Top 10 Best Spiderman Games

Sam Raimi’s take on the wall-crawler was a defining moment in the character’s storied history. It also sparked the development of a whole slew of great licenced video games. While it was a hit across all platforms, our pick of the litter for the best game based on the first Spider-Man movie had to go to the side-scrolling beat-em-up Game Boy Advance version. It may not be brimming with content and is far shorter in duration that its console counterpart, but its level of difficulty and the fluidity in the animation has allowed it to stand the test of time.

While The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin was also up for consideration, we didn’t have it in us to say no to the crimson-clad symbiote psychopath. Based on the comic book event of the same name, this SNES title sees players taking control of either Spider-Man or his old foe Venom in order to put a stop to Carnage’s killing spree. Helmed by the classic beat-em’up style you’d find in hits like Double Dragon, along with pixelated cutscenes taken straight out of the original comic, the result made for an oddly faithful and entertaining gaming experience. The endless amount of superhero cameos was just the icing on the cake.

There are plenty of games in Spidey’s back catalogue that feature some serious and in some cases very gritty scenarios. While that’s all well and good, a witty and light-hearted take on the character can also make for an entertaining gaming experience. Enter the Lego video games, which took all of Marvel’s poster children and gave us a superhero game at its most comical. While he’s certainly not the star of the show, Spidey features prominently among the hundreds of characters in the story mode. Add to that a number of different versions of the character that are all playable, and you’ve got an unforgettable web-swinging experience.

Why play as one Spider-Man when you can have four? After an ancient artefact is destroyed, its untamed power starts causing calamity across all of space and time, forcing multiple Spider-Men in different dimensions to step up and save all of reality. With differing abilities, art designs as well as varying versions of the web-head’s rogues’ gallery, there’s just enough contrast in each of our four heroes to make every character and boss fight unique. All in all, playing as the likes of the Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Man 2099 and Ultimate Spider-Man results in quadruple the fun.

Admit it, we all love Spidey’s black suit. Whether for its superior abilities or from just looking sleek as hell, more often than not it’s our wardrobe of choice in a Spidey game. Too bad it turns him evil. When symbiotes start taking over New York, players have the choice to face the threat as either the traditional Spidey or a much more violent iteration. With fast-paced combat, plenty of narrative choices and some rather thrilling boss fights, the game forges a dynamic web-swinging all its own. Not to mention you can totally hook up with Black Cat should you go full on dark side. Meow.

If you call yourself a fan of the Web Head, then you have an obligation to play this game. As the wall-crawler’s first breakthrough in 3D, we were given a whole plethora of diverse levels, fluid web mechanics, and nearly all of Spidey’s most famous foes. We even got some of the original voice actors from the animated series, and narration from the legend himself; Stan Lee. Then there’s the sheer amount of collectables, ranging from classic comic book covers scattered in hidden nooks and crannies on each level, as well as cheat codes that unlock new costumes, each with their own abilities. Able to easily stand the test of time, this truly is one of Spider-Man’s finest outings.

When Dr Doom, Loki and a whole slew of other villains start causing chaos, it’s time to call in the cavalry. This is the ultimate alliance, featuring some of the most iconic Marvel characters in existence, from Iron Man to Ms Marvel to Ghost Rider. And yes, even Spidey. While he may be standing shoulder to shoulder with other heavyweights, the web-head feels right at home as he not only provides his signature comic relief but some slick abilities on the battlefield. Throw in epic super moves, unlockable outfits and some pretty large scale boss fights, and this collaboration more than hits the mark.

From page to Playstation, this particular outing looks like it was ripped straight out of the Ultimate Spider-Man comics. As such, we get a much younger Peter Parker as he tries to unravel the mystery of his late father’s research, which just so happens to be re-interpreted version of the Venom suit. Aside from the comic book aesthetic and cel shading art-style, the appeal of the game comes from being able to play as both Spider-Man and Venom. While you can expect the typical mechanics of an open world Spider-Man game whenever you’re controlling Peter, the Venom gameplay makes you feel like a hulking monster. Tearing through enemies with those deadly tendrils is so satisfying.

Another day, another collab, and this one is bound to take you for a ride. As part of an ensemble made up of all of Marvel and Capcom’s greatest heroes, Spidey proved himself a clear contender. As it happens, he’s also a natural when it comes to the fighting genre thanks to his speed and web-based projectiles. Whether he’s a key member in your ultimate MVC threesome or you just never get tired of hearing him yell out “web swing”, he more than proved himself in what was undoubtedly one of the greatest fighting games ever made.

What many believe to be the greatest Spider-Man film to date also lead to the development of a licensed game that wasn’t just a great Spider-Man game, but an innovative open world game, period. While somewhat following the narrative of the movie, the vast open world was practically overflowing with entertaining side-quests, cameos by other villains and a true sense of scope as we made our way through the Big Apple. On top of that, it also introduced a more realistic web-swinging mechanic that is dependant on the environment, which would go on to become a staple of Spider-Man games ever since. How’s that for amazing?