The History of Spider-Man Video Games (1982 - 2018)

There's no doubt in anyone's mind that Spider-Man is one of, if not the, world's most popular comic book character. Needless to say, Spider-Man quickly became an entertainment icon from his comic book introduction in 1962 with Amazing Fantasy #15. So much in fact, that he can be found literally everywhere nowadays - shirts, books, posters, lunchboxes, sneakers, movies, the darkest corners of the internet, and yes, video games. In celebration of Insomniac's Spider-Man on the PlayStation 4 releasing very soon, I've compiled a list along with brief explanations and secrets about every Spider-Man video game to date. Pop a squat True Believers, it's time for your history lesson.

1.

Title: Spider-Man

Released: 1982

Publisher, Developer: Parker Brothers, Atari

Platform: Atari 2600

It was on the Atari 2600 system in which Spider-Man made his debut into the video game world. The objective of the game is to scale the tall building as the wall-crawler to defuse a super bomb planted by the Green Goblin all the while avoiding smaller bombs falling towards them. Publisher Parker Brothers also had plans to release the game on the Magnavox Odyssey 2, but it never saw official release. It was a simple game during simple gaming times, but it sure filled the imaginations of many Spider-Man fans and developers alike.

2.

Title: Questprobe: Spider-Man

Released: 1984

Publisher, Developer: Adventure International

Platform: Apple II, PC, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, C-64, C-16, Atari 8-bit

In a trilogy of graphics adventure games, Questprobe: Spider-Man is a text-based computer game in which Spider-Man takes on the classic villain Mysterio. Questprobe: Spider-Man was the second game in the trilogy after Questprobe: Hulk with the third game featuring the Human Torch and the Thing. Adventure International had an original plan for twelve games in the series, however that plan never saw light when the developer/publisher filed for bankruptcy in 1985.

3.

Title: Spider-Man and Captain America in Dr. Doom's Revenge!

Released: 1989

Publisher, Developer: Medalist, Paragon

Platform: Atari ST, MS-DOS, Amiga, Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, ZX, C-64

A side-scrolling action game in which players can play as Spider-Man and Captain America. The two superheroes team up to take down Dr. Doom and other villains such as Electro, Hobgoblin, Grey Gargoyle, and many more. To supplement the story of the game, it was packaged with an exclusive comic book!

4.

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man

Released: 1990

Publisher, Developer: Paragon, Oxford Digital Enterprises

Platform: Amiga, PC, MS-DOS, Commodore 64, Atari ST

The second game featuring dome-head villain Mysterio. The Amazing Spider-Man has players solving a mix of puzzles and platforming action to save Spider-Man's girlfriend, Mary Jane Watson. Interestingly, Mysterio has a film obsession, so the stages he manipulated for Spider-Man to get through were parodies of different film genres.

5.

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man

Released: 1990

Publisher, Developer: Nintendo, Rare

Platform: Game Boy

The Amazing Spider-Man is a platforming, beat 'em up side-scroller released on the portable Game Boy system. Gamers and fans alike are able to wall crawl, web-swing, and spider sense their way to the credits screen in a, for its time, thrilling Spider-Man video game. You can probably assume that Spider-Man's favorite food is hamburgers as well since they replenish his health in this game. Or maybe because it's a popular American food? Hmmm...

6.

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin

Released: 1990/1991

Publisher, Developer: Sega, Technopop

Platform: Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, Game Gear, Sega CD

The Amazing Spider-Man vs. the Kingpin is one of the first Spider-Man games to have noticeably different versions. However, each have the same premise - the player takes Spider-Man on, yet again, a platforming, side-scroll adventure to defeat familiar villains while obtaining the keys needed to disarm the nuclear bomb set by the Kingpin.

The 16-bit Genesis version of The Amazing Spider-Man vs. the Kingpin was arguably the most bought version, and even convinced Marvel not to cancel their licensing deal with Sega. The 8-bit Master System had the same story beats and format as the Genesis version, but some cutscenes and stages were redesigned because of the technical limitations. The Sega CD iteration released in 1993 and can be considered the definitive version, sporting voiced and animated scenes, new levels and abilities, a faster gameplay experience, and three difficulty settings. A contest was even held to see who could beat the game on its hardest difficulty while obtaining all 21 in-game comic book covers.

