Tag: Marvel

Back in the days of foggy and extremely loud arcades, you could usually spot your favorite caped crusaders beating up evildoers in side-scrolling arcade games. The X-Men arcade beat ’em up that arrived in 1992 gets high marks from us for being one of the most exciting takes on the Marvel Comics’ mutant saviors. If you’re lucky enough to have five of your best friends in two and spot a six-player cabinet for this game in the wild, be sure to give it a go. The simple brawler action, attractive visual style, and random bits of voice acting make this one an unforgettable experience. It’d be downright criminal to not bring up X-Men on a list of the best superhero games, right?

We’ll always have a ton of love for The Punisher’s penchant for dishing out all types of brutal vigilante pain. That likable trait of his got replicated surprisingly well in this Capcom-made arcade beat ’em up. Two players (with the second player taking on the role of a pre-Samuel Jackson Nick Fury) went ham on all sorts of underworld baddies in an attempt to take down Kingpin and his criminal empire. The comic-book style presentation, usage of firearms, and high level of brutality that stuck close to The Punisher’s source material are this game’s finest attributes.

Here’s a rare case of two versions of a 16-bit game both being equally acceptable. The Adventures of Batman & Robin on Genesis was pretty much a side-scrolling shooter, while the SNES rendition was more of a traditional beat ’em up. Both games do right by the cartoon series as evidenced by their crisp 2D visuals, which still look impressive to this day. The opening cinematic and music in the Genesis version are much more preferred, while the SNES version comes with better visuals. In the end, both games are amazing as a combo deal and a respectable representation of a classic 90s cartoon.

While the icon Stan Lee narrated Peter Parker’s adventures in this game, players took control of Spidey as he fought to clear his name after being framed by a doppelgänger. And on top of all that, players also had to combat an incoming symbiote invasion. Webbing around this game was such a joy, plus webbing up foes and getting into some wild boss fights with familiar members of Spidey’s Rogue’s Gallery was equally engrossing. Clashing with a giant-sized Mysterio will always stick out in our minds regarding this awesome Spidey simulator. We gotta hand extra props to the Sega Dreamcast version, by the way!

Once Capcom blew prepubescent gamers’ minds by having Cyclops and Ryu shake hands during the intro for X-Men vs. Street Fighter, the floodgates opened to even more mind-blowing crossovers. The ultimate battle between Marvel and Capcom’s fan-favorite representatives culminated in this beloved 2D fighter. The reason why it’s still being played in FGC circles is because of its god-tier roster and infinitely enjoyable 3v3 fighting game action. The Marvel side of this fighter features members of the X-Men, Spider-Man, Iron-Man, and a whole host of characters that were at the height of their comic book popularity during the 90s. Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is a god-tier fighting game and well-deserving of being recognized as one of the best superhero games.

Spider-Man 2 gave everyone so much to do as the hero everyone in the big city relied on to better their lives – you saved countless kids’ balloons, stopped plenty of speedy cars, rescued numerous construction workers while they were falling to their death, etc. And alongside all that was Spider-Man’s conflict with Doctor Octopus, which gave way to an intriguing storyline that everyone already adored from the movie itself. Spider-Man 2 is a goated comic book video game for another reason, by the way – it’s narrated by the great Bruce Campbell! Spider-Man 2 will forever be acknowledged as one of the best superhero games in the genre.

The one (AND WE MEAN ONE!) and only Hulk game you should dedicate your time and energy to is this one. As an open-world game, The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction offers the most fully-realized dream scenario for the perfect Hulk simulator. Stomping around the city and the desert as the big green brute himself while doing tons of collateral damage to everyone and everything around you is so damn fun. Developer Radical Entertainment will forever be celebrated in our eyes for crafting one of the best superhero games and the bonafide best Hulk game we’ve ever played.

