The best superhero games are all about drama and action, letting you step into the spandex shoes of your favorite comic protagonist. Rather than being just a power fantasy, these games are immersive, often offering tightly paced stories as well as moments of light-hearted fun.
We've played a staggering number of superhero games and now we're ready to help you find your next big adventure. Because of the breadth of the superhero genre, you'll find lots of different sorts of games below. These include strategy games, card games, action games, some of the best RPGs and even one of the best JRPGs, too.
No matter the genre, these games are all about stepping up to the plate and using your powers to change the world. Below, you'll find old warhorses alongside fresh new titles. To make sure that nobody's left out, we've also aimed to include titles from a wide range of platforms, including PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch. Read on to find out more.
Best superhero games
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Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is more than just a dark second act. By switching between two main characters, the game offers you two contrasting perspectives on the world. This becomes especially moving once we start to see the two characters diverge in the story.
Perhaps one of the best superhero games ever made, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 faithfully captures the Spider-Man fantasy while also conveying the web-slinger's darker side. The game follows two Spider-Men: Miles Morales and Peter Parker as well as the latter's exposure to the Venom parasite. On top of the usual slew of villains, this means that our heroes will also have to content with Peter's struggles to overcome the dark inclinations caused by his infection.
Like its predecessor Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is an open world action game with exceptionally fun traversal mechanics. Sure, you can fast-travel, but why would you want to when web-swinging through New York feels so good? As we put it in our review, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 "prioritizes fun above all else, with a host of accesibility features to let everyone join in."
Available on: PS5
Batman: Arkham Knight represents a culmination of Rocksteady's Batman series, beginning back in 2011 with Batman: Arkham City. The title perfectly encapsulates the grim nobility at the heart of Batman by contrasting him with a new figure called the Arkham Knight - a dark mirror to Batman himself.
Representing the other side of the best superhero games coin, the third and final installment in Rocksteady's Batman series caps the series off triumphantly. The game follows the blueprint of previous Arkham titles offering action and mobility in equal measure. You can rappel your way around using the grapnel gun, beat enemies into a pulp using the game's freeflow combat system, and engage in some now-typical open-world activities like taking out watchtowers and hunting down specific criminals.
Released in 2015, Batman: Arkham Knight set the bar for what an open-world superhero game could be. The title's imagining of Gotham City doesn't skimp when it comes to size, visuals, or level design, nor does the cavalcade of side missions disappoint. Not only that - Arkham City features a tense, exciting central story that will thrill fans old and new.
Available on: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Infamous Second Son may not tell the most sophisticated superhero tale of all time, but it more than makes up for this with its excellent traversal, gritty, open-world environment and array of superpowers.
One of the best superhero games of its day, Infamous: Second Son sees players take on the role of Delsin Rowe, a person with extraordinary abilities known as a Conduit, on a mission to take down an organization that's hunting him and his kind. Delsin makes his way through an open-world Seattle, where his actions can make him the villain or the hero - depending on how you use his powers.
Despite its age, this open-world game has stood the test of time. Delsin is modeled after actor Troy Baker, whose voice and motion capture performances did a great deal to bring the character to life. Using and acquiring new powers feels fluid and fun, and while there is a lot of open-world busywork, Second Son makes you feel so empowered that the prospect of battling another enemy stronghold doesn't bore, but delights.
Available on: PS5, PS4
Marvel's Midnight Suns contains multitudes. It carries both the strategic depth of XCOM alongside the immersive character driven interpersonal drama of Persona 5. As you get to know the game's roster of superheroes, they'll grow and develop, showing you new sides to their stories.
No list of the best superhero games would be complete without this mix of XCOM-style turn-based combat, deckbuilding, and comic book drama. Though this may sound like an odd combination, the strategy veterans at Firaxis have managed to craft a gripping turn-based combat system that translates different Marvel heroes' superpowers into card skills. You play as a centuries-old warrior named the Hunter, as well as different Marvel heroes from Iron Man to Blade in order to stop the apocalypse.
While the story itself may not sound like much, Marvel's Midnight Suns is all about presentation. This is a game that goes to serious lengths in terms of building a world where all of these different superheroes fit without alienating players who only know some of them or who have no touchpoints with Marvel other than the movies. The writing is top-notch and will endear you to every single hero as they battle with personal issues and each other. Midnight Suns also includes a significant social element that sees you hanging out in front of the TV with your favorite characters, painting, stargazing, and much more.
Available on: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
The best superhero stories are all about climactic showdowns between rivals - a spirit Injustice 2 captures in a big way. Mortal Kombat's DNA is baked into every facet of Injustice 2, where satisfying combat animations, punchy sound design, and razor-sharp quips are par for the course.
When it comes to fighting games, Injustice 2 is one of the best superhero games there is. Developed by NetherRealm, the makers of Mortal Kombat, Injustice 2 is all about dramatic setpiece battles, showing off a broad roster of DC heroes and villains, all alongside a story that blurs the line between the two.
Injustice 2 looks good, plays smoothly, and features a fun combo system that makes you feel powerful even if you're not a seasoned fighting game player. Add to that immensely detailed animations and plenty of environmental attacks, and you have a fighting game that makes you feel like a true superhuman. On top of this, the game's story is as dramatic as they come, offering a dark drama right at home in the DC universe.
Available on: PC, PS5, PS4 Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is a surprisingly mature and thoughtful offering, offering a flavor of characters and storytelling that stands apart from the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the best way possible. Before long, you'll find yourself drawn into the Guardians' world, laughing when they laugh and crying when they cry.
