Summary
Few superheroes have translated into the video gaming medium as perfectly as Spider-Man. Marvel’s most beloved hero has frequently proven to be a perfect fit for gaming with his thrilling web-slinging, acrobatic combat, andcolorful array of villainsto contend with.
While home consolehits such as Insomniac’s Spider-Man gameshave dominated in recent years, Peter Parker is no stranger to the world of handheld gaming, either. From old-school adventures to handheld renditions of popular home console hits, Spider-Man has gotten up to all kinds of trouble within the handheld scene. Of the many games fitting this bill out there, a select few stand out from the rest for their on-point adaptations of the New York City-based superhero.
Release date
Handheld platforms
Developer
Artificial Mind & Movement
This light-hearted, kid-friendly beat ‘em upis brimming with classic Spidey villains. The plot ofSpider-Man: Friend or Foerevolves around bizarre monsters known as P.H.A.N.T.O.M.s, with Spider-Man taking on allies in his bid to vanquish them.
For those who played it on PSP, a surprise unlockable character to play presents itselfin the form of the bloodthirsty Carnage. Having one of Spider-Man’s most infamous rogues pop in as a playable character immediately gives this game some surprising niche value. Withplenty of fighting action, and some mystery to uncover over the course of the plot,Friend or Foemakes for a fun diversion.
Torus Games
This Ultimate Spider-Man prequel,Battle for New York, highlights the always bitter feud between the web-slinger and the Green Goblin. Here, Norman Osborn’s infamous Oz Formula rears its ugly head again, being used on the people ofNew York City.
With a horde of monstrous goblins now roaming the streets, it falls to Spider-Man to put a stop to his hated nemesis’ attack on the city. Interestingly, the Green Goblin is also a playable character for a change here, making this an especially exciting bit of gaming for fans of the diabolical menace. The DS version provides arelatively straightforward action adventure for players, bolstered by its entertaining characters anda surprise appearance from The Ultimates.
Griptonite Games, Amaze Entertainment
The handheld versions of this choice-focused Spidey adventure offer a notably different gaming experience. The PSP version ofWeb of Shadows,in particular, changes the action due to sporting 2.5D graphics.
Both the PSP and Nintendo DS versions also offer noticeably different renditions of the plot with, frustratingly, fewer endings to choose from. Despite that issue, the handheld versions still offer a thrilling adventure through asymbiote-infested Manhattan.The DS version also provides surprise new alliesin the form of popular X-Men heroNightcrawler and, in a surprising twist, the Green Goblin as well. With plenty of web-slinging beatdowns to hand out to Spider-Man’s extensive rogues' gallery,Web of Shadowsremains an exciting wall-crawling adventure regardless of the console.
Vicarious Visions, Mforma
This adaptation of the hit comic-book series has come to enjoy a glowing reputation in the years since its release. Sporting a distinctive art style modeled on Mark Bagley’s comic art,Ultimate Spider-Manfollows the crime-fighting adventures of the UltimateUniverse’s take on Peter Parker.
While the Game Boy Advance rendition of the game did not quite set the world on fire, the Nintendo DS ONE provided the web-slinging goods. With a rich storylinefull of classic heroes and villainsfor Spider-Man to interact with, the game remains compelling throughout. On top of getting to play as Peter Parker, Eddie Brock’s monstrous alter-ego, Venom, also spends time in the player’s control, furtherdiversifying the gameplay and action on offer.
Vicarious Visions
Following on from the events ofEnter Electro, this action-packed effort sees Peter Parker throw down seven distinct enemies. Loaded with neat cutscenes modeled on comic-book panel art,Mysterio’s Menacefollows a straightforward plot of Spider-Man tackling a crime wave over one night.
Along with the return of Electro, Spider-Man also collides with classic rogues such as Rhino, Hammerhead,and the titular Mysterio. As is to be expected from handheld games of its time,Mysterio’s Menacelargely follows a side-scrolling platforming format. Basic but fun and focused,Mysterio’s Menaceis another on-point entry in the classic early noughties series of the character.
