Superheroes have long conquered not only comic book pages and movie screens but also the world of video games. The variety of genres and approaches to familiar characters allows every fan to find something to their liking, and today you can even enter your Playamo login and play the simplest slot related to superheroes. But what if you are thinking of something more versatile and exciting? Here are the best games about Marvel and DC heroes for those who want to feel powerful and invincible.
Batman Arkham Quadrilogy
The superhero series includes four games — Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, Batman: Arkham Origins, and Batman: Arkham Knight. Fans of Batman and Gotham shouldn’t skip it: Rocksteady and Warner Bros. Games Montreal have perfectly captured the spirit of the best comics, the atmosphere of the crime-ridden city, and the characters’ personalities.
A special mention goes to Batman: Arkham Origins, often deemed derivative and excluded from the canon and franchise re-releases. Nevertheless, we recommend it to Batman fans: it’s a highly atmospheric game set on Christmas Eve with a great plot and the best boss battles in the series.
Arkham Shadow
Developed by Oculus and Camouflaj (Marvel’s Iron Man VR, Republique), this game is exclusive to the standalone Quest 3 VR headset. In Arkham Shadow, Gotham is in danger again, and Batman must save the city. The superhero faces a mysterious villain, the Rat King, and his cult.
As Batman, players will explore Blackgate Prison, traverse rooftops, and glide through the air. Combat involves dodging, using various gadgets, and silently eliminating enemies through stealth. Players will also solve puzzles and explore the environment in “detective mode.”
Telltale Batman Duology
Batman: The Telltale Series and Batman: The Enemy Within stand out for reimagining the canon of both Batman and his arch-enemies. Can the Joker become Bruce Wayne’s best friend? What if Harley Quinn turns out to be Gotham’s main villain? The story starts traditionally but quickly diverges, with players realizing by the end of the first episode that this is not the classic Dark Knight tale.
As the plot unfolds, narrative twists become more thrilling. Players partially control the story, allowing everyone to see their version of Gotham. Another unique feature is choosing whether to address problems as Wayne or as Batman. Some villains are easier to negotiate with, while others won’t relent until you’ve broken a few bones and sent them to Arkham Asylum.
Injustice and Injustice 2
This fighting game series by the creators of Mortal Kombat explores conflicts between DC’s iconic heroes and villains. Characters sometimes take on unexpected roles — for instance, Superman becomes the main antagonist in the first Injustice after losing his beloved and unborn child. In his grief, he establishes a dictatorship, prompting Batman to assemble a resistance to stop his former ally.
The games feature strong storylines for comic book universes. Between battles, high-quality cutscenes depict heroes traveling to alternate worlds, meeting different versions of themselves, and fighting. Like Mortal Kombat, Injustice has minimal gore but instead offers epic super moves showcasing characters’ full powers. For example, you can launch an enemy into space and slam them back to Earth or summon a megalodon to devour your opponent. The battles are absurd but immensely fun.
Gotham Knights
A cooperative action game from WB Games, where players take on the roles of Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing, and Red Hood. Following Batman’s death, they must protect Gotham from new threats, including the Court of Owls and other criminal organizations.
Unlike the Batman Arkham series, Gotham Knights features an open world and a focus on cooperative gameplay. Each character can be upgraded and adapted to different play styles by choosing weapons and abilities. The combat system is simple yet diverse, allowing for varied tactics.
LEGO Batman Trilogy
This TT Games collection includes three main installments — LEGO Batman: The Videogame, LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, and LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham. The scale increases with each game. In the first, Batman and his allies battle classic villains escaped from Arkham Asylum, while in the third, the entire Justice League ventures into space to stop Brainiac from destroying Earth.
LEGO Batman isn’t innovative or mechanically complex but offers fun, cooperative adventures filled with humor. Iconic franchise elements are hilariously parodied, and the gameplay is so straightforward that even gaming novices can pick it up in minutes.
DC Universe Online
In this MMO, players create unique superheroes or supervillains and roam the streets of the DC Universe. In DC Universe Online, you’ll encounter major characters like Superman, Lex Luthor, Darkseid, Wonder Woman, Batman, and more. The game features massive player-vs-player battles and PvE campaigns.
The storyline, penned by legendary comic writer Marv Wolfman (Teen Titans, Crisis on Infinite Earths), is engaging. The game also boasts a solid combat system and numerous collectibles to decorate your personal lair.
Marvel’s Spider-Man and Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Insomniac Games delivered stunning action games about Spider-Man in an open-world setting. Similar to the Batman Arkham series, but with web-slinging across New York City and more quips from the protagonists. Marvel’s Spider-Manis set in autumn, while Miles Morales takes place in winter, offering distinct visual atmospheres.
Both games feature compelling stories, showing how the heroes balance their superhero duties with personal lives, maintain relationships, and protect loved ones from danger — classic themes for Spider-Man fans.
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes and LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2
The plots of these games are simple: Nick Fury assembles various superheroes to save Earth from a global threat. The sequel introduces Kang the Conqueror, now a major villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The gameplay is similar to LEGO Batman and other LEGO games — lighthearted, fun, and accessible, though hardcore gamers may find it too simple.
Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions
This standout Spider-Man game features four versions of the hero. When Mysterio shatters an ancient artifact, its fragments scatter across four dimensions, giving the villain new powers. The Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Man 2099, and Ultimate Spider-Man must restore the Tablet of Order and Chaos and stop Mysterio.
Each dimension has a distinct style and gameplay. For example, the Noir Spider-Man’s world is black-and-white, focusing on stealth, while the Amazing Spider-Man relies on web-slinging and hand-to-hand combat in a classic city setting.
The Punisher
This brutal action game became famous for its graphic violence and grim tone. Players encounter Marvel characters like Iron Man, Nick Fury, Black Widow, and Daredevil.
The game’s highlight is its interrogation scenes, where players can coerce enemies into revealing information through violence or threats. Controversial “enhanced interrogation” settings let players carry out mini-games involving gruesome tactics.
Deadpool
An action game about Marvel Comics’ most chaotic and beloved antihero, Deadpool. While the gameplay isn’t perfect, the original and chaotic storyline reflects the character’s unpredictable nature.
Deadpool’s signature humor, constant fourth-wall breaking, and absurd scenarios make the game a faithful adaptation of the comic series’ spirit.
Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series
This adventure game from Telltale is based on the comic series, not the movies. Players control Peter Quill, leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy, as they visit various planets and face Hela and Thanos.
Player choices significantly influence the storyline, making dialogue decisions impactful. The game is packed with jokes, comedic situations, and charismatic characters, offering plenty of emotions for Marvel fans.
Marvel’s Midnight Suns
The plot revolves around Doctor Faustus, who uses dark magic and science to resurrect Lilith and aid Hydra in world domination. A team of superheroes, including Doctor Strange, Tony Stark, Carol Danvers, and Wanda Maximoff, tries to prevent the apocalypse.
Players assemble a team for tactical turn-based missions, where success requires strategic planning and environmental interaction. You can also create a custom superhero with unique powers.
Marvel vs. Capcom
This crossover fighting series pits Marvel heroes against characters from Devil May Cry, Resident Evil, Street Fighter, and Darkstalkers. The latest installment, Infinite, features nearly 40 characters and stunning visuals.
While it allows dream matchups like Dante vs. Deadpool or Ryu vs. Iron Man, the series didn’t resonate with fans, leading to declining sales and the eventual shelving of the franchise. Most older entries’ servers are now offline.