Games

VIDEO games have grown up, but gamers haven’t.

We can argue all we want about games being art (which is true) but then along comes something like Marvel vs Capcom 3 (PS3; RRP €59.99) to make us look a bit silly.

This is a game based entirely on the kind of disputes that only little boys are supposed to have — like ‘Who would win in a fight between Darth Vader and Bruce Lee?’ (The answer, of course, is Hulk Hogan.)

In this case, the dispute lies between the Marvel and Capcom universes — who would win in a fight between Spiderman and Ryu? It’s a ridiculous premise, but one that has proven popular because, let’s be honest, it taps directly into the nerd psyche.

Marvel vs Capcom 3 is more than just lip-service though. Underneath the gimmicky facade is an accomplished beat-’em-up, one that has improved even more in the latest update. No surprise, considering Capcom blew us away with Street Fighter IV.

While Marvel vs Capcom has been given a graphical facelift in line with its more illustrious brother, the actual combat system is much more frantic and combo-heavy. Strangely, it’s also a little more cerebral at times, with basic moves that are easier to pull off, but high-end combos that require some planning to execute properly.

You won’t be fighting one-on-one either, but with a team of fighters that you can ‘tag’ in or out on the fly, a feature that has always made the series a bit more exciting than its rivals.

Marvel vs Capcom is a fun beat-’em-up, but its biggest shortcoming is sensory. Lots of gamers may love the idea of Spiderman fighting Ryu, but the actual result can veer into visual overload. Anyway, we all agree Ryu wins every time ... right?