On top of the rich gameplay experience The Amazing Spider-Man vs. the Kingpin delivered, it also included alternate endings including Spider-Man saving Mary Jane and New York, the Kingpin escaping, the death of Mary Jane, the deaths of Spider-Man and Mary Jane, and a few others. Even to today's standards, the game is gorgeous to look at with vibrant colors and, for its time, detailed character models.

7.

Title: Spider-Man: The Video Game

Released: 1991

Publisher, Developer: Sega

Platform: Arcade

A beat 'em up arcade classic, Spider-Man: The Video Game gave one or four gamers the option to play as either Spider-Man, Black Cat, Sub-Mariner, or Hawkeye with each having their own special attacks and abilities. Doc Ock, Green Goblin, Lizard, Electro, and many more villains are featured, making this entry a worthwhile Spider-Man adventure. Spider-Man: The Video Game was even met with critical reception, earning a perfect score from gaming magazine "Dragon."

8.

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Released: 1992

Publisher, Developer: LJN (Later acclaimed and closed by Acclaim Entertainment), Bits Studios

Platform: Game Boy

The second 2D side scroller to hit Nintendo's Game Boy. The Amazing Spider-Man 2's story focused on Spider-Man clearing his name after being framed for a robbery, which actually turns out to be a complex ruse set up by a group of super villains. Our good ol' web-head faces off against Hobgoblin, Lizard, Graviton, Mysterio, and everyone's favorite psychopath, Carnage. Not much has changed from the first game, except now Spider-Man is able to pick up objects to solve platforming puzzles.

9.

Title: Spider-Man: Return of the Sinister Six

Released: 1992

Publisher, Developer: LJN & Flying Edge, Bits Studios

Platform: NES, Master System, Game Gear

Doctor Octopus is at it yet again to take what he believes is his - the world! Only this time, he has the help of Hobgoblin, Mysterio, Electro, Vulture, and Sandman. Together, they form the Sinister Six, and it's up to Spider-Man to save the world. Spider-Man: Return of the Sinister Six has simple game design, in which each platforming level is dedicated to a member of the infamous group of villains. The player has only one life and one continue to spare in the entire game, but those who have played the game noted that it's hard to die anyways.

10.

Title: Spider-Man and the X-Men in Arcade's Revenge

Released: 1992

Publisher, Developer: LJN & Flying Edge, Software Creations

Platform: SNES, Genesis, Game Gear, Game Boy

Probably one of the most interesting Marvel superhero crossovers with an odd story in the early 90's, Spider-Man and the X-Men in Arcade's Revenge battle against the evil Arcade villain, who has built an amusement park to trap superheroes. Told you it was weird.

Anyways, Marvel fans get the chance to play as Spider-Man, Storm, Wolverine, Gambit, and Cyclops in this action platformer adventure. In the beginning of the game, each superhero is trapped in a room and must find a way out via platforming puzzles. Once the player navigates through each character's story, they'll control Spider-Man in a climatic battle against Arcade. While the premise was interesting, critics panned the game for frustrating and tedious gameplay.

11.

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man 3: Invasion of the Spider-Slayers

Released: 1993

Publisher, Developer: LJN, Bits Studios

Platform: Game Boy

The follow up to The Amazing Spider-Man 2 a year prior. The action gameplay is very similar to the second game and doesn't do much to change up or improve from previous games. As for the story, Spider-Man fights against lethal robots known as Spider-Slayers and solve the mystery to whose behind their creation.

12.

Title: Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage

Released: 1994

Publisher, Developer: LJN, Software Creations

Platform: SNES, Genesis

A video game based on the comic book mini-series Maximum Carnage. In Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage, True Believers can play either as Spider-Man (shocker!) or Venom in a single player side-scrolling beat 'em up experience to defeat the psychopathic killer Carnage. Not only is it one of the first Spider-Man video games to be based on a comic book run, but it's also the first Spider-Man to earn a teen rating. In a cool idea to celebrate the launch of the game, first prints of the SNES and Genesis cartridges were colored red instead of the normal black.

