Smash Up: Marvel

At the start of the game, each player chooses two factions from the eight available (including the Avengers, HYDRA, Kree, Masters of Evil, and Sinister Six) and shuffles those two twenty-card decks together to form a single playing deck. At the beginning, a number of bases equal to the number of players, plus one, are laid out. On your turn, you play one character card on a base — this represents power — and one action card with a special effect. When the total power on a base reaches the breakpoint, players compare how much power they exerted and victory points are distributed: most points for first place, but second and third are also rewarded. The first player to reach fifteen victory points wins the game.

On BoardGameGeek, Smash Up: Marvel is solidly established as a valued entry into the Smash Up system. The eight factions—from HYDRA's swarming agents to the powerful but limited Avengers—each have a recognizable playstyle, and the combinations ensure high replayability. The real charm lies in the interplay of two decks: certain combinations can break bases earlier than opponents can anticipate, leading to tactical surprises and table talk. Critics point out that the game adds little new to the Smash Up formula, but most consider this a plus rather than a missed opportunity—the system works, and the Marvel skin suits it perfectly. The comic book-style artwork and high-quality cards are widely praised, and the game works best with four players where the chaos is rampant.