Best Comic book characters turned into games

Comic book stories have long been an inspiration for movies. Wonder Woman, Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Venom, and more, proving themselves big hits at the box office. However, it’s not just on the big screen that these characters are proving to be successful.

History of Comic Book Games

The 1980s saw the use of comic book characters in video games begin to take off, with Atari launching a Spider-Man video game in 1982. Superman followed in 1987, and despite their basic gameplay and limited graphics, the games were a huge success.

The 1990s saw an explosion in arcade and console games featuring comic characters, X-Men, The Punisher and Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage soe of the popular games on offer.

Advanced graphics saw powerful more consoles producing ever more impressive games in the 2000s. Spider-Man 2 and X-Men Legends set new standards, while Batman Begins (2005) and Iron Man (2008) tied in with blockbuster movie releases.

The Best Comic Book Games

Today, comic book game titles are bigger events than the movies themselves, and often more profitable. Cinematic visuals, impressive sound, and immersive gameplay have helped put gamers in the centre of the story. But it’s not all about aesthetics when it comes to the best, with game play, innovation, and fan expectations helping shape our list.

1. Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009)

This game set a new standard for comic book games. It won numerous awards including Best Action-Adventure game, Best Game, and Game of the Year. It has also been cited as one of the greatest video games ever made and sparked several successful sequels.

In this third-person action title, gamers take on the role of the Dark Knight as he battles arch enemy the Joker in a prison packed with the criminally insane. Set over multiple buildings, Batman faces a race against time as he tries to stop the Joker from unleashing an army of crazed criminals on the population of Gotham City.

2. Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018)

This title brought gamers closer to Spider Man’s web swinging action than ever before, providing incredibly detailed graphics with an engrossing and emotional narrative. There’s a wonderful mixture of thrilling set piece action sequences, combined with tense, edge of the seat moments. There’s also plenty of fun gadgets and enough customary Spidey humour to keep traditional comic book fans happy.

Perhaps the game’s greatest triumph was its ability to make swinging around New York City feel so exhilarating and beautiful. Its so good that you can easily spend hours swinging around the city’s skyscrapers and taking in the sights.

3. The Dark Knight (2022)

This five-reel video slot game features the City of Gotham as its background. Half of the symbols are classic playing cards, while the rest feature characters from the movie itself. The music and sound effects are impressive and help to create an immersive, atmospheric gaming experience. Excellent animations and three innovative features all combine to make every spin interesting.

Various casino game developers have incorporated comic characters into their slot themes targeting comic book fans. If you fancy giving one a try head online to find a casino with the best bonus offer for you.

4. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy (2021)

Playing as Peter Quill (Star-Lord), you must lead the other Guardians in numerous mission and battles. This third-person action game takes you and your rag tag squad to a variety of planets where you’ll encounter enemies that need destroying. However, as much fun as blasting your enemies to bits is, the game also focuses on relationships with your crewmates, adding a welcome and unexpected emotional level to the game.

Game designer Square Enix, worked closely with Marvel to successfully include lesser-known characters from the Galaxy book series in this title. A move that will no doubt please fans of the comics.

5. Injustice 2 (2017)

This fighting video game is the sequel to 2013’s Injustice: Gods Among Us and it won numerous awards for Best Fighting Game, including the D.I.C.E. Award for “Fighting Game of the Year”. Critics liked its story, presentation, gameplay mechanics, wealth of in-game content, and the ability to customize characters. Many critics consider it a contender for best fighting game of all time.

The storyline centres around Batman’s battle with the newly formed supervillain group “The Society”, as he attempts to restore order after the fall of Superman’s Regime. Ultimately, Injustice 2 remains a whole lot of fun to play, with plenty of content and gear to unlock, to keep you occupied for hours to come.

6. LEGO Marvel Super Heroes (2013)

This joyous title took comic book inspired games to a place they’d never been before, and that humour and intelligence are what make it a stand out title. Players can choose to play with multiple Marvel super heroes and switching between characters is simple and seamless. While it may not please action heavy gamers, it’s hard not to love a game that features hundreds of Marvel’s most celebrated characters and stories all in one place.