With the recent release of Marvel’s Avengers on platforms like the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, and the new Black Widow film slated for theaters this holiday, superheroes are heating back up in pop culture.
Although many video games give you super-powers, we’ve chosen to focus on the games that feature our favorite characters from the Marvel and DC universes. When you consider just how popular superheroes are, it’s no surprise that there’s an abundance of video games based on them. Even going as far back as the Atari 2600, superheroes have been the source of some interesting game adaptations.
Whether you’re looking for a modern and flashy game similar to Marvel’s Avengers or a more retro superhero adventure, we’ve crafted a list of five of the best superhero games for you to check out. In no particular order, here are the top five superhero video games.
The Top 5 Superhero Video Games
5. Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2
Released in 2018 on major home consoles and PCs, this sequel in the long-running Lego game franchise is one of the best. Like most other Lego games, Marvel Super Heroes 2 offers both solo and multiplayer adventuring packed with bright colors, easy-to-learn controls, and explosive gameplay.
This sequel brings together over 100 unique superheroes in an epic cross-over story involving time-travel and alternate dimensions. As 17 worlds from the Marvel Universe collide, you’ll team up with iconic superheroes like the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy in order to prevent the universe from collapsing.
There are tons of collectibles to find, bonus levels and characters to unlock, and fun mini-games to explore. Better yet, Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 is a game that every member of the family can enjoy, thanks to its lighthearted storytelling and simple yet addictive gameplay.
4. X-Men Arcade
Considered one of the best cooperative beat ’em up games ever made, the X-Men arcade game was all the rage in the early 90s. Unlike most of the games on this list, the X-Men arcade game was never released on home consoles, making it a rare find nowadays.
In the game, you and up to five other friends pick from a roster of iconic X-Men as you fight to defeat Magneto and other dastardly supervillains. Whether you’re playing as Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Storm, or any of the other awesome X-Men, you’ll be able to run, attack, and use your unique mutant power to defeat enemies.
When compared to some of the other games on this list, X-Men is a bit repetitive, but when you’re smashing away baddies with your friends it’s hard to notice. If you ever get the chance to play X-Men in its original arcade glory, don’t pass it up!
3. Injustice 2
Not every game about superheroes is bright and cheerful, as this next entry on our list demonstrates. Created by the same developers as Mortal Kombat, Injustice 2 is a brutal fighting game that features dozens of your favorite heroes and villains from the DC Universe. In addition to a highly cinematic story mode, there is a slew of local and online multiplayer modes, as well as the addictive “Multiverse” challenge mode.
Injustice 2 has incredibly well-designed combat, a great roster of characters including both fan-favorites and forgotten underdogs, and some seriously impressive graphics. Thanks to a long list of cool cosmetic items, unlockable special moves, and other great bonuses, Injustice 2 provides endless hours of enjoyable superhero action.
2. Batman: Arkham City
The Batman Arkham series was one of the first big superhero franchises to take off in the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 era of gaming. While its predecessor, Batman: Arkham Asylum, was a fun and evocative adventure game, Batman: Arkham City was where developer Rocksteady really hit their stride.
In this dark and gritty open-world adventure, players take on the role of Batman as he attempts to navigate the newly formed “Arkham City”, a walled-off area of Gotham containing the city’s most dangerous criminals. During your journey, you’ll run into a long list of fan-favorite characters, including Catwoman, Robin, and villains like the Riddler and Mr. Freeze.
The gameplay is a fun mixture of stealth and action, which highly features iconic Batman gadgets and takedowns. Whether you’re a fan of the caped crusader or not, Batman: Arkham City is well worth the time.
1. Marvel’s Spider-Man
Not only is Spider-Man one of the most popular superheroes of them all, but he’s also been the star of a handful of quality video game adaptations. The newest Spider-Man game, simply titled Marvel’s Spider-Man, was exclusively released on the PlayStation 4 in late-2018.
Featuring an original story with a separate Peter Parker from previous games or films, Marvel’s Spider-Man impressed fans and critics alike with its accurate and heartfelt adaptation of this classic character. The story isn’t the only great part about this PlayStation 4 title, as the open-world map is packed with exciting missions, addictive challenges, and hidden collectibles to find.
Like the best Spider-Man games, Marvel’s Spider-Man provides the player with incredibly satisfying web-swinging mechanics, propelling you through the streets of New York City at top speeds. The combat is also impeccable, borrowing the gadget-heavy aspects of games like Batman: Arkham City. Some would argue that Marvel’s Spider-Man is worth buying a PlayStation 4 for altogether. While that’s a bit extreme in our opinion, it’s still one of the best superhero games ever made.
 By: Matt
| Matt started gaming at two years old with Wolfenstein 3D on the PC. His early days of gaming were spent on classic NES and DOS titles, growing his love for both retro action and point ‘n click adventure games. Matt is the creator of Super Gamesite 64 and he especially enjoys doling out the end-of-year awards. When he’s not playing the latest release for review, you can find Matt gobbling up movies and TV shows. Matt has a love for every aspect of gaming, and will surely be tapping away for as long as possible. |
