X-Men vs. Street Fighter

When I first played X-Men vs. Street Fighter, it immediately felt like something special. Released by Capcom in 1996, this game was one of the earliest true crossover fighting games to successfully merge two massive universes: Marvel’s X-Men and Capcom’s own Street Fighter roster. Even today, going back to it feels like stepping into the origins of what would eventually become the Marvel vs. Capcom series.

The most defining feature of the game is its 2-on-2 tag team system. Instead of choosing a single fighter, you select two characters and can switch between them mid-match. At the time, this mechanic felt revolutionary. Tagging out allowed for strategic recovery, combo extensions, and dramatic momentum shifts. I remember the first time I tagged in Ryu right after launching an opponent with Cyclops—it felt incredibly fluid and satisfying.

The roster is one of the game’s strongest elements. On the X-Men side, you get iconic characters like Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm, and Magneto. On the Street Fighter side, there are classics such as Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, and Zangief. What makes it even more fun is how faithfully each character retains their identity. Wolverine feels fast and aggressive, Magneto has powerful ranged attacks, and Ryu plays exactly like you’d expect from a Street Fighter title—but now placed in a much faster, flashier combat system.

Speaking of speed, this game is noticeably faster than traditional Street Fighter entries. Combos are longer, juggling is more prominent, and super moves are huge and cinematic. Capcom leaned heavily into exaggerated action. Hyper Combos light up the screen with dramatic animations, and matches often become chaotic in the best possible way.

Visually, the game is stunning for a 1996 arcade release. The sprite work is vibrant and detailed, especially for the X-Men characters who hadn’t been seen in such fluid animation before. The backgrounds are colorful and dynamic, complementing the high-energy combat. Even today, the pixel art holds up remarkably well.

The soundtrack supports the intensity, delivering energetic themes that keep the adrenaline high. Combined with the fast gameplay, it creates an arcade atmosphere that feels competitive and explosive.

If there’s a weakness, it’s that the game can feel unbalanced. Some characters—like Magneto—are extremely strong and can dominate less experienced players. However, that imbalance also contributes to the fun chaos. This isn’t a methodical, slow-paced fighter; it’s about spectacle and momentum.

Overall, X-Men vs. Street Fighter is a landmark Capcom fighting game. It laid the foundation for the Marvel vs. Capcom series and proved that crossover fighters could work at a high level. Playing it today still feels exciting, fast, and full of personality. It’s not just a crossover—it’s the beginning of a legendary era in fighting games.