The Best Vs. The Worst In Superhero Gaming
Superhero video games have been around for decades, offering fans the chance to become their favorite characters and save the day. But as exciting as it sounds, not all of them hit the mark. Some disappoint in big ways, leaving players questioning why they even bothered picking them up in the first place. On the flip side, there are games that absolutely nail the superhero experience. So, first, let’s just look at ten most disappointing superhero games that let us down big time.
Ultimate Spider-Man Full Game Walkthrough Gameplay [4K 60FPS ULTRA HD] by Stark Pro Gaming
1. Superman 64
Superman 64 frustrated players with flight mechanics that felt imprecise and disconnected from Superman’s actual powers. Moreover, the game’s environments were shrouded in fog and largely empty, which offered little visual or interactive appeal.
Superman 64 (Nintendo 64) Full Playthrough w/ Mike Matei by Cinemassacre
2. Batman: Dark Tomorrow
Right from the start, Batman: Dark Tomorrow tested players’ patience with a camera system that refused to cooperate. As players pushed forward, they encountered levels that felt half-finished. Even the story, built on rich comic book roots, stumbled under the weight of poor execution and confusing plotlines.
3. Aquaman: Battle For Atlantis
Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis sank fast with underwater combat that felt weightless and clunky, failing to deliver any sense of momentum or impact. That lack of fluidity extended to the visuals, where jagged, lifeless character models stripped the world of charm.
Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis "Remastered" - GamePlay (Xbox,GC)[4K:60fps] by Levan
4. X-Men: Destiny
Instead of letting players live out their mutant fantasy, X-Men: Destiny reduced powerful choices to shallow gimmicks with almost no impact on gameplay. Even more baffling was the absence of playable main X-Men characters, stripping away the core appeal of the franchise.
X-Men Destiny - What Happened? by Matt McMuscles
5. Iron Man
From the start, Iron Man (2008) struggled to put players in the suit with flight controls that felt more like a fight than a feature. Rather than building tension or strategy, the game leaned heavily on constant explosions, masking the absence of actual gameplay depth.
IRON MAN Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1 FULL GAME [1080p HD] - No Commentary by MKIceAndFire
6. Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four (2005) struggled to deliver a cohesive superhero experience, starting with team attacks that often failed to register, breaking any sense of cooperation in combat. That mechanical disconnect matched the mission structure, where objectives felt randomly placed and barely tied to the main storyline.
Fantastic Four【FULL GAME】(100%) walkthrough | Longplay by Global Gaming
7. Spawn: The Eternal
Instead of accepting its dark comic roots, Spawn: The Eternal opened with combat that felt rigid and lifeless, driven by animations that repeated with little variation. As the game wore on, player progression remained shallow and unrewarding, with no meaningful development to keep the experience engaging.
PSX Longplay - Spawn: The Eternal (Part 1 of 2) by silenig
8. The Incredible Hulk (2003)
You’d think playing as the Hulk would mean smashing through walls like a wrecking ball on caffeine—but instead, this game barely let you dent a parking meter. The levels were dull, boxed in, and practically allergic to creativity.
The Hulk 2003 (PC) - Full Game Walkthrough (4K 60FPS) by AnonymousAffection
9. Thor: God Of Thunder
As Thor: God of Thunder unfolded, cutscenes frequently broke the rhythm of gameplay but failed to expand the narrative. And when platforming elements were introduced, they added frustration rather than variety, plagued by imprecise controls and awkward level design.
THOR GOD OF THUNDER Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1 FULL GAME [4K ULTRA HD] - No Commentary by MKIceAndFire
10. Green Lantern: Rise Of The Manhunters
This game limited its core mechanic to basic energy constructs, offering only simple combat tools with little creativity. Its combat relied on repetitive chaining of light and heavy attacks, which grew stale quickly. Overall, it felt like a rushed adaptation that failed to expand beyond its movie tie-in purpose.
Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters - Official Gameplay Trailer by IGN
Now, here are ten games that made us feel like we were truly in the hero’s seat.
1. Spider-Man 2
Swinging through Manhattan had never felt this real until Spider-Man 2 gave gamers the ultimate taste of superhero freedom. Even the quirky pizza delivery tasks gave the game a fun, grounded twist amid the action. And while the plot didn’t steal the spotlight, the movement mechanics earned universal applause.
SPIDER-MAN 2 PS5 Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1 FULL GAME [4K 60FPS] - No Commentary by MKIceAndFire
2. Batman: Arkham City
Batman: Arkham City delivered a blend of open-world freedom and structured missions to create a balanced gameplay experience. Voice performances added impact to every character interaction., and side quests expanded the game’s depth.
Batman Arkham City: Hugo Strange Trailer by IGN
3. Marvel’s Spider-Man
Released in 2018, Marvel’s Spider-Man redefined superhero gameplay with web-swinging that was intuitive, fluid, and endlessly thrilling. At the heart of it all, the story explored Peter Parker’s double life with refreshing nuance, as it captured the tension between responsibility and identity.
Marvel’s Spider-Man | SDCC 2018 Story Trailer | PS4 by PlayStation Europe
4. X-Men Legends
X-Men Legends gave players the chance to build a custom team using iconic mutants, each with their own strengths and personalities. With a great couch co-op setup, friends could jump in together for hours of mutant mayhem.
X-Men Legends - Gameplay PS2 HD 720P (PCSX2) by John GodGames
5. Injustice 2
This game gave a rich storyline that centered on a fractured DC Universe, drawing players into its dramatic conflicts. The gear system added a layer of personalization, which let players customize both heroes and villains to suit their style.
6. Lego Marvel Super Heroes
Set in an open-world Manhattan, this game hides puzzles and secrets throughout the city. Its humor appeals to all ages, while vehicle mechanics, flight options, simple yet satisfying combat, and couch co-op create a consistently engaging and varied experience.
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes - Full Game Walkthrough by packattack04082
7. Ultimate Spider-Man
Ultimate Spider-Man lets players switch between Spider-Man and Venom, which creates two distinct yet interconnected playstyles. This way, Venom’s darker mechanics contrast sharply with Spider-Man’s agility, further reinforcing their narrative divide. This duality is also grounded by an art style that mirrors comic panels.
8. Batman: Arkham Asylum
Set entirely within Gotham’s infamous psychiatric facility, Batman: Arkham Asylum provides a claustrophobic, tension-filled atmosphere that shapes the entire experience. Furthermore, its detective mode encouraged investigation, while personal boss battles kept the gameplay consistently immersive.
Batman: Arkham Asylum Launch Trailer by Batman Arkham Videos
9. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 allows players to create dream teams by combining heroes across Marvel franchises. These team-ups unfold through missions rooted in iconic comic book arcs, further deepening the narrative appeal. As new heroes arrived through post-launch updates, the roster continued to grow.
10. Deadpool
Developed by High Moon Studios and written by Daniel Way, Deadpool follows the antihero teaming up with Cable and the X-Men to stop Mister Sinister. Interestingly, twisted X-Men cameos serve as comic relief, and unexpected jokes land even in the most intense or quiet moments.
They Won't Sell You This Game Anymore | Deadpool (2013) Review (in 2024) by Three Minute Gaming
