhile, it's time to replay many arcade classics.
Marvel MaXimum Collection will be released on all major consoles.