The first X-Men Legends is definitely fire, but we’re much bigger fans of its amazing follow-up. X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse hits so much harder because it allowed gamers to beat back the forces of evil alongside their fellow mutants online. The newly added characters and their accompanying abilities provide tons more replayability since there are so many more dope team combinations to play with. Even being able to select members from the Brotherhood of Mutants is one of this game’s biggest attributes. As far as legit superhero action RPGs go, this one’s one of the best options to run with.

Do you know what three Marvel products are super underrated in our eyes? The 2004 Punisher film, the soundtrack for that movie, and the 2005 video game that also starred the no-holds-barred vigilante. Frank Castle got to run wild with all types of firearms in hand in this blood-soaked third-person shooter. There’s so much to love about this wonderful ode to The Punisher – the one-liners, the interrogation sequences, and the wild shootouts are among those reasons worth mentioning here. It sure would be nice to get Remedy Entertainment (the devs behind Max Payne and Control) to make another Punisher-focused run and gunner like this one someday…

The Marvel: Ultimate Alliance series kept the ball rolling with the caped crusader-filled action RPG template put forward by the X-Men: Legends series. The second MUA title raised the storyline stakes by adapting the events featured in “Secret War” and “Civil War,” which made the game’s whole experience that much more engrossing. Most of the fun we still derive from this heroic dungeon crawler comes from the “fusion” mechanic that lets two certain characters pull off signature team-up attacks. The beat ’em up gameplay in this game is still top-notch and the roster of playable heroes on both sides of the main conflict are fine representatives of the Marvel Universe.

Now let’s have a quick convo about one of the best superhero games that don’t feature a licensed character whatsoever. inFAMOUS is one of those PlayStation exclusives that fans want to see come back in a major way now that the PS5 is within their grasp. And that’s because the first game in the series is such a rewarding experience that lets players serve the city of Empire City as a force for good or evil. Choosing the earlier route is much preferred in our eyes – floating through the sky, picking off baddies with varied lightning-based superpowers, and kicking out all the gang members presiding over different city regions feels so dammed heroic. Cole MacGrath is one of our favorite super-powered saviors of all time.

Jackie Estacado’s not your prototypical “good guy,” per se. But after being targeted for assassination by his “Uncle,” everyone came to understand why he took the path of vengeance that exposed him to the destructive powers tied to an ancient demonic force. The Darkness is one of those underrated first-person shooters that ended up being way better than most people expected when it originally dropped. The gunplay is solid enough, but it’s the abilities of The Darkness itself that provides that guilty pleasure type of fun that makes taking down mobsters a pure joy.

The game’s cel-shaded visuals still look amazing to this very day (it’s awesome how games that stuck close to that animation style stand the test of time!). The main crux of the fun of this game came from being able to venture through Manhattan and parts of Queens as Spidey and his nemesis/ally Venom. In the case of Venom, his playstyle allowed for more destructive behavior that felt like a mix between Rampage and Grand Theft Auto. Ultimate Spider-Man is pretty much a prettier version of Spider-Man 2 that sticks close to its comic-book roots.

We’re ready to crown Lego Marvel Super Heroes as one of the best superhero games simply because of how massive the game’s playable roster is. 180 characters (!) in total are available at players’ grasp in a game filled with familiar locales hailing from the Marvel Universe and famed superhero vs. supervillain struggles. The signature humor fans have come to expect from Traveller’s Tales’ Lego games goes so well with all the hilarious Easter Eggs Marvel fans get in this jolly platformer. That X-Mansion, though? It’s simply astonishing.

Those Lego games always throw in an extra wrinkle for their sequels that always make them worth returning to. Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes‘ big change is the fact that Batman and his allies can now fight alongside some of the most beloved members of the DC Comics superhero roster. All the fun of the first game is retained here, which makes the act of exploring a blocky Gotham City such a captivating experience. This celebration of DC all-stars does so much right and still holds up as one of the better Lego games ever released. Shout out to all the extra characters that came with this game’s Heroes Pack and Villains Pack, too!

