There are certain games that immediately make you feel like you’re probably going to lose.

For me, fighting games have always been a bit like that. I enjoy them, but I’m not the bloke who’s going to spend six hours practising the same combo until I’ve mastered it. I’m 44, I’ve got work, a family and a house that always seems to have another job waiting for me.

So when a new Marvel fighting game turns up with flashy graphics, a four-person team system and the name Arc System Works attached to it, my first thought isn’t necessarily “I’m going to become an esports champion”.

It’s more along the lines of: can I pick this up, have a good laugh and actually feel like I know what I’m doing?

That is where MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls gets interesting.

So what exactly is MARVEL Tōkon?

MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls is a new fighting game developed by Arc System Works, the studio behind games including Guilty Gear and Dragon Ball FighterZ.

It launched on August 6, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and PC, and its biggest selling point is probably the four-versus-four team format. Rather than simply choosing one character and fighting another, you build a team of Marvel heroes and villains and bring them into battle. That immediately makes it sound more complicated than your traditional fighting game, but the idea is actually quite clever. You aren’t controlling four characters at once. Instead, you can bring members of your team into the fight at different points, creating something that feels more like a superhero battle than a traditional one-on-one fighter. See the launch video here:

It looks absolutely fantastic

There’s no getting around this one. MARVEL Tōkon looks the part. Arc System Works has gone for a colourful anime-inspired visual style, and it works extremely well with the Marvel characters. The animations are exaggerated, the attacks are big and flashy and the whole thing has that larger-than-life feeling you would expect from a Marvel game. That’s important because fighting games are often about spectacle as much as anything else. You want to hit a button and feel like something has happened. Tōkon seems to understand that.

The four-versus-four idea is what makes it different

The team system is where the game starts to stand out. Rather than simply having four completely separate health bars, the team shares a health pool, while the Assemble Gauge lets you bring additional characters into the fight. That creates some interesting decisions. Do you keep your strongest character active? Do you bring another member of the team in to change the momentum? Do you try to finish the fight quickly, or save your options for later? It’s the sort of system that looks relatively simple at first but should give more experienced players plenty to learn.

Is it suitable for someone who isn’t a fighting-game expert?

This is where I think Tōkon could be interesting for the likes of me. The game includes simplified controls and one-button combinations that make it easier for newcomers to start throwing out attacks without spending hours learning complicated inputs. At the same time, there is enough depth underneath that experienced players can get more serious with it. That’s a good balance. I’ve got no problem admitting that I don’t want every game I play to require a training course before I can enjoy it. Sometimes I just want to sit down, choose a character I recognise and start hitting things.

Marvel gives it an obvious advantage

Let’s be honest, part of the appeal here is simply the characters. Marvel has an enormous audience, and Tōkon can pull from that. You’ve got heroes and villains that people already know, which gives the game an immediate advantage over a completely new fighting franchise where you’re expected to learn who everyone is before you care about them. That could make it particularly appealing for playing with family members. If my kids want to play a fighting game, they already know who Spider-Man is. They know Iron Man. They know Captain America. You don’t have to spend the first hour explaining the characters.

The downside is the amount of single-player content

This is probably where I’d have some reservations. The reviews coming through so far are very positive about the actual fighting, presentation and online experience, but there is less to do if you’re looking for a huge single-player campaign. The Guardian’s review points out that the game’s focus is firmly on competitive play, with a relatively light story mode and additional modes such as Arcadia Rumble. That isn’t necessarily a criticism. If you’re buying Tōkon to play online or against friends, it’s probably exactly what you want. But if you’re looking for a big Marvel adventure that you can spend dozens of hours playing alone, this probably isn’t that game.

What about playing it with the family?

This is where I’d be interested. A fighting game can be one of those rare games that works brilliantly for short sessions. You don’t need three hours. You can sit down, have a few matches and switch it off. That’s useful when you’re a parent. You can play against your kids, get beaten, complain that they’re using the same character over and over again and then demand a rematch. That’s basically a family evening sorted. And because the matches are relatively self-contained, you’re not committed to a huge story every time you switch the console on.

Is it worth buying?

Based on the current reception, Tōkon looks like one of the more interesting new fighting games of 2026. Reviewers have been particularly positive about its combat system, presentation and accessibility, while the current review consensus is strong. For a serious fighting-game player, there’s plenty here to dig into. For someone like me, who wants something that’s easy enough to pick up but still has depth, that’s arguably even more important.

The bottom line

I’m not sure MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls is going to replace every other game in my collection. I’m also not sure my reflexes at 44 are going to suddenly improve because Spider-Man is on the screen. But I can see the appeal. It’s colourful, fast, recognisable and seems designed to get you into the action rather than making you spend hours learning how to play. For gaming dads, casual players and Marvel fans who fancy something a little different, I’d definitely put this one on the list to investigate. And if my kids beat me at it? I’ll blame the controller. Obviously.