Capcom's three-on-three arcade game, featuring popular characters from previous action, shooting, and fighting titles, comes to the PS2 with this release of Marvel vs. Capcom 2. Over 50 characters are available to fight as or against, two-dozen of which are initially playable. Each combatant offers a variety of aerial maneuvers, special attacks, and projectile blasts as players attempt to defeat their opponent's team.

Rather than having all three characters fight on the screen at once, players swap fighters in and out of the match at any time, even for a single attack on an opponent. The remaining two characters rest on the sidelines until called upon to assist. In addition to a health bar, each fighter has a separate meter used for Hyper Combo attacks that can be powered-up to five increasingly destructive levels.

Besides directly switching characters during a fight, players can press one of two assist buttons to have one of their teammates perform a pre-selected attack or defensive maneuver. If an opponent has unleashed an aerial attack, for example, pressing the assist button might have the second or third character enter the screen to perform an anti-air maneuver, thus leaving the primary fighter free from harm.

Notable characters include Mega Man, Dr. Doom, Cyclops, Captain Commando, Cable, Jill Valentine, Wolverine, Spider-Man, Ryu, Strider, Hulk, Captain America, Morrigan, and Tron Bonne. Game modes consist of Arcade, Score Attack, Vs, and Training. Hidden characters, bonus stages, extra costumes, and additional colors can be unlocked using points earned by competing in the various modes of play.