Back in the day, we’re sure a lot of comic book fans dreamt of playing a game that allowed them to create their very own caped crusader. Clearly, the good people at DC Comics wanted this too and tapped development studio Dimensional Ink Games to make that dream game a reality. DC Universe Online (which is still going strong today!) is one of the better MMORPGs out there since it implements a more action-based combat system. Saving the world or damming it is so gratifying when you get to do it as your very own custom superpowered avatar. Shout out to the many online homies we ran alongside as a member of The Society!

X-Men Origins: Wolverine presents a rare case of the video game adaptation of a movie being a million times better than the actual movie itself! Good old Wolvie got to thrive in his element here thanks to an action-packed hack and slasher that was clearly infused by the best parts of God of War and Devil May Cry. We’re still enamored by the high levels of gore and brutality it sports – Wolverine’s rage-induced brawls with anyone and everyone are so fun, plus watching his body repair itself after a grueling battle is such a great nod to his powers. If you’re seeking this one out, go for the “Uncaged Edition.”

We know we already mentioned Marvel vs. Capcom 2 as one of the best superhero games, but we wouldn’t feel complete without throwing its super refurbished sequel into the mix as well. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 did a great job of expanding the roster by adding in some names that started out as curious choices that eventually grew into recognizable names, such as Rocket Racoon and Nova. Pulling off TOD (Touch of Death) combos with teams bolstered by Ghost Rider, Iron, Fist, Hawkeye, and Doctor Strange still brings all the hype. The hype wars between Marvel and Capcom look and feel amazing here – you can always find us tuning into a tournament stream to watch the best FGC pros keep this fighter alive.

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions shows just how good development studio Beenox could be when it came time to adopt the Spider-Man universe for a multiverse-fueled adventure. With four different Spider-Men in tow, this game introduced four different playstyles that kept a full playthrough of the game fresh throughout. Spider-Man Noir stuck out as the most unique thanks to his stealthy segments, while Ultimate Spider-Man’s bigger focus on chaotic combat added to the game’s fun factor. We hope Sony and Insomniac Games revisit the concept of Shattered Dimensions with a video game adaption of Into the Spider-Verse someday!

Yes, we’re shocked to be saying this out loud too – South Park: The Fractured But Whole is indeed one of the best superhero games we’ve ever played. South Park’s beloved brand of incredibly crass humor, penchant for spoofing pop culture as a whole, and implementing a simple yet likable art style came through so well in The Stick of Truth. And plenty of fans were overjoyed at the fact that all those concepts got thrown into a sequel that hopped into the whole comic book and superhero movies craze going on at the time. The New Kid’s cosplay adventures with the rest of South Park’s imaginative kids are gut-bustlingly funny here, plus the improved RPG mechanics make it such a pleasure to hop into.

Rocksteady Studios became a household name within the world of gaming once it created a true AAA experience that radically changed the sub-genre of superhero video games. Batman: Arkham Asylum came onto the scene with a combat system that’s been imitated by many due to just how well implemented it is. Landing finishing blows, pulling off cool counters, and utilizing gadgets in this game perfectly encapsulated Batman’s combat prowess. The non-combat portions of this game are equally amazing – exploring the island that Arkham Asylum calls home is just so fascinating. There are so many Riddler trophies, Easter Eggs, and unique ways to explore every nook & cranny this game cleverly hides. Arkham Asylum’s strong narrative also sticks out for being just as intriguing as the comic books that built up its many personalities.

Batman: Arkham City improved upon the grandeur of Arkham Asylum and then some. Players could finally deliver Batman’s brutal batch of justice and put his detective skills to work within a greatly expanded hub world that truly felt alive. The combat got some welcome upgrades, such as the utilization of additional tools for additional combat maneuvers. There are so many unforgettable moments to speak of with this quality Batman experience – the first time you get to fly around the city, the epic Dr. Freeze boss fight, the many side campaigns featuring Catwoman & other members of the Bat Family, etc. Arkham City may just be the very best Batman project Rocksteady has ever produced.

