MARVEL MaXimum Collection Review: A Solid Collection for Marvel and Beat ’em Up Fans | The Gamerheads Podcast

Roger Reichardt
2 minutes ago
3 min read

Marvel superheroes and villains pose dynamically on a purple background. Prominent "Marvel Maximum Collection" text in the center.

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2

Also on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC (Steam)

Price: $24.99

Growing up, I played all the Marvel games I could. Some were real winners, while others were more of an acquired taste. The Marvel MaXimum Collection includes six games, many of which I owned or played as a kid. And like my experience back then, most of these are fantastic, but there are still a few that are tough to play, even as an adult.

Comic-style image of six superhero characters in dynamic poses, set against a turquoise background. "X-MEN" text on the borders.

Most of the games include different versions, whether it’s the SNES, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, or NES. The most difficult game in the collection is Silver Surfer. It’s part top-down shooter, like 1943, and part side-scrolling shooter, like Gradius, depending on the level.

Not only is it incredibly difficult, but it also requires precise movement. The game gives one life, and a single hit kills the Silver Surfer. Yes, it’s a Marvel game, but it’s one I could have left buried in the past.

Silver Surfer game scene: Silver Surfer skims over water, dodging red fish. Green trees and a pagoda in the background. "SILVER SURFER" text.

Spider-Man/X-Men: Arcade’s Revenge is also included in the collection, and it’s one of the games I owned as a kid on the SNES. Back then, I really loved it. Spider-Man teaming up with the X-Men to fight a global threat…well, okay, Arcade isn’t exactly a top-tier villain, but the cursed arcade and fun house setting works.

Playing it now, though, I found it to be pretty challenging. Things like jumping feel much clunkier than I remember, which is a problem since it’s a platformer and precision is key. I have no idea how I managed to beat this as a kid, maybe I just had more time on my hands.

Thankfully, there’s a rewind feature that lets me correct mistakes, but even with that, it’s still a tough game.

Arcade game with action figures battling on a street. A vending machine and posters are in the background. Flames and text "COLA" visible.

Captain America and The Avengers includes the arcade version, which is the one I played as a kid, along with the Sega Genesis and NES versions. Like most games from that era, the arcade version is the superior one, but it’s still great to have the others included.

It’s a side-scrolling beat ’em up and one of my favorite Marvel arcade games. My absolute favorite is also in this collection, which I’ll get to in a bit.

The roster includes Cap, Iron Man, Hawkeye, and Vision. I do wish there were more options when it comes to playing as different Avengers.

Pixelated scene with Spider-Man punching an enemy in a blue coat. Another foe lies down. Urban background, trash cans, windows. Score: 001950.

Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage and Separation Anxiety are also included in the MaXimum Collection. Maximum Carnage is particularly interesting, as it follows the comic book arc of the same name, while Separation Anxiety serves as its sequel.

I really love Maximum Carnage. It’s a side-scrolling beat ’em up that includes scenes which make it feel like I’m playing through a comic book. However, it’s only a single-player experience.

This is where Separation Anxiety is superior, since it offers two-player co-op, with one player controlling Spider-Man and the other playing as Venom.

Arcade game scene: a character in yellow fights two purple-armored figures on a city street. "X-MEN" and character cards border the image.

But the gem of the collection is X-Men: The Arcade Game. If you haven’t played it, it’s one of the best side-scrolling beat ’em ups out there. There are six different X-Men to choose from, each with their own unique powers.

Using special abilities drains your life, which is one way the game prevents players from spamming them, unless you wanted to keep feeding quarters into the machine back in the day.

What’s fantastic about the MaXimum Collection is that the game supports both local and online co-op, with online play allowing up to six players at the same time.

Two characters face off in a sandy, rocky setting. One in blue flies; the other in green stands. Game interface and text visible. Energetic mood.

Final Grade: B+

With six different games included, Marvel MaXimum Collection is one of the best collections of retro Marvel games. While some of the titles aren’t among my favorites (Silver Surfer, I’m looking at you), the inclusion of X-Men: The Arcade Game, along with online co-op, makes this an easy recommendation.

From a historical preservation standpoint, the collection also includes a music player and archives featuring box art, instruction booklets, and promotional ads.

Fans of Marvel should definitely pick this up, and if you’re a fan of fun side-scrolling beat ’em ups, there’s plenty here to enjoy.

Review code provided by Overload PR