In the world of fighting games there are those players who compete on a purely recreational level and those who participate in tournaments for big money. Previously, if anyone wanted to test their skills against some of these competitive greats they would either need to enter into a tournament themselves or hope to encounter them at a local arcade, both very unlikely scenarios. However, thanks to Marvel vs. Capcom 3 that will all change.

Today, Capcom has introduced a new feature that will allow the development team to program unique opponents that would mirror the fighting style and team set-up of various members of the Marvel vs. Capcom development team. Titled Shadow Mode, this new feature set to start rolling out some time in March will see players downloading an AI version of any of a number of real-life gamers. It might not hold a candle to the real thing, but it is a chance for gamers who have run through the generic computer opponents dozens of times to take on a new challenger.

Some of the opponents players will be able to take down in the first pack of Shadow Mode opponents include MvC 3’s Producer Ryota Niitsuma, Assistant Producer Akihito Kadowaki, and a QA team leader. While these might not be the opponents gamers envisioned when they heard this Shadow Mode announcement, keep in mind this is just the first pack and is likely meant to show off just how advanced the AI in Shadow Mode is.

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Also revealed recently was the fact that Galactus, a previously rumored character, will in fact be the final boss for Marvel vs. Capcom 3. Filling up the whole right side of the screen, Galactus will be more than a handful for any would-be challengers. Not only will players first have to do away with dual opponents in order to fight Galactus, but once the boss fight officially begins, all bets are off. Capable of dealing huge damage and boasting three life bars worth of health, Galactus is a fitting end to a highly anticipated fighting game title.

Releasing in just over a week, Marvel vs. Capcom 3 has shown itself to be more than just a carbon copy of New Age of Heroes. Boasting characters new and old, and some very exciting features to boot, Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is the must have fighting game of 2011.

Whose Marvel vs. Capcom team would you like to take on in Shadow Mode? What do you think of Galactus as the final boss? Can anyone take him down?

Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds releases February 15, 2011, for the PS3 and Xbox 360.

Source: Capcom-Unity, IGN