Publisher Square Enix has announced the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions of Marvel's Avengers, and luckily for gamers who purchased the game on PS4 or Xbox One, both are eligible for a free upgrade to the next-gen consoles.

Square Enix also announced that Clint Barton (Hawkeye) will join the Avengers at no additional cost along with the next-gen version. The free DLC, titled "Marvel's Avengers Operation": Hawkeye - Future Imperfect," will be a new story quest featuring Burton, his apprentice Kate Bishop, and the villain Maestro.

According to the press release, PS5 and Xbox Series X gamers will see higher frame rates and up to 4K resolution. This implies that the frame rate will not be fixed at 60 fps, but will be unlocked and the resolution will be variable. Therefore, certain scenes that are computationally intensive may be handled by lowering the resolution of the game; the highest resolution for the Xbox Series S version will be 1440p.

Apart from the resolution and frame rate, load times should be significantly faster thanks to the console's new faster SSD. The added memory will also be able to provide better textures and farther drawing distances. Characters will also see next-gen upgrades with higher-resolution models, armor destruction, and "other enhancements."

For those moving from last-gen to next-gen consoles, save files will also be carried over. Square Enix has also released a trailer.

Marvel's Avengers, released last September, was not as critically acclaimed as Square Enix had hoped. While we praised its storyline and its focus on Kamala Khan, a.k.a. Ms. Marvel, the gameplay felt repetitive and shallow. Still, developers Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix have not given up on the game and plan to add more content in the future. In other words, if the developers hang in there, there is definitely a chance that this game will gain a strong following. Other games that have managed to win back fans include "No Man's Sky" and "For Honor."

The next-gen version of Marvel's Avengers will be available on March 18, with free upgrades from PS4 to PS5 (with disc drive) and Xbox One to Xbox Series X. However, PS5 Digital Edition and Xbox Series S owners Unfortunately for those who own them, they will have to pay for the full game unless they already own it digitally.