Ever since the masked vigilante debuted in the comics in 1962, it was evident something amazing was coming our way. That did come as Spider-Man made his way through various forms of media. However, there is more than one version of Peter Parker that we’ve had to accept through its shaky adaptations. We have come a long way from the first ever Marvel Comics adapted 1982 video game of Spider-Man on Atari to Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on PS5. As a big Spidey fan, I have been through it all. As such, I decided to sit down and rank all our favorite Spider-Man games from worst to best. Make sure you reach number 1 on the list, as it might be a shocker for some.
15. The Amazing Spider-Man
- Developer(s): Oxford Digital Enterprises
- Publisher(s): Paragon Software(NA)/ Empire Interactive(EU)
- Platform(s): Commodore 64, Atari ST, DOS, Amiga
- Released: 1990
1990 was the first time we saw a platformer, Spidey, saving Mary Jane from Mysterio. Although the game was made as an Atari-style puzzle adventure, platforming was also added later. The developers chose to add the web-slinging alongside going bare knuckles on the enemies.
The game has a good plot and steady mechanics despite it being such an old creation. It was also the first time when we saw the fast mode in DOS. This meant you could run the game faster with a better CPU. Overall, despite being 3o years old, the 1990 Spider-Man gave us the start we needed from a Spider-Man game.
14. Spider-Man 3
- Developer(s): Beenox, Blizzard Albany, Treyarch
- Publisher(s): Activision
- Platform(s): PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, XBOX, Microsoft Windows
- Released: 2007
Based on the dark tone of the Spider-Man movie from the original Spidey trilogy, Spider-Man 3 (2007) brought a new webslinging experience to the table. After a long decade of learning to perfect the webs and swing, Activision had cracked it.
Unfortunately, endless bugs and visual glitches played their part in making this game unbearable. The plot followed the movie’s 3rd edition storyline with little adjustments. Spider-Man 3 deserves to be in the best games just because of the introduction of the symbiote suit itself. However, I do feel there are a lot of things they could have done better. Hence, it’s low position.
13. Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin
- Developer(s): Technopop, Sega
- Publisher(s): Acclaim Entertainment, Sega, Tectoy
- Platform(s): Sega Genesis, Sega Mark III, Game Gear
- Released: 1991
What is better than the original game? A better sequel. That was the exact answer Sega and Technopop had when launching a game based on Spider-Man just a year after the 1990 creation. This game brought about spidey sense, swinging across the acid fields for the first time.
The game follows the plot of Spiderman vs Kingpin. The story didn’t have a lot of juice in it, as the gameplay varied from 30 minutes to an hour. However, it was the honest approach to get Sega combat-style platformers in the superhero regions. You will enjoy the game if you have a tickle for the retro feel. I, for one, am not a big fan and hence placed the game in the 13th position.
12. Spider-Man Unlimited
- Developer(s): Gameloft
- Publisher(s): Gameloft
- Platform(s): iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone
- Released: 2014
The game you can not play anymore is the tagline for Spider-Man Unlimited. This endless runner version of Peter Parker saw him traversing the roads of New York City, fighting different enemies on the way. The game is simple and, despite being just a runner, has a good plot.
You also get all Spidey actions, including the Spider-Man 2 Super Slingshot mechanic. Overall, the best part of this unlimited edition was that Spider-Man could run forever. With a simple approach and visuals, Spider-man Unlimited takes the number 12 spot on our best game list.
11. Ultimate Spider-Man
- Developer(s): Treyarch Corporation
- Publisher(s): Activision
- Platform(s): PS2, Xbox (Original), GameCube, PC, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS
- Released: 2005
The ultimate Spider-Man brought the flavors of open-world roaming in a new way with its comic adaptation storyline. This was not the first time you could be the Venom. However, you could eat people as Venom as a main character. Or at least to get some health back anyway.
The gameplay lacks a lot of combat and other technical aspects. The only thing that keeps this game close to the top 10 in this best Spider-Man games list is the amazing storyline written by Brian Michael Bendis.
