Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls is Arc System Works' upcoming 4v4 tag-fighter built around Marvel characters, and it launches on August 6, 2026. Before you spend a cent, there's a free Open Beta running the weekend of July 24-26 on both PC and PlayStation 5. No sign-ups required, no pre-order necessary. You just download and play. Here's every confirmed detail about what to expect.
When does the Open Beta start and end?
The Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls Open Beta runs from July 24 to July 26, giving players a full weekend with the game. Arc System Works hasn't published exact start or end times yet, but the previous Closed Beta in December 2025 kicked off at 12 AM PT and ran for 72 hours straight. If the same schedule applies, you're looking at a clean 48-hour window across the weekend.
Open Beta character select
Here's how that estimated 12 AM PT start converts across major time zones:
| Region | Time Zone | Estimated Start | Estimated End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific | PT | 12:00 AM, July 24 | 12:00 AM, July 26 |
| Central | CT | 2:00 AM, July 24 | 2:00 AM, July 26 |
| Eastern | ET | 3:00 AM, July 24 | 3:00 AM, July 26 |
| Brasilia | BRT | 4:00 AM, July 24 | 4:00 AM, July 26 |
| British Summer | BST | 8:00 AM, July 24 | 8:00 AM, July 26 |
| Central European Summer | CEST | 9:00 AM, July 24 | 9:00 AM, July 26 |
| China Standard | CST | 3:00 PM, July 24 | 3:00 PM, July 26 |
| Korean Standard | KST | 4:00 PM, July 24 | 4:00 PM, July 26 |
| Japan Standard | JST | 4:00 PM, July 24 | 4:00 PM, July 26 |
| Australian Eastern | AET | 5:00 PM, July 24 | 5:00 PM, July 26 |
| New Zealand Standard | NZST | 7:00 PM, July 24 | 7:00 PM, July 26 |
What platforms can you play the Open Beta on?
The Open Beta is available on PC and PlayStation 5. Access is completely free and open to everyone, with no pre-order or prior beta sign-up needed.
What characters are confirmed for the Open Beta?
Arc System Works hasn't released the full playable roster for the Open Beta yet, but one confirmed addition stands out: Blade, who was revealed as part of the Samurai Outriders team, will be playable during the beta. New stages and game modes are also confirmed to be included.
Beyond Blade, Arc System Works has indicated there's more to announce soon. Based on the December 2025 Closed Beta, the following 8 characters were playable at that stage:
- Ghost Rider
- Spider-Man
- Captain America
- Iron Man
- Storm
- Doctor Doom
- Ms. Marvel
- Star-Lord
Whether all of these return for the Open Beta hasn't been confirmed, but given Blade's announcement specifically references him joining that group, the December roster is a reasonable baseline for what to expect.
Why should you play the Open Beta?
The full game drops August 6, 2026. The Open Beta gives you a free weekend to test the 4v4 tag-team format before committing. Fighting games in this genre live or die on how the tag mechanics feel, how the roster suits your playstyle, and whether the netcode holds up online. A weekend of free hands-on time answers all three questions before any money changes hands.
Arc System Works built their reputation on games like Guilty Gear and Dragon Ball FighterZ, so the foundation for a technical, combo-heavy fighter is there. The Open Beta is the right time to find out if the Marvel roster and tag format work for you specifically.
For players who want to go deeper into the game before and after launch, the Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls guides collection will have you covered with character breakdowns, team compositions, and mechanics explanations as more content gets confirmed.
4v4 tag-team format in action
How does Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls compare to other fighting games?
The 4v4 tag structure sets it apart from most of the current fighting games on the market. Most tag fighters cap out at 2v2 or 3v3, so running four characters per side opens up team-building options that most genre fans haven't had to think about before. Whether that translates into a deeper competitive experience or just a longer learning curve is exactly what the Open Beta is designed to answer.
Keep an eye on Arc System Works' official channels for the confirmed start times and the complete character list as the beta date approaches. For everything else you need before launch, the full Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls game page has the latest updates on roster reveals, modes, and release details.