Batman: Arkham Origins got a lot of flack from fans at the time of its announcement. The fact that it was a prequel and not a full-fledged sequel disappointed some, plus the fact that a non-Rocksteady development studio worked on it gave those same fans reason to worry. However, the game ended up being another exciting foray into the tumultuous world of Gotham’s savior. This game holds a special place in many fans’ hearts due to its wealth of excellent boss battles – getting to square off with Deathstroke will forever be one of Arkham Origins’ main highlights. The snow-filled locales, the intriguing plot that put Black Mask & an early version of The Joker center stage, and the Shock Gloves accessory are just some of the many reasons why this prequel deserves way more acclaim.

The final installment within Batman’s Rocksteady-developed escapades came to a close with a triumphant bang. This was the ultimate conclusion to a series that built up tons of respect among gamers and comic book fans alike. Batman’s final crusade brought him into contact with a truly sinister version of the Scarecrow that looks to incapacitate the good people of Gotham City for good.

And during this battle against the sinister madman, players got to glide, drive and sneak through an even more expanded version of Gotham that was rife with baddies to beat up, secrets to uncover, and enemy tanks to wipe out with the Batmobile. Driving around in Batman’s trusty vehicle provides plenty of thrills (even though its combat encounters were a bit overdone). The reveal of who the Arkham Knight really is could be seen from a mile away, but it still felt awesome to come to blows with one of Batman’s earliest sidekicks. Batman: Arkham Knight is indeed one of the best superhero games hailing from the DC Comics catalog.

The gory gurus behind the Mortal Kombat series did a bang-up job with their all-DC Comics fighting game, Injustice: Gods Among Us. Injustice 2 arrived years later and turned out to be even better than what came before it. The single-player campaign hit players right in the feels with even more shocking reveals and revelations between the warring sides of the DC Universe. It feels so damn good to actually participate in the tumultuous clashes that feature a who’s who of DC’s finest, underrated, and even guest participants. The gameplay itself is fantastic – the combo strings look cool, plus the environmental moves and super special moves are simply stunning every time we see them. Injustice 2 also earns its spot here for all the dope alternate costumes each character comes with – The Flash sure has a lot of drip in this brawler!

Your friendly neighborhood wall-crawler is the front-facing star of one of the PS4’s finest exclusives and best superhero games of all time. Everything is on-point here – the web-swinging, combat mechanics, alternate costume lineup, side missions, etc. all came together to produce the greatest Spider-Man game of all time. If you played through this game to the point of getting the platinum trophy and experienced all of its DLC, then you certainly got your money’s worth. Spider-Man for the PS4 encapsulates everything that makes him great and perfectly showcases his Rogues Gallery as one of the very best in the comics industry.

Shout out to Insomniac once again for their quality work on Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Miles stood apart through his signature special abilities that made zipping through the air and putting down a whole set of baddies even more lively. And with his very own struggle to get engaged in while Peter Parker is away, Miles came into contact with some lethal villains and even one that’s been close to him since childhood. And the mood was set just right by the proper representation of Afro Latino vibes in NYC and the original soundtrack. Miles Morales’ solo endeavor is definitely on equal footing with Peter Parker’s PS4 epic.

We hope way more people give Guardians of the Galaxy a chance. Due to the many failures of Marvel’s Avengers, a lot of people were scared off from this project due to its character designs and gameplay looking quite similar to that failed endeavor. But once most folks gave it chance, they walked away as true believers.

Guardians of the Galaxy must be considered royalty among the huge gamut of best superhero games due to its genuinely laugh-out-loud moments between the crew and an action-packed adventure that’s on par with the MCU’s interpretation of the ragtag space travelers. The light RPG battle elements also shine as they allow you to lead the group as Star-Lord and issue party commands while using elemental blasters to save the day. Major props to this game for presenting the best version of Drax the Destroyer we’ve ever encountered.