10. Spider-Man
- Developer(s): Neversoft, Blizzard Albany, Gray Matter Studios, LTI Gray Matter, Treyarch, Edge of Reality
- Publisher(s): Activision
- Platform(s): PS1, N64, Dreamcast, PC, Game Boy Color
- Released: 2000
We enter the top 10 with the game that created the base for 3D Spider-Man games. With a great fighting sequence and hard-to-beat boss, Spider-Man 2000 was a treat for any gamer. The cameos and character progressions were on point.
The gameplay, however, lacked depth in action. I say this because of the repetitive actions in combat. One of the most underrated aspects of this game was the voice acting, which was totally on point with the background scores. With that, it enters the 10th position.
9. Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage
- Developer(s): Software Creations
- Publisher(s): Acclaim Entertainment
- Platform(s): Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis
- Released: 1994
It’s a 1994 game with a great gameplay mechanic. Yes, we are talking about Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage. The game takes you to different parts of the city, and the combat is amazing. Despite being almost two decades old, the game covers almost all combat styles in its fighting sequences.
You could web-sling and kick or just grab and throw enemies around. Maximum Carnage was also the first time you could play as Venom. Overall, this Spider-Man entry is a great game for the 2D era with an amazing background track.
8. The Amazing Spider-Man
- Developer(s): Beenox
- Publisher(s): Activision
- Platform(s): PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Wii U, PC, Vita, Nintendo DS, 3DS, Mobile
- Released: 2012
If you are a fan of cinematic experiences in a game, then The Amazing Spider-Man 2012 will be right up your alley. The game provides amazing sequences for both combat and chase. The graphics are as good as any 2010’s game would be like. Then what keeps this game so far away from the top 5?
First of all, the movements in normal fights look glitchy and feel stuck. Even the storyline feels underwhelming for a Spider-Man game. However, the cinematic experience with great music makes this game exceptionally underrated and a fan favorite. But I have kind of a soft spot for it so I’ll give it the 8th position.
7. Spider-Man: Web of Shadows
- Developer(s): Treyarch
- Publisher(s): Activision
- Platform(s): PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC, PSP, Nintendo DS
- Released: 2008
A 2008 instant hit from Activision came as Spider-Man: Web of Shadows. Three things keep this game still amazing. The first thing is the deep and emotional plot, which involves Spidey and Venom for most of the part. The second thing is the cameos from Luke Cage, Moon Knight, and Wolverine.
As Marvel characters outside of the Spider-Man universe never made a cameo in the games, this was something fresh and enjoyable. The final key thing that still makes this game one of a kind are great camera controls and tons of combat sequences.
6. Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions
- Developer(s): Beenox
- Publisher(s): Activision
- Platform(s): PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC
- Released: 2010
Before 2010, Spider-Man fans could only control Spidey or Venom. However, that changed when Beenox gave us this gem. Shattered Dimensions had the option to select one of the four Spider-Man from the list.
The best part was all of them came with their skills. The game becomes fun and exciting for the new skills and gameplay style change. You will never get bored. Pick among the Ultimate Spider-Man, Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Man Noir, and Spider-Man 2099 to change the direction of the gameplay.
5. Spider-Man: The Movie
- Developer(s): Treyarch, Digital Eclipse, Gray Matter Studios, LTI Gray Matter, Backbone Entertainment
- Publisher(s): Activision, Capcom
- Platform(s): PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, Game Boy Advance, Microsoft Windows
- Released: 2002
2002 was the time when Activision decided to adapt movie storylines into their games and born Spider-Man: The Movie. The game lets you explore the city by swinging on your web. This was the first time we could experience the 3D version with a camera control system.
This webslinging experience made this game already better than any other Spider-Man game prior. The action part seemed a little clunky, and the graphics looked choppy. Overall, they tried to improve the problems in their sequel, but for now, this game is in the top 5 of our best Spider-Man games list.
