Marvel heroes have been a presence in video games since 1982, with Spider-Man making his debut on the Atari 2600. While not every adaptation has been a success, a wealth of excellent Marvel titles are currently available to play, spanning a variety of genres.
Tactical Combat and Deck-Building
Marvel's Midnight Suns, developed by Firaxis Games, blends turn-based tactical combat with deck-building mechanics. Players command an army of Marvel heroes to thwart the resurrected Lilith. The game features 13 playable characters in its base offering, with four more added through expansions. Combat incorporates environmental hazards and chained attacks, with characters like Ghost Rider, who is slated for a future film, being part of the roster.
Fast-Paced Card Collecting
Marvel Snap offers a compelling blend of card collecting and strategic gameplay. Developed by Second Dinner, this mobile and PC title combines familiar Marvel nostalgia with a fast-paced gameplay loop. While early game character unlocks are plentiful, the pacing slows in later stages. Despite this, it remains a highly regarded experience on portable devices.
Narrative-Driven Action Adventure
Eidos-Montréal's Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy puts players in the role of Peter Quill (Star-Lord) in a third-person action-adventure. The game features a narrative with branching dialogue, complemented by polished combat where players can issue commands to their computer-controlled allies, each possessing unique abilities. The game is available on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
Sandbox Destruction
The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, by Radical Entertainment, offers a sandbox environment where players can unleash the Hulk's might. Players can use Hulk's fists or wield objects in the environment to cause destruction, with military responses escalating as the player's rampages intensify. Hulk's special abilities are unlocked by building a meter through combat or by nearing defeat. New abilities, collectibles, and cheats are available throughout the adventure.
Blocky Adventures
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes provides a family-friendly take on the Marvel universe, with Doctor Doom and Loki attempting world domination using a powerful doom ray. The game features familiar Marvel heroes and villains rendered in LEGO form, making its darker themes more palatable for younger players. It supports local co-operative play, making it a suitable choice for families.
Classic Fighting Crossover
Marvel vs. Capcom 2, originally an arcade title, was a significant hit from Capcom. This sequel improved upon its predecessor with a larger roster, enhanced controls, and deeper background elements, all within a 2D fighting framework. The tag-team mechanics were fluid, and while balancing issues affected competitive play, its appeal as a coin-op machine was immense.
Cooperative Dungeon Crawling
Marvel Ultimate Alliance, developed by Raven Software, allows players to assemble a team of four characters from over 20 options, with cooperative play supported. The game features less common Marvel characters like Elektra, Namor, and Spider-Woman. While remasters for modern consoles have been delisted due to licensing issues, the original title offers a worthwhile experience across its various platforms.
Match-Three RPG Hybrid
Marvel Puzzle Quest merges the addictive match-three mechanics of the Puzzle Quest series with RPG elements and Marvel characters. Players assemble a team of three heroes to battle opponents in turn-based combat, strategically making matches that provide combat advantages. The free-to-play title continues to receive updates, including new characters and balance adjustments.
Open-World Web-Slinging
Insomniac Games' Marvel's Spider-Man delivers an immersive open-world experience in New York City. Players swing through the city, engaging in combat focused on chained attacks and webbing, with a significant emphasis on exploration. The game has seen multiple follow-ups, including Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales and the dual-protagonist Marvel's Spider-Man 2.
Hero Shooter Action
Marvel Rivals is a free-to-play hero shooter from NetEase that draws comparisons to Overwatch. Available across multiple platforms with crossplay support, it features a roster of over 50 characters divided into vanguards, duelists, and strategists. The game offers various modes and cosmetic microtransactions, and has been supported with new content seasons and tie-in comics.
