Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of Australia
Australia
  • Games
  • TV
  • Movies
  • Hardware
  • Video
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Guides
  • Deals
  • More
    • PS5
    • Xbox Series X
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo Switch 2
    • PC
    • Platforms
    • Tabletop Gaming
    • Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • SFX
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsletters
    • About us
    • Features
Total Film
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
View
Trending
  • Summer Game Fest
  • New games for 2025
  • Upcoming Switch 2 games
  • Switch 2 stock

Recommended reading

The best Marvel games - Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
Spider Man The 10 best Marvel games of all time
Mass Effect 2 - Garrus
Adventure Games The 25 best video game stories to play right now
Marvel Cosmic Invasion
Action Games I was already excited for Marvel Cosmic Invasion after the studio's incredible retro TMNT brawler, and 30 minutes of hands-on has me even more confident that the spirit of '90s arcade gaming is alive and well
Best Xbox 360 games: a screenshot of an Xbox 360 console next to a controller and a collection of games.
Games 25 Best Xbox 360 games of all time
The Last of Us 2
Games The 25 best video game soundtracks of all time
Best video game movies: Milla Jovovich as Alice in the first Resident Evil movie.
Movies The 10 best video game movies of all time, ranked
Deadpool blasts enemies in a car chase in Marvel's Deadpool VR, with a comic styled 'BOOM!' on screen
Action Games Deadpool VR stars Neil Patrick Harris as the merc with a mouth, and its super slick combat has impressed me so far
  1. Games
  2. Action

Why we love superhero video games

Features
By Luke Brown published 13 July 2012

Nine reasons to embrace the comic-controller connection

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Superheroes have always been a part of the public consciousness, but in recent years, theyve become something of a pop culture phenomenon. From the panel to the screen, nothing gets our blood pumping like a new superhero adventure and theres no better time to be a fan of comics and video games.

With recent gaming successes like Batman: Arkham City and modern classics like Marvel Ultimate Alliance, we cant seem to get enough of our favorite heroes and villains on our consoles. But what is it about these superheros stories that makes them so darn enjoyable in the gaming medium? We think weve got their secrets figured out - here are the reasons why we all love superhero video games so much

Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
They let us play as our favorite characters

They let us play as our favorite characters

First and foremost, superhero games let us play as our favorite heroes. When we were kids, every single one of us, at one time or another, tied a towel around our neck and pretended to fly around the living room. Thanks to advances in modern technology, we no longer have to imagine that were Superman or Spider-Man with the aid of janky DIY costumes. We can step into their shoes anytime we want at the press of a button.

Now that were grown-ups, its become strikingly less acceptable to run around the house in our underpants. Thankfully, we dont have to worry about social etiquette since we can just fire up our 360s and PS3s, and be instantly transformed into Batman as he swoops through the grimy alleys of Gotham City. Weve all dreamt of having great power, and being greatly responsible with it, but only recently have we truly been able to achieve these lofty aspirations.

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
or showcase totally new, awesome superpowered heroes

or showcase totally new, awesome superpowered heroes

Of course, well-known heroes arent the only game in town. Sometimes it takes an outsider, an original thinker, to inspire us. Characters like inFamous Cole and Prototypes Alex are just a few recent characters whove been imbued with extraordinary powers, then given the choice of what to do with them. Whether you decide to be the noble savior, or the calculating mastermind, being there on the ground floor when a set of powers is inherited is an incredibly inspiring moment.

But lets not forget the greatest new heroes of all us. Though there have been more than a few different create-your-own superhero video games over the years, the recent success of DC Universe Online has not only given us the chance to create our own alter-egos, backstories, and power sets, but also to battle good or evil side-by-side with some of comicdoms most recognizable names. Weve always wanted our own shot at the caped big time, and DCUO and games like City of Heroes give that to us in spades.

