Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 has come out swinging as the second-greatest superhero video game of all time, according to a new study.
Social poker platform Replay Poker analyzed ratings from critics and gamers of the highest-rated superhero video games of all time. Data was gathered on more than 60 of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed superhero games, with Metascores, Metacritic user ratings, and IMDB ratings combined to create an overall ranking of the top-performing superhero games.
- • Batman: Arkham City has been named the best superhero video game of all time, according to a new study.
- • Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 ranked just behind Arkham City in the study just days after its release, thanks to an impressive Metascore of 91.
- • Confirmed by Sony as the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios game in PlayStation history, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 sold over 2.5 million copies in the first 24 hours of release.
Rocksteady Studios followed up its huge hit, Batman: Arkham Asylum, with a sequel that earned even more praise from critics and gamers alike. Batman: Arkham City sees players return to Gotham as the famous caped crusader, with a cast of iconic Batman villains like Penguin, Mister Freeze, and Mark Hamill’s legendary Joker. Arkham City tied with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim as 2011’s highest-rated game on Metacritic. Thanks to an impressive Metascore of 94, Metacritic user rating of 8.8, and IMDB rating of 9.4, Batman: Arkham City ranked top in the study as the best superhero game of all time.
The hotly anticipated sequel to Insomniac’s mammoth hit Marvel’s Spider-Man, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 launched recently to heaps of praise from both critics and fans. As the dual adventure of Peter Parker and Miles Morales sees the villainous Kraven’s hunt reach New York City, gamers have the chance to face off against some of Spider-Man’s greatest foes in spectacular battles thanks to the power of Sony’s PS5. With over 2.5 million copies sold in the first 24 hours, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 secured second spot on the study thanks to an impressive Metascore of 91 and IMDB rating of 9.7.
While the 2000s became littered with superhero movie tie-in games, Batman: Arkham Asylum came along in 2009 and set the standard for what a modern superhero video game could be. Arkham Asylum set a precedent for modern superhero combat with a finely tuned combat system complete with acrobatic takedowns, satisfying combos, and useful gadgets. Arkham Asylum ranked below Arkham City and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 in the list of the best superhero video games of all time, boasting an excellent Metascore of 92 and IMDB rating of 9.1.
The best-selling superhero video game of all time in America, Marvel’s Spider-Man has become gaming’s most notable iteration of the iconic web-slinger. Launching to incredible reviews back in 2018, developer Insomniac Games allowed gamers to swing through the streets of New York City as everybody’s friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Critics rated the game among 2018’s best with a Metascore of 87, while users on IMDB gave the title an excellent rating of 9.2.
The final title in the Batman: Arkham trilogy, Batman: Arkham Knight, cemented the trilogy’s status among the best in video game history. Gamers also saw the introduction of the Batmobile as a traversal option for the first time in the series, as well as the opportunity of ‘Dual Play’, allowing players to take control of Robin, Nightwing, or Catwoman in certain moments of the game. Arkham Knight continued the series’ track record of critical and commercial success, securing a Metascore of 87 and ranking as the fifth-best superhero video game of all time.
Released when superhero video games were not the behemoths they are today, Spider-Man (2000) became a fan favorite of many critics and gamers. Praised for its gameplay, the PlayStation title combined platforming, combat, and small shooting elements to produce a simple, fun, replayable adventure. Critics and users on Metacritic thought favorably of the game, giving it scores of 87 and 8.6, respectively, cementing its place as the sixth-greatest superhero video game ever.
- 7. inFamous 2
Developer Sucker Punch landed its second knockout blow with the sequel to its successful title inFamousin 2011. Gamers again took control of Cole MacGrath, a man with electricity-based abilities which can be harnessed for good or evil. From electrifying enemies to soaring through the air with your powers, inFamous 2 lets players roam through a varied open world with ultimate control. Metacritic users were full of praise for the game, helping to land an 8.4 rating on the platform and securing it seventh place among the best superhero video games of all time.
Expectations were tempered ahead of the release of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy thanks to publisher Square Enix’s underwhelming Marvel’s Avengers. Fortunately, developer Eidos-Montréal harnessed the wacky, wise-cracking essence of Marvel’s dysfunctional space crew to deliver one of 2021’s most pleasant gaming surprises. Players control Peter Quill (AKA Star-Lord), using attack commands to call on the remaining Guardians crew to take down enemies with unique abilities. Gamers helped propel the title into one of the highest-rated superhero video games of all time, with user ratings of 8.6 on both Metacritic and IMDB.
- =8. Injustice 2
Exceeding its predecessor in almost every facet, Injustice 2 quickly garnered a reputation as one of this generation’s best fighting games. Featuring a cast of exceptional DC superheroes and supervillains, Injustice 2 satisfies gamers looking to delve into solo or multiplayer. An excellent critical reception sees the game sit at a Metascore of 87, equal to top-ranking video game titles like Marvel’s Spider-Man and Batman: Arkham Knight. Gamers also were full of praise for the title, giving user ratings of 8 and 8.5 on both Metacritic and IMDB.
Giving players control over Spider-Man and Venom, Ultimate Spider-Man is praised as the perfect marriage of comic books and video games. With an authentic comic-book art style and engaging plot, gamers follow on from the storyline of the Ultimate Spider-Man comic series, which sees Spider-Man and Venom cross paths yet again. Despite a lower Metascore of 78 and IMDB rating of 7.8, users on Metacritic propelled Ultimate Spider-Man among the best superhero video games of all time, thanks to a top score of 9.3.
10. inFamous
Sucker Punch electrified gamers when it launched its latest IP inFamous onto PS3 in 2009. Introducing gamers to the titular character Cole MacGrath, electrifying powers, and a morality system, inFamous delivers an enthralling story and fun, fast-paced combat to keep players coming back for more. With a Metascore of 85 and Metacritic user rating of 8.2, inFamous secured its spot among the best superhero video games of all time.
Ash Keene, Operations Manager at Replay Poker, commented on the new study: “Despite the popularity of Disney’s MCU, Sony’s Spider-Man and Warner Bros’ Batman still dominate the video game landscape more than any other, with both characters taking up seven total spots in the overall study.”
“As developers Insomniac Games and Rocksteady Studios prepare to launch new gaming titles like Marvel’s Wolverine and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League over the coming years, it will be interesting to see if Batman: Arkham City will be dethroned as the highest rated superhero game of all time.”
Table: The highest-rated superhero video games of all time
Ranking Game Metascore Metacritic User Score IMDB Rating Overall Score/30 1 Batman: Arkham City 94 8.8 9.4 29.15 2 Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 91 8.8 9.7 29.14 3 Batman: Arkham Asylum 92 8.8 9.1 28.63 4 Marvel’s Spider-Man 87 8.7 9.2 28.09 5 Batman: Arkham Knight 87 8 9 27.14 6 Spider-Man (2000) 87 8.6 8.1 26.85 7 inFamous 2 83 8.6 8.4 26.74 =8 Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy 80 8.6 8.6 26.62 =8 Injustice 2 87 8 8.5 26.62 9 Ultimate Spider-Man 77 9.3 7.8 26.23 10 inFamous 85 8.2 8 26.11 Information provided by Replaypoker
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