Best Spiderman/Marvel Games?

[Sideroller]

I recently had the chance to play Spiderman and the X-Men on the SNES. The experience was....meh. Spider man can't even punch or kick, he sticks to everything he jumps into (which makes navigating down and up shafts really tedious), the graphics just seem really bland, and the X-men characters, while cool, were awkward to play as. There were some weird animations for Cyclops kicking motions . The bottom line though was that this game was hard as bawlz, but NOT in a fun sort of way.

This is after I had played Maximum Carnage for years on the Genesis. That game is hard too - but I think the beat-em-up style worked a lot better with it. The graphics were kind of dark in that one too, yes, but it made sense since the story line was pretty dark to begin with. And you get to play as Venom - who is awesome.

These are the only two retro era Spiderman games I've played. I liked the ones they came out with on the Playstation - but looking back on them I'm not sure if they'd still hold up. I did like all the unlock-able content/costumes they had.

What do you guys think?

[CFFJR]

Well, if you liked Maximum Carnage you might check out its not as good sequel (also on Genesis) Separation Anxiety. The graphics took a huge hit and its more repetitive, but it also has a two player mode. Also on genesis was just "Spider-man", based on the cartoon in the 90s (mjmjr25 has a copy of this game in his sale thread, so you can check it out). I honestly haven't played it in years, but I remember it being a fun platformer.

There's another Spider-man game on the Sega CD, but I've never played it and can't say anything about it. I just mention it if you want to look into it.

As for the two playstation era games, they still hold up. I recently played the first one again (the dreamcast version) and it was good fun. The controls will take some adjusting though, if you're at all used to modern games.

More recently, the first movie game (on ps2,xbox,gc) was very much like the playstation games and quite fun.

The second and third movie games were okay, and the second one introduced the free roaming web slinging that got popular with recent games. They're both kinda bland though, and the best parts of them are just the ability to wander around the city freely as Spidey.

Even more recently on current systems, Web of Shadows was pretty good, and Shattered Dimensions is fantastic and well worth getting.

[Balasubbie]

Ultimate Spider-Man (PS2/GC/Possibly X-Box) is a beautiful, awesome game, let down by the fact it's got some shitty camera angles, slightly shallow gameplay and lack of mission variety. I'd still give it a whirl, all the same.

[Ack]

I recently had the chance to play Spiderman and the X-Men on the SNES. The experience was....meh. Spider man can't even punch or kick, he sticks to everything he jumps into (which makes navigating down and up shafts really tedious), the graphics just seem really bland, and the X-men characters, while cool, were awkward to play as. There were some weird animations for Cyclops kicking motions . The bottom line though was that this game was hard as bawlz, but NOT in a fun sort of way.

That sounds like you were playing Spider-Man and X-Men: Arcade's Revenge. That one's generally considered pretty terrible, though playing as Wolverine wasn't so bad. If you want more Marvel goodness for your Super Nintendo, check out Marvel Super Heroes in War of the Gems, which will give you the likes of the Avengers and Spider-Man to go up against a variety of villains. And if you've got an interest in more X-Men action, check out X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse. It admittedly starts a bit rough, but once it gets going, it gets going strong.

[BurningDoom]

Well, if you liked Maximum Carnage you might check out its not as good sequel (also on Genesis) Separation Anxiety. The graphics took a huge hit and its more repetitive, but it also has a two player mode. Also on genesis was just "Spider-man", based on the cartoon in the 90s (mjmjr25 has a copy of this game in his sale thread, so you can check it out). I honestly haven't played it in years, but I remember it being a fun platformer.

There's another Spider-man game on the Sega CD, but I've never played it and can't say anything about it. I just mention it if you want to look into it.

As for the two playstation era games, they still hold up. I recently played the first one again (the dreamcast version) and it was good fun. The controls will take some adjusting though, if you're at all used to modern games.

More recently, the first movie game (on ps2,xbox,gc) was very much like the playstation games and quite fun.

The second and third movie games were okay, and the second one introduced the free roaming web slinging that got popular with recent games. They're both kinda bland though, and the best parts of them are just the ability to wander around the city freely as Spidey.

Even more recently on current systems, Web of Shadows was pretty good, and Shattered Dimensions is fantastic and well worth getting.

The Sega CD "Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin" is just an enhanced version of the 1991 Genesis/Master System "Spider-Man" game. And while it may have been good compared to the NES & Atari Spider-Man games that came before it, it really is crap compared to most any Spider-Man game released after it.

I agree that Maximum Carnage is one of the better beat-em ups from the 16-bit era. Separation Anxiety is good, too, if you liked Maximum Carnage. But the graphics aren't quite as good and it's a lot easier.

You should also check out X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse for the SNES, another great 16-bit beat-em up. It was even better than Maximum Carnage. Different mutants to play as, each with their own unique attack/move-set which can be executed in a similar manner to the Street Fighter II special moves. Fantastic graphics and sound to boot. My only complaint is that it's too damn short of a game. X-Men 2: The Clone Wars for the Genesis is another fantastic beat-em up that is similar to X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse in many ways. A HUGE upgrade from the original Genesis X-Men game.

Marvel Super-Heroes: War of the Gems is an often overlooked game on the SNES because it was released so late in the SNES's life most people had already moved on to Saturn and Playstation. The gameplay is quite similar to X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse right down to the attacks being similar to SF II. This time you get to choose from general Marvel Super-Heroes rather than just members of the X-Men, and the story follows The Infinity War comic from the 90s.

The Playstation Spider-Man games are great! Especially if you're a fan of the comics. Lot's of villains from the comics make an appearance in them. The first one is also available on N64 and Dreamcast, with the Dreamcast version being the best of the bunch. Tons of great unlockables for these.

