Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes is a single-player and multiplayer 2D tag-team fighting game. It brings together characters from Marvel comics and Capcom franchises and frames them in a loose crossover where teams of three heroes or villains battle across a series of stages. The player’s objective is to select a trio, manage active and reserve fighters, and defeat opposing teams across arcade ladders or versus play.

Core combat centers on three-on-three team mechanics. Players choose a point character and two reserves, then switch mid-match using tags and assists. Each teammate has three selectable assist types, commonly labeled Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, which determine the move performed when called from off-screen. Assists can extend combos, cover approaches, or defend space, and they can be struck by the opponent if used recklessly. Super meters are shared across the team and power Hyper Combos, Team Hyper Combos that bring in partners, and delayed sequences that chain one character’s super into the next.

Movement and offense emphasize verticality and aerial pressure. Launchers send opponents into the air for extended “Aerial Rave” combos, super jumps help chase follow-ups, and advancing guard, often called pushblock, creates breathing room during pressure. The game’s pace is fast, with screen-filling specials and hypers balanced by defensive tools, air mobility, and the ability to rotate teammates to recover red life on the bench.

The roster contains 56 playable characters drawn from teams such as the X-Men and the Avengers alongside Capcom series like Street Fighter, Darkstalkers, and Mega Man/Rockman. Several fighters are original to this entry, including Ruby Heart and Amingo, and many returning characters feature updated moves or assists that fit the three-on-three system. Team building hinges on synergy between point characters and assist types, which shapes both combo routes and defensive coverage.

Modes typically include an arcade ladder, local versus, training, and survival-style challenges. Progress in most single-player modes grants points, and many home versions use an in-game shop to unlock additional characters, color palettes, stages, and gallery items over time. Later digital releases have also been issued with the full roster available from the start, depending on platform.