MARVEL MaXimum Collection

Marvel MaXimum Collection is a decent little package, as far as compilations of old ROMs go. There are a couple of genuine classics and even the lower quality stuff is historically interesting enough to be worth a look.

The Marvel MaXimum Collection is a very interesting compilation, but it’s far from essential. Its value lies in nostalgia and preservation, rather than in the overall quality of the games. There are some gems, yes, but there’s also a lot of filler and titles that haven’t aged quite as well. Still, it’s worth it for those rare moments when everything clicks and we’re reminded why these games were important.

The Marvel Maximum Collection does what it sets out to do well, and its bringing together of titles from various developers is what makes it so interesting. With all the console variations, the library on offer is large, and the emulation quality feels tactile and fairly accurate (although diehard enthusiasts will probably find something to gripe about). It must be noted, though, that there are no truly 'great' games here, and the quality of offerings ranges from 'good fun' and 'worth sticking with' to 'not much fun', 'frustrating', and 'rather poor'. It’s an admirable attempt to combine some of the more prominent retro Marvel titles into a nostalgia package, and Konami’s arcade game is the icing on the cake. Just keep in mind that nostalgia, and not an assembling of gaming’s finest, is what’s driving this thing.

A nostalgic Marvel collection that mixes genuine classics with titles that haven’t aged nearly as well. Modern features like save states, rewind, and online co-op for X-Men make the package more accessible, and some games still hold up surprisingly well. However, the overall quality is inconsistent, with several entries feeling outdated or repetitive even by the standards of their time. A solid retro bundle for fans, but not all of these games stand the test of time.

Bringing old hits into the modern era should offer more convenience. It's nice that you can rewind time to play through that contraption that was Silver Surfer, but only one title has an online mode, and the added content is nothing special. Without a nostalgia boost, most games will be difficult to digest. But X-Men: The Arcade Game and Maximum Carnage are still good.

Marvel MaXimum Collection gathers a sizable selection of 90s Marvel games into one package, offering both genuine arcade highlights and titles best remembered as curiosities. While the collection shines brightest with classics like X-Men: The Arcade Game, uneven quality and limited bonus content keep it from matching the very best retro compilations.

If you’re a bigtime Marvel head and your goal is to maximize your collection of Marvel video games, then look no further than the Marvel MaXimum Collection as a hefty step forward in that endeavor. Pun intended. For a low price you get a fat stack of games, and if you ignore the fact that several of them are probably bargain bin occupiers in retro game stores right now, that’s not a bad deal from a collector’s point of view. You can hop online and have fun with X-Men, check out the other games out of varying degrees of curiosity, then admire the thing on your shelf once you’re done. That’s fine! Also, it’s easier than ever to hit your unsuspecting friends with Silver Surfer, and that’s always a hoot. Just don’t expect to set this bad boy up next to… any other reputable retro compilation.