MARVEL Cosmic Invasion: Release Date, Global Times, Price, and Full Hero Roster

Sagar Mankar
1 hour ago
4 min read

MARVEL Cosmic Invasion is set to launch digitally on December 1, 2025, bringing a classic arcade-style beat ’em up experience to modern platforms.

MARVEL Cosmic Invasion Pre-Launch Guide: Date, Global Timings, Pricing, and Playable Characters. — MARVEL Cosmic Invasion | Image via Tribute Games / Marvel

With the release now just around the corner, many of us who grew up playing side-scrolling brawlers are already feeling that nostalgic pull. And considering Tribute Games is leading development—yes, the same team behind TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game—you can almost expect that familiar punchy flow and expressive pixel art to return in full force. Published by Dotemu in partnership with Marvel Games, the project aims to blend retro charm with modern polish.

Release Date, Platforms, and Availability

The game arrives digitally on December 1, 2025, across PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.

If you're an Xbox player, there's more good news—MARVEL Cosmic Invasion will be a day-one title on Xbox Game Pass, covering console, PC, and cloud streaming.

A free demo is already live on Steam, giving players a taste of its combat and visual style.

If you prefer physical copies, both Standard and Deluxe physical editions are available for pre-order, scheduled to ship in March 2026. Switch 2 players will also get a full cartridge release instead of a download-required version.

To make things easier for global fans, here are the major release times:

Seattle: Dec 1, 8 AM PDT
New York: Dec 1, 11 AM EDT
Mexico City: Dec 1, 10 AM CST
São Paulo: Dec 1, 1 PM BRT
London: Dec 1, 4 PM GMT
Paris: Dec 1, 5 PM CET
Seoul/Tokyo: Dec 2, 1 AM KST/JST
Sydney: Dec 2, 3 AM AEDT
Auckland: Dec 2, 5 AM NZDT

If you're interested, you can also wishlist the game on your preferred store and pick it up as soon as it goes live.

Pricing and Editions

The game keeps things simple for digital buyers. The Digital Standard Edition, priced around $29.99, includes:

The full base game
All 15 heroes
Complete campaign
Co-op modes

Physical editions will include more extras depending on the version, though pricing varies by region and retailer. For now, you can pre-order the Standard physical edition for $39.99 on PS5/Xbox/Switch, and $49.99 on Switch 2, and the Deluxe physical edition for $59.99 on PS5/Xbox/Switch, and $69.99 on Switch 2.

Story: Inspired by Marvel’s Annihilation Event

Tribute Games isn’t just throwing heroes into random side-scrolling levels—the storyline is actually based on Marvel’s 2006 Annihilation comic event. According to developer breakdowns and Marvel’s own announcements, the narrative focuses on the villain Annihilus, who unleashes the Annihilation Wave from the Negative Zone. This sets off a catastrophic cosmic invasion that forces Earth’s mightiest teams to rally together.

As players, we’ll journey through iconic Marvel locations, including:

Wakanda
New York City
Asgard
The Negative Zone

Along the way, you’ll go up against memorable bosses such as Taskmaster, M.O.D.O.K., and of course, Annihilus himself. The game promises a “planet-hopping” adventure that blends street brawls with cosmic warfare, something Marvel fans don’t see often in retro-style games.

Playable Roster: 15 Heroes Confirmed

Tribute Games has confirmed a 15-character launch roster, mixing Avengers, X-Men, street-level fighters, and cosmic powerhouses. As per developer updates and trailers, these heroes are included:

Captain America
Spider-Man
Wolverine
Nova
Phyla-Vell
She-Hulk
Rocket Raccoon
Beta Ray Bill
Storm
Venom
Phoenix
Invincible Iron Man
Black Panther
Cosmic Ghost Rider
Silver Surfer

Gameplay Overview

If you grew up playing X-Men Arcade, Final Fight, or even Streets of Rage, this game will feel instantly familiar. Tribute Games uses hand-crafted, full-color pixel art that mirrors 90s Marvel comics, paired with smooth combo-heavy combat.

Key Features

Cosmic Swap System: Each player chooses two heroes, switching instantly mid-combo. Imagine web-slinging into an enemy as Spider-Man and tagging in Wolverine for a finishing slash combo. This mechanic encourages experimentation and layered team strategies.
Combat Mechanics: Expect light attacks, heavy attacks, dodges, hero-unique specials, and a Focus Super that clears the screen—a staple for classic beat ’em ups.
Co-Op Play: Up to four players, both local and online, with drop-in/drop-out functionality.
Modes
- Story Campaign
- Arcade Mode
Accessibility: Adaptive difficulty ensures newcomers, kids, or casual players can enjoy the game without getting stuck.