Top 7 Deadpool References in Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls

Before Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls even hit the shelves, fans were already buzzing about the multitude of fighting game references packed into Deadpool’s character guide. Known for his fourth-wall-breaking antics, Wade Wilson naturally brings a wealth of pop culture nods to his dialogue. However, Tōkon takes it a step further, cramming Deadpool’s red suit with tributes not just to Marvel, but also to the rich history of the fighting game community.

YouTuber Dan Allen Gaming has compiled two videos that highlight all the references fans have uncovered so far, showcasing how Deadpool’s moveset is a mashup of various iconic fighting game characters. Elements draw inspiration from legendary franchises like Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and Tekken, alongside a treasure trove of homages to titles from Arc System Works, including Guilty Gear and Dragon Ball FighterZ. While you can dive into Dan Allen Gaming’s videos for the full experience, here are a few standout references worth mentioning.

One notable homage is to Liu Kang’s fatality from the Mortal Kombat series, where he drops an entire arcade cabinet on his opponents. In those games, this move leaves foes in a bloody mess, and while Tōkon opts for a lighter touch, the Deadpool cabinet that crashes down merely nudges enemies aside instead of obliterating them.

Another clever nod is to the famous 2015 EVO moment featuring Guilty Gear Xrd Sign player Woshige, who prematurely celebrated a match victory only to realize another round was still in play. Deadpool mimics Woshige’s exuberant pop-off before scrambling to reach the arcade cabinet that falls on his opponent, echoing that memorable EVO moment.

When Deadpool is knocked out while airborne, he takes a dramatic dive that stands out from the typical knockouts in Tōkon. This is a reference to a classic scene from Fatal Fury, where the villain Geese Howard plummets from a tower into a chasm. This iconic moment has been recreated in several subsequent games, and now Deadpool joins the ranks of characters who fall with flair.

Deadpool’s intro when he starts a fight is a playful callback to Cell’s entrance in Dragon Ball FighterZ. While the Dragon Ball antagonist powers up with a striking aura, Deadpool opts for a more whimsical approach, lighting a firework behind him and striking a pose.

One of the more unexpected references involves Polygon Man, an obscure PlayStation mascot that Sony quickly retired in favor of more recognizable characters like Crash and Spyro. This purple, spiky head later appeared as the final boss in PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale and has made sporadic appearances in Sony’s marketing. Given that Tōkon is published by Sony, it’s likely how Polygon Man found his way into the game as part of one of Deadpool’s projectile attacks.

In keeping with the crossover theme, Deadpool can unleash Captain Falcon’s iconic “Falcon Punch” from Super Smash Bros., although it doesn’t send opponents flying off the stage like it does in Nintendo’s games.

During one segment, Deadpool is seen taking selfies with various characters, holding up half a “heart hand” that the others don’t reciprocate. This moment is captioned “Friend zone,” referencing a well-known photo of FGC star Justin Wong with a Chun-Li cosplayer from 2017, which was shared on Twitter with the same caption.

Speaking of Wong, when Deadpool activates his super move, he shouts “Let’s go, Wade!” This is a nod to the legendary EVO Moment 37, where Wong was playing Street Fighter III: Third Strike and had his Super Art parried 15 times by Daigo Umehara, leaving him vulnerable to a punishing counterattack. Just before this pivotal moment, a voice from the crowd can be heard cheering, “Let’s go, Justin!” If Deadpool lands his attack, he’s likely to fare better than Wong did in that iconic match.