Ranking the best-dressed characters of MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls

Sony Interactive just released its newest game, one that promises nonstop excitement for those who love nothing more than beating up digital avatars clad in the wildest costumes imaginable: MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls. 

This game takes some of Marvel’s most beloved superheroes and puts them into the classic tag-team fighting format. It’s unfortunately been plagued by some major bug issues since its launch, but for all of its glitchiness, there’s one thing many of its players agree on: the fashion is amazing!

From fashionable plays on well-known outfits to complete re-designs of classic costumes, the game offers some of the chicest versions of these Marvel heroes that players have ever seen.  

Let’s take a look at each of these outfits now and determine which of these iconic heroes is the best-dressed character of MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls!

Captain America

Deeply uninspired, this version of Captain America layers even more bulky fabric over the hero’s already dense costuming. It deserves some credit for being functional, with the elbow pads and numerous holsters offering a nice touch of realism. But in a game filled with unique takes on classic characters, this shapeless uniform absolutely deserves the title of worst dressed. 

Magneto

Coco Chanel said ‘Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off’ — Magneto definitely should’ve taken that advice and left that atrocious belt back on Asteroid M. It’s unfortunate because many parts of the outfit work; the rivets on his collar and the alternating textures offer a nuanced version of his usual costume. But a belt should compliment a piece, not upend it completely, with this accessory sadly dragging Magneto all the way down to nineteenth place. 

Wolverine

It’s clear that MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls wanted to embody the classic outfit that Wolverine wears in X-Men: The Animated Series. And in many ways, it succeeds…almost too well. Because in almost perfectly emulating the original — while adding some nice thematic storytelling through dents in the armor — it cements the hero as one of the least visually interesting of this dynamic bunch. 

Doctor Doom

The Supreme Ruler of Latveria appears in MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls to show that infernal magic and years of simping actually do a body very good. But it’s a body that, sadly, is largely hidden by the character’s drab cloak. But, with the scandalously short kilt and detailed metalwork on his limbs, Doom manages to stand out from the many bulky men on this list and save himself from the absolute bottom. 

Also, Magneto, take notes: this is how you wear a big belt. 

Ghost Rider

A demonic motorist with a penchant for punk flair Ghost Rider’s fashion should have been a slam dunk for MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls’ Ghost Rider…emphasis on ‘should have been.’ Because, while of course the flaming skull and chains are central to the character’s design, the game focuses solely on that and not on dressing up his basic jacket-jeans combo. It tries to spice things up with some burning fabric, but even these are too minimal to make up for this hellbound hero’s lack of style. 

Peni Parker

While Peni Parker costume is an all-around decent design, its lack of nuance leaves her overshadowed by the other heroes in this game. Both Peni and her hulking mech offer fun touches, like her oversized sweater and its huge panel ‘eyes,’ that help in showing the giddy energy of this young crimefighter. But, overall, it fails to offer anything exciting visually, a true sin especially when one part of this ensemble is literally a giant spider mech. 

Deadpool

The (canonically queer) merc with a mouth enters MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls’ guns blazing and looks…fine. Definitely not bad, as Deadpool’s classic appearance is captured perfectly in the game. But in trying to liven up the costume with random rivets and straps, the game only makes it too incoherent to work as a complete outfit. Love the cute logo on his belt, though!

Carnage

While this character is basically naked, Carnage’s shifting symbiotic skin offers a shocking level of detail; the haphazard spikes perfectly accent his fluid musculature and hint at the character’s inner chaos. Combine this with the black design work and the carnivorous tendrils flailing from his shoulders — just like Paris Hilton, this monstrosity uses his pets as an accessory — and Carnage offers a surprisingly fashionable visage for gamers to play as. 

Star-Lord

Star-Lord offers a fun spin on the costume fans love from the MCU’s Guardians of the Galaxy movies, adding in some inventive details like random armor pieces and a furry hood to show off the character’s nonchalant approach to saving the universe. It can get a tad overwhelming when taken all in at once, but it manages to give the space-faring hero a trendy look that would fit perfectly on any Winter-themed runway.   

