Capcom Producer Hints at Marvel vs. Capcom 2 Original Character Returns
Capcom producer Shuhei Matsumoto has fueled speculation about the return of beloved original characters from Marvel vs. Capcom 2 in future Capcom fighting games. Speaking at EVO 2024, Matsumoto stated that the possibility is "always there," particularly given the upcoming release of the Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics.
This remastered collection includes Marvel vs. Capcom 2, which introduced three unique characters: Amingo, Ruby Heart, and SonSon. These characters have been largely absent from recent installments, save for minor cameos. Matsumoto suggested that the collection's release could reignite interest, potentially leading to their inclusion in future titles like Street Fighter 6.
"If there's enough fan interest," Matsumoto explained, "they could appear in Street Fighter 6 or another fighting game. Re-releasing these older games helps people discover these characters and expands our creative possibilities."
The Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection itself has been in the works for several years, requiring extensive collaboration with Marvel. Matsumoto also expressed Capcom's desire to create a new Versus series title and re-release other legacy fighting games on modern platforms with updated features like rollback netcode.
He emphasized that the re-release of classic titles is a crucial step in energizing the community and gauging interest for future projects. While challenges remain, including scheduling and collaborations with external parties, Capcom is actively exploring options to bring more legacy titles to modern audiences.
The future of the Marvel vs. Capcom series and the potential return of its original characters hinges on fan response to the upcoming Fighting Collection. The release will undoubtedly provide valuable data for Capcom to inform its future development decisions.