Summary
- Marvel fans may finally get to replay classic games like Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and Deadpool on Xbox.
- Microsoft, now owning Activision, is rumored to be working on bringing back these beloved Marvel titles.
- The success of the recent Deadpool and Wolverine film may be driving the interest in re-licensing these old games.
Fans have wished for the chance to replay classic Marvel games like the original Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and the 2013 Deadpool title for a very long time, and a recent rumor suggests that Microsoft is looking for a way to bring them to the Xbox storefront. Before the likes of Insomniac's Spider-Man games achieved major success, Activision held the license to several Marvel properties, resulting in influential hits like the first Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and the X-Men Origins: Wolverine tie-in, as well as cult classics like Deadpool’s own standalone game.
Unfortunately for fans of these old Marvel video games, titles like Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and Deadpool have been trapped in legal limbo since Activision lost its Marvel licensing rights in 2016. While Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and its 2009 sequel would remain available to purchase on Steam for at least two more years, they were eventually pulled from all digital storefronts - meaning that the only way to play them at the moment is to be lucky enough to already have a physical copy. The same rings true for the 2013 Deadpool game, which was also removed from all digital storefronts in late 2017.
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This might be changing soon, at least according to reliable gaming insider Shpeshal Nick. On the latest episode of the XboxEra podcast, he said that he’s been hearing word that Microsoft, who now owns Activision, is trying to work through the process of regaining the rights to release Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and 2013’s Deadpool on its Xbox storefront.
Rumor: Microsoft Could Be Trying To Bring Back Classic Marvel Games
Of course, this is merely a secondhand rumor, and Shpeshal Nick didn’t specify when fans could see Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and Deadpool relaunch for Xbox. However, a major factor in Microsoft’s reported interest in these games could be the massive success of Deadpool and Wolverine. Wade Wilson’s latest big-screen outing has drawn attention to his standalone video game, with prices for pre-owned PS4 copies of Deadpool skyrocketing since the movie hit theaters late last month.
Likewise, all three Marvel: Ultimate Alliance games feature Deadpool and Wolverine as playable characters, along with many of the other Marvel heroes that made surprise cameos in the massive crossover film. If this latest rumor is true, then Microsoft could be looking to capitalize on the success of Deadpool and Wolverine by re-licensing some of Activision’s old Marvel titles, which could be welcome news for fans of older superhero games like Deadpool and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.
Marvel
Marvel is a brand associated with a wide array of popular superhero comics, movies, television shows, and merchandise. The company owns the rights to popular characters like The Avengers, Spider-Man, Black Panther, Deadpool, and many more.
