Marvel Tokon, 2XKO, Invincible VS: Fighting Game Revolution?

Recent announcements in the fighting game world have brought an unexpected subgenre back into focus: tag-team fighters. Discover what's driving this resurgence and why the timing couldn't be better.

An Unexpected Fighting Game Renaissance

Let's be honest - the fighting game community desperately needs fresh content right now.

The landscape looks concerning: Tekken 8 faces criticism for questionable balancing decisions and poor social media engagement. Mortal Kombat 1's development appears inactive post-Definitive Edition release. Guilty Gear Strive remains the sole thriving 2D anime fighter. Fatal Fury struggles with sales despite critical acclaim. Street Fighter 6's latest season disappoints with minimal meta changes and underwhelming cosmetics.

This stagnation has created a perfect storm for innovation. Players continue competing but often reluctantly, while community discussions frequently focus on dissatisfaction rather than excitement.

The market clearly needs something dynamic and unpredictable. Suddenly, multiple major announcements promise exactly that:

• Marvel Games partners with Arc System Works on a new tag fighter
• Killer Instinct developers create an Invincible-themed fighting game
• Riot's long-awaited 2XKO releases development updates
• The Hunter x Hunter tag fighter generates unprecedented hype

This resurgence of tag-team fighters couldn't come at a better time. The chaotic energy of multi-character combat offers something traditional fighters can't match.

A Timely Comeback

Tag fighters haven't enjoyed mainstream popularity since Dragon Ball FighterZ (2018) and Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (UMvC3). Other attempts like Marvel vs Capcom Infinite faced criticism for weak visuals and roster selections, while titles such as BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle and Skullgirls remained niche.

Several factors contributed to this downturn - some attributed it to niche intellectual properties, others to gameplay mechanics failing to resonate. Regardless, the genre desperately needed revitalization.

The Allure of Tag Combat

For the uninitiated, tag fighters feature teams of 2-3 characters per player, introducing strategic depth through assist mechanics and team synergy. Unlike traditional fighters where single characters fight consecutively, tag games allow simultaneous multi-character gameplay.

The genre's appeal lies in creative team building. UMvC3 legend ChrisG famously dominated with his Morrigan/Doom/Vergil combination, while other players like IHeartJustice found success with unconventional teams using supposedly weaker characters.

This design philosophy encourages endless experimentation. Players must consider character compatibility, assist properties, and combo potential when assembling teams, leading to emergent strategies that often defy tier lists.

The Emerging Contenders

Four major titles currently lead the tag fighter resurgence:

2XKO

Riot Games' long-developed League of Legends fighter remains highly anticipated. The free-to-play 2v2 tag fighter features simplified special inputs while maintaining deep team mechanics. Despite lacking a confirmed release date, its potential to attract MOBA players to fighting games makes it a potential genre-shaker.

Hunter x Hunter NEN IMPACT

Set for July 17, 2025 release, this 3v3 fighter from UMvC3 veterans promises fast-paced action true to the beloved manga's combat. The developer pedigree suggests the same explosive gameplay that made Marvel 3 legendary - rapid movement, devastating combos, and team strategies that can overcome individual power differences.