Marvel Super Heroes 3: The Initiative

Marvel Super Heroes 3: The Initiative (マーヴル・スーパーヒーローズ, Māvuru Sūpā Hīrōzu) is a fighting video game developed by Mad Man Ninja Studios and published by Capcom based on characters from the Marvel Comics line. It followed the installment of SEGA VS Capcom series (Worlds Collide and Worlds Unite), and is a direct follow-up to Marvel Super Heroes 2: Civil War.

The game is based on "The Initiative" storyline of the Marvel Universe, a 2007 crossover storyline limited series of the same published by Marvel at the time.

The plot of the series follows the aftermath of the Civil War. The pro-registration side stood victorious over the anti-registration and Tony Stark was appointed Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. The 50-States Initiative was launched, which called for one S.H.I.E.L.D. sponsored superhuman team for each state. The first group of young heroes were sent to 'Hero Boot Camp' located at Camp Hammond, in Stamford, Connecticut, the site of the explosion that launched the Civil War. There, the trainees learned how to respond and adapt to different situations.

Marvel Super Heroes 3 was released in December 2024 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Samsung Zeo and Microsoft Windows.

Gameplay
Marvel Super Heroes 3 carries on the 2D fighting gameplay of the Marvel Super Heroes Series, in which two fighters use a variety of attacks and special abilities to knock out their opponent. The game features the EX gauge just like its predecessor, which builds as the player lands attacks and can be used to either power up special moves or perform super combos known as Heroes Techniques. Also, it features the "Z-Gauge", implemented in other Capcom franchises, which builds as the player receives attacks and adds four new techniques: Z-Skills, Z-Reversals, Z-Triggers, and Z-Shifts. Z-Skills are special attacks unique to each fighter; for example, She-Hulk can parry an attack while Iron Man can reflect projectiles, some of which build Z-Gauge when successfully performed. Z-Reversals allow players to use a section of the Z-Gauge to perform a counter move whilst being attacked. Similarly, Z-Shifts use one section of the Z-Gauge to dodge and potentially counter an incoming attack. Finally, Z-Triggers use the entire Z-Gauge to allow the player to perform a unique ability, such as a temporary damage boost for Iron Man's energy blasts or added hits to Spider-Man's attacks. The game also features an interactive arena, showcasing special animations when a player is defeated at the edge of the arena.

The game offers various offline and online single-player and multiplayer game modes. The offline features include Story Mode, with a cinematic story campaign; Arcade Mode, a classic arcade game experience where players fight against several AI-controlled opponents before confronting the final boss characters; Mission Mode, where players can complete tutorial missions and character-specific challenges; Training Mode, where players can practice their fighting abilities and adjust various training field parameters; Versus Player 2, where two players can battle against each other locally; Versus CPU, where players can battle solo against an AI-controlled opponent; and Collection Mode, where extras unlocked through gameplay are stored, including story cutscenes, character and stage information, concept artwork, and audio tracks. Online multiplayer includes ranked and casual matches, global leaderboards and replays.

Trivia

 * Marvel Super Heroes 3 has the largest roster in a Marvel fighting game, with 97 playable characters being 32 of them DLC distributed in four seasons.
 * The Initiative follows the idea of expanding the roster of heroes displayed in the Marvel games, aiming new fans to less popular characters.
 * It is the first apperance of over half of the roster in a fighting game as playable characters.
 * Marvel Super Heroes 3: The Initiative is the fifth installment in the collaboration beetween Marvel and Mad Man Ninja Studios as a developer company, after Marvel Super Heroes 2: Civil War and the Midnight Sons Trilogy (Marvel: Midnight Sons, Midnigh Sons 2: Higway to Hell and Midnight Sons 3: Search for the Sorcerer Supreme).
 * Proeminent celebrities have publicly stated their passion for Marvel Super Heroes 3, such as notorius streamers Tyler 'Ninja' Blevins and Daigo Umehara, actors Chris Evans and Oscar Isaac, and athletes like Josh Jacobs, Davante Adams, Paul Pogba and Kenny Omega.