Marvel Rivals is already packed with fan-favorite heroes, but the devs have confirmed the roster could get a whole lot stranger.
Since its announcement, the game has steadily expanded its lineup beyond the usual suspects. At launch, Marvel Rivals featured a core cast including Iron Man, Spider-Man, Storm, Magneto, and more. But with each update, the team has started to dig deeper, adding tons of new characters.
Season 3 is set to introduce Phoenix, with new teasers hinting at even more additions down the line, like Blade. The devs have said they’re committed to keeping the game fresh with regular character drops, tapping into Marvel’s massive back catalog.
That expanding roster has quickly become one of Marvel Rivals’ biggest selling points. With a hero-shooter format built around team dynamics, adding niche characters with unique powers isn’t just fan service. It actively shapes how players approach the game, and it’s set to keep getting bigger.
NetEase licensed to explore the full Marvel universe
In an interview with VideoGamer, NetEase revealed they “are licensed to explore the full Marvel universe,” which spans “over 85 years,” meaning there’s no character off limits for the game.
That includes everything from A-list Avengers to some true wildcards. What’s more, the devs aren’t just allowed to dig deep. They want to. Their goal is to “shine a light on some lesser-known yet equally fascinating characters,” bringing weird fan-favorites into the spotlight.
That approach is already showing. Characters like Jeff the Land Shark and Squirrel Girl are already playable, signaling the team’s commitment to exploring the quirkier side of Marvel. As the devs put it, they’re aiming for “unique heroes like Jeff the Land Shark and Squirrel Girl” to offer “a chance to discover new aspects of Marvel.”
It’s not just about adding characters for shock value. The goal is to let Marvel Rivals players “experience the Marvel universe from other unique and enjoyable perspectives.”
As such, with a license that spans the entire Marvel catalog, the possibilities are endless. Think Howard the Duck, Doop (imagine Slimer from Ghostbusters), MODOK, or even Big Bertha, all battling against each other in Marvel Rivals.
Given the licences NetEase has access to, it’s clear Marvel Rivals is about to get a whole lot bigger, and a whole lot weirder.
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