Summary
Marvel Games has surprised fans with the announcement of a new game,Marvel Cosmic Invasion. It is developed by Tribute Games, the same people behindTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge,and it follows the same arcade beat ‘em up gameplay style. As a result, it already feels like a throwback to games likeCaptain America and The Avengersor Konami’sX-Menarcade game.
With the announcement came a first look at the gameplay and the seven characters currently confirmed to be playable in the game. They not only look like they’ll be fun to play solo, but also for classic local co-op, allowing players to mix and match different Marvel superheroes and anti-heroes for dynamic team-up abilities and animations.
Updated on June 16, 2025, by Melody MacReady:Tribute Games is expanding the roster of playable characters in their upcoming superhero adventure, Marvel Cosmic Invasion. This beat-em-up game, reminiscent of classic arcade titles, is set to feature the largest character lineup among all the games developed by the studio. The latest additions, Rocket Raccoon and She-Hulk, were unveiled during the Summer Game Fest 2025. While Marvel Cosmic Invasion does not have an official release date, it is expected to launch in 2025 with fifteen characters available at launch. The roster will include iconic heroes who have been part of the Marvel comics since the franchise’s inception, as well as more obscure characters, providing fans with a diverse selection to choose from.
9Captain America
Marvel Can Always Rely On The Super Soldier
Armed with a vibranium shieldand super-soldier strength,Captain Americais one of those characters who always seems to show up in Marvel games, especially ensembles. InMarvel Cosmic Invasion, he seems like the default brawler character who charges in and deals as much damage as possible, which is typical for Captain America.
If allied with a range-based character like Storm or Spider-Man, he would be the ideal vanguard. It is unconfirmed whether Captain America can throw his shield, but it is to be expected since that shield is as deadly as any bullet or psionic blast. It would be criminal to have a Captain America game without his signature ability to ricochet his shield.
8Spider-Man
Saving The World Is A Normal Tuesday For Peter Parker
For over twenty years,Spider-Manhas beenMarvel’s poster child in movies, animation, and video games, earning billions of dollars of profit for Marvel and Sony alike. Similar to Captain America, if there is an ensemble cast of Marvel superheroes, there is a good chance that Spider-Man will be part of it.
Spider-Man is shown to have all the staples expected of the character. He’s a nimble and agile fighter with a lot of strength and an affinity for implementing his web-slinging into his combat. As a result, he will likely be useful on the ground and in the air, able to swing up and take on flying enemies with ease.
7Venom
Their Big Appetite Makes Them A Powerful Ally
Despite fans wishingVenomwould get their own game, they relish it wheneverthey appear in a Marvel game, fromMarvel’s Spider-Man 2to theMarvel Ultimate Alliancetrilogy.Marvel Cosmic Invasionis no different. The character has gotten some of the most impressive sprite animations, taking full advantage of the symbiote physiology.
In terms of gameplay, Venom is shown to be a complete tank that attacks and can hit multiple enemies at once, using its giant mouth and symbiotic tendrils. They may have more health than other characters, since they are known to be able to take on god-like beings and survive.
6Wolverine
The Best At What He Does
From the movies to the video games,Wolverineis another icon of the Marvel lexicon due to being unlike any other superhero. He has been inso many Marvel video gamesthat his inclusion inMarvel Cosmic Invasionis anything but surprising, as he is a violent character with a lot of anger issues.
With his adamantium claws, Wolverine is known for his berserker rage and rapid attacks, which makes his name rather fitting. His gameplay is shown to be all about speed, slashing his foes for a lot of damage per second. He is also shown to be able to pounce on his enemies and impale them with his claws.
5Storm
There’s A Reason She’s A Leader For The X-Men
The world is fortunate that Storm turned out to be one of the most caring and selfless people, because she is a powerhouse of a character, able to control the weather as easily as a person can blink. In the comics, she can summon lightning, conjure tornadoes, and raise a tsunami, which makes her one of Marvel’s most powerful characters.
Marvel Cosmic Invasionproperly adapts the character with all the weather abilities fans would expect, combinedwith the ability to fly. Her flight can be used to escape dire situations while also taking the fight to aerial enemies, but thankfully, her combat is just as viable in the air to keep the combat smooth or help her allies from above.
4Quasar
Wielding The Quantum Sword With Marvelous Power
Of all the cosmic superheroes featured in Marvel, Phylla-Vell, also known asQuasar, is not who fans expected to be included in Marvel Cosmic Invasion. There is nothing wrong with the character, however. She is not only a fun character, butis also a powerful beingwith abilities that are on par with, if not stronger than, Captain Marvel.
Quasar’s addition to the roster enhances its diversity. Not every Marvel game needs to feature only well-known A-list heroes like the Avengers or X-Men. One of the standout elements of Quasar’s gameplay is her Quantum Sword, which provides her with greater range compared to most melee characters. Additionally, her ability to fly gives her superior mobility on the battlefield.
3Nova
Galactic Protector Of The Innocent
Video games and animation have been the only places thatNovahas been able to shine, as the Marvel Cinematic Universe has yet to bring the character to life, despite a lot of potential anddirect ties to the Guardians Of The Galaxy. Fortunately, he is confirmed to be inMarvel Cosmic Invasionas another flying character who can charge in, using his Nova Force to blast enemies with a mix of melee and ranged attacks.
It is unclear which version of Nova appears in the game, as the comics have two popular variants: Richard Rider and Sam Alexander, each providing a different personality for the cosmic superhero. It will be interesting to see how much of Nova’s powers are depicted inMarvel Cosmic Invasion, as the character features regenerative properties and can perceive threats before they hit him.
2She-Hulk
Gamma-Powered Superhero And Attorney At Law
Surprisingly,She-Hulkwas added to the roster before her more famous jolly green giant cousin, but that shows how much the character has grown on people over the years. In her white and purple suit, She-Hulk leaps into battle with a more agile fighting stylecompared to other Hulkswhile also maintaining many iconic abilities, from super strength to thunderclap.
She-Hulk is designed to look and feel more like a wrestler with lots of grab attacks, leaps, and other powerful attacks fitting for a powerhouse character like her. One of her most famous aspects in the comics is that she breaks the fourth wall in the same vein as Deadpool, which would be perfect for a colorful and cartoony adventure likeMarvel Cosmic Invasion.
1Rocket Raccoon
The Deadliest Rodent In The Marvel Universe
The Guardians of the Galaxy have been cemented as A-listers after decades of obscurity, thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. So, now at least one Guardian alwaysappears in a Marvel ensemble game, such as Rocket Raccoon in the case ofMarvel Cosmic Invasion, a character whose smaller stature is no detriment to his combat capabilities.
Like in the comics and the movies, Rocket Raccoon wields absurdly large space guns and cannons that allow him to take out Annihilus' minions with ease from far away or up close. He can also use his claws, throw grenades, lay down mines, and use a rocket to fly into the air, giving him a diverse skillset that could make him a fan favorite.