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
They give us super powerful abilities

They give us super powerful abilities

Who hasnt dreamt of slinging webs up and down Broadway, trying to beat the gridlocked traffic by taking your own shortcut high above the hustle and bustle of everyday life? When we fire up a Spider-Man video game, we can do just that. Its tough to beat the thrill of recklessly flinging our bodies from high atop a skyscraper to the ground below, only to flick our wrist at the last second and fire off a webline to send us soaring back skyward. It may not be possible in the real world, but it sure is sweet to be able to recreate that feeling in our living room.

Thats nothing compared the exhilarating feeling of blasting an enemy into the stratosphere with a well-timed uppercut, or leaping across a city block in a single bound. Wed never be able to take out our frustrations with the world the same way the Hulk does, but that doesnt mean we cant enjoy that brief, fleeting moment of picking up a taxi cab and smashing it into the first enemys face we see. Thats what they get for refusing credit.

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
They let us reenact some of our favorite comic moments...

They let us reenact some of our favorite comic moments...

Some of the greatest fictional stories of the last thirty years have been told in comics. While were free to reread those tales as often as we want, it doesnt quite feel the same as enjoying the story for the very first time, being captivated by every turn of the page. But when those stories are adapted into video games, the rush of experiencing the slight alterations made by the creative team not only breathes new life into the original material, but also our interest in the source story itself.

And its not just the major storylines that get our attention. Hallmark moments in a superheros career bring about the same feelings. Whether its finally being able to take down each and every last villain of Batmans Rogues Gallery on the way to a final confrontation with the Joker in Arkham Asylum, or teaming up with other Avengers to battle Dr. Doom in Ultimate Alliance, it isnt just enough to play as these iconic characters. We want to share in their most memorable moments too.

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
...or experience familiar worlds with a new perspective

...or experience familiar worlds with a new perspective

Since comic books and superheroes have become such a mainstay in popular culture, thereve been a wide variety of different takes on some of our favorite characters. Batman has had a variety of animated series, and the live-action Smallville based on Supermans teenage years was chock full of cameos from other DC heroes and villains. The point of interest wasnt just that these massively popular heroes were starring in their own show, but that they offered a wildly different take on the respective characters.

The same can be said about many of the video game adaptations of our favorite comic book characters. Gaining a new perspective on what makes a hero or villain tick makes their story more appealing. Superhero games like inFamous, Prototype, and Spider-Man: Web of Shadows offer us a choice in how wed respond in a given situation, which adds even more depth - now weve got to make the same tough choices that the respected heroes made themselves. Do you do whats right, or do you do whats easy? Its all up to the player to decide.

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
They're accessible to everyone, but full of nods to the source materials for die-hard fans

They're accessible to everyone, but full of nods to the source materials for die-hard fans

As the old industry adage goes, Every comic is somebodys first. The same could be said of superhero video games. The general public might not know the exact issue where Spider-Man had to borrow some clothes from the Fantastic Four and run around New York City with a paper bag for mask, but they know Spider-Man. That the costume is included in the game is just a nice touch for those of us whove been there since the beginning, awaiting each new issue with bated breath.

Likewise, almost everyone knows Batman. Whats so great about the Arkham titles was the way they reintroduced everyone to Batman and his dark world without ever overcomplicating things. The solid combat and exploration were nice and all, but both Arkham games were filled with dozens upon dozens of references to the characters comic book roots. Paying homage to a characters comic history isnt necessary, but its always appreciated. And besides, once these new fans get snared in the trap, theyll be just as thrilled to discover all the little touches added by the developers.

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
They feature amazing team-ups of heroes and villains alike

They feature amazing team-ups of heroes and villains alike

There are few instances in comic books better than a good ol fashioned team-up. While most of the video games based on comics tend to follow solo pursuits, there have been a fair amount of games that allow us to team our favorite heroes together. Ultimate Alliances massive roster let us cherry-pick our very own super-squads, though we could also force a few bad guys into the mix just to shake things up. The same could be said of Justice League Heroes and X-Men: Legends.

