Kith has dropped a made-to-order Arcade1Up cabinet themed around Marvel vs. Capcom 2, and as someone who cares deeply about retro hardware, I have to say: there’s something simultaneously cool and cynical about this drop.
The actual listing for a made-to-order Kith for Arcade1Up Marvel vs. Capcom 2 was open for a limited time on Kith.com. Priced at $895, it’s not cheap: you’re paying for high fashion meets arcade nostalgia, with a production and delivery timeline of around six months.
What’s inside the cabinet — and what you’re really paying for
As with the Capcom Super Pocket Kith collaboration, this is basically an existing unit that has been slightly restyled to display the Kith logo. But the cabinet does come with a few thoughtful touches:
- A custom riser and light-up marquee, elevating it above many generic retro cabs.
- A Kith/Capcom co-branded start screen, which feels like something made more for style than substance.
- Eight built-in games, including Marvel vs. Capcom 2, X-Men vs. Street Fighter, War of the Gems and others from the vs-series.
- Extras like Wi-Fi online play, a headphone jack, a clear deck protector, and an anti-tip strap.
So in terms of playability, it’s solid — not just a static cabinet, but one built for modern functionality.
Questionable crossover between fashion and retro gaming
Here’s where things get tricky: Kith is a fashion brand first, not an arcade company. For enthusiasts who collect Arcade1Up or value pure retro authenticity, this collab feels more like a luxury lifestyle statement than a genuine celebration of classic fighting games.
Blending Kith branding with Marvel/Capcom imagery is to be expected, but it dilutes things, I think, and charging $900 for a unit functionally equivalent to standard Arcade1Up model is, frankly, a pisstake.
I’ve had a dig into Reddit (thank me later) and there’s a mix of options there. The limited nature of the arcade machine is appealing to some, along with the co-branding, but I’m not convinced. It’s hard mot to think of it as a cash grab, really.
Is this a “must-buy” for retro collectors?
If your goal is to own an Arcade1Up cab purely for gameplay, the Arcade1Up Kith × Marvel vs. Capcom 2 arcade machine delivers: it’s fully playable, online-enabled, and loaded with classic vs-series titles.
But if you’re like me — someone who cares about retro design, original artwork, and hardware authenticity — this feels less like a tribute and more like a fashion collab masquerading as a collector piece.
This is a bold move by Kith and Arcade1Up. They’ve created a cabinet that attempts something new, and if you’re a fan of “label culture” then you might find this to be unmistakably stylish, unusual, and built for limited-edition appeal.
But for the retro purist, it’s hard to shake the feeling that this is a design drop for a lifestyle brand, not an act of love for the arcade era. Personally, I think it sucks.
If you’re buying, go in with your eyes open: you’re paying for brand and exclusivity, not a rare PCB or vintage arcade rarity.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
