The closed beta for Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls officially kicks off today, giving selected PlayStation 5 players the first chance to experience Arc System Works’ highly anticipated Marvel fighting game. Invites began rolling out earlier this week, with participants required to register through the PlayStation Beta Program in order to confirm access.
Some testers have reported that the beta is appearing in their libraries ahead of the official access email, though the developers have reassured that this is part of the normal rollout process. Participants are encouraged to check both their inboxes and PlayStation libraries to ensure they are ready for the opening sessions.
The closed beta runs from September 6 at 1:00 PM JST until September 8 at 12:00 AM JST, and includes multiple scheduled sessions across global time zones. Each session begins with thirty minutes of CPU battles before player matchmaking is enabled.
Closed Beta Session Schedule:
- Session 1: Sept 5, 21:00–3:00 PDT | Sept 6, 13:00–19:00 JST | Sept 6, 4:00–10:00 UTC
- Session 2: Sept 6, 5:00–11:00 PDT | Sept 6, 21:00–3:00 JST | Sept 6, 12:00–18:00 UTC
- Session 3: Sept 6, 13:00–19:00 PDT | Sept 7, 5:00–11:00 JST | Sept 6, 20:00–2:00 UTC
- Session 4: Sept 7, 3:00–8:00 PDT | Sept 7, 19:00–0:00 JST | Sept 7, 10:00–15:00 UTC
The beta test will provide Arc System Works and Sony Interactive Entertainment valuable feedback to refine the game ahead of launch. Participants are also bound by the PlayStation Beta Program’s confidentiality terms, meaning test footage and impressions cannot be shared publicly.
Announced in June 2025, Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls brings together Marvel Comics’ heroes and villains in a new tag-based fighting system. Players begin with a single fighter and an assist character, gradually unlocking a full 4v4 lineup by meeting in-game conditions such as damage thresholds or stage transitions known as Wall Breaks. The system aims to balance accessibility for newcomers with depth suited for competitive play.
The project is the result of Sony’s collaboration with Marvel Games and Arc System Works, known for Guilty Gear and Dragon Ball FighterZ. The roster will feature a mix of iconic Marvel names and more obscure selections, giving long-time fans a broader variety of characters than previous Marvel fighting titles.
Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls is set to release for PlayStation 5 and Windows in 2026.
