In a recent Nintendo Direct event, several highly anticipated games were announced, including Metroid Prime 4 and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. Among these announcements, Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics caught the attention of many fans. This collection includes Capcom's popular Marvel crossover fighting games such as X-Men vs. Street Fighter, Marvel vs. Capcom 1 and 2, and X-Men: Children of the Atom. The game is set to release on PC, PS4, and Switch, but notably, it will not be available on Xbox.
(Photo : CAPCOM Co., Ltd. / Screenshot taken from Steam.)
Read Also: Baldur's Gate 3 Director Acknowledges Overtime, Prioritizes Reduced Crunch
Engine Compatibility Issues
Reports suggest that the reason behind Xbox being left out is due to technical issues rather than an intentional snub. According to Windows Central, the Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection is built on Capcom's older MT Framework engine. Capcom has reportedly faced challenges in bringing games developed on this engine to the Xbox platform. This difficulty is significant enough that Capcom decided not to release the collection on Xbox.
Interestingly, the game is also not receiving a native PS5 version, only a PS4 version, which indicates broader compatibility issues with newer hardware.
Mixed Messages from Capcom
While the technical explanation makes sense, it is complicated by another recent announcement from Capcom. During the same Nintendo Direct, Capcom revealed the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection, which is also presumed to run on the MT Framework engine and will be available on Xbox. This raises questions about Capcom's choices, as the Ace Attorney collections are full console remakes, while the Marvel vs. Capcom collection is a simpler compilation.
It appears that Capcom prioritizes more significant releases for technical adaptation to the Xbox platform, whereas lower-profile projects like classic game collections might not be considered worth the effort. This decision-making process suggests that while technical limitations play a role, strategic choices about where to invest resources are also a factor.
Related Article: Marvel Contest of Champions Update Adds Northstar, Arcade to the Battle