13.

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man: Lethal Foes

Released: 1995

Publisher, Developer: Epoch Co., Ltd., Argent & Epoch Co., Ltd.

Platform: Super Famicom

Based on the limited series The Lethal Foes of Spider-Man, its video game counterpart is an action platformer that features many villains, such as the ones you see on the cover art. Allies such as Iron Fist, the Human Torch and Speedball also show up in cutscenes. The game scored a low 21/40 rating, which is probably why it stayed as a Japan exclusive.

14.

Title: Spider-Man Cartoon Maker

Released: 1995

Publisher, Developer: Knowledge Adventure

Platform: Microsoft Windows

This interactive computer game is as simple as the original Spider-Man game in 1982, complete with coloring sections and even voiced segments. The art style is based on the popular 90's animated Spider-Man show.

15.

Title: Venom/Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety

Released: 1995

Publisher, Developer: Acclaim Entertainment, Software Creations

Platform: SNES, Genesis

The sequel to Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage, Venom/Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety has the superhero and antihero up against Carnage yet again. The game can be played single player or cooperatively, and the story loosely follows the comic book storylines of Venom: Separation Anxiety and Venom: Lethal Protector. Unfortunately, the game was reviewed poorly despite the potential to be a great follow up.

16.

Title: Spider-Man

Released: 1995

Publisher, Developer: LJN/Acclaim Entertainment, Western Technologies

Platform: SNES, Genesis

Based on the hit 90's animated show of the same name, Spider-Man revolved around the escape of classic villains with, of course, Spider-Man having the responsibility to stop them. Between the Genesis and SNES versions, the only similarity is the story. The SNES came equipped with six levels while the Genesis had five. However, it was another Spider-Man game that was panned for its poor controls and sound, with a debate whether the graphic art style was decent or mediocre.

17.

Title: Marvel Comics Spider-Man: The Sinister Six

Released: 1996

Publisher, Developer: Byron Preiss Multimedia 

Company, Inc., Brooklyn Multimedia

Platform: PC

Marvel Comics Spider-Man: The Sinister Six served more as a puzzle-solving adventure game with six different storylines and results, making it a pretty unique one. Spider-Man once again faces the Sinister Six clan, but the members this time around are Doc Ock, Mysterio, Hobgoblin, Vulture, Shocker, and Chameleon. You also get to play as Peter Parker in certain scenarios.

18.

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man: Web of Fire

Released: 1996

Publisher, Developer: Sega, BlueSky Software

Platform: Sega 32X

The Amazing Spider-Man: Web of Fire is not unlike every other Spider-Man game so far - a single player platforming action game. However, it stands one of the rarest Spider-Man games to date because it was released on the Sega 32X, a console Sega had just announced they were discontinuing support for. Thankfully, The Amazing Spider-Man: Web of Fire broke the trend of bad Spider-Man video games and was considered an above-average video game.

19.

Title: Spider-Man

Released: 2000

Publisher, Developer: Activision, Neversoft

Platform: PlayStation, Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, Microsoft Windows

Here enters the crème de la crème - Neversoft's Spider-Man, a 3D action adventure game that puts past games in the web-head's history to shame. It's also credited to creating the fundamental elements for a fantastic Spider-Man video game. While the Game Boy Color, Windows, and N64 versions of the game received mixed reviews, it's the PlayStation and Dreamcast iterations that are praised to this day for capturing the heart and wit of the character while being a fun video game. Anyone with a PlayStation or Dreamcast owned a copy of Neversoft's Spider-Man, including me! It also features a villain that was exclusively made for the game - Monster Ock, a hybrid of Doctor Octopus and Carnage. The game is also known for an everlasting fog covering New York, which was actually implemented because Neversoft didn't have the hardware to render the entire city.

20.

Title: Spider-Man 2: The Sinister Six

Released: 2001

Publisher, Developer: Activision, Torus Games

Platform: Game Boy Color

One of two sequels to the critical received Spider-Man in 2000, Spider-Man 2: The Sinister Six features a different story and gameplay experience than Spider-Man 2: Enter Electro. In this title, Spider-Man battles against the Sinister Six once again after Aunt May is kidnapped by Doctor Octopus. The popular comic book villain Kraven is also featured in the game.

21.

Title: Spider-Man 2: Enter Electro

Released: 2001

Publisher, Developer: Activision, Vicarious Visions

Platform: PlayStation

The second and proper sequel to Neversoft's Spider-Man (2000), the game follows Spider-Man as he attempts to put an end to Electro's evil plans to obtain the lethal power force, the Bio-Nexus Device. In this sequel, players were actually able to traverse and fight in the streets of New York during a few sections of the game, but it's mostly known for it's quick pull from stores for its initial ending being too similar to the September 11th, 2001 tragedy in New York. Activision later rereleased the game with a new ending.

22.

Title: Spider-Man: Mysterio's Menace

Released: 2001

Publisher, Developer: Activision, Vicarious Visions

Platform: Game Boy Advance

Games like Spider-Man: Mysterio's Menace just give me that good ol' nostalgia vibe any old-school gamer would feel. A decent-looking action game with favorable reviews, Spider-Man: Mysterio's Menace is one of the good Spider-Man games to hit the Game Boy Advance. It was also released in a dual video game pack with X-2: Wolverine's Revenge in 2005.

23.

Title: Spider-Man

Released: 2002

Publisher, Developer: Activision & Capcom, Treyarch GC, PS2 & Xbox/ Gray Matter Interactive for PC/Digital Eclipse Software for GBA

Platform: PlayStation 2, Xbox, Microsoft Windows, GameCube, Game Boy Advance

2002's Spider-Man film rocked the world. For its time, it was a more than decent superhero film that drew a lot of attention and made a bunch of money. Its movie tie-in game of the same name loosely followed the narrative of the film, but added in other villains like Vulture, Shocker, and more. It's a lot similar to Neversoft's Spider-Man game, but prettier - a 3D action game where the webs Spider-Man would swing from sticks to clouds and air. The game also included a very weird, but extremely fun mini-game: Pinhead Bowling.

24.

Title: Spider-Man 2

Released: 2004

Publisher, Developer: Activision, Treyarch for GC, PS2 & Xbox versions/Vicarious Visions for the DS & PSP versions/Digital Eclipse for GBA/The Fizz Factor for PC/Activision for N-Gage/Aspyr for Mac

Platform: PlayStation 2, PSP GameCube, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, Xbox, Microsoft Windows, N-Gage, Mac OS X

A universal favorite, Spider-Man 2 was considered the definitive Spidey adventure while being a movie-tie in title. With a realistic, immersive New York and the best web swinging mechanics of its time, Spider-Man 2 was the modern blueprint for many other Spider-Man video games to follow. The game is based on the narrative and events of the movie in which the superhero faces off against Doc Ock, but also includes classic foes like Mysterio, Shocker, and Rhino. Tobey Maguire (Spider-Man/Peter Parker), Kirsten Dunst (Mary Jane Watson), and Alfred Molina (Doc Ock) all reprised their roles in the video game as well.

25.

Title: Spider-Man and Friends: Doc Ock's Challenge

Released: 2004

Publisher, Developer: Vtech

Platform: Vtech Vsmile

Take any Spider-Man plot that has been talked about in this list, add X-Men's Storm and Fantastic Four's The Thing, throw in some real world education, and you got yourself the epitome of a youth's Spider-Man game. While these were great as a kid, you'll be hard-pressed to see an adult call this game an amazing Spidey adventure.

26.

Title: Ultimate Spider-Man

Released: 2005

Publisher, Developer: Activision, Treyarch for GC, PS2, Xbox & PC/Vicarious Visions for DS & GBA/Beenox for PC as well

Platform: PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Xbox, Microsoft Windows

Ultimate Spider-Man is based off of the Ultimate Marvel comic books in which a younger Peter Parker becomes Spider-Man. There is an action-based, free-roaming element similar to Spider-Man 2, except Ultimate Spider-Man is limited to just Queens and Manhattan. The game was also known for it's comic book-style graphics.

