Summary
TheMarvel Vs. Capcomgames have long been considered the definitive Marvel fighting games. However, Arc System Works, known for titles likeGuilty GearandDragon Ball FighterZ, has surprised gamers with the announcement ofMarvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, which is set to release in 2026. This marks the first all-Marvel fighting game in years, and features fast-paced 2D gameplay.
Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Soulsis expected to include a large roster of characters, featuring both heroes and villains. Each is redesigned to match Arc System Works' distinctive visual style, which is heavily influenced by Japanese animation. Currently, eight characters have been revealed, with each character bringing a unique set of skills and powers to the game.
8Spider-Man
Spider-Sense Turns Him Into The Perfect Parry Fighter
As he is practically the face of the Marvel franchise,Spider-Manis almost always guaranteed to appear whenever there is a game featuring a collection of Marvel characters.Marvel Tokon: Fighting Soulsis no different.Spider-Man is the fast-paced fighterthat fans expect, similar to his counterpart in theMarvel Vs. Capcomseries.
Spider-Man utilizes agile and acrobatic melee attacks with web-slinging to attack his enemies afar or up close and personal. His web abilities allow him to escape or to close distance between himself and an enemy, but his most useful ability is potentially his spider-sense, which he can use to stun and parry an enemy’s attack.
7Ms. Marvel
Kamala Khan’s Popularity Continues To Embiggen
Kamala Khan, also known asMs. Marvel,continues to gain popularity. She starsin her own Disney+ series, shines as one of the standout characters inMarvel’s Avengers, and even features in a movie. Now, she will be part of the base roster inMarvel Tōkon, bringing her signature upbeat personality and love for her fellow superheroes.
Ms. Marvel possesses her embiggening ability from the comics, giving her more versatility than other melee-based characters. She can form giant fists that will likely deliver heavy damage, and she can also embiggen her entire body, potentially using this as a finishing attack.
6Captain America
A Super Soldier Brawler With His Fists And Shield
Captain Americawields his vibranium shield, which can be a melee or projectile attack. He’s a brawler character, which is often the casewith games featuring Captain America, giving fans a taste of being a super soldier.Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Soulsalso shows Captain America and Iron Man on opposite teams, hinting at the game being inspired by theCivil Warstoryline.
For the most part, Captain America fits the template that most fans expect from the character, but not when it comes to his design, which takes on a more military-esque appearance. With characters like Iron Man, Star-Lord, and Spider-Man, Captain America’s gameplay will likely put emphasis on defense using his shield.
5Storm
Harness The Weather As Mistress Of The Elements
BetweenMarvel Rivals,Tribute Games’Marvel Cosmic Invasion, and nowMarvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls,Stormis shining a lot in the Marvel gaming world, with developers taking full advantage of her almost godlike power as a mutant. She can fly, conjure lightning as easily as Thor can, and summon tornadoes to act as personal shields can protect her while damaging any foe that comes her way.
InMarvel Tōkon, Storm looks straight out of the comics with her crown and cloak combined with her mutant powers. She will potentially be a problematic character to defeat, able to dodge attacks by taking to the air while raining lightning down on opponents. Additionally, her weather powers will be ideal for tag team attacks.
4Iron Man
Tony Rains Fire While Looking Like A Gundam
With a design that makes him look like a miniaturized Gundam,Iron Manis another popular face for Marvel that tends toappear in every ensemble game. Like Storm, he can fly through the air and fire a barrage of projectile attacks, from his repulsor blasts to missiles to his iconic chest-mounted unibeam.
As if his armor wasn’t already outlandish, his ultimate ability causes Iron Man to transform into the Hulkbuster armor, which is a common ability in many Marvel video games. A character like Iron Man will also allow the game to include a multitude of alternate skins based on comics, films, and maybe even games like the upcoming Iron Man solo game.
3Doctor Doom
The Ultimate Marvel Villain Fuses Magic And Technology
While it’s great to play as superheroes like the Avengers or the X-Men, some of the best Marvel ensemble games allow players to take on the role of villains. To this end,Marvel Tōkon: Fighting SoulsfeaturesDoctor Doom. This inclusion comes at the perfect time, as Doctor Doom’s popularity is expected to surge in 2026 with his appearance asthe main villain inAvengers: Doomsday.
Doctor Doom, recognizable by his iconic metallic mask, combines magic and technology while displaying fearsome brutality, making him a versatile character. He can effectively zone opponents with his energy blasts and pistol, teleport in any direction, and engage in close combat with grapple attacks. These skills will be particularly useful for tag team strategies in the game’s 4v4 battles.
2Star-Lord
Being A Guardian Of The Galaxy Is A Blast
Thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Guardians of the Galaxy went from C-list characters to being some of the most beloved Marvel characters.The Guardians even have multiple gamesnow, includingMarvel Tōkon.The upcoming game is confirmed to haveStar-Lordas a projectile-based character, relying on his Element Guns for several attacks.
Arc System Works has seemingly designed Star-Lord to be a middle ground between his famous MCU portrayal and the comics. He has his quippy attitude, but the royal superhero garb makes him look more like the prince of Spartax.Marvel Tōkoneven gives Star-Lord a massive cannon reminiscent of the weapons that Rocket Raccoon is known for wielding.
1Ghost Rider
Robbie Reyes Is A Fiery Menace For The Enemy
Ghost Rideris one of Marvel’s most overpowered superheroes. While his previous appearancesin theMarvel Vs. Capcomgamesfeature Johnny Blaze, the upcomingMarvel Tōkon: Fighting Soulswill focus on Robbie Reyes, who previously starred as a protagonist inMarvel’s Midnight Suns.
Robbie Reyes wields flaming chains as weapons and uses hellfire like it’s his plaything, embodying the modern age Spirit of Vengeance.Marvel Tōkonemphasizes these chains as his primary form of attack, allowing Ghost Rider to unleash a flurry of attacks, especially when he twirls them like lassos. Additionally, since this version of the character is Robbie Reyes, Ghost Rider’s ultimate attack features his Hell-infused muscle car.
