History VideoGame / MarvelUltimateAlliance

''Marvel Ultimate Alliance'' is an Action RPG series published by {{Creator/Activision}} and developed by Raven Software and Vicarious Visions, starring many of Marvel's most popular {{superhero}}es and {{supervillain}}s. A spiritual successor of sorts to the ''VideoGame/XMenLegends'' series (arguably a sequel to the second, but the first is in a continuity of its own), which was also developed by Raven. The first one was released in 2006 and took you through a tour of the Franchise/MarvelUniverse trying to stop [[Characters/MarvelComicsDoctorDoom Doctor Doom]] and his [[LegionOfDoom Masters of Evil]].

Both games had versions released on the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2, UsefulNotes/PlayStation3, UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}}, Nintendo UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}, UsefulNotes/NintendoDS, and UsefulNotes/PlayStationPortable. All versions of the first game were essentially the exact same game apart from graphics and exclusive characters (which is proven by the PC port, which allowed for switching between both sets of graphics on the fly as well as {{game mod}}ding). The differences between versions of the second game are more drastic; the Xbox 360 and [=PS3=] versions were made from scratch whereas the Wii, [=PS2=], and [=PSP=] versions are more or less a MissionPackSequel.

* AbortedArc

** [[Franchise/StarWars Clive]] [[Franchise/StarTrek Freakin']] [[{{Franchise/Transformers}} Reville]] as Doctor Doom. Too good.

* NostalgiaLevel: In order to save Jean Grey at Murderworld, the heroes must play one level of the original ''VideoGame/{{Pitfall}}''. Seeing the 3D-rendered heroes running around on an UsefulNotes/{{Atari 2600}} background makes for an interesting contrast.

* TemporaryOnlineContent: Activision refused to renew their contract with Marvel, citing poor sales, so any downloadable content for either game was removed from the Xbox 360 and [=PS3=] marketplaces; their reasoning was that the characters "were always a limited offer". With ''[=MUA1=]'', at least, the player can hunt down a copy of the [[GameOfTheYearEdition Gold version]] which contains all the DLC on-disc or mod the PC version to add them in. Activision added the DLC back online for ''[=MUA2=]'', but it wasn't put up in [=PS3=] outside the United States. [[ZigZaggingTrope Then the DLC was withdrawn one more time on December 31st, 2010... And when Activision re-released both games on the [=PlayStation 4=] and Xbox One, it became available again.]]

* UpdatedRerelease: {{Creator/Activision}} has released both games for UsefulNotes/XboxOne, UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 and UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}. The second installment is being released on PC for the very first time. The first game was missing the {{D|ownloadableContent}}LC at first, but this was later added via a patch.

-->'''Baron Mordo:''' This is an outrage! How dare Loki and Doom leave us behind!! I'll not stand for it!!!!
-->'''Ultron:''' This is not an unforeseen outcome. [[MagnificentBastard They now each get what they desire without having to share the spoils with us.]]

''Marvel Ultimate Alliance'' is an Action RPG series published by {{Creator/Activision}} and developed by Raven Software and Vicarious Visions, starring many of Marvel's most popular {{superhero}}es and {{supervillain}}s. A spiritual successor of sorts to the ''VideoGame/XMenLegends'' series (arguably a sequel to the second, but the first is in a continuity of its own), which was also developed by Raven. The first one was released in 2006 and took you through a tour of the Franchise/MarvelUniverse trying to stop Characters/DoctorDoom and his [[LegionOfDoom Masters of Evil]].

The sequel was released in 2009, developed solely by Vicarious Visions (due to Raven opting to do the ''Film/XMenOriginsWolverine'' tie-in game on their own at the same time), is based on the ''ComicBook/{{Secret War|2004}}'' and ''ComicBook/CivilWar'' events before eventually splitting off into an original plotline altogether. The heroes are split into pro-Registration and anti-Registration as the plot progresses and the player's decisions will affect the ending as well as which characters they can choose.

* Characters/{{Elektra}}

* [[Characters/SHIELDDirectors Nick Fury]]

* Characters/DoctorDoom (DLC for the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions)

* ComicBook/{{Juggernaut|MarvelComics}} (DLC for the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions)

* ActionGirl: Is she a female playable character? Then she's an ActionGirl. This applies to a lot of [=NPCs=] as well. For the record, [[Characters/MarvelComicsStorm Storm]], [[Characters/MarvelComicsCarolDanvers Ms. Marvel]], Characters/{{Elektra}}, [[Characters/FantasticFourTheFantasticFour Invisible Woman]], [[Characters/SpiderWomanTitleCharacter Spider-Woman]], [[ComicBook/{{Thunderbolts}} Songbird]], [[Characters/MarvelComicsJeanGrey Jean Grey]], and [[Characters/MarvelComicsPsylocke Psylocke]] are playable characters in one or both of the games; plus ComicBook/BlackWidow and ComicBook/SheHulk in the portable versions. The third game also adds several new ones, but we have a separate page for that.

* BattleCouple: One team bonus is called DoubleDate (Mr. Fantastic & Invisible Woman, [[Characters/MarvelComicsStorm Storm]] & ComicBook/BlackPanther). Characters/{{Daredevil|MattMurdock}} & Characters/{{Elektra}} didn't make the cut.

** [[Characters/MarvelComicsThanos Thanos]] also appears in the chooseable ending stills, whether or not he takes over the world all depends on if you freed Odin back at Castle Doom.

