"Marvel Returns to its Prime Gaming Realm with 'Marvel Tokon'"
Rollin' with the Humans: Marvel's Evolution in the Fisticuffs
Ever since the geeks at Insomniac Games and Square Enix got their grubby paws on Marvel, the superhero crew has been stepping outside their comfort zones. But back in the day, they were all about the good ol' brawls - X-Men: Children of the Atom, Marvel Super Heroes, and the infamous vs. Capcom series, complete with its epic crossovers, are the poster children for Marvel's video game ventures.
Fast forward to 2026, and it seemed like Marvel was never gonna step back into the ring. But then, Sony's State of Play pulled a rabbit out of its hat - Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, brought to you by the Japanese powerhouse Arc System Works, known for BlazBlue and Dragon Ball fighting titles. The game's due out soon, and it's causing a stir online, thanks to its visually stunning art style, the pedigree of its developer, and the fact it's an old-school 4v4 tag team fighter - just like the good ol' vs. Capcom days (except it's 4v4 instead of the usual 3v3.)
Michael Francisco from Marvel Games made it clear in a behind-the-scenes video for Tōkon that Sony was keen to reposition Marvel back at the top of the tag-team fighting scene. Seems like 2017's Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite didn't live up to expectations in terms of sales and reviews. Critics, in particular, weren't too fond of its roster - previous entries had crazy picks like Nova, MODOK, and Silver Samurai. Infinte got shafted, though, and coming off the back of the MCU hype, it was left with a bunch of characters Marvel didn't have rights to, meaning no Doctor Doom or X-Men whatsoever.
Since then, Disney's bought Fox, and Marvel's been more flexibile about who gets a spot in their video games. Nowadays, you can find the Fantastic Four, Blade, and various X-Men in Marvel Rivals and Midnight Suns, where just a decade ago, they'd have been a no-go. This newfound freedom will be a big help for Tōkon - rosters are everything in fighting games, and Arc System Works' got the goods right off the bat with the likes of Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan), Ghost Rider (Robbie Reyes), Storm, and Doctor Doom on the roster. There are probably some cunning crossovers planned with NetEase's future Rivals additions, but it doesn't hurt that quite a few characters are making their debut in the genre with Tōkon.
With the likes of Injustice 2 from NetherRealm, it looks like Tōkon will rule the roost in the licensed fighting game scene for a while. NetherRealm's been busy with Mortal Kombat lately, and it's doubtful the studio will start work on Injustice 3 for a year or two yet - so Tōkon's developers will have plenty of time to show off its roster, mechanics, and visuals to an audience hungry for a shiny new Marvel thing.
All this good news has everyone asking - how's Capcom gonna feel about losing its grip on the Marvel fighting scene? They've had some hits recently, so they might not mind letting Marvel vs. Capcom sit on the shelf forever. But who knows, maybe the success of one fighting game might spark Capcom's desire to get the franchise back on its feet. A collection of remastered games in 2024 could be the catalyst for a potential comeback, and last year, Capcom producer Shuhei Matsumoto made it clear both companies would be keen to get MvC back on track. Only time will tell if this happens, but whatever's gonna go down, fans of the fighting game scene are gonna be more than pleased.
Wanna know more about the latest in Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC, and Doctor Who? Check it out here!
- In the rapidly advancing realm of technology, artificial intelligence is expected to revolutionize the streaming industry, as DisneyPlus might soon incorporate AI to curate personalized content for Star Wars fans, creating a more immersive experience in space.
- With Marvel's foray into the tag-team fighting scene through Sony's Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, there is potential for crossovers with upcoming gadgets and gaming advancements. Such collaborations could lead to an unprecedented integration of superheroes into the virtual world.
- As the line between fantasy and reality continues to blur with advancements in technology, fans eagerly anticipate the day when they'll be able to witness Star Wars characters in augmented reality, turning ordinary household items into space gadgets for a truly immersive experience.
