Dotemu is once again setting the stage for a revival of retro-style 2D games. Its recent successes include remakes of beloved franchises such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, Metal Slug Tactics, and Streets of Rage 4. The company also has a strong legacy in porting well-known titles, particularly within the Final Fantasy series and various Neo Geo games.
In 2025, Dotemu is further tapping into nostalgia with the release of Ninja Gaiden Ragebound and Marvel Cosmic Invasion, developed in partnership with Tribute Games. Following a hands-on preview of this new side-scrolling arcade beat-’em-up at Summer Game Fest 2025, it’s clear that the evolution from Shredder’s Revenge is impressive and worthy of the superhero franchise it represents.
During the demo, I was tasked with selecting two heroes from a lineup of seven: Captain America, Nova, Storm, Venom, Wolverine, Spider-Man, and Phyla-Vell. Each hero boasts unique abilities and moves, marking an advancement from Shredder’s Revenge, where the Ninja Turtles had more uniform playstyles.
My journey began in the iconic streets of New York, where I immediately encountered Annihilus’s minions. Players control one hero at a time, with the option to switch effortlessly between characters. Each hero offers an array of attacks, from swift jabs to powerful strikes, in both ground and aerial combat. Additionally, players can execute a super attack by combining attack buttons, sacrificing some health in the process—a classic mechanic that adds depth to the gameplay.
Selecting the right combination of heroes is crucial, given their distinct attributes. For instance, Nova is adept at long-range combat with his energy wave abilities, while Wolverine excels in close-quarters battles. The ability to alternate between heroes allows for strategic combat; if facing enemies with ranged attacks, switching to Nova becomes a tactical choice.
This dynamic adds a layer of strategy that elevates the experience beyond mere button-mashing. Players can summon their inactive character for a single attack if they are low on health, providing a momentary respite during intense battles.
The combat itself is engaging, with each strike delivering a satisfying impact. The super attacks are particularly eye-catching, creating vibrant visual effects that often clear the battlefield of enemies—Storm’s electrifying moves evoke nostalgia reminiscent of her powers in the Marvel vs. Capcom series.
The demo also featured intriguing boss battles against Beetle, who is influenced by Annihilus’s thralls, and Taskmaster, showcasing his usual prowess. True to classic beat-’em-up form, these encounters unfold in stages with health bars indicating the boss’s stamina. Notably, each boss had a blue shield around their health bar that had to be depleted before inflicting direct damage, introducing a new layer of difficulty and strategic gameplay.
Overall, my experience with Marvel Cosmic Invasion was exactly as anticipated: exhilarating combat, challenging bosses, and a strong sense of 2D nostalgia, showcasing Tribute Games’s ability to recapture the essence of classic arcade games. Though the game introduces several fresh elements, including varied hero abilities and novel boss mechanics, it remains reminiscent of the titles I cherished in my youth. Perfecting that nostalgic appeal is likely to be key to Marvel Cosmic Invasion’s success upon its release.
Scheduled to launch later this year, Marvel Cosmic Invasion will be available on platforms including Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.