Ranking the Greatest Spider-Man Video Games Ever

Spider-Man’s journey through the world of video games has been nothing short of legendary. Starting several decades ago, our friendly neighborhood superhero has swung across a myriad of platforms and genres. Generally, Spider-Man games have been well-received, carving out memorable encounters with his infamous foes and featuring alternate versions like Miles Morales and Spider-Man Noir. Whether you’re in the mood for some action-packed beat ’em ups, exploring the expansive open world of New York, or even diving into mobile-exclusive adventures, there’s a Spider-Man game tailored just for you.

No other superhero can boast such an extensive video game resume as Spider-Man. His digital escapades cover generations, offering a mix of thrilling and sometimes disillusioning experiences. Despite the occasional missteps, the sheer volume and diversity of Spider-Man games surpass those of other superhero franchises.

Whether soaring through an authentic digital rendition of New York City or locked in combat with legendary enemies in side-scroll beat ’em-ups, Spider-Man oozes style. The spotlight isn’t always on Peter Parker, though. Other versions, like Miles Morales, Spider-Man 2099, and Spider-Man Noir, also take to the gaming stage, diversifying his virtual presence.

As of December 16, 2024, Spider-Man continues to shine as one of the superheroes best-suited for the gaming medium. His thrilling web-swinging and combat prowess make him a perfect fit for the interactive landscape, resulting in numerous outstanding titles. While not every game in his arsenal is flawless, the majority offer unique experiences, an impressive feat given the volume of Spider-Man games released over the years. The standout titles among these are an essential part of any gamer’s library, stretching across various genres and delivering distinct gaming adventures.

All Spider-Man Video Games

What follows is a chronological list highlighting the release dates of some notable Spider-Man games:

• Spider-Man: November 1982
• The Amazing Spider-Man: July 1990
• Spider-Man: The Video Game: October 1991
• The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin: October 17, 1991
• The Amazing Spider-Man 2: August 1992
• The Amazing Spider-Man 3: Invasion of the Spider-Slayers: July 1993
• Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage: September 16, 1994
• Spider-Man: February 13, 1995
• The Amazing Spider-Man: Lethal Foes: March 17, 1995
• Venom/Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety: May 15, 1995
• Spider-Man: September 1, 2000
• Spider-Man 2: Enter Electro: August 26, 2001
• Spider-Man: Mysterio’s Menace: September 19, 2001
• Spider-Man: April 16, 2002
• Spider-Man 2: June 28, 2004
• Ultimate Spider-Man: September 22, 2005
• Spider-Man: Battle for New York: November 14, 2006
• Spider-Man 3: May 4, 2007
• Spider-Man: Friend or Foe: October 2, 2007
• Spider-Man: Web of Shadows: October 21, 2008
• Ultimate Spider-Man: Total Mayhem: September 1, 2010
• Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions: September 7, 2010
• Spider-Man: Edge of Time: October 4, 2011
• The Amazing Spider-Man: June 26, 2012
• The Amazing Spider-Man 2: April 17, 2014
• Spider-Man Unlimited: September 10, 2014
• Marvel’s Spider-Man: September 7, 2018
• Spider-Man: Miles Morales: November 12, 2020
• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2: October 20, 2023

Venom/Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety

GameRankings Rating: 61.5%

Released in a time when licensed games often struggled with repetitive mechanics, Venom/Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety was a beat ’em up that allowed two players to join forces as Spidey and Venom against the notorious Carnage. Though the gameplay may not have been groundbreaking, it provided co-op fun, especially for those looking to revisit Spider-Man’s 16-bit gaming history. While perhaps not revolutionary, its box art certainly caught some eyes.

The Amazing Spider-Man: Lethal Foes

GameRankings Rating: N/A

Exclusive to Japan and available on the Super Famicom in the mid-nineties, The Amazing Spider-Man: Lethal Foes featured an original storyline. It wasn’t exactly renowned for its narrative but offered a collection of beloved villains and a competently executed combat system. Notably, it was one of a select few titles to support Epoch’s Barcode Battler system, unlocking in-game content via special barcode scans, making it a quirky piece of gaming history.

Ultimate Spider-Man: Total Mayhem

Metacritic Rating: 85

In 2010, Gameloft released Ultimate Spider-Man: Total Mayhem, a mobile-exclusive title in a period where portable Spider-Man games were common. By opting for a simpler beat-em-up approach instead of a sprawling adventure, the game carved out its niche with engaging combat, vivid visuals, and a roster of classic villains, providing mobile gamers with a satisfying Spider-Man fix.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Metacritic Rating: 57

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 didn’t quite satisfy the expectations set by its predecessor, both as a movie and a game. However, its extensive open world offered a vibrant playground for Spider-Man enthusiasts. Unfortunately, technical hiccups marred its console release, suggesting it might have been rushed to align with the movie’s launch, though PC and current-gen players could still find enjoyment in spurts.

Spider-Man: Battle for New York

Metacritic Rating: 68

Spider-Man: Battle for New York, featuring on the bestselling Nintendo DS, brought players face to face with the Green Goblin in an action-heavy prequel to Ultimate Spider-Man. Although the game was packed with action, the simplistic touchscreen mini-games could get repetitive. Still, the core gameplay offered solid entertainment value for Spider-Man fans.

