Geek Alert! Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Confirmed!!

Let's attempt a little exercise, shall we? Think of the two geekiest things you can imagine. The two things you associate the most with the nerd life style. Got them? More likely than not, the two things you came up with are video games and comic books. And what better for all the geeks out there (like me) than a means of bringing those to mythical mediums together? No, I'm not talking about a video game based on a comic book, or a comic book based on a video game, but instead a video game in which comic heroes go toe-to-toe with some of our favorite video game stars in a fight to the death. It's uber-nerdage meets uber-pwnage; a way to finally answer the eternal questions like "who would win in a fight: Mega Man or Iron Man" and "do you think Ryu's haduken fireball is stronger than Cyclops's optical blast?"

And such is the beauty of the Marvel vs. Capcom series of video games. If you have ever stepped foot inside an arcade (or a Nathan's or Dave & Buster's or Jillian's), you have seen a MvC machine in action (most likely MvC2, the superior sequel). With a roster of over 50 combatants and game play like a hyper-evolved version of Street Fighter 2, MvC lets players craft teams of 3 fighters to pit against each other in combat. Fighters can be tagged in and out at will, and can team up to unleash some devastating special attacks. And now, 10 years after the release of MvC2, fans can finally rejoice: the long awaited third entry is on it's way, HD graphics and all. A final roster hasn't been released yet for MvC3, but based on the first trailer, we know that the game will feature Wolverine, Hulk, Iron Man, Ryu (Street Fighter), Morrigan (Dalkstalkers), and newcomer Chris Redfield (Resident Evil). With the rest of the roster left open, all us gamer/comic fans are left to speculate what other new superheroes and video game stars will enter the ring to duke it out. So, I have chosen eight potential fighter (4 from the Marvel Universe, and 4 from the Capcom video game IPs) that I would love to see included in MvC3. [NOTE: I have chosen not to include any characters that have appeared in previous MvC titles. So while I of course want to see Gambit, Magneto, Psylocke, Mega Man, M. Bison, and Captain Commando all make return appearances, they aren't worth listing here as they have technically already made the cut].

Marvel Universe

Mr. Fantastic: How obscure Marvel characters like Blackheart, Shuma-Gorath, and Sprial made appearances in MvC2, and not a single member of the Fantastic Four got a slot is well beyond me. So to right this wrong, I'd love to see at least one of the Four get a bid. The Thing would be too much like the Hulk, the Human Torch is a little too obvious, and the Invisible Woman is just a push over (who wants to fight as an invisible character anyway?). So that leaves Reed Richards, better know as Mr. Fantastic. And with his super-stretchiness, Mr. Fantastic would be the perfect candidate for a flashy fighting game like MvC3. Not only could he punch and kick across the screen like Street Fighter's Dhalsim, but he could also transform his limbs into weapons like mallets and maces for extra melee damage or roll around like a boulder.

Mandarin: One of Marvel's most powerful but oft-forgotten supervillains, Mandarin would be perfect for MvC3 for one reason and one reason alone: versatility. For those of you unfamiliar with the character, Mandarin's powers come from the ten rings he wears on his fingers. Each ring has a different power that Mandarin can use to tear apart his victims, including one that shoots fire, one that shoots ice, one that creates pitch blackness, and one that amplifies Mandarin's mental abilities and provides for mind reading and the creation of hallucinations. Clearly, each ring could be tied to its own different attack move. And for his finishing move? Well he'd use all the rings together for one powerful mega blast. And seeing as he is also well versed in martial arts, Mandarin would be no push over in melee combat either.

Cannonball: Another more obscure Marvel character, Cannonball would be an extremely formidable opponent to fight against in MvC3. Originally a member of the New Mutants and later an X-Man, Cannonball has the unique ability to release large amounts of thermal energy around his body that he uses to propel himself through the air like a...cannonball. This allows him to travel at great speeds and crash into opponents for massive damage, which plays directly into one of the more creative aspects of the MvC series: aerial combat. MvC puts a large focus on "juggling combos," where players knock their enemy into the air and then continues pummel them in midair. Cannonball could pull off these moves effortlessly. Also, simple punches and kicks become devastating with his ability to detonate the area around his limbs.

Green Goblin: I like a good balance of heroes and villains in my video games, so for the fourth slot I decided to pick another bad guy. And who better than the deranged Green Goblin. I prefer a depiction more akin to the Spider-Man comic books than the movie franchise personally. As a fighter, the Goblin would have a veritable never-ending bag of tricks: pumpkin bombs, the multi-functional Goblin Glider, and of course, his superhuman strength and agility. Goblin would be formidable both on the ground and in the air, summoning the Glider whenever he needs to take to the sky for aerial attacks. Plus, wouldn't it be nice to get a chance to beat that goofy grin off of his green face?

Capcom Universe

Sir Arthur: Much like Mr. Fantastic, I find it hard to believe that Sir Arthur from the Ghosts 'n Goblins series never appeared in MvC or MvC2. Truly one of Capcom's flagship characters, Arthur is all business. His games are punishingly difficult. His lance is sharp and ready to slay. His boxer shorts are...er...polka-dotted. And while his earlier arsenal may seem limited, if the Super Ghosts 'n Ghouls version is used, Arthur will have a whole slew of different magical weapons and attacks at his disposal. Perhaps in the same vein as Jill Valentine from MvC2, he could even summon a ghost, ghoul, or demon to come to his aid. Really, it may just be worth it to see those hysterical boxers again.

Zero: Anyone who has played the Mega Man X games can attest to the fact that Zero is like 300 times cooler than Mega Man (regular or X-version). In any of those titles that let me choose between the blue bomber or his long-haired red comrade, I will without fail opt for the latter. You see, not only does Zero have an arm cannon like Mega Man (and in some depictions, a much stronger one), he also carries a light saber-esque beam sword. Clearly, this would grant Zero the ability to fight from both long range and up close. He could also use some of the weapons he utilizes in the Mega Man Zero series, such as the whip-like Triple Rod and the Shield Boomerang. And with that flowing mane of golden locks, he'd look damn-snazzy doing it.

Mike Haggar: Haggar is probably the most recognizable Capcom character on this list. From the classic Final Fight series, Haggar is the mayor of the fictional Metro City, who takes the law into his own hands (well, fists) to clear out the members of the evil Mad Gear with his after they kidnap his daughter. Haggar's got some anger issues and a mighty upper-body. As such, any character, super-powered or not, would think twice about going toe-to-toe with him. Of course, Haggar would have his signature spinning fists attack, and would probably be a talented grappler. In this regard he may be too similar Zangief, the Russian combatant from the Street Fighter games, but if I had to choose one, I'd go with the American Haggar for his sheer bad-assery.

Dante: With the shift from the PlayStation and N64 to the Xbox, PS2, and GameCube, game designers finally had the horse power to create some really flashy action games. And none were flashier than Devil May Cry and its sequels. DMC had some of the most stylized, visually pleasing action of any game of the generation. Accordingly, Dante, the series' protagonist, would be ideal for MvC3. His twin pistols, swords, and interchangeable fighting styles give him versatility. His ability to change into demon form gives him some potentially crazy special attacks. And his red trench coat, black boots, and white hair give him a fashionable flair that simply can't be matched. Here's hoping he wears a shirt under that trench coat, lest he be just a bit too flashy.