Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
Common Sense Media Review
By Jeff Haynes
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Updated fighter has deep cartoonish brawls, skimpy costumes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
What’s It About?
ULTIMATE MARVEL VS. CAPCOM 3 collects 50 characters from popular Marvel and Capcom franchises and pits them together in three on three tag-team battles. These characters include heroes like Wolverine, Iron Man, Ghost Rider, and more mixed in with the characters from lots of Capcom games (like Resident Evil, Devil May Cry, and Dead Rising). Gameplay comes with a variety of modes, including an arcade mode, defeating teams of characters before facing off against the final boss, Galactus, for the fate of Earth. There's also a mission mode which has challenges for each character, and the Heroes and Heralds mode which lets players collect trading cards that gives their characters new powers or traits as they fight for humanity, or as a Herald of Galactus to destroy the world. All previously released downloadable content (DLC) has been included in the PS4 version of the game as well.
Is It Any Good?
This fighting game, which was always a fan favorite, has been expanded to become richer and deeper than ever before. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (which is a re-release of a six year old title now coming to current generation systems) packs 50 heroes and villains from both Marvel and Capcom titles in massive tag team battles. Story really is a secondary concern to the action in the game; in fact, you'll only discover some threads of a story if you defeat Galactus, the final boss, to save Earth at the end of the arcade mode (and even then, the story is only revealed for the character that lands the knockout blow). In many ways, this feels like a bit of a misstep for the re-release, because it would've been great to have a larger, more engrossing tale for the winning squad.
But for fighting fans, there's loads of depth here. The controls are still as accessible and sharp as ever. In fact, it's so finely balanced, that even a novice jumping in against an experienced player has a decent chance at being successfu, which can't be said about most fighing games. Each character has three separate fighting styles, so players can determine if they're a ranged, aerial, or close quarters specialist in a fight. What's more, mastering the various combos, counters, special moves, and attacks will take loads of time, and that only if you play single player. When you're eager for a larger challenge, you can take on another player in versus mode, or leap online and really put your skills to the test (and there are plenty of good players waiting for a challenge). Plus, the Heroes and Heralds mode really expands the replayability of the game, letting players tailor their experience and challenge with round altering twists, like constantly regenerating energy levels or enhanced power in mid-air. Finally, the comic book presentation, which was always one of the strengths of this franchise, really draws you in, making you feel as though you're witnessing an epic battle that's spilling out of the pages of a graphic novel. For fighting fans, comic fans, or gamers, there's plenty to love in Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in games. How does it make you feel to play a game that is all about fighting? Is it okay because there's no gore or blood, and the presentation is cartoonish?
Talk about the depiction of women in the game. How does the skimpy clothing undermine the impact of women in the game as strong, capable fighters or heroines? Do you think there could be an impact on male and female gamers seeing characters dressed like this?
Game Details
- Platforms: PlayStation 3 , PlayStation 4 , PlayStation Vita , Xbox 360
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: Capcom
- Release date: December 3, 2016
- Genre: Fighting
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts , Superheroes
- ESRB rating: T for Violence, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes, Mild Language
- Last updated: January 16, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
What to Play Next
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate