Four Spider-Man Video Games you must play
No, not those Sony ones
Spider-Man has always been my favourite Marvel Comics character, and will always have a special place in my heart. Its the comic that got me into comics, with Marvel UK’s US Spider-Man reprint comics (Exploits of Spider-Man, for those wondering) that led to my love of the character over 30 years ago. One of Marvel’s most beloved creations, Spider-Man has become more of a marketable figure outside of comic lore; since 2002 there have been eight Spidey movies, not counting his other recent Marvel Cinematic Universe appearances.
When it comes to video games, there have been multiple titles across almost every platform in the last 35 years. Here I recommend four of Peter Parker’s best single player releases: you’ll immediately note I haven’t included Insomniac Games’ triple header. Look, everyone knows they’re the best Spider-Man games. Furthermore, they’re best there are ever likely to ever be, so here are four outsiders that are also worth considering.
Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage (SNES/Mega Drive)
The early 1990’s gave birth to two major new villains for both Spider-Man and Peter Parker: Venom and Carnage. Venom (aka disgraced journalist Eddie Brock) quickly became a fan favourite (myself included). After terrorising Peter and wife Mary-Jane Watson in some of the comic’s most haunting scenes, he was even given his own series for a time. These days we all know him being played by Tom Hardy in Sony’s movie series, a different take on the character that was first introduced cinematically in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3.
Once the murderous offspring Carnage (aka serial killer Kletus Cassidy) came on the scene, Venom became a good guy of sorts. Carnage is a rebel offspring of Venom, emerging after a piece of the symbiotic alien suit that engulfed Eddie Brock tore off and merged with deranged serial killer Cletus Kasady. Determined to stop this symbiotic progeny, a truce was called with Spider-Man in order to stop Carnage. This led to one of the biggest Marvel comic book crossover stories that was Maximum Carnage, and the SNES/Sega Mega Drive title it inspired.
Despite this Final Fight clone not holding up so well more than 20 years on, particularly due to its lack of variety and repetitiveness, it’s devotion to the source material is still commendable. Panels from the actual comic are used to tell the story as you progress through simple yet challenging waves of bad guys and bosses. Although restricted as a Spider-Man comic event, Maximum Carnage did feature a strong supporting cast of heroes such as Captain America and Iron Fist. These can be called upon as special moves should you feel overwhelmed in combat.
The stages, scenes and characters all appear as if taken direct from a comic book. Its release also ran alongside the Spider-Man animated show which aided its appeal and that of Spider-Man in the early 1990s. This gives Maximum Carnage a sense of authenticity and respect to its continuity, despite its gameplay frustrations.
Spider-Man: The Video Game (Arcade)
This Sega-developed colourful arcade classic from 1991 sits perfectly alongside with the Konami and Capcom scrolling beat ‘em ups of the time. And while it follows the familiar formula of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Simpsons and Final Fight, etc and so on, an extra dimension was added to shake things up; part of each stage would pan the camera back and become a platformer.
Classic villains such as the afore-mentioned Venom, Green Goblin and even Doctor Doom comprise boss elements, with Marvel heroes Black Cat, Namor the Sub-Mariner and Avenger Hawkeye completing the playable crossover cast.
Unfortunately, Sega’s Spider-Man arcade has never been re-released on any format, which is a shame only for the fact it was definitely one of the best superhero video games of its time. I’m guessing the ball is in Marvel’s court on this one.
Spider-Man (PSOne, Dreamcast)
Proving they had more than just Sk8tr Boi’s in their repertoire, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater developers Neversoft gave Peter Parker what he never had before in video games: Character. The CD technology and storage capabilities meant a fully-voiced Peter/Spider-Man was finally realised. Delivering wisecracks a plenty in all manner of situations, it gave personality to an extremely competent 3D platformer/stealth adventure.
Neversoft’s classic was truly the first modern Spider-Man game. It led onto a sequel, Enter Electro, breaking the mould for a character that for almost 20 years felt trapped in plain platformers and standard scrolling beat ‘em ups.
Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions (Xbox 360/PS3/Nintendo Wii)
Spider-Man Shattered Dimensions is a unique Spider-Man experience. Firstly, it is essentially four games in one; not only do you take on modern day Peter Parker, but also a black-suited Ultimate Spider-Man, the futuristic Spider-Man 2099, plus a film noire Spidey from the 1920’s. Each ‘game’ is slightly tweaked from the next, such as the 1920’s Spidey owing much to the stealth sections of Batman: Arkham Asylum.
The tweaked mechanics and character differentials do lead to a slightly disjointed and unevenly paced experience overall. Swinging from web to web can be fiddly, especially when under duress from enemies. Different Spidey’s means variety, but you will quickly find they are not of the same quality.
Thankfully Shattered Dimensions’ settings, dialogue and especially voice acting (such as Neil Patrick Harris as Peter) steal the show, and give the experience an air of authenticity. They keep the adventure interesting and serve as a great tribute to the history and mythos of Spider-Man.