Two iconic Marvel games may soon make a comeback on Xbox platforms. Activision, once renowned for publishing some of the best Marvel-themed video games, saw its licenses for these titles expire, leaving classics like Deadpool and Marvel Ultimate Alliance out of reach for modern gamers. However, there’s speculation that this could change in the near future. On a recent episode of the Xbox Era podcast, co-host “Shpeshal” Nick Baker discussed a rumor suggesting that Xbox is negotiating with Marvel to make these games available again via backwards compatibility. As with any rumor, this should be approached with caution, but considering Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard last year, the possibility seems plausible.
The original Marvel Ultimate Alliance, which first hit the shelves in 2006, enjoyed a brief resurgence with a digital re-release on PS4, PC, and Xbox One in 2016. Sadly, it was pulled from digital stores just two years later. Meanwhile, Deadpool was released in 2013 and saw a re-release on PS4 and Xbox One in 2015, only to be delisted in 2017. Unlike Ultimate Alliance, physical copies of Deadpool were produced, meaning it’s still playable on PS5 and Xbox Series X-though these copies have become increasingly pricey on the secondary market in recent weeks.
Both Marvel Ultimate Alliance and Deadpool hold a special place in the hearts of Marvel fans, and their return would undoubtedly be welcomed, especially if Xbox can enhance their performance through the backwards compatibility program. While reviving licensed games is often fraught with challenges, there are signs that Xbox is keen on revisiting Activision’s back catalog. Earlier this year, rumors emerged about Activision’s Transformers games potentially receiving similar treatment on Xbox.
At this point, it’s unclear whether these Marvel games would resurface solely through Xbox’s backwards compatibility program or if they might receive a more significant re-release, possibly extending to other platforms. Given that several Xbox-published titles have been made available on PS5 and Nintendo Switch this year, this seems like a feasible option. For now, Marvel enthusiasts will have to remain patient and hopeful for the return of these beloved games.