* CuttingOffTheBranches: That fact that Jean Grey is a playable character in the sequel, means [[Characters/XMen70sMembers Nightcrawler]] was the canonical sacrifice in the first game. This ultimately means the X-Men will eventually disband, and Characters/{{Mystique}} will eventually murder Professor X. Also considering Senator Kelly didn't jump on the registration bandwagon, it means he was saved. Furthermore, since the West Coast of America wasn't destroyed by an asteroid, it's presumed that Lilandra was also saved. Or, alternatively, Jean Grey was the sacrifice but, as it said in the credits, she was revived as the Phoenix to take vengeance upon the people who chose her death - though maybe they were able to help her suppress the Phoenix's personality and bring Jean Grey back as herself. Supported in that the X-Men do not appear to be officially disbanded.

* FinalDungeonPreview: The first game sees you venture into Castle Doom at the beginning of the second act to rescue [[Characters/MarvelComicsJeanGrey Jean Grey]] and [[Characters/XMen70sMembers Nightcrawler]]... or so it seems. As you soon discover, you have in reality been teleported to a facade of the castle which is a part of [[AmusementParkOfDoom Murderworld]]. It isn't until the game's final act that the heroes travel to the real Castle Doom. The background music for the fake version even [[ThemeSongReveal foreshadows this]], utilising the instrumentation used for the real deal while also sampling motifs from Murderworld's music.

** At one point in the third chapter of ''Marvel Ultimate Alliance'', you beat Loki (who's famous for his illusions and trickery) in what seems to be an AnticlimaxBoss. Then Nick Fury calls and tells you to collect 4 swords to get the armor Loki was trying to get, even though you would have absolutely no reason to do this. To nobody's surprise, this is a trick by Loki to get the armor. Naturally, you have to do this.

* UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom: The President of the United States in ''[=MUA2=]'' refuses to believe Nick Fury’s claims that Latveria is using American money to plan terrorist attacks on America despite Fury having overwhelming proof of this and [[TooDumbToLive thinks he can handle the matter diplomatically]]. Then when Nick [[ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight goes and takes out Latveria anyway]], causing Latveria to do something they were already preparing to do, he has him replaced with [[LawfulStupid Ma]][[Main/Jerkass ria]] [[YesMan Hill]]. Everything that happens in the second game is entirely his fault.

* HealingFactor: Characters/{{Wolverine|JamesLoganHowlett}} and Characters/{{Deadpool|WadeWilson}} naturally have one. ComicBook/IronMan, Characters/LukeCage, and Characters/{{Blade}} can be given one with the right outfit. Averted with Hulk in the second game, despite that being one of his natural abilities. [[note]]The apparent explanation from the developers was that giving Hulk a healing factor would've made him too overpowered.[[/note]]

* UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom: The President of the United States in ''[=MUA2=]'' refuses to believe Nick Fury’s claims that Latveria is using American money to plan terrorist attacks on America despite Fury having overwhelming proof of this and [[TooDumbToLive thinks he can handle the matter diplomatically]]. Then when Nick [[ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight goes and takes out Latveria anyway]], causing Latveria to do something they were already preparing to do, he has him replaced with [[LawfulStupid Ma]]{{Main/Jerkass ria}} [[YesMan Hill]]. Everything that happens in the second game is entirely his fault.

* Characters/{{Juggernaut}} (DLC for the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions)

* AssistCharacter: The GBA version of the first game features "Strikers", heroes who aren't playable but can be selected as a teammate to drop in and launch an attack. In particular, Jean Grey, [[ComicBook/SubMariner Namor]], and [[Characters/Avengers60sMembers The Vision]] are possible Strikers that aren't available in any other version of the game.

The sequel was released in 2009, developed solely by Vicarious Visions (due to Raven opting to do the ''Film/XMenOriginsWolverine'' tie-in game on their own at the same time), is based on the ''ComicBook/{{Secret War|2004}}'' and ''Comicbook/CivilWar'' events before eventually splitting off into an original plotline altogether. The heroes are split into pro-Registration and anti-Registration as the plot progresses and the player's decisions will affect the ending as well as which characters they can choose.

* Comicbook/IronFist (exclusive to the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions)

* AllYourPowersCombined: The final boss of the second game, [[spoiler:Nanite Nick Fury]], has access to the abilities of those [[spoiler:infected by the Fold]]. He makes much use of a bunch of them. [[spoiler: When unlocked as a playable character, he only uses four of them: [[ShockAndAwe Electro]], [[Characters/SpiderWomanTitleCharacter Spider-Woman]], A-Bomb, and [[KillItWithFire Firestar]].]]

** No, [[Characters/MarvelComicsSteveRogers Captain America]], you can't fly. Stop trying to follow Comicbook/IronMan across the {{Bottomless Pit|s}}.

* BadassNormal: [[Characters/SHIELDDirectors Nick Fury]] in the first game. [[spoiler: [[EmpoweredBadassNormal Not so much in the second.]]]] Also, ComicBook/IronMan, ComicBook/{{Hawkeye}}, and [[Characters/DaredevilSupportingCharacters Elektra]]. %%Please don't add natter on whether or not Captain America is one.

* BigBad: Doctor Doom in the first game, and [[spoiler: the Tinkerer,]] the mastermind behind the Fold nanomachine network in the second game.

* BonusBoss: In the first DLC pack for ''MUA 2'', one of the Sim Missions is a boss battle against [[spoiler: Magneto]]. There's another DLC Sim Mission that features a series of boss battles, with the very final secret boss being [[spoiler: Ultimate Carnage]].

* TheCameo: In both games, as expected. Special mention to the cutscene that plays [[spoiler: prior to the final mission, that explains what has happened while the playable characters were off-planet - The remaining heroes of Earth have mounted an offense against Dr. Doom, but most have fallen and only Cyclops & a heavily mutilated Colossus are definitely still alive. Depicted in this scene are [[Characters/MarvelComicsProfessorX Charles Xavier]], [[Characters/MarvelComicsMagneto Magneto]], [[Characters/MarvelComicsGambit Gambit]], [[Characters/MarvelComicsKittyPryde Shadowcat]], Characters/{{Emma Frost|WhiteQueen}}, the aforementioned Colossus & Cyclops, and the Hulk (who is covered by shadow, except for his feet, due to licensing issues preventing the character being included in the main game)]].

