Batman: Arkham City is nearly upon us. The game finally releases tomorrow in North America, then a few days later in other territories like Australia and Europe. To celebrate the game’s impending launch, we’ve revisited our “Best Superhero Games” list and updated it according to what’s released since its original publication.
These are the games that actually make us feel like we’re running around in our tights and cape, righting wrongs and shooting laser beams out of our eyeballs. These are the games that make us feel as super as the characters in them.
10. X-Men Origins: Wolverine
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Developer: Raven Software
System: PS3, PC, Xbox 360
Release: May 2009
Yes, the movie was god awful. That’s what makes it such a shocker that the tie-in video game is actually pretty damn good. While X-Men Origins: Wolverine has it’s fair share of problems, it makes up for them by accurately capturing Wolverine’s brutality in combat. And as an added bonus, you get to listen to Hugh Jackson play the ill-tempered Canuck without having to suffer through some shitty movie that rapes dead the idea of Deadpool. If you need to experience Wolverine’s origin through the eyes of Hollywood extravagance, this game is your best bet. Trust us.
9. Marvel Ultimate Alliance
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Developer: Raven Software
System: PS2, Xbox, PS3, Xbox 360
Release: 2006
Marvel Ultimate Alliance (MUA) was the third Marvel-themed action-RPG that Raven Software developed for Activision. However, it was the first that moved away from Xavier’s school for mutants and stepped on the grand stage of the entire Marvel Universe. And because of Raven’s previous efforts, Marvel Ultimate Alliance was the most polished and deep version of their top-down-view action-RPGs when it released. MUA is also responsible for making a complete mockery of Blade by placing him in a toy machine that he couldn’t escape from on his own. That moment was hilarious and will forever be etched in our mind for reminding us how worthless the character really is. Well played, Raven.
8. The Punisher
Developer: Volition, Inc.
System: PS2, PC, Xbox
Release: January 2005
We’re going to wager that there aren’t many people that remember this gem of a superhero game (if you want to call the Punisher a superhero in the first place). But believe us, The Punisher -- loosely tied into the 2004 feature film -- is a fantastic use of the character’s license in video game form. The gameplay was very reminiscent of the Max Payne series, while also incorporating some stealth elements and brutal interrogation techniques. Seriously, look at the above image. That's a wood chipper. You could get the information you wanted and then still decide to throw him in that. It was awesome, and very Frank Castle, if we do say so ourselves.
To further sell the game, The Punisher featured some awesome cameos from characters within the typical Punisher world, as well as ones from the rest of the Marvel Universe -- Iron Man, Nick Fury, Black Widow, Matt Murdock (Daredevil), Kingpin, Bullseye and The Russian, to name a few.
7. X-Men Arcade
Developer: Konami
System: Arcade, XBLA, PSN
Release: 1992
Ah, the classics. What X-Men Arcade lacks in depth, it makes up for in pure fun and replayability. Seriously, this mutant-themed beat ‘em up is still a blast to pick up and play, whether flying solo or with three other friends. The game featured some of the coolest playable merry mutants (minus Dazzler) and the best X-Men villains in the business. X-Men Arcade’s popularity also netted the game a re-release, some 18 years later, on the Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network. That proves X-Men Arcade is one of the more memorable and impactful superhero games ever made.
6. Freedom Force
Developer: Irrational Games
System: PC, Mac
Release: January 2002
Before they made BioShock, Kevin Levine and Irrational Games did a little title called Freedom Force, which was the studio’s love letter to the comic book Silver Age and Jack Kirby wrapped up in a real-time tactical strategy game. The characters might be archetypes of classic Marvel heroes like Captain America, Spider-Man and Iron Man, but the plot of the game is completely original. Freedom Force was then adapted into a six-issue comic book series retelling the game’s plot, while Irrational Games got to work on the follow-up, Freedom Force vs. the 3rd Reich. And what could be better for a sequel than superheroes punching Nazis in the face? Answer: nothing. But we’re putting the original Freedom Force on our list for best superhero games because it was the originator.
