No. 12Team hero shooter
Marvel Rivals: free heroes, paid costumes, and the kit it needs
NetEase's six-a-side Marvel shooter is free on PC and every current PlayStation and Xbox, with every hero unlocked from the start.
01 · the kit listWhere Marvel Rivals plays
PC and PlayStation and Xbox consoles, including PS4 since September 2025. It needs a proper graphics card on PC and is not on Nintendo hardware, Mac or phones.
- Desktop PCPlays
Steam, the Epic Games Store or NetEase's launcher. The minimum is a GTX 1060-class card and 16 GB of memory.
- Everyday laptopNot available
The minimum graphics card and 16 GB of memory put it beyond everyday laptops.
- Steam DeckWith caveats · Playable
Valve rates it Playable: the default controls need adjusting and some text is small.
- PlayStation 5Plays
Native PS5 version, enhanced for PS5 Pro. A PS4 version followed in September 2025.
- Xbox Series X|SPlays
Xbox Series X|S; there is no Xbox One version.
- Nintendo Switch 2Not available
No Nintendo version has been announced.
- Phone & tabletNot available
No phone or tablet version.
- MacNot available
No Mac version.
- Cloud streamingWith caveats · Needs a service
Free to stream through GeForce NOW; also on Xbox cloud streaming and PS Plus Premium.
02 · on a PCWhat your PC needs
- System
- 64-bit Windows 10 (1909 or newer)
- Processor
- Core i5-6600K or Ryzen 5 1600X
- Memory
- 16 GB
- Graphics
- GeForce GTX 1060, Radeon RX 580 or Arc A380
- Storage
- 70 GB
- System
- 64-bit Windows 10 (1909 or newer)
- Processor
- Core i5-10400 or Ryzen 5 5600X
- Memory
- 16 GB
- Graphics
- GeForce RTX 2060 (Super), Radeon RX 5700 XT or Arc A750
- Storage
- 70 GB, SSD recommended
Published by NetEase Games on Steam. DirectX 12 and a broadband connection required. Official requirements.
03 · the verdictThe Marvel team shooter, done with flair
Marvel Rivals is a six-against-six hero shooter from NetEase in which every character is a Marvel hero or villain: Spider-Man, Storm, Hulk, Loki and dozens more, each with a distinct set of powers and team-up abilities that combine when certain heroes play together.
Matches are fast and noisy, and parts of each map can be destroyed. The hero list is the headline: every hero is free to play from the start, and new ones arrive each season without a purchase.
Money goes on costumes, emotes and battle passes, which do not expire once bought. Costume bundles are pricey, and some limited-time costume events are draws with random results, but nothing sold affects how a hero plays.
Kit covers PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 since September 2025, and Xbox Series. The PC version needs a dedicated graphics card and 16 GB of memory; there is no Nintendo, Mac or phone release.
Start it if…
you love Marvel characters and want a colourful team shooter where every hero is free.
Skip it if…
chaotic matches frustrate you, or you want to play on a laptop, Mac or Switch 2.
04 · the score7.6 out of 10, and why
05 · the billWhat it costs in the UK
| Store | What you get | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| All platforms | Marvel Rivals | Free | |
| PlayStation Store | 1,000 Lattice (premium currency) | £7.99 | |
| Xbox Store | 1,000 Lattice | £8.49 |
Online play on consoles
- PlayStation
- Not needed; free to play
- Xbox
- Not needed; free to play
- Nintendo
- Not on Nintendo hardware
What the shop sells
Lattice, the premium currency, buys costumes, emotes, bundles and the Luxury Battle Pass, and converts to Units. Some limited-time costume events are draws with random results paid in Units, which is why UK stores label the game In-game purchases (includes random items). Every hero is free.
PEGI purchase descriptor: In-game purchases (includes random items).
There are no editions: download it free on any platform. The only decisions are about the shop, and none of it is needed to compete.
06 · starting in 2026Season ten, and busier than ever
NetEase ships a new season roughly every two months, each with a hero or rework and a new battle pass. Season 10 began on 11 September 2026. Cross-progression, added in November 2025, means you can move between PC and console without starting over.
Season 5 made cross-progression account linking fully available. Source.
Season 9 added Jubilee and rebuilt the team-up system. Source.
A mid-season patch cut the install size by about 30% on PC. Source.
Season 10 brought a new hero and a Scarlet Witch rework. Source.
Season 10 runs through the autumn; NetEase had not dated the next season as of 24 September 2026.
07 · strengths and catchesWorth knowing
Strengths
- Every hero free from the start
- Team-up abilities reward playing together
- Battle passes never expire once bought
- Crossplay across PC and consoles
Catches
- Costume prices are steep, and some costume events are random draws
- Matches can feel chaotic to newcomers
- No Nintendo, Mac or phone version
08 · first stepsBefore your first session
- Try every role in the practice range before ranked play: strategists (healers) are always in demand.
- Watch the team-up icons in hero select; pairing with a partner's hero adds abilities.
- Play quick matches until you have a small pool of heroes you are comfortable with.
- Set a spending limit on your platform before browsing the costume shop.
09 · screenshotsHow it looks
Screenshots: official, © NetEase Games and Marvel.
10 · questionsCommon questions
Is Marvel Rivals free?
Yes, on every platform, and every hero is unlocked from the start. Money goes on costumes, emotes and battle passes.
Does Marvel Rivals run on Steam Deck?
Valve rates it Playable: it runs, but you need to adjust the controls and some text is small.
Do I need PS Plus or Game Pass for Marvel Rivals?
No. It is free to play, so online play needs no subscription on PlayStation or Xbox.
Does it sell random items?
Some limited-time costume draws have random results, paid in the game's Units. The regular shop sells specific items.