* ChestBlaster: Comicbook/IronMan of course.

--> '''Thing:''' "[The fact that beating up Rhino is fun ([[ItMakesSenseInContext don't ask]])] don't mean I wouldn't rather have a face that don't look like a gravel road".

* DownerEnding: No matter [[spoiler: which [[ComicBook/XMen X-Man]] you save in Mephisto's Realm in ''MUA 1'', in the end either the X-Men will disband (if you save Jean Grey; Nightcrawler will die by falling into the Infinite Vortex and Mystique will kill Professor X to avenge her son) or the Dark Phoenix rises again (the other way around; you save Nightcrawler and send Jean to her "death")]].

* {{DRM}} The PC port of the first game use the Safedisk DRM. Years after the release, a Windows patch has made it impossible to play the game. This force players to either play the game on Windows XP or use a CD crack.

--->'''Jean Grey''': I can read your mind, I know you want to play this game...

--->'''Deadpool''': You're laughing with your eyes, I can see it!

* FutureMeScaresMe: Well, more like "Future Me Pissed Me Off," but in the first game [[spoiler: if one of the characters on your team is Doctor Doom (he can be {{download|ableContent}}ed or gotten by buying the Gold Edition, but either way, he's exclusive to the Xbox 360), the Doctor Doom who's the BigBad of the game ends up being from the future. When both confront each other in the end, the playable Doom explains that the boss Doom's actions will lead to [[EvilVersusOblivion threatening the fabric of reality]] and must be stopped, much to the latter's chagrin]].

* AGodAmI: In the first game, after [[spoiler: stealing Odin's power, Doom]]. [[spoiler: Nanite!Nick Fury]] in the second game as well.
-->'''[[spoiler: Doctor Doom]]:''' I'll show you how a real god smites his enemies.
-->'''[[spoiler: Nanite!Nick Fury]]:''' You damn throwbacks are like ''bacteria'' compared to us!

* HealingFactor: Characters/{{Wolverine|JamesLoganHowlett}} and Characters/{{Deadpool|WadeWilson}} naturally have one. ComicBook/IronMan, Characters/LukeCage, and {{Characters/Blade}} can be given one with the right outfit. Averted with Hulk in the second game, despite that being one of his natural abilities. [[note]]The apparent explanation from the developers was that giving Hulk a healing factor would've made him too overpowered.[[/note]]

-->'''Black Widow''': Deadpool, good luck battling Dr. Doom. This mission should test even your combat skills.
-->'''Deadpool''': Wait a minute, we're not going to fight Doom! No one told me that! I want my lawyer! I want my mommy! I want my lawyer's mommy!

* KilledOffForReal: Depending on the choices that you make in the game, [[spoiler: Jean Grey, Nightcrawler and Empress Lilandra]] can all die permanently.

* TheMole: The majority of heroes highly suspect that [[spoiler: Black Widow]] is one. [[spoiler: [[SchrodingersGun If the player completes the side-quest]], Fury reveals that she was conducting an off-the-books investigation on his orders--until TheStinger reveals that their suspicions were correct when she sets up Weasel.]]

* MortonsFork: During the "sacrifice Nightcrawler or Jean" segment, [[spoiler: would you sacrifice Jean and therefore unleash Dark Phoenix?, Or would you sacrifice Nightcrawler, therefore Mystique, desiring vengeance for her son, kills Professor X]]?

--->'''Spider-Man''': Great to be working with you again, we should be on TV or something.\\
'''Firestar''': Yeah, we really are some [[WesternAnimation/SpiderManAndHisAmazingFriends amazing friends]].

* NiceJobBreakingItHero: [[spoiler: Doom managed to enact his plan to steal power from Odin thanks to files created and stolen from a contingency plan known as Operation All Father concocted by ComicBook/{{SHIELD}} and Nick Fury to steal power from Odin using the Twilight Sword in case the Asgardians became a problem. Fury knew of the plan and the files Doom stole but told no one of his involvement until the last minute where he was prodded by the heroes]].

* PlayableEpilogue: In the first game only, just like in ''VideoGame/XMenLegends II'', you are allowed to go back and explore previous areas and find some collectibles and training simulation disks that you missed, though some are locked to the player.
* PragmaticAdaptation: The Wii/[=PS2=] ''MUA 2''. Besides keeping the same gameplay as ''MUA 1'', various sequences were cut out, like the rescue of Ms. Marvel and the Washington, D.C. level (Ms. Marvel/Deadpool now show up from the beginning). Others were changed/shortened; The Goliath/Yellowjacket fight is practically a rehash of the [[spoiler: Galactus]] fight in ''MUA 1'', and [[spoiler: Zombie!Von Bardas]] plans to blow up Times Square rather than bombing the riverfront. This leads to a bit of FridgeLogic when the subsequent cutscene still shows [[spoiler: Von Bardas]]'s barge going down the river.

* TheStinger: At the end of ''MUA 1'', [[spoiler: Black Widow is revealed to be a [[TheMole double agent]], who's set up Weasel to take the fall]]. Also, Galactus vows revenge on the heroes. [[spoiler:That last one is quickly glossed over via a conversation with Thor in ''MUA 2'', which implies that Galactus' revenge [[OffscreenMomentOfAwesome happened offscreen between the two games]].]]

