Highlights

  • Overwatch's success is attributed to its iconic heroes, a factor that Marvel Rivals is also capitalizing on with its superhero lineup.
  • The long-lost concept of a jetpack cat hero in Overwatch may see new life in Marvel Rivals with Rocket Raccoon serving a similar role.
  • Fans of Overwatch continue to express interest in seeing the jetpack cat concept revived, potentially in Overwatch 2, despite initial dismissal.

While it certainly wasn't the first of its genre, Overwatch managed to popularize the genre in a way that had never really happened before, and a great deal of the series' success comes down to its cast of playable heroes. Though Team Fortress 2's nine playable classes are distinct and memorable, each of Overwatch's original 21 heroes is truly iconic, both in terms of their visual design and their unique set of abilities. If it wasn't for its vibrant cast of characters, Overwatch probably wouldn't have been as hugely successful as it was, and games like Marvel Rivals would have a hard time finding their niche.

A 6v6 objective-based hero shooter, Marvel Rivals bears a striking resemblance to Overwatch, but the big difference here is that players are suiting up as some of the most iconic superheroes and supervillains of all time. Marvel Rivals is currently in its Alpha testing phase and the initial reception seems to be fairly positive from most fans, with many pointing to the game's current roster of 19 characters as a major strength, and there's one Marvel Rivals hero that actually makes good on a long-lost Overwatch concept.

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Marvel Rivals Has Its Own Version of Overwatch's Jetpack Cat

Overwatch's Scrapped Jetpack Cat Hero Explained

All the way back in April 2017, just a year after the game's initial release, Overwatch's Director Jeff Kaplan was interviewed by GameSpot. In this interview, Kaplan mentioned that there was once an idea for a jetpack-wearing cat hero for Overwatch, but the idea didn't make it to the final cut as it was deemed a step too far for the game's universe. This little tidbit of news gained quite a bit of traction in the Overwatch community, and for a little while many fans petitioned to see this cut hero come to the game.

In November 2017, during a BlizzCon panel, Jeff Kaplan and Overwatch character concept artist Arnold Tsang revealed a bit more information about the cut jetpack cat hero, along with releasing never-before-seen concept art for the character. The concept art depicts two very different versions of the hero, one being a laid-back, completely disinterested cat that primarily used the jetpack as a means to travel without needing to physically move, and the other being a more daring, heroic feline.

While jetpack cat was cut for seeming a bit too outlandish, the existence of heroes like Wrecking Ball - an intelligent hamster controlling a rolling tank - makes that decision look a little dated now. Many fans are still desperate to see jetpack cat in Overwatch 2, whether it's as a standalone playable hero or some kind of new Ultimate ability for someone like Brigitte.

Marvel Rivals' Rocket Raccoon Scratches That Jetpack Cat Hero Itch

While it may be seven years too late, Marvel Rivals offers a nice alternative to Overwatch's long-gone jetpack cat playable hero. A now-iconic Marvel hero and leading member of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Rocket Raccoon has a number of jetpack-related abilities in Marvel Rivals. As a Strategist-type hero, Rocket Raccoon's main purpose in Marvel Rivals is to zip around the arena using his Jetpack Dash ability and fire off his Repair Mode orbs that gradually heal allies. Rocket Raccoon's animalistic behaviors are also integrated well into his Marvel Rivals playstyle, with the hero being able to quickly crawl up walls. He may not be a cat, but Rocket Raccoon is the closest thing Overwatch players are going to get for the time being.