Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls Unleashes New Era for Marvel Fighting Games

• • Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls
Key Takeaways
  • Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls is a new 4v4 tag-team fighting game from Arc System Works.
  • The game is set for a 2026 release on PlayStation 5, Steam, and Epic Games Store.
  • It introduces an accessible system where players primarily master one character despite the larger team size.
  • The initial roster includes popular Marvel heroes and villains with an anime-inspired design.

Marvel’s next entry into the fighting game genre is officially on the way. Announced during the June 2025 PlayStation State of Play, Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls is a new 4v4 tag-team fighter developed by Arc System Works, the studio known for titles like Guilty Gear and Dragon Ball FighterZ. The game is scheduled to release in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Steam, and the Epic Games Store.

A New Format for Marvel Fighters

Unlike past Marvel fighting games, Tōkon introduces a four-character team system, giving players more flexibility in how they approach battles. While 3v3 has been the genre standard in team-based fighters, this 4v4 format adds an extra layer of complexity—along with opportunities for more elaborate assists and cinematic finishers.

Despite the larger team size, players won’t necessarily have to juggle all four characters. According to Game Director Kazuto Sekine, the game is built with accessibility in mind. “Generally, a team VS fighting game requires the player to learn multiple characters,” Sekine explained. “But for Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, you only need to master one character in order to play the game.” Simplified controls will also be available alongside traditional inputs.

First Characters Revealed

Gameplay screenshot from Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls. Multiple Marvel characters are engaged in a dynamic fight on a city street stage, featuring bright orange and blue energy effects. The game's logo is in the bottom left corner.
Image: Marvel Entertainment, LLC

The announcement trailer revealed an early roster made up of familiar Marvel heroes and villains:

  • Captain America
  • Iron Man
  • Spider-Man
  • Doctor Doom
  • Storm
  • Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan)
  • Star-Lord
  • Ghost Rider (Robbie Reyes)

Each character has been designed with a stylized, anime-inspired look and a move set tailored to reflect their powers in a fighting game context. Arc System Works has said the roster aims to balance recognizable names with a variety of fighting styles, and additional characters—including ones not typically seen in Marvel fighting games—are expected to be revealed later.

Stage Design and Presentation

A dynamic fighting game scene from MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, featuring Doctor Doom and Ghost Rider mid-combat in a city street.
Image: MARVEL / Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC

In addition to character reveals, the announcement showcased several stages inspired by Marvel locations. These environments feature background details and transitions between areas that are meant to enhance both the visual experience and match flow. Arc System Works has emphasized that these stages will include plenty of Marvel-specific elements for fans to spot.

A New Direction for Marvel in Fighting Games

Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls represents a new approach for Marvel’s presence in the fighting genre. While previous games like Marvel vs. Capcom paired Marvel characters with outside properties, Tōkon is a Marvel-only title developed in collaboration with PlayStation Studios and Marvel Games.

Arc System Works is expected to reveal more information in the coming months, including additional characters, gameplay systems, and game modes. For now, the debut offers a first glimpse at how the studio is applying its established style to one of the most well-known superhero universes in pop culture.

To discover more exciting titles revealed alongside Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, don’t miss our recap of the PlayStation’s State of Play June 2025.

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