* [[Characters/XMen70sMembers Nightcrawler]] (DLC for the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions)

Both games had versions released on the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2, UsefulNotes/PlayStation3, UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}}, Nintendo UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}, UsefulNotes/NintendoDS, and UsefulNotes/{{PlayStationPortable}}. All versions of the first game were essentially the exact same game apart from graphics and exclusive characters (which is proven by the PC port, which allowed for switching between both sets of graphics on the fly as well as {{game mod}}ding). The differences between versions of the second game are more drastic; the Xbox 360 and [=PS3=] versions were made from scratch whereas the Wii, [=PS2=], and [=PSP=] versions are more or less a MissionPackSequel.

* ComicBook/{{Blade}}
* ComicBook/CaptainAmerica
* ComicBook/{{Daredevil}}
* ComicBook/{{Deadpool}}

* [[Characters/DaredevilSupportingCharacters Elektra]]

* ComicBook/LukeCage

* Franchise/SpiderMan
* ComicBook/SpiderWoman

* [[Characters/FantasticFourTheFantasticFour The Thing]]

* ComicBook/{{Wolverine}}

* [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk Hulk]] (DLC for the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions)

* ComicBook/{{Venom}} (Eddie Brock, DLC for the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions)

* [[Characters/XMen90sMembers Gambit]]

* ComicBook/{{Cable}} (DLC for the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions)
* [[Characters/MarvelComicsCarnage Carnage]] (DLC for the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions)
* ComicBook/{{Juggernaut|MarvelComics}} (DLC for the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions)

* ActionGirl: Is she a female playable character? Then she's an ActionGirl. This applies to a lot of [=NPCs=] as well. For the record, [[Characters/MarvelComicsStorm Storm]], [[Characters/MarvelComicsCarolDanvers Ms. Marvel]], [[Characters/DaredevilSupportingCharacters Elektra]], [[Characters/FantasticFourTheFantasticFour Invisible Woman]], ComicBook/SpiderWoman, [[ComicBook/{{Thunderbolts}} Songbird]], [[Characters/MarvelComicsJeanGrey Jean Grey]], and [[Characters/MarvelComicsPsylocke Psylocke]] are playable characters in one or both of the games; plus ComicBook/BlackWidow and ComicBook/SheHulk in the portable versions. The third game also adds several new ones, but we have a separate page for that.

* AdventureDuo: The DLC for the second game created a team bonus for Best Friends? (ComicBook/{{Cable}} & ComicBook/{{Deadpool}}, Franchise/SpiderMan & ComicBook/{{Venom}}).
* AllYourPowersCombined: The final boss of the second game, [[spoiler:Nanite Nick Fury]], has access to the abilities of those [[spoiler:infected by the Fold]]. He makes much use of a bunch of them. [[spoiler: When unlocked as a playable character, he only uses four of them: [[ShockAndAwe Electro]], Comicbook/SpiderWoman, A-Bomb, and [[KillItWithFire Firestar]].]]

** No, ComicBook/CaptainAmerica, you can't fly. Stop trying to follow Comicbook/IronMan across the {{Bottomless Pit|s}}.

* BattleCouple: One team bonus is called DoubleDate (Mr. Fantastic & Invisible Woman, [[Characters/MarvelComicsStorm Storm]] & ComicBook/BlackPanther). Comicbook/{{Daredevil}} & [[Characters/DaredevilSupportingCharacters Elektra]] didn't make the cut.

* TheCameo: In both games, as expected. Special mention to the cutscene that plays [[spoiler: prior to the final mission, that explains what has happened while the playable characters were off-planet - The remaining heroes of Earth have mounted an offense against Dr. Doom, but most have fallen and only Cyclops & a heavily mutilated Colossus are definitely still alive. Depicted in this scene are [[Characters/MarvelComicsProfessorX Charles Xavier]], [[Characters/MarvelComicsMagneto Magneto]], [[Characters/XMen90sMembers Gambit]], [[Characters/XMen80sMembers Shadowcat]], Characters/{{Emma Frost|WhiteQueen}}, the aforementioned Colossus & Cyclops, and the Hulk (who is covered by shadow, except for his feet, due to licensing issues preventing the character being included in the main game)]].

* ComesGreatResponsibility:
-->'''You:''' It's your responsibility to tell Colonel Fury about the Black Widow.\\
'''Spider-Man:''' No, it isn't.\\
'''You:''' Yes, it is. You have great power; and with great power there must also come...\\
'''Spider-Man:''' If you finish that sentence, I'm gonna put so much web in your hair you'll have to shave your head!

** In the second game, you have to protect NPC allies, from ComicBook/{{Cloak and Dagger|MarvelComics}} to Venom. The worst is Songbird's solo mission, in which you must protect three scientists from an army of super-hardy mutants and Moonstone. The scientists tend to put themselves between Songbird and the enemies, making for a frustrating time.

* FourTemperamentEnsemble: Since you play mostly in teams of four, you may inevitably fall into this, if you know which characters to pick. For example, Deadpool (sanguine), Wolverine (choleric), Spider-Man (melancholic), and ComicBook/{{Daredevil}} (phlegmatic).

* HealingFactor: ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} and ComicBook/{{Deadpool}} naturally have one. ComicBook/IronMan, ComicBook/LukeCage, and {{ComicBook/Blade}} can be given one with the right outfit. Averted with Hulk in the second game, despite that being one of his natural abilities. [[note]]The apparent explanation from the developers was that giving Hulk a healing factor would've made him too overpowered.[[/note]]

* NoCutsceneInventoryInertia: In the first game, no matter who you select as your team, and no matter what alternate costumes you unlock as the game progresses, the cinematic cutscenes will always show the default team (Franchise/SpiderMan, ComicBook/{{Wolverine}}, ComicBook/CaptainAmerica and [[Characters/TheMightyThorThorOdinson Thor]]) wearing their default costumes.

