“Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes” / 「マーヴル VS. カプコン クラッシュ オブ スーパーヒーローズ」, Original Japanese Arcade Advertising Poster 1998, Rare Speed Format (21 × 59.5 cm) B275
This is an original Japanese arcade promotional poster produced by Capcom in 1998 for Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes, the landmark crossover fighting game that brought together characters from the Marvel Comics and Capcom universes.
Printed in the unusually narrow Japanese Speed format, this poster was designed for prominent vertical display within Japanese game centres while the arcade cabinet was actively operating.
Game background
Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes brings together fighters from Capcom’s most famous games and characters from the Marvel Comics universe in a fast-moving tag-team fighting system.
Players assemble teams of two principal characters, supported by an assist character who can briefly enter the battle. The game introduced the spectacular Variable Cross mechanic, allowing both teammates to attack simultaneously for a limited period.
The story unites the two universes against Onslaught, the immensely powerful psychic entity created from the combined consciousness of Professor Charles Xavier and Magneto.
Developed and published by Capcom, the game features character artwork associated with celebrated Capcom illustrators including Bengus and Akiman.
Its roster includes characters such as Captain America, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Hulk, Ryu, Chun-Li, Mega Man, Morrigan, Jin Saotome, and Captain Commando.
The game became a major international arcade success and helped establish the Marvel vs. Capcom series as one of the most enduring and influential crossover franchises in fighting-game history.
Poster design
The poster uses a dramatic two-part vertical composition combining monumental Japanese typography with dynamic illustrated character artwork.
The upper section is dominated by the enormous black characters:
「好評稼働中」
“Now operating to great acclaim!”
This familiar Japanese arcade phrase announces that the game was already installed, active, and attracting a strong response from players.
Beside it, the red promotional line reads:
「勇気と、正義と、真実と。」
“With courage, with justice, and with truth.”
The combination of enormous black typography, restrained red text, and an off-white background gives the upper half the appearance of a bold public proclamation.
The classic blue-and-yellow CAPCOM logo appears at the top, followed by the original 1998 copyright lines for Marvel Characters, Moto Kikaku, and Capcom.
The lower section introduces the game’s vivid comic-book action artwork. Captain America charges forward with an intense battle cry, accompanied by Capcom hero Captain Commando.
Behind them are additional figures from the two competing universes, creating a tightly layered crossover composition.
The official game logo dominates the lower portion:
“MARVEL VS. CAPCOM
CLASH OF SUPER HEROES”
Beneath it, the Japanese title is presented as:
「マーヴル VS. カプコン
クラッシュ オブ スーパーヒーローズ」
The transition from the stark typography above to the saturated character artwork below gives the poster exceptional visual impact despite its unusually narrow proportions.
Format and distribution note
This is an original Japanese Speed-format arcade advertising poster, measuring approximately:
21 × 59.5 cm / 8.3 × 23.4 inches
Its narrow vertical dimensions made it well suited to display inside Japanese arcades, beside game cabinets, on columns, or in other restricted promotional spaces.
Arcade advertisements of this type were temporary working material. They were frequently pinned, taped, folded, or discarded after the game’s promotional period ended, making surviving original examples increasingly difficult to find.
It is an original 1998 Capcom promotional poster, not a later reproduction, decorative reprint, or fan-made item.
Condition
Very good+ condition.
The poster retains strong colour, deep black typography, vivid character artwork, and very good overall display impact.
There are visible signs of its original promotional use, including fold lines, surface creasing, small pinholes, edge wear, and a tear and associated creasing near the upper-right corner. There are also light marks and age-related wear to the reverse.
These imperfections are consistent with an original Japanese arcade poster that was displayed and subsequently stored, and the principal artwork, text, and game logo remain complete and highly presentable. Once framed, this poster will display exceptionally and at a manageable scale.
Reference: B275.
Please review the photographs carefully, as they show the exact poster offered for sale.
This is an original 1998 Japanese Marvel vs. Capcom arcade advertising poster.
It is now over 25 years old.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