Many of the best superhero games make this list because they offer something new and refreshing to their respective genre. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy does this in a big way, not only by offering a tightly paced storyline that tugs at the heartstrings but also by putting forward a third person combat system that reinforces the ensemble nature of the game.
As Peter Quill, you'll have to manage the frictions and concerns of your team of interplanetary ne'er do wells. You'll make choices during dialogue scenes, often with outcomes that won't become obvious until later on in the story. Combat reflects this, by having you give orders to your teammates as you battle. What's more, different attacks complement each other in different ways, inflicting status conditions that synergize, not unlike the Guardians themselves. The story plumbs some mature depths, too, dealing with themes of parenthood, grief, and abandonment. Though whip-fast banter and comedic quips are the order of the day, the entire adventure has thoughtful emotional undertones that serve to keep things grounded.
Available on: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Marvel Snap is not only accessible and well-designed, but matches are over in a matter of minutes. This makes it an ideal mobile game, giving you the chance to dip into a game or two on your commute, or to grab a match while in line at the store.
Perhaps the best superhero game when it comes to free-to-play products, Marvel Snap is a mobile card game that sees you battle it out with an opponent over a range of three locations. You and your opponent place cards representing Marvel characters face-down. Once you've both placed your cards, they are revealed and the cards' different special powers trigger. If you come out of a match having amassed the most power, you win. Players play for cubes - by snapping, you can raise the cube stakes in each round. On the surface, it's simple enough, but dive in, and you'll find a game full of delicious complexity.
Snap's central appeal lies both in the simplicity of the core game experience and how many different outcomes you can produce depending on the cards you have. The game features a wide variety of heroes to play, with new cards still being added. While the temptation to spend real money on cards may be high, Marvel Snap still functions perfectly well when played entirely for free. It's a rush to see your favorites fight together and to discover all the different power combinations on offer.
Available on: PC, iOS, Android
Persona 5 Royal has an unquestionable sense of style that seeps from the game's every pore. Acid jazz melodies rise over snazzy loading screens while you make your way across Tokyo. Even the turn based battles are fast-paced and dramatic, perfectly stylized for maximum appeal.
It may seem odd for a list of best superhero games to include one of the best JRPGs of recent years. However, Persona 5 plays into superhero tropes in a big way. Following a group of Japanese teenagers, the game quickly takes a supernatural turn when the protagonists find they have the supernatural ability to venture into the minds of corrupt adults and defeat their target's inner darkness. To do this, however, our plucky gang must don masks and costumes representing their "Personas" - the roles they take within the game's trippy mindscape.
By day, you're a mild-mannered student, doing your best to get decent grades and to stay on the good side of your surrogate father. In secret, you're a Phantom Thief, donning your mask and costume as you fight against hypocrisy and evil. As the calendar rolls on, you'll need to plan your days, hone your skills, and try to be the best version of yourself you can be. There's nothing more superheroic than that.
Available on: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
The Wonderful 101: Remastered is a vibrant action-adventure brawler from the minds behind Viewtiful Joe and Okami. It's a zany superpowered adventure, quite unlike anything else on this list. It may not be for everyone, but The Wonderful 101: Remastered offers a welcome twist on the superhero formula that will satisfy those looking to take a walk on the wild side.
The best superhero games come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes, but The Wonderful 101: Remastered is perhaps the most eccentric entry on this list. In The Wonderful 101, you control a whole host of tiny heroes Pikmin-style, but instead of finding your way around and collecting fruit, you fight huge monsters by drawing shapes with your controller, transforming your heroic bunch to carry out different attacks and maneuvers.
In order to be successful in The Wonderful 101, you'll need to study your enemies, learn their weaknesses, and overcome a drawing system that can be a bit finicky. But, these initial frustrations are worth it for the exciting and varied battles you'll face. Whether you're transforming into a sword to fight huge mechanical dragons in mid-air or fighting sentient cannons at a baseball stadium, the Wonderful 101's settings and enemies make for a refreshing change of pace.
Available on: PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch
Best superhero games: FAQs
What is the best superhero game?
Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, and Batman: Arkham Knight, all serve as grounded and realistic takes on the superhero genre. Part of the fun of the best superhero games is how they allow you to take on the role of your favorite hero. Between these three titles, you'll find no shortage of believable combat, immersive cutscenes, and realistic graphics.
Is Spider Man 2 the best superhero game ever?
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is definitely one of the best superhero games of recent years. However, personal taste means that it may not be the best game for everyone.
For instance, strategy fans might find themselves preferring Marvel's Midnight Suns while those looking for something more off piste might enjoy Persona 5 Royal or The Wonderful 101: Remastered. That said, no matter your personal preference, we're confident that you'll be able to find something to your liking on our list.
How we made our best superhero games list
Superhero stories are dramatic, larger than life, and painted with broad, vibrant brush strokes. Any list of the best superhero games would need to accommodate this, not only in terms of the quality of the superhero games themselves but also in terms of how effectively they capture the superhero fantasy.
We also aimed for a broad range of genres across a wide range of consoles. Our list contains both lengthy 150-hour RPGs and short, 10-minute card games so as to accommodate a wide range of fans. Some folks like their fun in short bursts while others prefer to sit down with a game for hours at a time. Whether you prefer Marvel Snap or Marvel's Midnight Suns, we wanted the list to reflect that there's no wrong way to enjoy the best superhero games.
Some of the best superhero games are the best single-player games available, but if you're looking for an experience to share with your sidekick, we've got a list of the best co-op games, alongside the best multiplayer games on PC too.