You ever go back to a game and realize it's way more complicated than you remembered? That's basically the vibe with Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 PS3 characters. Most people think it’s just a simple "pick your favorite hero and smash things" simulator. It isn't. Not really.
If you're playing on the original PlayStation 3 hardware in 2026, you're dealing with a weirdly specific roster. Some heroes are locked behind story choices. Others require you to find hidden items like you’re on a scavenger hunt in a war zone. And don't even get me started on the DLC situation—it's a mess.
The Base Roster: Who You Actually Get
The core lineup is solid. You start with the heavy hitters: Spider-Man, Wolverine, Captain America, and Iron Man. But the game quickly forces you to choose a side. Civil War, right? This choice is huge because it dictates who stays in your party and who walks away.
Honestly, the split is what makes the PS3 version so replayable. If you go Pro-Registration, you’re getting Songbird and Mr. Fantastic. Go Anti-Reg, and you’re looking at Luke Cage and Iron Fist. You can't have both on your first run. It's annoying, but it's the lore.
The "Hidden" Heroes You Have to Earn
You don't just get the full roster by showing up. Some of the best characters are tucked away.
- Hulk: You need five Gamma Regulators. If you miss one in a level, you’re out of luck until you backtrack or start over.
- Thor: This requires five Asgardian Runes. He’s arguably the most "broken" (in a good way) character in the game. His lightning AOE is just ridiculous.
- Jean Grey: Five M’Kraan Shards. She’s the queen of crowd control. If you aren't using her to levitate enemies off ledges, you're playing wrong.
- Nick Fury: You just have to beat the game. Simple enough.
The DLC Headache: Can You Still Get Magneto and Carnage?
Here is where things get sticky. Back in the day, the DLC pack added Magneto, Black Panther, Carnage, Psylocke, and Cable. It also added Juggernaut as a pre-order bonus.
🔗 Read more: Why Gear Sets Division 2 Players Actually Use Make or Break Your Build
If you're looking for these on the PlayStation Store now? Good luck. The licensing deals between Activision and Marvel expired years ago. This means the DLC was delisted. Unless you bought it back in 2009 or 2010, or you're playing the "Gold Edition" (which is mostly an Xbox 360 thing), those slots on your character select screen are probably going to stay empty.
It’s a bummer. Carnage is a literal glass cannon, and playing as Magneto feels like being a god among ants. Some fans have found "creative" ways to get them back via save file transfers or modding, but for the average person dusting off their PS3, they’re basically ghosts.
Fusions: The Secret to Not Dying
The "Fusion" system is the heart of the game. It’s not just about who the characters are, but how they play together. There are three types: Targeted, Guided, and Clearing.
You've gotta pair them up correctly. If you’re fighting a boss like Titanium Man, you want a Targeted Fusion. Think Iron Man and Wolverine. Wolverine jumps on the enemy, and Iron Man blasts them both. Brutal.
For big groups of "trash mobs," you want a Clearing Fusion. Storm and Iceman creating a localized blizzard is the gold standard here. It clears the screen in seconds.
Why Team Bonuses Actually Matter
Don't just pick four random people. The game rewards "Themed Teams."
If you run the Fantastic Four, you get a massive +35% Fusion gain. That means you're doing special moves almost constantly. If you run "Shut Up Already!" (Spider-Man, Iceman, Deadpool, and Human Torch), you get a 15% Max Health boost. The game knows they're all talkative nuisances, and it rewards you for the chaos.
The Best Characters (Objectively)
Look, play who you love. But if you're struggling on Legendary difficulty, some characters are just better.
Thor is a monster. His "Mjolnir’s Might" move flattens everything. Songbird is surprisingly elite because of her sonic scream; it keeps enemies at a distance while draining their health. Jean Grey is a cheat code for any level with pits. Just pick people up and drop them into the abyss.
Deadpool is also top-tier because of his teleportation and health regen. He’s hard to kill, even when you’re being sloppy.
👉 See also: ARK Survival Evolved Movie: What Most People Get Wrong
Actionable Next Steps for PS3 Players
If you’re booting up Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 today, here is what you should actually do:
- Check your save data: If you ever downloaded the DLC on an old account, go to your "Download List" in the PSN Store. It might still be there even if the store page is gone.
- Hunt the Collectibles Early: Don't wait until the end of the game to look for Gamma Regulators or M'Kraan Shards. Use a guide for the Latveria and NYC levels—missing one early means you won't unlock Hulk or Jean Grey until much later.
- Prioritize Teamwork Stat: When leveling up, dump points into Teamwork. It directly increases Fusion damage. In the late game, regular punches do nothing; Fusions are the only way to melt boss health bars.
- Farm Fusion Stars: Use the "Targeted" fusions on bosses to get health tokens. If you’re low on health, don't swap characters—just trigger a Fusion. You’re invincible during the animation.
- Replay for the "Other" Side: You can't see the whole story or unlock the full base roster in one go. Plan on a New Game+ run to switch from Pro-Reg to Anti-Reg (or vice-versa).
The PS3 version might be old, but the character variety is still better than most modern brawlers. Just keep an eye on those collectibles, or you'll be halfway through the game wondering why you still can't play as the Green Goblin.