Will Marvel Tokon, 2XKO, and Invincible Reignite Fighting Games?

With several new fighting game announcements, an exciting subgenre is making a comeback: tag team fighters. Here's what you need to know about these upcoming titles, why now is the perfect time for their return, and more.

An Unexpected Fighting Game Revival

Let's be honest - the fighting game community desperately needs fresh content. The current landscape faces multiple challenges:

Tekken 8 struggles with player dissatisfaction regarding social media presence and balance issues. NetherRealm appears to have moved on from Mortal Kombat 1 after its Definitive Edition release. While Guilty Gear Strive maintains steady activity, other titles like Fatal Fury underperform despite positive reviews. Even Street Fighter 6's latest season fails to impress with minimal meta changes and cosmetic updates.

The situation isn't dire, but stagnation has set in. Players either adapt or seek alternatives, while communities grow increasingly negative about the status quo.

Enter the new wave of tag fighters - Marvel Games' Arc System Works collaboration, the Invincible fighting game by Killer Instinct (2021) developers, Riot's 2XKO updates, and the hype around Hunter x Hunter Nen Impact. These chaotic, fast-paced experiences offer what traditional fighters currently lack.

Why Now? The Tag Fighter Renaissance

The tag fighter genre declined following Dragon Ball FighterZ (2018) and Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3's dominance. Subsequent releases like Marvel vs Capcom Infinite faced criticism for visual quality and roster issues. Niche titles like BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle and Skullgirls, while quality games, couldn't match the popularity of mainstream IPs.

Understanding Tag Fighter Mechanics

Tag fighters typically feature 2v2 or 3v3 gameplay with assist mechanics that differentiate them from team-based fighters like King of Fighters. The genre's appeal lies in:

- Deep character synergy systems
- Creative team composition possibilities
- High-level strategy development
- Spectacular combo potential

Legendary teams like ChrisG's Morrigan/Doctor Doom/Vergil in UMvC3 demonstrate perfect role specialization. Other innovative combinations prove that lower-tier characters can excel with proper synergy.

The New Contenders

2XKO

Riot's long-awaited League of Legends-based 2v2 fighter features simplified controls and free-to-play accessibility. Despite its promising concept, the lack of concrete release details remains concerning for the community.

Hunter X Hunter NEN IMPACT

Coming July 17, 2025 to multiple platforms, this 3v3 tag fighter from UMvC3 developers promises fast-paced action true to the beloved manga. The game will feature assists, tag supers, and the signature chaotic gameplay that defined Marvel vs Capcom.

This perfect storm of new developments suggests an exciting future for fighting game enthusiasts seeking innovation and spectacle in their competitive experiences.