Last-gen I thought the first Spider-Man: The Movie game was the best of the bunch. Great web-slinging and combat controls that are very fluid and just plain fun. And I freaking LOVED the unlockables, especially the ability to play as Green Goblin after beating the game. And it's not just a new skin, you actually get to control the Goblin's glider and use his weaponry.

Spider-Man 2 is very fun at first. You get all of New York to roam freely through, progressing the story when you choose to, or just stopping random crimes. The web-slinging mechanics are different than the first game, but still very fun. In fact, sometimes it's just immensely satisfying to web-sling through the city and do acrobatics in the air. But it gets very repetitive after a while.

Spider-Man 3 I felt was a rip-off of Spider-Man 2 and an inferior one at that. Other than that, this generation, I've only played Spider-Man: Web of Shadows. The gameplay set-up starts off similar to Spider-Man 2, but then becomes very story-centric. The city literally grows more evil around you and morphs and changes as the game goes on. You get to play as either the normal Spider-Man or the Symbiote-Costume Spider-Man, and can change between them on the fly. Each has it's own set of attacks/moves; generally normal Spider-Man is faster and more agile, while Symbiote-Costume Spider-Man is stronger and has more power-attacks. The story is very Symbiote-centric as well, so it's a treat for fans of the 90s Spider-Man comics. But best of all, you interact with MANY characters from the Marvel Universe.

Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction is one I highly recommend. It's just fun as hell to be the Hulk and destroy everything in this game. The environments are highly destructible, and playing as the Hulk is immensely satisfying.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance is a great game if you're into hack-n-slash RPGs like Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance. You control a team of 4 Marvel Characters, each with their own abilities and attacks, and each of them can be leveled up and geared up like any other hack-n-slash RPG. Lot's of playable Marvel Characters to choose from to make your 4-character teams, and more to unlock as the game progresses. Lot's of NPC Marvel Characters. Lot's of villains. Lot's of Marvel locales. And lot's of unlockables.

And you want only Marvel games? Because Batman: Arkham Asylum is a freaking masterpiece of modern super-hero gaming. You are the Dark Knight in this game, truly. You fight like him, your stealthy like him, you have to use detective skills, and the Gotham environment is very atmospheric. Just like the comics. And it's all executed so well.

[Sideroller]

Well, if you liked Maximum Carnage you might check out its not as good sequel (also on Genesis) Separation Anxiety. The graphics took a huge hit and its more repetitive, but it also has a two player mode. Also on genesis was just "Spider-man", based on the cartoon in the 90s (mjmjr25 has a copy of this game in his sale thread, so you can check it out). I honestly haven't played it in years, but I remember it being a fun platformer.

There's another Spider-man game on the Sega CD, but I've never played it and can't say anything about it. I just mention it if you want to look into it.

As for the two playstation era games, they still hold up. I recently played the first one again (the dreamcast version) and it was good fun. The controls will take some adjusting though, if you're at all used to modern games.

More recently, the first movie game (on ps2,xbox,gc) was very much like the playstation games and quite fun.

The second and third movie games were okay, and the second one introduced the free roaming web slinging that got popular with recent games. They're both kinda bland though, and the best parts of them are just the ability to wander around the city freely as Spidey.

Even more recently on current systems, Web of Shadows was pretty good, and Shattered Dimensions is fantastic and well worth getting.

Yeah I liked Ultimate Spiderman and the ability to free roam with either Spidey or Venom - but I felt like it didn't have as many extras or alternate stuff to unlock like the Playstation era games. Also they screwed with Venom's/Eddie Brock's design - but I understand it was because it was based off another continuation in the comics.

I'll look into the genesis games you mentioned.

[pepharytheworm]

I love me some spider-man games. I have quite a few either starring the web slinger or featuring him.

Here's my favs:

The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin - Sega CD
This game is a port of the Genesis game of the same name but non-linear and with added cinema's.

Spider-Man & Venom: Maximum Carnage/Separation Anxiety-SNES/genesis
These games get a bad rep but I love them. The sountrack in the SNES version is awesome. It makes you think of the 90's hearing Green Jelly's soundtrack

The Amazing Spider-Man: Lethal Foes - Super Famicom
Kinda rare and hard to find but this game is my favorite 16 bit era spidy game. The only part I don't like are the timed levels, which pervents exploring.

Spider-Man - Dreamcast/Nintendo 64/PlayStation
I have owned all three ports and the dc is by far the best version, but they are all good.

Spider-Man 2: Enter Electro - Playstion
The sequel to the above mentioned game. Not as good as the first but enjoyable if you liked the first

Spider-Man: Mysterio's Menace - GBA
My favorite of all the handheld spiderman's

Ultimate Spider-Man PS2/GCN/XBOX
I don't like the ultimate universe, but the game is pretty good.

[Sideroller]

And you want only Marvel games? Because Batman: Arkham Asylum is a freaking masterpiece of modern super-hero gaming. You are the Dark Knight in this game, truly. You fight like him, your stealthy like him, you have to use detective skills, and the Gotham environment is very atmospheric. Just like the comics. And it's all executed so well.

I got to see my friend play this -- it looked immensely fun! I still have to pick up a PS3 though if I want to play it on my own.

I've always kind of preferred the Marvel universe though, I grew up on Spiderman and the X-men, haha.

[pakopako]

I still like the Spiderman arcade game with its zooming effects and the team of Spidey and Black Cat. (Hawkeye and Namor were... also included.)

[CFFJR]

I still like the Spiderman arcade game with its zooming effects and the team of Spidey and Black Cat. (Hawkeye and Namor were... also included.)

I always thought that was funny. Hawkeye and Namor are incredibly random additions for a Spider-man focused game. Daredevil and possibly Torch or Wolverine would have made a lot more sense.