Entering the Fray: Your Guide to Playing Marvel Rivals

Updated: 8th June 2025 3 min read

Marvel Rivals, the electrifying 6v6 superhero shooter, has quickly become a gravitational center in the multiplayer gaming universe. As players clamor to don their favorite hero’s mantle, a fundamental question emerges: where can you actually play this visually stunning and action-packed title? The answer is rooted in current-generation gaming, ensuring a smooth and immersive experience for all.

Developed by NetEase Games in collaboration with Marvel Games, Marvel Rivals launched on December 6, 2024, and is a free-to-play title. This means that an epic showdown with your favorite Marvel characters is just a download away, without any upfront cost.

The Battlegrounds: Where Marvel Rivals Thrives

Currently, Marvel Rivals is officially available on the following robust platforms, designed to handle its Unreal Engine 5 demands:

  • PC: Windows users have dual access to the game via two of the most popular digital storefronts:
    • Steam
    • Epic Games Store
  • PlayStation 5 (PS5): Console enthusiasts can jump into the action by downloading the game directly from the PlayStation Store.
  • Xbox Series X/S:Xbox players are also covered, with the game readily available for download through the Xbox Marketplace for both the Series X and Series S consoles.

This comprehensive platform support ensures that a wide array of gamers, whether they prefer the precision of a keyboard and mouse or the immersive feel of a controller, can participate in the hero-vs-hero battles.

Uniting the Multiverse: The Power of Crossplay

One of Marvel Rivals’ most anticipated features is its robust crossplay functionality. This allows players across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S to team up and compete together in most game modes. Imagine a PlayStation 5 player coordinating tactics with an Xbox Series X/S user, or a PC gamer joining forces with their console-bound friends – the possibilities for heroic team-ups are vast.

However, a strategic division exists for competitive integrity: ranked play is separated. Console players (PS5 and Xbox Series X/S) are matched exclusively with each other in ranked queues, while PC players compete within their own dedicated ranked pool. This thoughtful design aims to maintain fairness, acknowledging the inherent differences in control schemes and hardware capabilities between PC and console gaming environments.

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The Uncharted Territories: Where Marvel Rivals Isn’t (Yet)

For those holding onto older hardware or hoping for mobile adventures, the current landscape of Marvel Rivals‘ availability is clear:

  • Older Consoles: Marvel Rivals is not available on the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. The game’s sophisticated graphics and demanding engine necessitate the power of current-generation systems.
  • Nintendo Switch: While there have been whispers and hints about a potential future release on a “Switch 2” (or a successor console), nothing is confirmed for the Nintendo Switch at this time.
  • Mobile Devices:Despite some initial speculation, the official launch of Marvel Rivals does not include a mobile version.

Getting Started: Your Launchpad to Heroics

Ready to join the fight? Here’s how to quickly get Marvel Rivals onto your system:

  • PC: Simply navigate to either the Steam or Epic Games Store website or application, search for “Marvel Rivals,” and initiate the free download.
  • PS5: Head directly to the PlayStation Store on your console, locate “Marvel Rivals,” and begin the installation process.
  • Xbox Series X/S: Access the Xbox Marketplace from your console, search for the game, and start your download.

The Road Ahead: Cross-Progression on the Horizon

While crossplay is a current reality, cross-progression (the ability to carry your game progress, unlocks, and purchases seamlessly between different platforms) is not yet available in Marvel Rivals. Your in-game achievements and collected items are currently tied to the specific platform on which you play.

However, the developers have openly stated that they are actively working on implementing this highly anticipated feature in the future, promising an even more flexible gaming experience down the line.

In essence, Marvel Rivals is meticulously designed for powerful, current-generation hardware and PC, ensuring smooth gameplay and expansive crossplay capabilities for the majority of players.

As the game continues to evolve, new features—and potentially new platform horizons—may emerge. But for now, if you’re eager to join the epic battles of the Marvel Universe, a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, or a capable PC is your ticket to entry.

Written by:

Christian