Deadpool’s Marvel Tōkon Kit Features a Treasure Trove of Fighting Game Easter Eggs

HappyMarvel Tōkon: Fighting Soulsday to all who celebrate! Arc System Works’ latest superhero anime fighter is set to launch on PC and PS5 later today at 11 a.m. Eastern. Fighting game enthusiasts will soon be able to engage in thrilling 4v4 battles featuring Marvel’s iconic heroes. Among the roster is Deadpool, the merc with a mouth, known for his hilarious fourth-wall-breaking antics. Arc System Works has cleverly integrated this aspect into his gameplay, creating a character that pays homage to the history of fighting games.

A detailed character breakdown trailer has been released, showcasing all of Deadpool’s moves. If you’re familiar with fighting games, you’ll likely spot some of his techniques inspired by classics like Street Fighter, Virtua Fighter, and Marvel vs. Capcom, as well as several titles from Arc System Works, including Blazblue and Dragon Ball FighterZ. There are so many references to fighting game history that it’s nearly impossible to catch them all, but Twitter user Whisp90 has compiled a video that highlights each one with visual cues.

Deadpool wasn’t available in the Marvel Tōkon beta, so most players will experience him for the first time today. As someone who usually plays fighting games with a single character, I’m still adjusting to the 4v4 tag mechanics, but Deadpool is definitely making the cut for my team, alongside Star-Lord, Black Panther, and either Captain America or Spider-Man. I’m still deciding on that fourth slot, though I might just be in a Spidey mood after catching Spider-Man: Brand New Day last week.