Believe it or not, good superhero video games aren't nearly as plentiful as you might expect. For every good game over the years there seems to be at least three mediocre or downright bad titles starring iconic DC or Marvel heroes and villains.
In recent years games like the Batman: Arkham series have proven that superhero games have the potential to be great. While the games below aren't exactly on the same level of Batman: Arkham Knight, they are some of the better superhero games that for whatever reason aren't usually mentioned when it comes to naming "the best" superhero games of all time. Though they might not be the best, these superhero games of years past are worth remembering.
Spider-Man (PlayStation, Dreamcast)
Later Spider-Man games may have introduced open-world web-slinging, but no game starring Marvel's iconic wall-crawler has managed to capture the essence of the character like this 2000 action title developed by Neversoft. Players get to punch their way through baddies and utilize Spider-Man's unique web slinging and wall crawling abilities to complete each level. And while the gameplay is top-notch, it's the game's characters and story that sets it over the top. The game is filled with all the major Spider-Man villains as well as many of his allies, like Daredevil, Black Cat and the Punisher. Plus, it's narrated by Stan Lee. If you are a fan of Peter Parker, you definitely need to check this game out.
The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction (PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube)
Marvel seems to have had a rough time using Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic universe. Both of the character's films simply didn't capture audiences in the way other Marvel movies have. Perhaps it's because the Hulk is better suited for the world of video games. It's easy to think that might be the case after playing Radical Entertainment's The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction. The game's name pretty much says it all: you play as Hulk in an open-world where you can smash just about everything. It's a blast.
The Punisher (PlayStation 2, Xbox)
The Punisher: a brooding anti-hero who wears a skull on his trench coat and dispenses justice at the end of his assault rifle barrel. In short, he sounds like the perfect Marvel character to get a video game adaptation. His game might not be perfect, but it is a solid third-person action title, most remembered for the brutal interrogations players can inflict on various thugs over the course of the game.
Freedom Force (PC)
It might not star Marvel or DC Comic characters, but no list of underrated superhero games is complete without mentioning Irrational Games' excellent Freedom Force. The game features it's own entertaining comic book universe filled with familiar superhero archetypes and riffs on popular DC and Marvel characters, plus it has some stellar turn-based gameplay to boot.
The Invincible Iron Man (Game Boy Advance)
Sega's Iron Man games based on the first two films are a little embarrassing and should be avoided at all cost. But if you desperately need an Iron Man video game, you don't have many other places to look. This Iron Man game for the GBA is the best game starring the character you are going to find. The game doesn't reinvent the wheel by any means and Iron Man looks like of strange in action, but the game delivers some solid platforming and shooting action to make for a fun, if not super memorable, experience.
Justice League Heroes: The Flash (Game Boy Advance)
The console version of Justice League Heroes isn't that great. The GBA spin-off title starring the Flash, however? Surprisingly fun. By no means is it anything too crazy, it's just a simple sidescrolling beat 'em up starring the Scarlet Speedster, and along the way you'll bump into Batman, Superman and the rest of the Justice League. It's not great, but if we are talking about underrated superhero games, this title definitely deserves a mention.
The Adventures of Batman & Robin (SNES, Genesis, Sega CD, Game Gear)
Batman: The Animated Series is fantastic. So too is the game based on the show, in particular the Super Nintendo Version. Bruce Timm's signature art style is recreated perfectly here. The game delivers some serious side scrolling action as players battle and platform their way through various stages before facing off against some of Batman's most iconic villains in scenes inspired from episodes of the classic animated show. We might go as far to say as this is the best Batman game outside of Rocksteady's Batman: Arkham series. Yeah, it's that good.
Marvel Super Heroes: War of the Gems (SNES)
With Marvel gearing up for its two-part Avengers: Infinity War films, what better time to remember this sidescroller based on one of Marvel's most iconic comic book events. Players can choose from a variety of Marvel heroes like Captain America, Iron Man and Wolverine, each possessing different playstyles and special moves. Over the course of the game players collect the various Infinity gems, stones that grant the user great powers over the universe. These gems aren't just for show either.
Once acquired, players can choose which gem to equip to gain new abilities. Figuring out what gems complement each hero or are best suited for a particular stage is key to overcoming this challenging game, and part of what makes it so much fun. It all culminates in an epic battle with Thanos himself, and when you finally bring him down, it's hard not to feel a real sense of accomplishment.
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