* OriginStory: Parodied by ComicBook/{{Deadpool}}, who says the following before proceeding to tell his ''real'' origin.
-->"[[Characters/TheMightyThorThorOdinson The day my father Odin banished me from Asgard,]] [[ComicBook/{{Blade}} I was bitten by a vampire]] [[ComicBook/{{Daredevil}} and had radioactive waste dumped in my eyes.]] To make matters worse, [[Characters/MarvelComicsStorm My mutant ability to control weather activated]] [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk JUST as I was hit by a blast of gamma radiation.]]

The sequel was released in 2009, developed solely by Vicarious Visions (due to Raven opting to do the ''Film/XMenOriginsWolverine'' tie-in game on their own at the same time), is based on the ''ComicBook/SecretWar'' and ''Comicbook/CivilWar'' events before eventually splitting off into an original plotline altogether. The heroes are split into pro-Registration and anti-Registration as the plot progresses and the player's decisions will affect the ending as well as which characters they can choose.

** In the second game, you have to protect NPC allies, from ComicBook/{{Cloak and Dagger|Marvel}} to Venom. The worst is Songbird's solo mission, in which you must protect three scientists from an army of super-hardy mutants and Moonstone. The scientists tend to put themselves between Songbird and the enemies, making for a frustrating time.

* TheMole: The majority of heroes highly suspect that [[spoiler: Black Widow]] is one. [[spoiler: [[SchrodingersGun If the player completes the side-quest]], Fury reveals that she was conducting an off-the-books investigation on his orders--until TheStinger reveals that their suspicions were correct when she sets up Weasel.]]

** Subverted by The Thing in the second game, rather than take a side in the Civil War, goes hiding... but when he stumbles upon you later, depending on which side you are playing as, he'll either force himself to register or be appalled by what ComicBook/{{SHIELD}} is doing and join the resistance.

* Characters/{{Juggernaut}} (DLC for the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions)

* ActionGirl: Is she a female playable character? Then she's an ActionGirl. This applies to a lot of [=NPCs=] as well. For the record, [[Characters/MarvelComicsStorm Storm]], [[Characters/MarvelComicsCarolDanvers Ms. Marvel]], [[Characters/DaredevilDaredevilAndSupportingCharacters Elektra]], [[Characters/FantasticFourTheFantasticFour Invisible Woman]], ComicBook/SpiderWoman, [[ComicBook/{{Thunderbolts}} Songbird]], [[Characters/MarvelComicsJeanGrey Jean Grey]], and [[Characters/MarvelComicsPsylocke Psylocke]] are playable characters in one or both of the games; plus ComicBook/BlackWidow and ComicBook/SheHulk in the portable versions. The third game also adds several new ones, but we have a separate page for that.

* BadassNormal: [[Characters/SHIELDDirectors Nick Fury]] in the first game. [[spoiler: [[EmpoweredBadassNormal Not so much in the second.]]]] Also, ComicBook/IronMan, ComicBook/{{Hawkeye}}, and [[Characters/DaredevilDaredevilAndSupportingCharacters Elektra]]. %%Please don't add natter on whether or not Captain America is one.

* BattleCouple: One team bonus is called DoubleDate (Mr. Fantastic & Invisible Woman, [[Characters/MarvelComicsStorm Storm]] & ComicBook/BlackPanther). Comicbook/{{Daredevil}} & [[Characters/DaredevilDaredevilAndSupportingCharacters Elektra]] didn't make the cut.

* [[Characters/DaredevilDaredevilAndSupportingCharacters Elektra]]

''Marvel Ultimate Alliance'' is an Action RPG series published by {{Creator/Activision}} and developed by Raven Software and Vicarious Visions, starring many of Marvel's most popular {{superhero}}es and {{supervillain}}s. A spiritual successor of sorts to the ''VideoGame/XMenLegends'' series (arguably a sequel to the second, but the first is in a continuity of its own), which was also developed by Raven. The first one was released in 2006 and took you through a tour of the Franchise/MarvelUniverse trying to stop ComicBook/DoctorDoom and his [[LegionOfDoom Masters of Evil]].

A third game, titled ''VideoGame/MarvelUltimateAlliance3TheBlackOrder'', was [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RohG-JzXiM announced]] exclusively for UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch at The Game Awards 2018. This new entry features a [[RecycledInSpace cosmic-based]] plot that sees the Avengers, X-Men and the ComicBook/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy (among others) teaming up to take down ComicBook/{{Thanos}}' titular squad. This installment was developed by [[Creator/KoeiTecmo Team Ninja]] and published by Creator/{{Nintendo}}.

* ComicBook/{{Elektra}}

* ComicBook/HumanTorch
* ComicBook/{{Iceman}}
* ComicBook/InvisibleWoman

* [[ComicBook/MisterFantastic Mr. Fantastic]]
* [[ComicBook/CarolDanvers Ms. Marvel]]
* ComicBook/NickFury
* ComicBook/SilverSurfer

* ComicBook/{{Storm}}
* ComicBook/TheThing
* [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Thor]]

* ComicBook/{{Colossus}} (not selectable on the [=PS2=], Xbox, and PSP versions)

* [[ComicBook/CaptainMarVell Captain Marvel]] (exclusive to the PSP version)

* ComicBook/{{Cyclops}} (DLC for the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions)
* ComicBook/DoctorDoom (DLC for the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions)
* [[ComicBook/IncredibleHulk Hulk]] (DLC for the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions)
* ComicBook/{{Magneto}} (DLC for the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions)
* ComicBook/{{Nightcrawler}} (DLC for the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions)
* ComicBook/{{Sabretooth}} (DLC for the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions)

* ComicBook/{{Gambit}}
* [[ComicBook/NormanOsborn Green Goblin]]

* ComicBook/JeanGrey

* Venom (ComicBook/MacGargan)

* ComicBook/{{Psylocke}} (initially exclusive to the Wii and [=PS2=] versions, then released as DLC for the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions)

* ComicBook/{{Carnage}} (DLC for the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions)
* ComicBook/{{Juggernaut|MarvelComics}} (DLC for the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions)

* ComicBook/TheSentry (exclusive to the Nintendo DS version)

JustForFun/NotToBeConfusedWith ''VideoGame/MarvelAvengersAlliance''.

