This list, featuring ten different mutants and X-Men members, consists of two groups. The first grouping shows five mutants who would fit well in the game, while the second grouping features mutants who would just be fun to include.
List One: The Rivals Fits
1. Deadpool | Wade Wilson
Not only would Deadpool be fun with his fourth wall-breaking dialogue, but his combat, regenerative healing, and pure chaos fits really well with the Rivals line up. Plus, there's an infinite number of skins they could put him in. And with the casual rating of the game, imagine one of the dialogue lines being "%*@# &?@*& ^&#$".
2. Nightcrawler | Kurt Wagner
The blue furball is of course a fan favorite, with a high multitude of popularity that would make him recognizable to fans of all kinds. With his three-way sword fighting and his quick teleporting, Nightcrawler would make for a perfect addition to the game.
3. Dazzler | Alison Blaire
Like Dispatch's Prism, this dazzling star not only could have some amazing moves with her light and music, the musician would be a great addition to Rivals. Her bright energy and her unique fight style would set her aside from the likes of the other music star Luna Snow, plus what's some fun musical competition?
4. Mystique | Raven Darkhölme
In similar ways to characters like Rogue and Loki, the mysterious, ever changing force of Mystique is not one to be messed with. Not only do her powers give her a cool insight to the game, but her acrobatic fighting style makes her unique, dangerous, and fun. Is she a villain, is she a hero? Here, it doesn't matter, she can use her powerful sneaking abilities to all ends.
5. Jubilee | Jubilation Lee
Jubilee's bright and flashy powers may are more than pretty fireworks, and that is not always something people recognize, which gives her the place at number five on this sector of the list. Her snarky, teenage attitude might make her less of a candidate than some of the others, but Jubilee is a strong fighter. Her abilities are ones that should not be messed with. A well-trained Jubilee is capable of atomic-level devastation, and that should make her terrifying.
List Two: Expanded
6. Angel | Warren Worthington III
Whether it's the feathery white wings or the sharpened metal blades, Angel is not only a fan favorite and highly recognizable, but he is also quite the fighter. He is swift, fast, and strong, enhanced or otherwise. Angel would make a great character addition with such versatility that easily puts him at number one on this list.
7. Shadowcat | Kitty Pryde
Most every casual X-Men fan knows who Kitty Pryde is. This longstanding, determined mutant is everything that encompasses a fan favorite. While her mutant ability doesn't put her on the first section of this list, her popularity and her character's strength, as well as just how cool her ability is, means her place on this list is a must.
8. Northstar | Jean-Paul Beaubier
Perhaps a lesser known mutant compared to the rest on this list, but he shouldn't be. Northstar not only has the ability to generate light, but he is able to move at superhuman speeds. This Quebec-born twin mutant has so much to his story that is untold and often overlooked, what better way to change that than to add him to a game like Rivals?
9. Cable | Nathan Summers
With the easter egg inclusion of Cyclops in the trailer for this season, it could be guessed that Cyclops (as well as Bishop and Mister Sinister) will be next to come, so why not make it a family gathering? Cable is well known throughout the franchizes but not often credited enough. His strength and will, as well as combat proficiencies, make him quite a good candidate for the Rivals line up.
10. Colossus | Piotr Rasputin
Perhaps a surprise addition to this list, Colossus holds tenth place. His pure, metal, brute strength is enough to include him in the possibilities for the future of Rivals, but more than that, he should be able to do what he is not often able in many medias which is be at his sister's side. Him and Magik are a pair that are not often combined, but demonstrating those interactions through Rivals would be nothing short of perfect.
This concludes our list of some fun, perhaps compelling candidates for the future of Marvel: Rivals. Will any of these come to light? Only time will tell.