Our 2:57:21 run is NOT NG+. All characters are using default statistics.

Is there some way to appeal the rejection of the run?

The problem is true NG doesn't use costume already unlocked from a previous save you have to unlock them as you play the game. In addition you were able to set a team up before the game started unlike starting the game and going to the first shield icon and making a team from there which goes against the point of NG. The problem is were still looking if its the problem of the Wii version of the game and yes the Rules didn't have a clear definition on what is allowed and what isn't but were gonna change that sorry for any inconvenience.

OK, so every NG run requires that you start the game with players available without unlocking them. This includes Blade, Silver Surfer, Daredevil, Dr. Strange, etc etc.. Outfits are easier to gain than many characters. If we can use the characters available from a previous ave, why not outfits?

OK, so every team in NG has to start with the default of Captain America, Spider-Man, Thor, and Wolverine. Then at the first Shield Icon, you can switch teams... but only to characters who wouldn't otherwise be unlocked. Does this include DLC? This should be specified. This also eliminates other NG runs from contention.

I'm pretty sure being able to select a team from the start is beating the game on normal mode, which I'm seeing few, if any, runs on here have done.

Another question is, what if you just have outfits for cosmetic purposes? It seems unfair to not be able to play from level 1 as the character you want wearing the outfit you want. Ghost Rider's initial outfit is terrible, but his 2nd- and 3rd-level outfits are much better.

Outfits are generally needed for the bonus that they give, for example Silver Surfer's Vitality costume has a boost stats bonus that gives +4 body, focus, and strike at the first upgrade. This gives him +12 in health and focus which doesn't sound like a lot but when you consider that he has 45 health and 70 focus at lvl 1 it is a huge reason that I can reach Mephisto's realm at lvl 6 or 7

Its not from a previous save you can start a new game and the characters are magically unlocked for some reason. Also using different outfits give characters different abilities. Having those costumes unlocked since the beginning already gives you an advantage instead of playing the game and unlocking them manually. DLC characters don't have costumes unlocked on default like I said before you have to play the game.

@WoweeTheDoggo exactly my point. If you want to beat the game with a team of your choosing from level 1, outfits shouldn't be omitted. Dr. Strange has a similar boost of Increase Stats, and although he never really stops being made of glass it's helpful to have extra HP. Selecting outfits adds another level of strategy to a NG run, which is pretty clearly the more difficult of the two to complete.

Even if you Didn't use the bonuses on each outfit, from a level 1 start you'd probably need to invest in Defense... so why not allow unlocked outfits for cosmetic purposes?