Players get the chance to play as both Spider-Man and Venom, each offering their own gameplay experience. Funny enough, an early development idea was to have the Hulk pair up with Spider-Man, but he was eventually replaced with Venom since Venom related to Spider-Man more. The game was so well received that Brian Michael Bendis, writer of the game and Ultimate Spider-Man comics, made the game's story canon to the comics.

A limited edition of Ultimate Spider-Man featured an alternate cover with Venom. I envy any who own this stylish Limited Edition since Venom is my personal favorite antihero.

27.

Title: Spider-Man: The Case of the Sinister Speller

Released: 2005

Publisher, Developer: Fisher-Price Learning Software, LeapFrog Enterprises

Platform: Leapster

The... Sinister... Speller... Moving on.

28.

Title: Spider-Man: Battle for New York

Released: 2006

Publisher, Developer: Activision, Torus Games

Platform: Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, Mobile

Spider-Man: Battle for New York can be considered a sequel of some sorts to the Ultimate Spider-Man video game since the story is based in the Ultimate universe. Instead of Venom being the second playable character, it's the Green Goblin. The game is a 2D action platformer, similar to earlier Spider-Man titles as well. Disappointingly, Spider-Man: Battle for New York had mixed to negative reviews.

29.

Title: Spider-Man 3

Released: 2007

Publisher, Developer: Activision, Treyarch for Xbox 360 and PS3/Vicarious Visions for GBA, PS2, PSP, DS and Wii/Beenox for PC

Platform: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PSP, Game Boy Advance, Xbox, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, GameCube, Nintendo DS, Wii

With the highly anticipated Spider-Man 3 movie on the horizon, it's only natural to see the video game counterpart release with it. The gameplay was more or less the same as Spider-Man 2 with unlockable abilities and adrenaline pumping web swinging free roam, but it was overall a forgettable experience. Fans were able to play through and loosely follow the events of the conclusion to the Raimi Spider-Man trilogy, but with more villains and sequences added. While all versions are mostly similar, different villains were exclusive to certain platforms - The PS2, Wii, and PSP iterations added Morbius and Shriek, while the PS3, Xbox 360, and Windows versions added Kingpin and Scorpion. However, it's only in the PS3 version where gamers get to play as New Goblin, Harry Osborn's alter ego in the movie.

30.

Title: Spider-Man: Friend or Foe

Released: 2007

Publisher, Developer: Activision, Next Level Games for Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation 2/A2M for Nintendo DS and PSP/Beenox for Microsoft Windows

Platform: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo DS, Wii

Just by the look of the cover, Spider-Man: Friend or Foe draws clear inspiration from the Raimi Spider-Man trilogy. The premise of this action game was to flip the movies on their heads and convert villains into sidekicks, something fans have definitely not seen with the aesthetic from the Spider-Man trilogy. While it all sounds great on paper, critics were not exactly hot about Spider-Man: Friend or Foe, giving the game mediocre review scores.

31.

Title: Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

Released: 2008

Publisher, Developer: Activision, Shaba Games/Treyarch/Griptonite Games for DS

Platform: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PSP, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo DS, Wii

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows comes in three flavors: a 3D free-roaming action game for consoles, a 2.5D platformer for the Nintendo DS, and a 2.5D side-scrolling beat 'em up for PSP and PS2. But of course, a majority of people played the former. Spider-Man: Web of Shadows featured an original story and introduced more obscure characters in the Marvel universe like Luke Cage and Moon Knight, while also having standouts like Black Cat, Venom, and Wolverine. Great swinging mechanics, fun boss battles, and a light-morality system that affected the story's events made Spider-Man: Web of Shadows one of my favorite Spider-Man games.

32.

Title: Spider-Man: Toxic City

Released: 2009

Publisher, Developer: Marvel Comics, Gameloft

Platform: Mobile

Developed by Gameloft, Spider-Man: Toxic City is a pretty decent side-scrolling beat em' up game for Windows Phone. As Spider-Man fans can tell from the art and red spider logo, the game is based off of the Ultimate Spider-Man comics. Nonetheless, it's a Spider-Man game that never garnered enough attention.

33.