* ActionGirl: Is she a female playable character? Then she's an ActionGirl. This applies to a lot of [=NPCs=] as well. For the record, ComicBook/{{Storm}}, [[ComicBook/CarolDanvers Ms. Marvel]], ComicBook/{{Elektra}}, ComicBook/InvisibleWoman, ComicBook/SpiderWoman, [[ComicBook/{{Thunderbolts}} Songbird]], ComicBook/JeanGrey, and ComicBook/{{Psylocke}} are playable characters in one or both of the games; plus ComicBook/BlackWidow and ComicBook/SheHulk in the portable versions. The third game also adds several new ones, but we have a separate page for that.

** In the comics, ComicBook/BuckyBarnes was brainwashed and mindwiped during his time as the Winter Soldier, and once he broke free and had his memories restored, he returned to being an ally of Captain America. Here, it's implied through his dialogue with Cap that he still retains his memories, is resentful of Steve, and is serving on the Masters of Evil on his own free will.

* AssistCharacter: The GBA version of the first game features "Strikers", heroes who aren't playable but can be selected as a teammate to drop in and launch an attack. In particular, Jean Grey, [[ComicBook/SubMariner Namor]], and ComicBook/TheVision are possible Strikers that aren't available in any other version of the game.
* AttackOfThe50FootWhatever: The battles against Kraken, Ultimo, ComicBook/{{Galactus}}, Fin Fang Foom, Arcade (in a giant power suit), and Ymir in ''1'', and the Goliath/Yellowjacket battle in ''2''.

* BadassBystander: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDr57ajoTlU During Loki's raid on Asgard in the first game,]] a random nameless and totally inconsequential Asgardian gate guard, upon seeing that he is totally outnumbered and faced with an enormous wave of super soldiers, does what any [[ProudWarriorRace good Asgardian]] would do. Run in screaming with his weapon drawn and absolutely no hesitation. He even manages to take out six or seven of the hulking brutes with a ''single charge.''
* BadassNormal: ComicBook/NickFury in the first game. [[spoiler: [[EmpoweredBadassNormal Not so much in the second.]]]] Also, ComicBook/IronMan, ComicBook/{{Hawkeye}}, and ComicBook/{{Elektra}}. %%Please don't add natter on whether or not Captain America is one.

* BattleCouple: One team bonus is called DoubleDate (Mr. Fantastic & Invisible Woman, ComicBook/{{Storm}} & ComicBook/BlackPanther). Comicbook/{{Daredevil}} & ComicBook/{{Elektra}} didn't make the cut.

** Cameoing as a Senator Lieber, Creator/StanLee is questioned by a suspicious Deadpool, who says he knows him from somewhere. If you access the character files, ComicBook/NickFury says the same thing, and is infuriated that he cannot place what the anomaly is.

* TheCameo: In both games, as expected. Special mention to the cutscene that plays [[spoiler: prior to the final mission, that explains what has happened while the playable characters were off-planet - The remaining heroes of Earth have mounted an offense against Dr Doom, but most have fallen and only Cyclops & a heavily mutilated Colossus are definitely still alive. Depicted in this scene are [[ComicBook/ProfessorX Charles Xavier]], ComicBook/{{Magneto}}, ComicBook/{{Gambit}}, [[ComicBook/KittyPryde Shadowcat]], ComicBook/EmmaFrost, the aforementioned Colossus & Cyclops, and the Hulk (who is covered by shadow, except for his feet, due to licensing issues preventing the character being included in the main game)]].
** ComicBook/JubileeMarvelComics can be seen as one of the mutants waiting in line to receive the cure for the Legacy Virus in one of the chooseable ending stills (provided that you saved the computer terminal on the Omega Base).
** ComicBook/{{Thanos}} also appears in the chooseable ending stills, whether or not he takes over the world all depends on if you freed Odin back at Castle Doom.
** ComicBook/{{Mystique}} gets a mention in the chooseable endings as well. If you didn't save Nightcrawler, she will later sneak up on Professor X and, out of both grief and revenge, attack him so viciously that he falls into a coma. Xavier ultimately never makes it out of the coma, leading the X-Men to permanently disband.

* CuttingOffTheBranches: That fact that Jean Grey is a playable character in the sequel, means ComicBook/{{Nightcrawler}} was the canonical sacrifice in the first game. This ultimately means the X-Men will eventually disband, and ComicBook/{{Mystique}} will eventually murder Professor X. Also considering Senator Kelly didn't jump on the registration bandwagon, it means he was saved. Furthermore, since the West Coast of America wasn't destroyed by an asteroid, it's presumed that Lilandra was also saved. Or, alternatively, Jean Grey was the sacrifice but, as it said in the credits, she was revived as the Phoenix to take vengeance upon the people who chose her death - though maybe they were able to help her suppress the Phoenix's personality and bring Jean Grey back as herself. Supported in that the X-Men do not appear to be officially disbanded.

* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: In the original, you can win the final boss fight against Doctor Doom [[AGodAmI with all of Odin's power]], using [[BadassNormal Nick Fury, Hawkeye, Black Widow, and Ronin]] (But to be fair, you have to first [[PowerCopying absorb this power yourself]]). It's averted with the Galactus battle, since events require you to use the aid of ComicBook/SilverSurfer--which is more believable than taking Galactus down with, say, Elektra.

* DownerEnding: No matter [[spoiler: which [[Comicbook/XMen X-Man]] you save in Mephisto's Realm in ''MUA 1'', in the end either the X-Men will disband (if you save Jean Grey; Nightcrawler will die by falling into the Infinite Vortex and Mystique will kill Professor X to avenge her son) or the Dark Phoenix rises again (the other way around; you save Nightcrawler and send Jean to her "death")]].

* EmptyLevels: Unlike every characters, Thor and Wolverine only 1 skill point every 2 levels, because the former is a god and the latter is ageless. At later levels, it's becomes 1 skill for every 3 levels for those two.

** Venom (Mac Gargan) and Green Goblin feel so violated by being [[spoiler:{{assimilat|ionPlot}}ed into [[MassHypnosis The Fold]]]] that they decide to join the heroes ([[MindControl for real this time]]), no strings attached, which, knowing ComicBook/NormanOsborn, is a real feat. Venom in particular seemed to really enjoy the hero thing.

** In the first game, you can escort Comicbook/DoctorStrange, Corsair, and a Skrull around, but they're invincible and generally help in a fight. The appropriately-named Dum-Dum Dugan, on the other hand, ''isn't'' invincible, has a tendency to jump into fights (although he's smart enough to avoid Crimson Dynamo), and saving the game after he gets too low on health can make the Omega Base mission {{Unwinnable}}. The best bet might actually just be to use Deadpool to just teleport the team through most of the level, or even better use Spider-Woman's healing aura to fix him right up.

** In the second game, you have to protect NPC allies, from Comicbook/CloakAndDagger to Venom. The worst is Songbird's solo mission, in which you must protect three scientists from an army of super-hardy mutants and Moonstone. The scientists tend to put themselves between Songbird and the enemies, making for a frustrating time.

* FinalDungeonPreview: The first game sees you venture into Castle Doom at the beginning of the second act to rescue ComicBook/JeanGrey and ComicBook/{{Nightcrawler}}... or so it seems. As you soon discover, you have in reality been teleported to a facade of the castle which is a part of [[AmusementParkOfDoom Murderworld]]. It isn't until the game's final act that the heroes travel to the real Castle Doom. The background music for the fake version even [[ThemeSongReveal foreshadows this]], utilising the instrumentation used for the real deal while also sampling motifs from Murderworld's music.

* FourTemperamentEnsemble: Since you play mostly in teams of four, you may inevitably fall into this, if you know which characters to pick. For example, Deadpool (sanguine), Wolverine (choleric), Spider-Man (melancholic), and Comicbook/{{Daredevil}} (phlegmatic).

* HealingFactor: ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} and ComicBook/{{Deadpool}} naturally have one. Comicbook/IronMan, ComicBook/LukeCage, and {{Comicbook/Blade}} can be given one with the right outfit. Averted with Hulk in the second game, despite that being one of his natural abilities. [[note]]The apparent explanation from the developers was that giving Hulk a healing factor would've made him too overpowered.[[/note]]

** "[[ComicBook/TheMightyThor SOULLESS MACHINE! How DARE you STRIKE the SON of ODIN?!]]" ([[ShockAndAwe Lightning Bolt]]). Courtesy of our good friend Creator/CamClarke.

* LinearWarriorsQuadraticWizards: In the second game especially. Characters like Comicbook/IronMan are useful at the start while Comicbook/JeanGrey or [[Comicbook/InvisibleWoman Sue Richards]] are not. However as you progress further and further, Comicbook/IronMan starts to get his ass handed to him by the fold and Sue [[PersonOfMassDestruction obliterates everything in sight.]] Something's not quite right there...
* LookBehindYou: [[Comicbook/CarolDanvers Ms. Marvel]] to Shocker, when you find her in the underground weapon-smuggling tunnel in ''2''. He makes it seem he's not fooled until he turns around... and sees your team there.

** The second playthrough onward of ''MUA 1'', aside from having the Hard difficulty level unlocked, lets you use everyone you've unlocked (as well as letting you choose your team from the very start). Which is good if you want to use Dr. Strange, Black Panther, Daredevil, Silver Surfer, Comicbook/GhostRider, or Nick Fury (indeed, teams such as Classic Avengers, Supernatural, Marvel Knights, Defenders and/or Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. are impossible to field without these guys). Also, all the unlocked costumes, so you can turn up with Assassins (Wolvie Ultimate, Elektra Stealth, Deadpool Weapon X and Blade - any outfit but Original) all in black. ''And'' all the leveling you achieved up to that point (which, difficulty-wise, will seem like starting it all from scratch if you pick Hard).

* NiceJobBreakingItHero: [[spoiler: Doom managed to enact his plan to steal power from Odin thanks to files created and stolen from a contingency plan known as Operation All Father concocted by SHIELD and Nick Fury to steal power from Odin using the Twilight Sword in case the Asgardians became a problem. Fury knew of the plan and the files Doom stole but told no one of his involvement until the last minute where he was prodded by the heroes]].
* NoCutsceneInventoryInertia: In the first game, no matter who you select as your team, and no matter what alternate costumes you unlock as the game progresses, the cinematic cutscenes will always show the default team (Franchise/SpiderMan, ComicBook/{{Wolverine}}, ComicBook/CaptainAmerica and [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Thor]]) wearing their default costumes.

