4v4 Frenzy: ‘MARVEL Tōkon’ Is the Next Evolution of Tag Fighters

By Brian K. Neal

PlayStation Studios, Arc System Works, and Marvel Games have teamed up to drop a bombshell with MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, set to land on PS5 and PC in 2026. The reveal trailer is already generating electric hype across the FGC and Marvel fandom — and for good reason.

“Why isn’t PlayStation in this space?”
That’s the question that ignited the project, according to Reed Baird, Senior Producer at PlayStation Studios XDEV. What followed was a collaboration that pulled Marvel back into the tag-fighting spotlight — but with the unique twist only Arc System Works could deliver.

From the blistering 2D animation that looks ripped from a high-budget shonen series to the reimagined roster of heroes and villains, this isn’t your average fighting game. Spider-Man, Doctor Doom, Storm, Ms. Marvel, Star-Lord, and even Robbie Reyes’ Ghost Rider show up redesigned with distinct Japanese anime and tokusatsu flavor.

“We aimed to make Fighting Souls accessible,” says Kazuto “Pachi” Sekine, Director and Battle Director at Arc. “You only need to master one character. Inputs can be traditional or simplified — you’ll still unleash spectacular assists and combos.”

Translation? Whether you’re a combo lab monster or button-mashing beginner, you’ll be throwing down like a champ.

But the real innovation here is the 4v4 format. It’s not just about increasing the chaos — it’s about transforming the genre.

“2v2? 3v3? That’s old school,” says Takeshi Yamanaka, Producer at Arc. “We’re going 4v4. Period.”

Still worried you’ll have to memorize four move sets just to survive? Fear not. The system is built to flex with your style. Play as one core fighter with assist-style backups, or rotate mid-fight to counter your opponent’s strat. It’s team synergy meets cinematic action.

And let’s talk design. Arc didn’t just translate Marvel characters into anime style — they rebuilt them.

“Our Iron Man isn’t just a suit,” says Michael Francisco from Marvel Games. “He’s a luxury racecar with anime mech DNA. That moment I saw him animated… I knew we had gold.”

Every character features Normal, Special, Unique, and over-the-top Ultimate Skills pulled directly from their comic-book DNA. You’ll feel the full weight of a Captain America shield toss, or the electricity from Storm’s area-denying specials. This game doesn’t just reference Marvel — it reinvents it.

“From Japan to the world,” Baird says. That’s the team’s mantra — and it’s clear that Fighting Souls is both a love letter to the genre and a global power play.

With a playable roster packed with fan-favorites, jaw-dropping visuals, and a bold new tag format, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls isn’t just a game — it’s a statement. And the message is clear:

🎮 Platforms:

PlayStation 5 and PC
Release Window: 2026