Marvel fans and fighting game enthusiasts have a thrilling new title to look forward to: MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls. Announced during Sony's State of Play event on June 4, 2025, this 4v4 tag team fighter promises to redefine the genre with its unique mechanics, stunning visuals, and an expansive roster of iconic Marvel characters. Set for release in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Steam, and the Epic Games Store, the game is a collaboration between PlayStation Studios, Arc System Works, and Marvel Games, marking a fresh direction for Marvel fighting games.
Breaking away from the long-standing partnership between Marvel and Capcom, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls is developed by Arc System Works, the acclaimed Japanese studio known for their work on the Guilty Gear and BlazBlue series, as well as the popular 2018 hit Dragon Ball FighterZ. This shift signals a new era for Marvel’s fighting game legacy, which previously saw titles like Marvel vs. Capcom dominate the scene but faced challenges, especially after the commercial disappointment of 2017’s Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite.
At the heart of the announcement is the game’s innovative 4v4 tag team format, which sets it apart from the traditional 2v2 or 3v3 team battles common in the genre. Game Director and Lead Battle Designer Kazuto Sekine explained the team’s philosophy: “Generally, a team VS fighting game requires the player to learn multiple characters, but for MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, you only need to master one character in order to play the game.” He elaborated that the mechanics allow players to perform a variety of actions using either traditional fighting game inputs or simplified controls, enabling multiple characters to appear on screen simultaneously to provide backup or launch attacks. This design choice aims to create a new, exciting team VS battle experience that is accessible to newcomers while still offering depth for veterans.
Michael Francisco, Senior Product Development Manager at Marvel Games, praised the collaboration, stating, “Since day one, our long-time and trusted collaborators at PlayStation and the team at Arc System Works have poured incredible amounts of talent and passion into reimagining the Marvel Universe in a way that only they can. MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls demonstrates that they are absolute masters of their craft and are true Marvel fans at heart. Players are in for a wild ride.”
The roster revealed so far features a mix of beloved heroes and villains, including Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Doctor Doom, Storm, Ms. Marvel, Star-Lord, and Ghost Rider (Robbie Reyes). Arc System Works’ Producer Takeshi Yamanaka shared insights into the character selection process: “There are so many amazing Marvel characters that it was quite a struggle to choose our roster, but we did have some criteria for the selection process. First and foremost, we wanted to include characters who we feel to be the ‘face’ of Marvel. At the same time, we also needed to select characters that would give us a balance of battle types and styles. Lastly, we wanted to sprinkle in a few surprises and leave room for characters who have never been playable in a fighting game before.”
Visually, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls embraces the Japanimation style that Arc System Works is renowned for, moving away from the more western comic-book aesthetic initially considered. Yamanaka explained, “Early on in the project, we experimented with a shader to recreate a more western comic-book visual style, but the Marvel team expressed a desire for us to lean into something more Arc-like. It was then that we switched our approach to the game’s visuals and began to lean more into the Japanimation style Arc is known for.” This choice results in a vibrant, anime-infused look that breathes new life into the Marvel characters while maintaining their iconic essence.
Gameplay-wise, each character boasts a bespoke set of Normal, Special, and Unique attacks inspired by their Marvel lore powers and abilities, culminating in cinematic Ultimate Skills that add flair and excitement to battles. The game's mechanics have been carefully crafted to ensure that each character’s movement and fighting style feel fresh and unique within the tag team context.
One of the standout features is the game’s stage design. Most stages feature multiple areas with dynamic transitions that are not only visually spectacular but also strategically significant. For example, Marvel’s New York City stage offers fans a chance to spot numerous Easter eggs while engaging in fast-paced combat that shifts locations mid-fight, adding layers of tactical depth to the matches.
Sekine detailed the team’s deliberations on the team size format: “Team VS fighting games have a long tradition of 2v2 or 3v3 team formats, so this is something we discussed in-depth within the development team. We went back and forth many times, from thinking we might be better off making a 1v1 game or sticking to the established 3v3 format. At its core, we felt that the appeal of team VS fighting games is the intensity of battles with multiple characters on screen at once. Additionally, one of the appeals of Marvel comics is seeing the vast cast of characters coming together to create all kinds of unique team-ups. With these two ideas in mind, we concluded that creating a 4v4 team VS system would be the best way to not only create those over-the-top moments but to further evolve the tag fighting genre.”
Arc System Works’ reputation for delivering some of the best 2D fighting games in the industry, with titles regularly featured at the Evo Championship Series, adds considerable weight to the anticipation surrounding MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls. Fans can expect a competitive and polished experience that balances accessibility with the depth needed for high-level play.
While the game’s full roster, modes, and online features remain under wraps, the developers have promised to reveal more details in the coming months. The initial glimpse, with its energetic trailer and detailed insights, has already set the stage for what could be a landmark title in both the Marvel and fighting game communities.
As the release date approaches in 2026, players eager to dive into a fresh Marvel fighting experience will find MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls a compelling blend of anime-inspired visuals, innovative gameplay mechanics, and a star-studded roster. It’s a bold new chapter that honors Marvel’s rich character legacy while pushing the boundaries of the tag team fighting genre.