4. Spider-Man: Mile Morales
- Developer(s): Insomniac Games
- Publisher(s): Sony
- Platform(s): PS5, PS4, PC
- Released: 2020
Spider-Man: Miles Morales seemed more like a DLC than an actual game. I say that because the game was followed after a hyper-detailed 2018 Marvel’s Spider-Man. Insomniac decided to introduce Miles Morales in his spin on the game. The gameplay, visuals, and storyline are exactly as they were in the 2018 edition. However, the game did introduce some new combat styles and powers.
Insomniac tries to give you the solo experience of Miles Morales but fails to create something exceptional. It results in you missing the gadgets Peter uses in the 2018 edition of the game. Overall, Miles Morales shows the right direction for the Marvel franchise and comes pretty close to it.
3. Spider-Man 2: The Movie
- Developer(s): Treyarch
- Publisher(s): Activision
- Platform(s): DS, GBA, GameCube, PC, PS2, PSP, and Xbox
- Released: 2004
Rated the best Spider-Man storyline in games adaptation by many fans, Spider-Man 2: The Movie makes number 3 in our best games list. The game follows the storyline of the movie version of the hero, which was also rated the best Spider-Man movie so far and still has its spot up there.
This game also does not disappoint us in terms of gameplay and mechanics. With almost zero bugs or glitches and almost picture-perfect combat, this game would still be number one if the graphics were slightly better.
However, considering that this game was released around 2004 and still ticks all the boxes makes it a must-try game. One of the best parts of the game, however, was the pizza delivery minigame. Ah! those old days. If this Spider-Man 2 had the polishing of Insomniac games, it might have surpassed the newer games, too.
2. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Developer(s): Insomniac Games
- Publisher(s): Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Platform(s): PS5
- Released: 2023
When it comes to sequels, Marvel is known to deliver some promising content. They did not disappoint after the events of Spider-Man (2018) and Spider-Man: Miles Morales (2020). With the addition of new characters and many new skills and gadgets, Spider-Man 2 (review) came at a time when we believed it could not get any better.
Arguably, the new game looks better visually and combat-wise. The key point of Spider-Man has always been the deep and emotional storylines. The problem here is that Spider-Man 2 does not deliver anything groundbreaking as its prequel. The story is based on a particular character and gets chaotic with similar gameplay.
The ending also seems rushed and filled with plot holes. Spider-Man 2’s story completion time also seems to be less when I take the price into account. Anyways, you can jump in as a beginner and unlock a lot of suits. While a solid sequel to previous games, I did not find it worthy enough to rate it #1.
1. Marvel’s Spider-Man
- Developer(s): Insomniac Games
- Publisher(s): Sony
- Platform(s): PS5, PS4, PC
- Released: 2018
The revolution began with the Insomniac creating an experience that makes you feel like you are the main character. Before Marvel’s Spider-Man, we always settled for less. That is why this game became a community favorite instantly. The game initially offered things that we only saw in movies or animations of the web-slinger.
Now, you can jump around the whole city, meet different people from the comics, and do much more. We also got the gadgets and skill tree for the first time, which injected so much more life into the universe.
However, the key part of this game is the plot progression. We see the story of Doctor Octopus from being a friendly professor to becoming the leader of Sinister Six. The extremely satisfying plot makes the story worth replaying. Characters like MJ and Miles go through their own little arcs to become better. Overall, Marvel’s Spider-Man is smooth, polished, and the perfect Spider-Man game for me. That is why I award Marvel’s Spider-Man the numero uno position on this list.
Honorable Mentions:
Some honorable mentions among Spider-Man games will be Peter’s appearance in Marvel vs. Capcom and Marvel’s Avengers. Despite playing just a cameo role, Spidey makes his mark whenever he swings past.
And these are all the Spider-Man games ranked in my favorite order. Don’t you like me putting the 2018 Spider-Man in the top spot? Fight me in the comments below!