-->"[[Comicbook/TheMightyThor The day my father Odin banished me from Asgard,]] [[Comicbook/{{Blade}} I was bitten by a vampire]] [[Comicbook/{{Daredevil}} and had radioactive waste dumped in my eyes.]] To make matters worse, [[Comicbook/{{Storm}} My mutant ability to control weather activated]] [[Comicbook/IncredibleHulk JUST as I was hit by a blast of gamma radiation.]]

* PressXToNotDie: Or rather, press X to hit the giant boss/avoid the giant boss's attack before it hits you...in MUA 1 at least. The [=PS3=] and 360 versions of MUA 2 drop this concept, whereas the Wii, [=PS2=] and PSP versions use them for ''[[UpToEleven every]]'' [[UpToEleven boss fight, giant or not]].

** The Kraken boss fight has more than a passing resemblance to the Kraken from Film/ClashOfTheTitans1981.

** Subverted by The Thing in the second game, rather than take a side in the Civil War, goes hiding... but when he stumbles upon you later, depending on which side you are playing as, he'll either force himself to register or be appalled by what SHIELD is doing and join the resistance.

* UnderTheSea: Atlantis in the first game, where there's some sort of {{Technobabble}} HandWave that justifies your team being able to [[SuperNotDrowningSkills stay underwater without drowning]]. And how the Human Torch and Ghost Rider can use their fire powers underwater apparently.
** Ghost Rider's fire is literal Hellfire for one. Human Torch is up in the air, but Johnny's power IS from Cosmic Radiation.

* VerbThis: If you pick the Anti-Registration side in the second game, some characters will say, "Register ''this''!", before fighting [=SHIELD=] forces.

* WorthIt: One of the scenes in the MUA 1 ending credits is about Comicbook/{{Iceman}} getting knocked out by Spider-Woman's pheromones, and this is his reaction.
* XanatosGambit: Doom actually pulls this on the heroes AND the Masters of Evil with his grand plan. First, Doom has the Masters of Evil steal the Mutant Amplifier and the Super Soldier Serum from the SHIELD Omega Base to create an army of Hulking Super-Men. Next, have Loki disguised as the Mandarin to steal a mystical tome known as the Tome of Asarius from Atlantis after incapacitating Namor using his own people and ambitious Atlantean enemies to send the heroes after the real Mandarin by mistake. Then use the previously stolen Tome and Mutant Amplifier to use the X-Men Nightcrawler to open a portal to Mephisto’s Realm and strike a deal with Mephisto to have the heroes sent there in exchange for the Twilight Sword. With the sword in tow, Doom had Loki conquer Asgard with an army of Super-Men and use the Twilight Sword to defeat and kidnap Odin in order to steal his magical power and obtain virtual omnipotence. All while implementing a series of UriahGambit tricks on his allies to make sure no Master of Evil would be left standing to get in his way once he took over the world, all thanks to the heroes taking them all out except for ones explicitly under Doom’s control. If not for Uatu the Watcher pulling a DeusExMachina to prevent the death of the heroes and giving them directions on what they could obtain to defeat Doom, it would have been a flat out TheBadGuyWins scenario.

A third game, titled ''VideoGame/MarvelUltimateAlliance3TheBlackOrder'', was [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RohG-JzXiM announced]] exclusively for UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch at The Game Awards 2018. This new entry features a [[RecycledInSpace cosmic-based]] plot that sees the Avengers and the ComicBook/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy (among others) teaming up to take down ComicBook/{{Thanos}}' titular squad. This installment is set to be developed by [[Creator/KoeiTecmo Team Ninja]] and published by Creator/{{Nintendo}} themselves.

The sequel was released in 2009, developed solely by Vicarious Visions (due to Raven opting to do the ''Film/XMenOriginsWolverine'' tie-in game on their own at the same time), is based on the ''ComicBook/SecretWar'' and ''Comicbook/CivilWar'' events before eventually splitting off into an original plotline altogether. The heroes are split into pro-reg and anti-reg as the plot progresses and the player's decisions will affect the ending as well as which characters they can choose.

* [[ComicBook/ImmortalIronFist Iron Fist]] (exclusive to the [=PS3=] and Xbox 360 versions)

* ComicBook/{{Luke Cage|HeroForHire}}

* HealingFactor: ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} and ComicBook/{{Deadpool}} naturally have one. Comicbook/IronMan, ComicBook/{{Luke Cage|HeroForHire}}, and {{Comicbook/Blade}} can be given one with the right outfit. Averted with Hulk in the second game, despite that being one of his natural abilities. [[note]]The apparent explanation from the developers was that giving Hulk a healing factor would've made him too overpowered.[[/note]]

* Franchise/{{Wolverine}}

* HealingFactor: Franchise/{{Wolverine}} and ComicBook/{{Deadpool}} naturally have one. Comicbook/IronMan, ComicBook/{{Luke Cage|HeroForHire}}, and {{Comicbook/Blade}} can be given one with the right outfit. Averted with Hulk in the second game, despite that being one of his natural abilities. [[note]]The apparent explanation from the developers was that giving Hulk a healing factor would've made him too overpowered.[[/note]]

* NoCutsceneInventoryInertia: In the first game, no matter who you select as your team, and no matter what alternate costumes you unlock as the game progresses, the cinematic cutscenes will always show the default team (Franchise/SpiderMan, Franchise/{{Wolverine}}, ComicBook/CaptainAmerica and [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Thor]]) wearing their default costumes.

* DummiedOut: ComicBook/MoonKnight and Colossus in the UsefulNotes/XBox, [[UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 PS2]], and [[UsefulNotes/PlayStationPortable PSP]] versions of ''[=MUA1=]''. They can accessed by [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl7qS5Paak0 certain methods.]] [[note]]Due to obvious reasons, you don't need to use that method ever again if you have the current-gen versions.[[/note]]