Spider-Man 3

Metacritic Rating: 63

Although Spider-Man 3 may not have been groundbreaking, it still managed to deliver, particularly with its beautifully detailed playground and impressive combat. However, the main story was brief and lacked depth. Nonetheless, with versions like the Wii’s integrating motion controls, it was a commendable experience for Spider-Man devotees.

The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin

GameRankings Rating: N/A

Before open-world games became the norm, Spider-Man was busy starring in classic side-scrolling adventures like The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin. Though linear, these games delighted fans by concentrating on core mechanics. Boasting solid wall-crawling and combat, this title stood out despite having relatively fewer enemies in certain stages.

The Amazing Spider-Man

Metacritic Rating: 71

The Amazing Spider-Man provided a visually captivating and smoothly controlled experience. Players could lose themselves exploring and combating New York City’s underworld. Its narrative may have been a bit lacking, with tasks getting repetitive, yet the initial hours delivered a gratifying dive into Spider-Man’s universe.

Spider-Man: Friend or Foe

Metacritic Rating: 62

While not the most compelling when it came to storytelling or showcasing Spider-Man’s powers, Friend or Foe was a straightforward beat ’em up that didn’t skimp on character variety. It allowed gamers to step into Spidey’s shoes one last time in the Raimi film universe, teaming up with allies and adversaries alike against a symbiote threat.

Spider-Man: Mysterio’s Menace

Metacritic Rating: 84

For those who fondly remember handheld superhero adventures, Spider-Man: Mysterio’s Menace on the Game Boy Advance stood out as a nostalgic treat. This side-scroller, with its appealing graphics and catchy tunes, was a welcome addition during the early days of the GBA and solidified its status as a must-play Spider-Man title for its time.

Spider-Man: Edge of Time

Metacritic Rating: 62

Following on from Shattered Dimensions, Edge of Time wasn’t quite as groundbreaking mechanically but excelled in its narrative, penned by comic legend Peter David. Focusing solely on Peter Parker and Miguel O’Hara’s Spider-Man, this dimension-spanning tale offered engaging although somewhat repetitive gameplay.

Spider-Man 2: Enter Electro

Metacritic Rating: 74

Spider-Man 2: Enter Electro followed its predecessor’s successful blueprint, once again setting the web-slinger loose in New York but with a new foe in Electro. Fans appreciated this spotlight shift to a lesser-highlighted villain, and gameplay innovations like street-level battles ensured it was more than just a sequel in name.

Spider-Man Unlimited

Metacritic Rating: 79

Spider-Man Unlimited captivated mobile gamers by drawing on the vast multiverse of Spider-Man, inspired heavily by the Spider-Verse concept. The endless runner genre fit perfectly with our hero’s web-swinging abilities, plus inclusion of rich narratives and beloved characters made it a standout in the sea of mobile games.

Spider-Man: The Video Game

GameRankings Rating: N/A

Back in 1991, Spider-Man: The Video Game debuted in arcades, letting fans and their friends team up as Spider-Man, Black Cat, Hawkeye, and Sub-Mariner. Chasing an artifact with a who’s who of villains after it, this beat ’em up was celebrated for its engaging and cooperative gameplay at the time.

Spider-Man (2002)

Metacritic Rating: 79

Though often overshadowed by its sequel, the 2002 Spider-Man game based on Raimi’s first film made significant strides in gameplay. With an impressive Green Goblin boss fight and the option to unlock a unique mode featuring Harry Osborn’s storyline, it successfully built upon Neversoft’s foundation from earlier titles.

Ultimate Spider-Man

Metacritic Rating: 78

Ultimate Spider-Man offered fans the chance to roam the city as both Spider-Man and Venom, drawing heavily from Brian Michael Bendis’s comics. While Spider-Man retained his heroics, Venom’s gameplay introduced more visceral mechanics, like consuming enemies. It was engaging enough that it influenced the comics themselves.

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

Metacritic Rating: 77

Released in 2008, Web of Shadows quickened gamers’ pulses with its engaging narrative centered around a Symbiote invasion orchestrated by Venom. The game shone with emotional stakes and an impressive roster of Marvel allies. Its varied gameplay and storyline made it a cherished title among Spider-fans.

Spider-Man 2

Metacritic Rating: 83

Famed for its revolutionary web-swinging mechanics and blending of Spider-Man’s crime-fighting with Peter Parker’s personal challenges, the 2004 adaptation of Spider-Man 2 enjoyed universal acclaim. Its expansive Manhattan was a playground for Spidey fans, making it a hallmark of superhero gaming history.

Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage

GameRankings Rating: 80%

Based on a beloved comic arc, Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage launched in ’94 amidst a period when Spidey fever was high. Playing as either Spider-Man or Venom to thwart Carnage, it was regarded as a top-tier side-scroller back then, hitting the right notes among players and critics alike.

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions

Metacritic Rating: 76

2010’s Shattered Dimensions broke new ground by offering control of four distinct Spider-Men from various universes, each bringing their own twist to gameplay. Its diverse mechanics kept players engaged, punctuated by well-crafted boss battles that would stick in gamers’ memories long after.