Spidey swings at Ryu, Chun-Li kicks up a Storm, and Hawkeye takes a shot at Phoenix Wright, through a button-punching fury of special attacks and combo moves. In the style of its high-def predecessors, and in the tradition of its 1990s arcade inspiration, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 pits an expansive selection of Marvel Comics characters and Capcom veterans in heated, 2D-style fighting. The addition of 12 characters, new to the series or returning from a long absence, brings the game's roster to 50 playable fighters, including two downloadable heroes.

From the pages of Marvel, Doctor Strange, Ghost Rider, Hawkeye, Iron Fist, Nova, and Rocket Racoon are introduced to the long-running rivalry. Hailing from Capcom's side of the aisle are newcomers Firebrand, Dead Rising's Frank West, Nemesis from Resident Evil, Phoenix Wright, Strider Hiryu, and Devil May Cry's Vergil. In standard modes, players choose a team of three characters to fight in successive one-on-one battles. Successful button-mashing attacks quickly fill the "Hyper Combo" gauge, and as in the original Marvel vs. Capcom 3, the X-Factor can be used to temporarily speed up attacks and increase damage.