10 best Marvel games of all-time
The best Marvel games are a celebration of 80 years of excellence in video game herodom. Developers have been creating games with the best Marvel characters for some time now, but there are some titles that rise above the others. Whether you're looking for the best superhero games generally, or more specifically the best Spider-Man games, there's something for everyone here. There's even more to look forward to in future, with Marvel's Blade and Marvel's Wolverine currently in development from Arkane Studios and Insomniac respectively.
Following the release of Spider-Man 2, we have slotted Insomniac's latest action game into our ranking of the best Marvel games. Naturally, there are still plenty of other upcoming Marvel games on the horizon, so you may want to jump into some of these classics before it's too late. We've got your back; here are the best Marvel games of all time if you're looking to revisit an old favorite or tackle something from your backlog.
The best Marvel games ever, starting with...
10. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order
Developer: Team Ninja
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
In a departure from the third-person action RPG stylings of many other entries on this list, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order is a top-down dungeon crawler with a twist. Whether you opt for online multiplayer or couch co-op modes, the aim of the game is simple: defeat foes in your team of four. You'll be affected by passive buffs that are dependent upon the characters in your party, and these will serve to either help or hinder you as the story unfolds. The hack n' slash multiplayer format of Ultimate Alliance 3 is what makes it so much fun, cementing its place among the best Marvel games you can pick up and play today.
Read our Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 review.
9. Spider-Man 2
Developer: Treyarch
Platform(s): PS2
Heralded as the first superhero game to feature open-world exploration, 2004's Spider-Man 2 is one of the best Marvel games when it comes to sheer innovation of the genre. Web-slinging Peter Parker battles foes, rescues his beloved Mary Jane, and does it all whilst taking in the beautiful views of New York City. Although it's still playable on a range of consoles and devices, we're talking about the PS2 version here, coming out head and shoulders above versions released on other platforms. The Spider-Man 2 for PS2 holds up very well, even by today's standards.
8. Marvel Snap
Developer: Second Dinner
Platform(s): Android, iOS, PC
As far as digital card games go, Marvel Snap scores highly when it comes to aesthetics. Building your deck requires some grinding, but it makes it all the more worthwhile when you get an especially juicy draw during a random card selection. The game is easy to drop into casually, making it ideal for us to play on mobile. Marvel Snap also supports cross-progression, so you can play it on PC without losing your collection across platforms. Accessible, simple, and offering a unique way to engage with the MCU, it definitely is one of the best Marvel games to play right now.
Read our Marvel Snap review.
7. The Punisher
Developer: Volition
Platform(s): PS2, Xbox, PC
Vengeance is sweet – and if you're playing The Punisher, very bloody. Easily one of the best Marvel games, this gleefully violent title emerged hot on the heels of its cinematic counterpart and pulls absolutely no punches to this day. Put in the shoes of US Marine-turned-vigilante Frank Castle, your mission is to dispose of your foes as quickly and painfully as possible. The Punisher sports an ever-creative arsenal of ways to enact swift justice upon his countless enemies, so dust off your old Xbox and keep those reflexes sharp if you're in the mood for some gruesome kills.
6. Marvel's Midnight Suns
Developer: Firaxis Games
Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X, PS5
Marvel's Midnight Suns puts a different spin on the superhero genre, combining the best of tabletop RPGs and action-adventure gaming. You play as The Hunter, a brand new and fully-customizable character that was created especially for Midnight Suns. There seems to be something for everyone here, with character interactions and side-quests aplenty for us completionists as well as card-based combat sequences, ensuring no two battles are the same. All in all, Marvel's Midnight Suns is a solid RPG with a tightly-hewn story and just the right amount of in-game nuance. Just try not to get sidetracked by all those collectibles.
Read our Marvel's Midnight Suns review.
5. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
Developer: Capcom
Platform(s:) PS3, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC
What do you get when you cross Jill Valentine with Doctor Strange? Something a little more than a simple Jill sandwich, as it so happens. Although it's not strictly Marvel, beat-'em-up crossover Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 deserves a top place amongst the best Marvel games because it's just so much fun to play. You won't find any meaningful storylines or expansive open worlds here, but what you will find is a bizarre forum to test out some of your wackiest gaming conspiracies. Would Nemesis turn Tony Stark into a metallic pulp? How would Wesker fare against scheming Rocket the Raccoon? Time to find out.
4. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
Developer: Eidos Montreal
Platform(s): PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is one of the best single-player games out there right now. It's a generous adventure, constantly pushing one outrageous scenario at you after the other. Eidos Montreal delivered a big celebration of the best Guardians of the Galaxy stories, although you don't need any experience with the team to enjoy the carnage. Come for the high-octane combat, stay for the opportunity to just sit and shoot the breeze with the Guardians.
Read our Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy review.
3. Marvel's Spider-Man
Developer: Insomniac Games
Platform(s): PS5, PS4, PC
2018's Marvel's Spider-Man is widely regarded as one of the best spider-man games for good reason. Playing as the teenage superhero, you'll be swooping between high rises to battle foes high above the bustling streets of New York City, using the vast array of gadgets at your disposal. The game's expansive open-world format offers breathtaking views of this fictional imagining of Manhattan, offering moments of tranquility between all the rooftop brawling. There are elements of stealth gameplay here for those who prefer the quick and quiet approach, however, making Marvel's Spider-Man a standout title for any Spidey fanatic.
Read our Marvel's Spider-Man review.
2. Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Developer: Insomniac Games
Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC
It might be billed as a Spider-Man spin-off, but Miles Morales' story is a lot more than that. The setting of snow-capped Manhattan provides newfound grit and atmospheric presence compared to the first game, with the storyline riffing off the characters as seen in the MCU's Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018). The in-game mechanics and combat features are almost the same as Marvel's Spider-Man except vastly improved, this time featuring Miles-specific special abilities to give you an edge over your enemies.
Read our Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales review.
1. Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Developer: Insomniac Games
Platform(s): PS5
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is undoubtedly the best Marvel game out right now. Insomniac Games has delivered a love letter to some of the best Spider-Man stories in this expansive sequel, bringing in some of Peter Parker and Miles Morales' best villains for a wild fight all across the five boroughs of New York. It's fast and fluid, smartly expanding on the best elements of the previous two games. Spider-Man 2 is one of the best PS5 games as a result, and a must-play for any Spidey fan.
Read our Marvel's Spider-Man 2 review.
