The nineties were a golden era for superhero games, defined by pixelated punches, impossibly difficult platforming, and the constant need for more coins. Now, Limited Run Games, in collaboration with Marvel and Konami, has opened the vault to release the MARVEL MaXimum Collection. Available on Steam and major consoles, this retro bundle packs six classic titles across thirteen different platform versions.
But how does this nostalgic treasure trove hold up in 2026? To find out, I took the Steam version for a spin on the new Lenovo Legion Go S.
What is the MARVEL MaXimum Collection?
At its core, this collection is a love letter to the 8-bit and 16-bit eras of Marvel gaming. It does not just pick a single version of a game; it gives you the entire buffet. The lineup includes:
- X-Men: The Arcade Game: The undisputed hero of the collection. It is the definitive mutant beat-em-up experience.
- Captain America and The Avengers: Available in its arcade, 16-bit, and 8-bit forms. You get to see exactly how the game evolved across different hardware.
- Spider-Man/Venom: Maximum Carnage & Separation Anxiety: Two punishingly long, classic brawlers known for their signature comic-panel cutscenes and vibrant art direction.
- Spider-Man/X-Men: Arcade’s Revenge: The infamous cross-over platformer that tested the patience of an entire generation.
- Silver Surfer: A game legendary for an 8-bit soundtrack that goes incredibly hard, and a difficulty level that goes even harder.
Testing on the Lenovo Legion Go S
Playing retro arcade games on a modern handheld device feels like a cheat code for life. The Lenovo Legion Go S, equipped with its crisp 8-inch WUXGA display and the AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor, proved to be an excellent vessel for these classics.
Running on SteamOS, the collection boots up seamlessly, and navigation is incredibly fluid. The Legion Go S’s vibrant screen makes the rich colours of the Super Nintendo version of Maximum Carnage pop beautifully, while the gritty, scanline-heavy aesthetic of the arcade titles looks right at home. The device’s responsive analogue sticks and buttons are a blessing, especially when navigating the notoriously unforgiving, one-hit-kill levels of Silver Surfer.
While the battery life on the Legion Go S can sometimes be a point of contention when running modern, power-hungry PC titles, it shines here. For these low-demand retro games, you can comfortably squeeze out several hours of uninterrupted gameplay from the 55.5Wh battery before needing to reach for the charging cable. It is the ideal setup for playing on the couch or during a commute.
Quality of Life Upgrades
The true saving grace of the MARVEL MaXimum Collection lies in its modern features. Games from the early nineties were frequently designed to drain your pocket money, meaning they are exceptionally difficult. Thankfully, this release includes an integrated cheats menu, save states, and a rewind function. Finally conquering the deadly walls of Silver Surfer or the boss gauntlets in Arcade’s Revenge is actually achievable when you can rewind your inevitable demise.
Additionally, X-Men: The Arcade Game features full online multiplayer support for up to six players, complete with Rollback Netcode to ensure smooth online brawling. Add in a dedicated music player for those iconic chip-tune soundtracks, high-resolution scans of original box art, and customisable CRT display filters to recreate that Saturday morning feeling, and you have a thoroughly premium package.
The Verdict
The MARVEL MaXimum Collection is not just a straightforward port; it is a well-curated archive of gaming history. While not every game in the package is a flawless masterpiece, (some of the console brawlers can feel a bit repetitive by today’s standards) the inclusion of the arcade classics alone justifies the price of admission and the retro nostalgia at anytime you want is just brilliant.
Playing it on a capable handheld like the Lenovo Legion Go S elevates the entire experience, perfectly blending the nostalgic joy of retro gaming with the convenience of modern hardware. Whether you want to team up with friends online to defeat Magneto or finally beat that one platforming level that defeated you thirty years ago, this collection delivers exactly what it promises.
