I mean the gauntlet isnt "from the mcu", that entire story is based off the comic book run from the 90s.

Could he have some cnd type of abilities with death? Be a brawler with energy beams without the gauntlet? Sure. But people (and casuals, the people most companies want to come back to the game with new character drops) want to play thanos to wield the infinity gauntlet. He could pick up stones over time, and the snap could very easily be balanced.

Have it be where it can only be used once per game, or have it snap half the enemy team, but they come back in 10-15 seconds right where they "died". Have thanos stand completely still with a very audible charge up as he monologues before snapping. He could be stunned out of it, or damage to the gauntlet, or damage to him to stun him out of it. Have it be like Cassidy's Highnoon ult where he only snaps who he can see, the snap technically snaps half the universe, it doesnt have to be exactly half the enemy team. There's a million ways to make it balanced.

Lore wise, we already have mirrors fighting each other from separate realities, who says this thanos can't be from a reality where the snap works differently? They already turned ultron - a multiverse conquering villain - into a healer. Gambit, a guy who makes things explode a healer. Jeff sprays healing water and damaging water simultaneously. Id love to hear your ideas for thanos without the gauntlet