Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 for Nintendo Switch: The ultimate guide

Marvel fans rejoiced at The Game Awards 2018 when Marvel Ultimate Alliance made a triumphant return, its last installment having launched all the way back in 2009. With the Marvel Cinematic Universe ever-expanding with film after film, it only makes sense that Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 might appear to bring everyone's favorite Marvel characters together for one big video game adventure on the Nintendo Switch.

Here's everything we know about Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3.

What is Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3?

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 is the third installment in its series of action role-playing games set in the Marvel Universe and including a number of the universe's characters, though it's the first to be published by Nintendo and also exclusively on a Nintendo system. Like its predecessors, you'll be able to assemble teams of Marvel characters to complete missions while moving through areas and using the abilities of your team to fight off enemies. Past games have featured multiple endings and optional side missions.

Do I need to have played other Marvel Ultimate Alliance games?

Not at all! Though some familiarity with the Marvel universe is helpful when assembling teams or just to understand the characters and story, in general, you can go into Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 entirely blind and have the universe make sense to you — it's entirely standalone. Fans of Marvel movies, comics, or games may find far more references and easter eggs than novices, though, so this game is recommended especially for those who already know the cinematic universe well.

What is the story about?

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 takes place alongside the recent Avengers films, with characters racing to collect the Infinity Stones before Thanos and The Black Order. Both Marvel heroes and villains are playable, and you'll visit locations such as the Avengers Tower, the X-Mansion, and elsewhere. However, it features a new, original story that isn't just a straight retelling of the movies, so even if you know every detail of the recent films, you'll still find plenty of surprises.

How do I play?

The gameplay of Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 is relatively similar to its predecessors. For a given mission, you'll assemble a team of four characters, taking control of one of them at a time as you move through dungeon-like levels and fight off enemies. Each character has a different set of abilities that can be used against foes, and putting together a team that works well together is key to finishing each level. This is especially true as characters have special abilities that can be unleashed as powerful finishers, and there are massive team attacks that combine the powers of multiple members of your group.

One feature that's been touted is the game's "Heroic Camera," which allows players to pick a more zoomed-in view of the action than the traditional camera. However, this is only usable in single-player, or in multiplayer if multiple systems are being used.

Can I play with a friend?

Yes! Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 can be played with up to four players either online or via local multiplayer. Since your team is a squad of four, each player can take control of a different character and work together to fight off enemies.

Is there DLC?

Yes, there are currently three DLC packs available for Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order. The third and final DLC, "Fantastic Four: Shadow of Doom," also gives you access to the previous two DLC packs, which were "Marvel Knights: Curse of the Vampire" and "X-Men: Rise of the Phoenix."

To get the DLC, you need the Expansion Pass, which costs $19.99. The Fantastic Four pack gives you the Doctor Doom content, and the "Marvel Knights: Curse of the Vampire" DLC brings characters like Punisher, Blade, Moon Knight, and Morbius. You'll find Phoenix, Gambit, Ice Man, and Cable in "X-Men: Rise of the Phoenix." Gauntlet Mode was first introduced in the Curse of the Vampire DLC, and a Danger Room mode was added with the Rise of the Phoenix DLC.

What characters will be in the game?

The following characters are playable in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3:

• Black Panther
• Black Widow
• Blade (DLC)
• Cable (DLC)
• Captain America
• Captain Marvel
• Colossus
• Crystal
• Cyclops
• Daredevil
• Deadpool
• Doctor Doom (DLC)
• Doctor Strange
• Drax the Destroyer
• Elektra
• Elsa Bloodstone
• Falcon
• Gambit (DLC)
• Gamora
• Ghost Rider
• Groot and Rocket Raccoon
• Hawkeye
• Hulk
• Human Torch (DLC)
• Iceman (DLC)
• Invisible Woman (DLC)
• Iron Fist
• Iron Man
• Loki
• Luke Cage
• Magneto
• Miles Morales
• Mister Fantastic (DLC)
• Moon Knight (DLC)
• Morbius (DLC)
• Ms. Marvel
• Nightcrawler
• Phoenix (DLC)
• Psylocke
• Punisher (DLC)
• Scarlet Witch
• Spider-Gwen
• Spider-Man
• Star-Lord
• Storm
• Thanos
• Thor
• Venom
• Wasp
• Wolverine

Don't worry, you'll still see far more familiar faces than just those, but not all characters you'll encounter are playable. Lots of familiar villains will appear, including Ultron, Thanos, Green Goblin, Juggernaut, Mysterio, and more. And other familiar Marvel friends, such as Ant-Man and Jessica Jones, will appear as NPCs.

How much does the game cost?

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 released on the Nintendo Switch on July 19, 2019 in both physical and digital form. It costs $60 for the base game, and another $20 for all of the DLC.

Any questions about Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3?

Looking for more info about Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3? Let me know in the comments!

Updated April 2020 Added information about the DLC and updated the list of playable characters.