Summary
Marvelhas a long and storied history in the gaming industry, and its popularity in the modern age only serves to cement the future of Marvel games. Alongside that, handheld gaming is becoming more and more prevalent, be it handheld consoles like the Nintendo Switch or the ever-accessible nature of mobile gaming.
It’s no surprise, then, that there are plenty of excellent handheld titles for Marvel fans, offering multiple avenues to experience a wide range of Marvel games on the go or from the comfort of the sofa. From fighting games all the way to strategy games, and everything in between, there has never been a better time to be a handheld gaming fan that loves Marvel.
Guardians of the Galaxyis based on the Marvel comic franchise of the same name. It inherits the traits that have made both the comics and films so popular, with brilliant characters, an excellent soundtrack, and flashy, inspired visuals. All of this is coupled with fun and unique gameplay, utilizing a system in whichplayers can use Starlordto command other members of the Guardians into special team-up moves.
The downside, however, is specifically within the Nintendo Switch version of the game. While it is the same game, and offers all the positives of the other systems, players and critics alike regularly experience issues with the Switch version, given that it can only be played through cloud gaming. Players have reported performance issues and lag, resulting in an unreliable handheld experience that fails to capture the flair that other systems provide.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Orderis a Nintendo Switch exclusive revival of the belovedMarvel Ultimate Allianceseries. Released 10 years on from the previous title, it was welcomed into a gaming climate that loves Marvel media more than ever.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Orderdraws inspiration from all over Marvel comics and films. Character designs are pulled straight from the pages of the comics, such as the designs of Spider-Man and Hawkeye, or straight from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as seen with Rocket Raccoon. It couples thisdense character rosterwith flashy and exciting gameplay, made all the more fun with the ability to play with up to three friends. Whilst simplistic,Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Orderoffers an exciting handheld Marvel experience that can be played on the go and with friends.
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2continues the fun and silly fan service of its predecessor, allowing players to take control of their favorite Marvel heroes throughout various levels and the newopen world hub, Chronopolis. It all takes place in a comedic and family-friendly setting.
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2is a well-regarded title by critics and players, offering fun and creative versions of well-known and obscure Marvel characters alike. The game also introduces multiple levels that were direct tie-ins to Marvel films, includingBlack PantherandAvengers: Infinity War. Despite the game’s success, some players have argued that the weaker voice acting and less interesting open world markLEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2as a notable step down from its predecessor. This sentiment is echoed by the differing review scores for both games. Nonetheless,LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2is a fun and lighthearted handheld title for any Marvel fan.
Marvel Contest of Championsis a free-to-play mobile fighting game that offers an accessible and fun fighting experience on-the-go, boasting a roster of over 250 beloved Marvel characters. Whilst players may find the title simplistic when compared to other, more competitive fighting games, it cannot be denied thatMarvel Contest of Championsprovides a fast-paced and fun casual fighting game experience.
The large roster ensures players are likely to find at least one of theirfavorite Marvel characters to play. The Marvel license, along with the mobile nature of the game, allows for an accessible and stylized fighting game that is perfect for gamers who want that Marvel action fix whilst traveling or away from their home consoles.
4Marvel Future Fight
The Definitive Marvel ARPG
Marvel Future Fightis a mobile action RPG with a focus on collecting and upgrading a plethora of Marvel characters to tackle various pieces of content, be they PvE or PvP. The game has a diverse andexpansive roster of over 270 Marvel characters.
Marvel Future Fightoffers a deeper mobile experience than gamers may initially expect. The game includes rich characterization, with an ever-evolving meta that keeps players engaged. It is free-to-play, and while it suffers from the monetization that many mobile titles do, the game provides players with a wealth of content for both free and paid players. Alongside this, the game has an expansive story and even prequel tie-in comics, allowing for a narrative experience alongside the gameplay. The handheld format allows for a compelling and deep on-the-go gaming experience for any Marvel fan.
LEGO Marvel Super Heroesis one game in thelong line of licensed LEGO titlesthat continue to hold a beloved and dedicated fanbase. As the first Marvel LEGO game, it exists as a monument to how expansive and deep the Marvel universe is. It offers a roster that spans The Fantastic Four, The Avengers, The X-Men, and many more.
It combines family-friendly humor and a simplistic but engaging gameplay loop to provide a perfect lighthearted, casual gaming experience when played on a handheld console like the Nintendo Switch.LEGO Marvel Super Heroesincludes a large open world set within Manhattan. This large city-scape allows players to live out the superhero fantasy, be it flying around as Iron Man or swinging from buildings as Spider-Man. It combines the signature LEGO style with beloved Marvel characters to provide a fun title, perfect for handheld gaming.
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3is a unique title, but one beloved by players nonetheless. It pits characters of the Marvel universe alongside and against characters from Capcom games to create a truly unique fighting game experience. Its position as the third entry in the series allows forUltimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3to build upon the established formula set by the first two games.
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, specifically the PS Vita version, allows for a deep and mechanically complex fighting game, all whilst on a handheld console. The roster of fighters provides the game with its unique selling point in the fighting game market, allowing for unlikely crossovers, such as Phoenix Wright versus Wolverine or Wesker versus Thor. For Marvel fans looking for a competitive fighting game experience on the go, they can’t go wrong withUltimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3.
Marvel Snapis a free-to-play mobile card game, coupling an extensive roster of Marvel characters with a unique and strategic card-battler. It offers a compelling experience for both Marvel fans and gamers whoenjoy the card game format.
Marvel Snapfeatures card collecting, deck building and card upgrading as the crux of its progression. Players then bring their cards into a match against other players or the computer and attempt to win rounds through having a higher attack sum on the majority of the three lanes.Marvel Snaphas modifiers on each lane that allow for a diverse match-to-match experience, requiring a good deck as well as plenty of strategy in the moment.Marvel Snapis praised by players and critics as it allows for a competitive card-battler experience alongside a roster of nearly 300 cards to collect and upgrade, all from the convenience of a mobile device.