Hulk

Every jock on Grindr just got this year’s Halloween costume, because this game gives a version of the Hulk that would fit in at any gay club. Largely clotheless — as Hulk is one to be — MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls’ version of the big green brickhouse dresses up his usual nudity with some furs and leather straps, with that collar of bone bringing the whole outfit together. Is it revolutionary? Of course not, ask anyone at a circuit party. But it is definitely eye-catching, finally giving Hulk the ‘smashingly’ sexy outfit he deserves. 

Spiderman

Your local neighborhood Spiderman swings into MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls with his classic costume, ready to take on any ‘big potato’ that comes his way. This version of his classic outfit comes with some delightful nuances, from varying tones of blue and grey to the very visible web-shooters serving as great accessories for a design that hasn’t changed much in more than 50 years. 

Magik

It’s hard to go wrong when it comes to an iconic woman with a giant sword! Magik — or Darkchylde, if ya nasty — features a fashionable simplicity that has made her design such a fan-favorite over the years. Her punk rock clothes are perfect accents to the hulking blue weapon she carries around like a handpurse, giving this entire outfit a chaotic style of cohesion that fits this chaotic hero perfectly. 

Ms. Marvel

Your local neighborhood hero — the other one — embiggens into MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and along with her positive attitude, she brings her iconic costume. The reds, yellows, and blues of each piece mesh perfectly, with her billowing scarf adding a wondrous flair of drama that the heroine wears well. Add in the traditional eye mask and beat-em-up gloves, and Ms. Marvel, despite being one of the youngest characters, offers an elegant spin on your classic superhero costume.

Green Goblin

True icons can make even utter insanity look good, and that is exactly what players get with this version of the Green Goblin. This outfit completely innovates the Goblin fans know, trading out his usual sharp edges for flowing fabric and medeival-esque plate armor. The entire ensemble comes together to create the perfect costume for this unhinged villain — one who can, apparently, assemble outfits just as well as he can a pumpkin bomb. 

Blade

Blade’s outfit in MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls manages to be the messiest — yet somehow one of the most fashionable — costumes of this entire cast. Does the vampire-hunter need three belts and swords? Probably not. But the gold accents of his countless accessories perfectly contract the high-fashion gothic style of his raven-black coat. And the jawed bit of red armor jutting out from his sleeve? A perfect focal point to a scrambled, utterly iconic outfit. 

Iron Man

While many of these characters preserve their classic costumes, Iron Man does the opposite — and gives this genius billionaire an absolutely sickening waist in the process. The detail on this outfit is unmatched; each piece of his suit interlocks to create an almost hypnotic patterns across the outfit. Add in the ode to Gundam style of his Arc Reactor and helmet, and MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls offers a version of Iron Man that is as visually jaw-dropping as it is deadly. 

Danger

A rather deep-cut X-Men character, Danger knew she had to come into MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls serving — and, oh, did she deliver! This protocol-come-to-life offers a cinched metal ensemble that perfectly mixes the light blue of her metal plating with the dazzling circuitry that keeps her body pumping. It’s clear that when designing her body, this hero knew that you can’t train the world’s greatest heroes if you don’t look good. 

Loki

A character known for his love of all things dramatic, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls’ version of Loki is no different; the character’s saucy deep V offsets the scaly emeralds and golds that make up his outfit. Add in some gorgeous horns — we love a headpiece! — and it’s clear that Loki plans to use his charms as well as his ancient magics to take down opponents. 

Storm

Was there ever any question that Storm would be near the top of this list? This Omega Level mutant is always dressed to impress, and MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls is no different; her black and white body suit calls back to her previous fashions while offering a modern style of her weather-wielding opulence. Combine that with yet another amazing headpiece and stylish heels, and Storm cements herself as not only one of Marvel’s strongest heroes, but one of its most glamorous. 

Black Panther

And, finally, we come to the best-dressed of the entire MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls lineup: the leader of Wakanda herself, Black Panther. It’s impossible not to love this outfit’s many elements; from the intricate linework, to the gold bands that punctuate its black textures, to the way it incorporates purple in small ways to carry the thematic storyline of its royal cape. All of this comes together to create a complex image of lethally stylish royalty, with there being only one true word to describe Black Panther’s outfit: Queen. 

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