Superhero games have had a complicated past in the overall history of video games. There have been breathtaking highs and soul-crushing lows for our favorite characters. Fortunately, however, the gaming industry has been using these larger than life heroes properly for years now. It seems that the days of subpar cash grabs are largely over.
As such, it’s an appropriate time to take a look at the 10 best superhero games yet, counting down to the No. 1 superhero game ever. Perhaps your personal favorite tops the list!
10. The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction
Released on PS2, Xbox, and Gamecube in 2005, this beloved classic managed to do something that many games seem unable to: present the Incredible Hulk in a satisfying way. Playing as the mutated Dr. Bruce Banner, players are tasked with causing as much destruction as possible — hence the game’s title.
It is a loud, chaotic game where wrecking everything and everyone around you is a goal. That’s what made it perfectly in line with what a Hulk game should be.
9. Injustice 2
Following years of subpar video game adaptations, recent years have been kind to DC Comics characters. While this has resulted in many great games to feature these characters, the Injustice series did something unique with them that other games seemingly could not. These fighting games seem to be a perfect arena for the DC heroes and villains to vent their tensions and interact with each other in fun ways.
While Injustice: Gods Among Us was good, 2017’s Injustice 2 improved upon much of the formula. The story is interesting, the gameplay is crisp and clean, and going up against your friends in matches is priceless.
8. Infamous 2
The second installment of the Infamous franchise stuck its superhero landing in 2011. This adventure saw the original protagonist, Cole MacGrath, head to a new setting. New Marais is an interesting playground for the electricity-based hero to traverse, one that often goes under-appreciated.
Naturally, the setting complements both the story and characters well. While this series isn’t based on any preexisting material such as comic books, it’s hard to deny that this is a superhero game through and through.
7. Spider-Man 2
This 2004 movie tie-in was widely accepted as the best Spider-Man game for a long time. For the most part, that was pretty accurate. It nailed the hard-to-perfect web-swinging gameplay and leaned into the charm of Spider-Man more than a lot of games ever did.
Of course, this is a game from 2004, so virtually everything great about it has been improved upon and done better somewhere else. What makes this game stand out as one of the greats, though, is that it was made during a time when good superhero games were rare.
6. Batman: Arkham Knight
2015 saw the end of the epic Batman Arkham saga. While this game had a rough and inexcusable release on PC, the PS4 and Xbox One versions delivered a grand conclusion to the story of Bruce Wayne. While not everything was perfect in the game, such as boss battles, the story beats put forth were terrific.
As for gameplay, this is where you’ll find the best of the series’ action. The stealth is as perfected as it could be. Plus, the freeflow combat is as smooth and swift as it ever was. All of this makes taking out Batman’s impressive rogue’s gallery incredibly satisfying.
5. Marvel Ultimate Alliance
Something that marks a good superhero game is the amount of dedication a product has to the source material. Marvel Ultimate Alliance is a 2006 release that features a wide range of Marvel characters. Superheroes, supervillains, and common mortals were all represented well in the game.
Something that makes this game incredible is how it isn’t afraid to delve deep into obscure, low-tier characters for players to interact with. In fact, characters such as the now well-known Deadpool may have been introduced to many fans through this game. Plus, it was just a terrific top-down RPG even without the Marvel background.
4. Lego Marvel Superheroes
Family games are always welcome in gaming. Striking the perfect balance of a game that is fun for both older and younger gamers is something the Lego games have always excelled at. One of the best versions of this series is Lego Marvel Superheroes, which features a cast rivaling that of Marvel Ultimate Alliance.
Despite being kid-friendly, the warmth, charm, and relaxed nature of this game makes it worthy of this list. Featuring a huge interpretation of New York filled with secrets to enjoy and fun puzzle-based gameplay, Lego Marvel Superheroes is great for pretty much any player to enjoy.
3. Batman: Arkham Asylum
This 2009 release was met with many doubts when it was first announced. The character of Batman seemed to be poisonous to interactive entertainment for years. However, many people were proven wrong when Batman: Arkham Asylum finally hit shelves.
Featuring a setting with a strong horror aesthetic, this game gave Batman a real punch (both figuratively and literally). Arkham Asylum went on to inspire tons of games with similar styles and gameplay.
2. Marvel’s Spider-Man
Released in 2018, this adventure was a return to form for Marvel’s wall-crawling superhero. Gorgeous, action-packed, and respectful to the iconic character, Marvel’s Spider-Man delivered something for fans new and old.
1. Batman: Arkham City
In a series that could be viewed as the pinnacle of superhero gaming, Arkham City may be the highlight of the entire Batman: Arkham franchise. Despite being a sequel to the iconic Arkham Asylum, it was clear Arkham City was something even more special upon its release in 2011.
The game features great representations of classic characters in a pretty original concept, including a dying Joker with nothing to lose. While the gameplay may not be as great as Arkham Knight’s (the fourth game in the series from 2015), the setting exploration and boss battles more than make up for it.
What are your favorite superhero games of all time? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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