Obviously, Capcoms Marvel titles give fans a great deal of control over who they want to help save the world. You could put a team of Avengers together, or even the replacement Fantastic Four if you wanted. Other recent titles like Lego Batman 2 offer up the opportunity to team with a number of other heroes and villains. Theres a certain appeal to being able to customize your own super-team, and we cant get enough of video games that afford us that empowering option.

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
They star some of our favorite voice actors

They star some of our favorite voice actors

No two voices in comic franchise history are as tied to their respective characters as Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill are to Batman and the Joker. When Batman: Arkham Asylum promised to reunite the Animated Series alums once more, gamers everywhere rejoiced. These beloved and respected actors transcended mediums to portray the characters they helped ingrain into the public consciousness, and it was glorious.

Conroy and Hamill werent the only actors to reprise characters they helped make so memorable. Neil Patick Harris voiced Spider-Man on the MTV animated series, but then made the jump to Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions. Clancy Brown played Lex Luthor in the Superman animated series, then transitioned to Lego Batman 2 and Superman: Shadow of Apokolips. DC Universe Online included Fireflys Gina Torres and Adam Baldwin (Wonder Woman and Superman, respectively). And who could forget Nolan Norths turn as Deadpool in Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, or Tricia Helfers/Katee Sackoffs takes on Black Cat in Web of Shadows and Edge of Time? The point is: there are a lot of great and credible actors we love to see playing our favorite characters, and that can happen a lot more often thanks to video games.

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
They let us explore alternate realities

They let us explore alternate realities

DC Universe Online. Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions. Spider-Man: Web of Shadows. Batman: Arkham City. The one common denominator between all of these great games, and undoubtedly a few more, is that they all take place in an alternate reality outside of comic book canon. While the comics continuity is considered the true timeline for any of these heroes, video games have the advantage of being able to tell a story that transcends worlds, generations, and even realities with great ease. Because of that, weve been treated to some of the most interesting challenges these characters have ever faced.

Even titles like Prototype and inFamous, which feature wholly new characters, take place in an alternate reality of our own Earth, where superpowers are real and giant monsters constantly threaten major metropolitan areas. Our reality, as fantastic as it can be, is boring compared to these brave new worlds. We love exploring what makes an alternate New York City tick, without having to worry about the ramifications inherent in opening a wormhole to another dimension in the middle of Times Square.

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
Love thy hero

Love thy hero

Those are the reasons we love to play superhero games. What about you? Why do you keep donning the cape and cowl, and fighting crime in the dark of night? Let us know why you love superhero games in the comments below or if you think its time they made more supervillain games. Joker: Batcave Vandalism that sort of thing.

To get further in touch with your super side, slide on over to the best superhero games of all time or our feature on everything SOE has added to DC Universe Online since launch.

Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
CATEGORIES
PC Gaming Nintendo PlayStation Xbox Platforms
PRODUCTS
DC Universe Online X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 Batman: Arkham Asylum Batman: Arkham City Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions Spider-Man: Edge of Time X-Men Legends Spider-Man
Luke Brown
See more PC Gaming Features
Read more
The best Marvel games - Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
The 10 best Marvel games of all time
Mass Effect 2 - Garrus
The 25 best video game stories to play right now
Marvel Cosmic Invasion
I was already excited for Marvel Cosmic Invasion after the studio's incredible retro TMNT brawler, and 30 minutes of hands-on has me even more confident that the spirit of '90s arcade gaming is alive and well
Best Xbox 360 games: a screenshot of an Xbox 360 console next to a controller and a collection of games.
25 Best Xbox 360 games of all time
The Last of Us 2
The 25 best video game soundtracks of all time
Best video game movies: Milla Jovovich as Alice in the first Resident Evil movie.
The 10 best video game movies of all time, ranked
Latest in Action
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Link wanted for counterfeit as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's Switch 2 edition adds a new item duplication glitch for infinite rare materials
Death Stranding 2 Sam touching Lou and Fragile
Full Death Stranding 2 cast and cameos list
A living puppet sits on Fragile's shoulder in a Death Stranding 2 PS5 screenshot
Death Stranding 2 players discover that they're being penalized for efficiency, as bulk-delivering items rewards you less than handing them in one at a time
Death Stranding 2
Do you need to play Death Stranding 1 before Death Stranding 2: On the Beach?
GTA Online Safeguard deliveries
How to complete GTA Online Safeguard deliveries
Death Stranding 2 PS5 screenshot
If you play Death Stranding 2 on your birthday you're treated to a 90-second cutscene that's unbelievably ridiculous even by Hideo Kojima's standards
Latest in Features
One-Punch Man season 3: Saitama punching while in mid-air during the anime One-Punch Man.
Anime Expo 2025: dates, announcements, and why One-Punch Man fans should be excited
The Shrouds
It may feature corpses, missing limbs, and AI, but with The Shrouds, legendary director David Cronenberg has made the ultimate meditation on grief: "To me, there is no afterlife"
A full setup for Fate of the Fellowship with cards, tokens, and pieces all laid out
Legendary board game designer says his upcoming Lord of the Rings project is "definitely the most thematically and mechanically rich game I’ve worked on"
Promotional artwork for the Steam Summer Sale 2025 which runs from June 26th - July 10th at 10am PT
I've spent six hours exploring the Steam Summer Sale with our Games Editor, and these are the 10 best games on discount I'd recommend so far
The Outer Worlds 2 screenshot of Aza, a cultist companion with short pink hair who holds a dagger
The Outer Worlds 2 is "going deeper and more complex" with its companions, and I'm already making grabby hands at this RPG
Ruffy runs across the ocean on wooden crates in Ruffy and the Riverside, with the GamesRadar+ Indie Spotlight logo
Banjo-Kazooie and Paper Mario mix together in this delightful puzzle platformer that has me swapping textures to solve puzzles by changing the world
  1. Sam fires at the ghost mech squid boss in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
    1
    Death Stranding 2: On the Beach review: "This tarpunk delivery epic is more Metal Gear Solid than ever, for better and worse"
  2. 2
    Rematch review: "As with Rocket League, the just-one-more-game pull is magnetic"
  3. 3
    Tron: Catalyst review: "Disc slinging is a thrill in this gorgeous rendition of the series, but I'm let down by a time-loop story that falls flat"
  4. 4
    FBC: Firebreak review: "A disappointingly bland multiplayer FPS that's missing far too much of what made Control special"
  5. 5
    Dune: Awakening review: "Both extremely compelling and extraordinarily boring, sometimes at the same time – yet still a true Dune love letter"
  1. M3GAN doll in M3GAN 2.0
    1
    M3GAN 2.0 review: "A bold sequel with a slightly underwhelming conclusion"
  2. 2
    28 Years Later Review: "Enough terror, splatter and suspense to satisfy”
  3. 3
    Predator: Killer of Killers review: "Great characters, thrilling action, and gorgeous Arcane-esque animation"
  4. 4
    From the World of John Wick: Ballerina review: "Brilliant action, even if the plot gives you a sense of déjà vu"
  5. 5
    Karate Kid: Legends review: "Better than Karate Kid (2010), nothing on Karate Kid (1984)"
  1. Lee Jung-jae as Gi-hun in Squid Game season 3
    1
    Squid Game season 3 review: "A staggeringly excellent final season wraps up one of the greatest Netflix shows ever"
  2. 2
    Ironheart review: "A relic of Marvel's content-at-all-costs era"
  3. 3
    Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 review: "The show's most assured run of episodes to date"
  4. 4
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 8 spoiler review: 'The Reality War' is "a mix of the good, the bad, and the truly baffling"
  5. 5
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 7 spoiler review: 'Wish World' is "an exciting and ambitious" start to the season finale, with hints of WandaVision

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...