Marvel, 2XKO, Revive Fighting Games?

The announcement of several new fighting games has brought a previously niche subgenre back into the spotlight: tag fighters. Read on for details about these upcoming titles, why their timing is perfect for a resurgence, and what to expect.

An Unlikely Resurgence in Fighting Games

Let's be honest—the current situation in the fighting game community calls for something fresh to watch.

Tekken 8 has seen a decline in player engagement, with many expressing frustration over the developers’ community management and balance decisions based on unconventional data collection methods. NetherRealm appears to have moved on from Mortal Kombat 1 following the Definitive Edition release and has remained silent since. Guilty Gear Strive remains the sole consistently active 2D anime fighting game. Fatal Fury, despite receiving positive reviews, hasn't achieved strong sales. Meanwhile, Street Fighter 6's latest season has disappointed due to its lack of impactful meta changes and cosmetic content compared to earlier versions.

In short, the established fighting games are failing to draw significant excitement. The most talked-about releases feel repetitive, and many players have either accepted the situation or shifted to other fighting games they genuinely enjoy. Despite the dramatic phrasing, fighting games aren't dying—they're just stagnant to watch right now. It's especially disheartening to see how negative the community conversations have become regarding the current state of the genre.

What's needed now is something genuinely new, exciting, and unpredictable—a stark contrast to the current offerings. Suddenly, there's a wave of promising announcements: Marvel Games is collaborating with Arc System Works on a new tag fighter, an Invincible fighting game is in development by the team behind Killer Instinct (2021), Riot has released a development update for their long-awa fighter, and the Hunter x Hunter tag fighter is generating massive anticipation.

As someone who loves the fighting game genre, this shift is incredibly exciting. Seeing players orchestrate devastating setups leading to instant KO combos delivers a level of spectacle traditional fighters can't match. But how did we arrive at this point? What's driving the revival of tag fighters?

A Revival That's Been a Long Time Coming

To understand the significance of these announcements, we need to look at what's transpired in recent years. The tag fighter genre has clearly diminished in popularity since Dragon Ball FighterZ (DBFZ) launched in 2018. Even at its peak, few titles could compete with DBFZ's scale and appeal—except one that many still consider the greatest tag fighter ever made: Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (UMvC3).

Looking at the history of popular games in this genre, very few manage to gain lasting traction. For instance, Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite, the direct follow-up to UMvC3, was widely criticized for its subpar visual presentation and weaker roster of characters.

Other games like BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle, Skullgirls, and Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid never reached the same level of popularity as the major tag fighters. Explanations vary—some attribute it to less mainstream intellectual properties compared to giants like Dragon Ball or Marvel, while others point to differences in gameplay mechanics.

Mastering the Mayhem

Let’s clarify what defines a tag fighter. Generally, these are fighting games where each player controls multiple characters, most commonly in 2v2 or 3v3 formats. This leads to larger and more diverse character rosters. They also introduce unique mechanics like "Assists," which let you call in backup characters to attack while your main fighter remains active. This mechanic is so central that games like King of Fighters—while featuring team-based play—are usually not classified as tag fighters due to the absence of assists.

The primary appeal of tag fighters lies in the strategic depth offered by their mechanics and the challenge of assembling the perfect team from the available roster. Discovering effective character synergy is crucial for success. A classic example is the notorious team in UMvC3 perfected by top player Christopher "ChrisG" Gonzales, featuring Morrigan Aensland, Doctor Doom, and Vergil.

This team’s dominance stems from how well the characters complement each other and excel in their designated roles. Morrigan's "Astral Vision" super establishes her as a top-tier zoning character with relentless projectile pressure. Doctor Doom provides one of the game’s best pressure assists with his Homing Missiles. Vergil is arguably the strongest anchor character, especially when boosted by X-Factor, the game’s comeback mechanic.

Other infamous teams include Zero May Cry (Zero, Dante, Vergil) and MDP (Magneto, Doctor Doom, Phoenix). However, some teams demonstrate incredible creativity and strength even without relying on top-tier individual fighters.

Consider Javier "IHeartJustice" Funes-Morales’ team of Captain America, Phoenix Wright, and Doctor Strange. Another standout is Genki "ABEGEN" Abe’s unconventional lineup of Tron Bonne, Thor, and She-Hulk. These teams stood out due to the powerful synergy between characters, even though the fighters themselves were often considered low-tier.

IHeartJustice used Captain America and Doctor Strange’s assists to enable Phoenix Wright’s distinct gameplay focused on evidence collection. ABEGEN’s team excelled by chaining supers and special moves together, achieving impressive damage output despite the characters being rated mid to low tier on their own.

This design philosophy makes tag fighters a subgenre that encourages maximum creativity and experimentation, offering what feels like limitless strategic possibilities.

A New Wave of Contenders Approaches

After discussing the essence of tag fighters, what are the specific upcoming titles generating excitement? Four announced games are highly anticipated, with release dates either confirmed or expected soon.

2XKO

If you follow fighting game news, you’ve likely heard of 2XKO. Officially announced in 2024 but known to be in development since 2016, this free-to-play 2v2 tag fighter is based on League of Legends. It will feature single-button special moves and bring popular League champions into a tag fighting format.

However, the game still lacks a confirmed release date. Riot Games arguably missed an opportunity by not launching sooner, considering the lack of direct competition and the built-in advantage of a globally recognized IP and established esports infrastructure.

Hunter X Hunter NEN IMPACT

Scheduled for release on July 17, 2025, on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch, this game will be a 3v3 tag fighter. Players build a team of three distinct characters, each with unique movesets, strengths, and vulnerabilities. It includes classic tag fighter mechanics such as assists and tag super combos.

Hunter x Hunter is a celebrated shonen manga series known for its compelling characters, intricate storytelling, and—most importantly—spectacular combat sequences. A high-quality fighting game feels long overdue for the series, offering a perfect medium to showcase the abilities of its diverse cast.

Notably, the development team includes veterans who worked on Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3. This has naturally heightened expectations for similarly chaotic and over-the-top gameplay. Early impressions suggest it will recapture the high-speed movement, extensive combo potential, and emphasis on team synergy that defined Marvel 3's electrifying and unpredictable style.