If rumors are to be believed, Marvel vs. Capcom 4 is about to be unveiled at this weekend’s PlayStation Experience event in Los Angeles. The last installment was a blazing-fast fighter that brought together some of the most celebrated personages in both companies’ winding histories. Even so, there was still room to expand the roster, and so we got to thinking about who we’d like to see in the next Marvel vs. Capcom game. Our heroes range from big to small and mundane to mystical – read on to see our top picks and let us know who you’re rooting for!
Star-Lord
C’mon, everyone loves Star-Lord. The wisecracking rogue rose to prominence in the public eye following Chris Pratt’s leading role in Guardians of the Galaxy . Ever the smart-ass, Star-Lord is an immensely likeable guy who takes the best parts of Han Solo and Marty McFly – according to Pratt, at least. It’s easy to imagine him fulfilling a similar role to Deadpool in Marvel vs. Capcom 4. His skill in close-quarters combat and repertoire of alien firearms should make him a fierce fighter at any range.
Black Widow
Another Marvel film universe favorite, Black Widow relies not on a bevy of superpowers, but her own mind and agility to thwart her foes. As a world-class acrobat and a skilled assassin, Black Widow would make for a fantastic aerial character in Marvel vs. Capcom 4 , juggling foes with trained ease. Her pre- and post-battle taunts could even be amusing digs at her enemies using her skill with psychological manipulation. A Widow’s bite is deadly indeed.
Hunter/Palico
Capcom’s long-running Monster Hunter series has one of the most staunchly devoted fanbases out there. This is due in no small part to its complexity stemming from the myriad weapon types available to players. A Hunter would be a genius addition to Marvel vs. Capcom 4 because every one of their actions could utilize a different weapon type. Imagine vaulting over your foes with an Insect Glaive and landing on their head with a crushing Greatsword blow. Throw in a Palico as an assist character and you’ve got one killer combo.
Black Panther
Here we have a slightly more mystical take on the bodysuit-wearing superhero. Black Panther is a fantastic character whose connection with a panther deity grants him superhuman physical abilities and a resistance to magical influences. As a fighter, we could see Black Panther staying low to the ground, carving away at his enemies with savage swipes. And come on, the dude married Storm at one point – you’ve gotta be pretty damn impressive to be worthy of her greatness.
Ant-Man
Ant-Man would make a fantastically dynamic Marvel vs. Capcom 4 character for one reason: size. Capable of shifting from his normal human size to being no larger than an insect, Ant-Man nonetheless hits with the force of a truck. His moveset as a fighting game character could make use of his shrinking ability to confuse and annoy opponents, feinting around their movements. His army of ants would make for a hilarious and terrifying super move, too.
Female Thor
Jane Foster’s electrifying manifestation as Thor would be a most welcome addition to the Marvel vs. Capcom 4 roster. Her powers are the same as Thor Odinson’s, yet she is a different person whose tactical decisions are influenced by her background. We imagine her wielding Mjolnir with furious might while taking advantage of her slightly smaller (yet equally powerful) frame. Also, nursing puns. She could make nursing puns.
Ryu (Breath of Fire)
No, not the burly martial artist from that other fighting game; we’re talking about the ubiquitous blue-haired dragonkin central to the Breath of Fire series. Ryu has long been a shoo-in for Marvel vs. Capcom , with fearsome swordfighting skills and the ability to transform into a dragon at his disposal. There are several incarnations of Ryu, each with his own suite of draconic powers, and any of them would make for a great fighter. Our personal preference is for Breath of Fire IV ‘s fierce yet bright-eyed Ryu, a demigod whose other half – the cold-hearted Fou-Lu – would make an equally fantastic assist character.
Mega Man X
It’s time to bring the real deal himself back into the fray – not as a DLC costume for another character, and not as an assist attack, but as a bona fide combatant. Mega Man is one of Capcom’s most iconic characters, and his X variant has never been a fully-fledged character in Marvel vs. Capcom. There are eight games’ worth of Mega Man X to pull powers from, so X could easily fill any number of roles in a match. Swords, lasers, barriers, bombs… X has got it all. As a beloved icon of the gaming industry, this Maverick Hunter is overdue for a return to the spotlight.