Capcom producer Shuhei Matsumoto has hinted at the possible return of beloved original characters from Marvel vs. Capcom 2. Read on for details from his statements at EVO 2024.
Capcom Producer Teases Possible Return of Original Marvel vs. Capcom 2 Characters
A Possibility, But Capcom is Still Exploring Options
According to Capcom producer Shuhei Matsumoto, speaking at EVO 2024, the return of original Marvel vs. Capcom 2 characters in a new game is "always a possibility." This follows the upcoming release of the Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics, a remastered collection of classic games in the series which Matsumoto is producing.
The Marvel vs. Capcom series features characters from both Capcom and Marvel franchises. The newly announced collection, revealed during the June 2024 Nintendo Direct, includes six classic titles, among them Marvel vs. Capcom 2. This game introduced three original characters: Amingo, the anthropomorphic cactus; Ruby Heart, the sky pirate protagonist; and SonSon, the monkey girl. These characters have had limited appearances since, such as cameos in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and as cards in Capcom's card fighter games.
At EVO 2024, Matsumoto suggested the collection could pave the way for their return. "Yeah, there's always a possibility," he stated. "This is a great opportunity; the collection will familiarize more people with these characters." He further hinted at their potential appearance outside the Versus series, stating, "If there's enough interest, maybe they could appear in Street Fighter 6 or another fighting game." He emphasized that re-releasing these classic titles expands the creative possibilities for Capcom.
Future Marvel Crossovers Depend on Fan Interest
Matsumoto revealed that Capcom had been planning the Fighting Collection for three or four years, noting the extensive collaboration required with Marvel. He highlighted the team's long-held desire to re-release these classic titles, stating it was a matter of timing and collaboration.
He also expressed Capcom's ambition to create a new Versus series title and re-release other legacy fighting games with modern features like rollback netcode. "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," he explained.
Matsumoto concluded by emphasizing Capcom's commitment to re-releasing legacy titles on modern platforms, acknowledging the constraints and collaborations necessary for such endeavors. He believes re-releasing these classic games is the best way to gauge community interest and build momentum for future projects.
