Marvel vs Capcom 2 Original Characters May Show Up in Capcom Fighting Games

Capcom Producer Teases Possible Returns of Original Marvel vs Capcom 2 Characters

Says It's Always a Possibility, Capcom Still Feeling Things Out

Capcom producer Shuhei Matsumoto has sparked excitement among fans by suggesting that the return of original Marvel vs Capcom 2 characters in a "new game" is "always a possibility." Speaking at EVO 2024, the world's premiere fighting game tournament, Matsumoto shared insights into the future of Capcom's crossover fighting game series.

Since the last entry, Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite, fans have been eagerly awaiting new developments. However, Capcom is set to release "Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics" later this year, which Matsumoto is producing. This collection will include six classic games from the series, including the beloved Marvel vs. Capcom 2.

Marvel vs. Capcom 2 introduced three unique characters that have captured the hearts of many: Amingo, an anthropomorphic cactus-like creature; Ruby Heart, a sky pirate and one of the protagonists; and SonSon, a monkey girl and the granddaughter of the protagonist from Capcom's 80s arcade game, SonSon. These characters have been largely absent from recent iterations of the series, making only minor appearances, such as on wanted posters in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and as playable cards in Capcom's card fighter games.

At EVO 2024, Matsumoto addressed the possibility of these characters making a comeback. "Yeah, there's always a possibility. This is actually a great opportunity for us because when we do release this collection, there are going to be a lot more people who'll be able to familiarize themselves with the characters who only appeared in these versus series," he stated through a translator. He further hinted that these original characters could appear in other Capcom fighting games, like Street Fighter 6, if there is sufficient fan interest. "If there are enough people who are interested in these characters, then who knows? Maybe there is a chance they could appear in Street Fighter 6 or another fighting game. This is another great reason to re-release these old games; it gets people to learn more about the IP and the series," Matsumoto added, emphasizing the potential for increased creativity and content within the Capcom team.

Capcom's Plans of More Marvel Crossover Hinge on Fans' Interest

The development of the new collection has been in the works for "about three, four years," according to Matsumoto. "We've been talking with Marvel for quite a while. And back then, we just didn't have the opportunities to release this game. But now, after those discussions with them, we were finally able to do so," he explained. He also expressed a long-standing desire to re-release past Capcom-developed Marvel titles, citing timing and collaboration as key factors.

Matsumoto revealed Capcom's broader ambitions, stating, "We want to make a brand new Versus series title and not just that, but other past fighting games that might not be supported with rollback or are available on a current platform." He added, "There’s a lot we’re looking forward to and big dreams, and now it’s a matter of timing and seeing what we can do one step at a time."

Capcom is also exploring the re-release of other legacy fighting games on modern platforms. "We have a lot of other legacy fighting games that we know fans out there really want them to be re-released again on modern platforms. And the feeling is mutual on the development side," Matsumoto told IGN. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of re-releasing classic titles to energize the community, acknowledging the constraints and collaborations required to make this happen.