Title: Spider-Man and Friends: Secret Messions

Released: 2010

Publisher, Developer: Vtech

Platform: Vtech Vsmile

Oh hi, V Smile.

Goodbye, V Smile.

34.

Title: Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions

Released: 2010

Publisher, Developer: Activision, Beenox for PC, PS3, Wii, and Xbox 360/Griptonite Games for Nintendo DS

Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, Microsoft Windows

Another fun and interesting premise, Spider-Man Shattered Dimensions puts aside the open-world gameplay and goes for more of linear Spider-Man experience. So what makes it different, you ask? Well, you get to play as four different Spider-Men from four separate timelines!

In the starting few minutes of the game, we are introduced to our four Spider-Men: The Amazing Spider-Man, Ultimate Spider-Man, Spider-Man Noir, and Spider-Man 2099, and each have a noticeably distinct play style. The Amazing Spider-Man has more set ups for physical and web attacks, Ultimate Spider-Man uses powerful symbiote combos, Spider-Man Noir favors stealthy gameplay, and Spider-Man 2099 is an acrobatic fighter that does more flips than American Gymnast Champion and Gold Medalist Simone Biles. The game received fairly positive reviews, praising the varied gameplay.

A cool fact about Spider-Man Shattered Dimensions is the four Spider-Men in the game are voiced by four different actors who have previously provided their voices in other Spider-Man TV shows, including Neil Patrick Harris.

35.

Title: Spider-Man: Edge of Time

Released: 2011

Publisher, Developer: Activision, Beenox for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, and 3DS/Other Ocean Interactive for Nintendo DS

Platform: PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS

The Amazing Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2099 from Shattered Dimensions return in Spider-Man: Edge of Time. While Edge of Time's gameplay and structure was similar to the previous title, it failed to live up to the fun Spidey adventure that was Shattered Dimensions. Through in-game unlocks and DLC, the game has over 25 alternate costumes, including Miles Morales, Iron Spider, and The Bombastic Bag Man.

36.

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man

Released: 2012

Publisher, Developer: Activision, Beenox/Other Ocean Interactive for DS/ Gameloft for Mobile

Platform: PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Wii U, PS Vita, Mobile

2012 not only saw the reboot of the Spider-Man movie franchise with The Amazing Spider-Man, but also the game to go with it. The Amazing Spider-Man video game is set after the events of the movie, serving as a sort of alternate epilogue. The game also brings players back to an open-world action game with the game's camera having a tighter shot on Spider-Man. This interesting perspective gave web swinging a new level of immersion and excitement, but the combat was left to be desired.

It wasn't considered a bad Spider-Man game by any means, but it sure wasn't the best either. Although, getting the chance to swing around the city as Spider-Man's co-creator Stan Lee is enough to make any Spidey fan play this game.

37.

Title: Ultimate Spider-Man: Total Mayhem

Released: 2013

Publisher, Developer: Gameloft, Gameloft Beijing

Platform: Mobile

Another well-received Spider-Man mobile game developed by Gameloft, Ultimate Spider-Man: Total Mayhem is a 3D action game with flashy special moves, platform web swinging, and several villains to fight including Doc Ock, Electro, Green Goblin, and Rhino. Despite the weird look to the game, it actually seems pretty fun based on some gameplay videos.

38.

Title: Ultimate Spider-Man: Ultimate Spider-Cycle

Released: 2013

Publisher, Developer: N/A

Platform: Browser

An endless runner video game you can find on any internet game website based off the Ultimate Spider-Man television show. Why Spider-Man has a motorcycle... I don't even know. "A" for effort, I guess.

39.

Title: Spider-Man Lizard Clone

Released: 2014

Publisher, Developer: N/A

Platform: Browser

A first (and thankfully the last) first person shooting Spider-Man video game in which the player takes out hordes of Lizard clones to rack up points. Not much else can really be said about this game except a big, fat nope.

40.

Title: Spider-Man Unlimited

Released: 2014

Publisher, Developer: Gameloft, Gameloft

Platform: Mobile

Spider-Man Unlimited is a crowd-pleasing endless runner video game for mobile devices. It includes a ton of the alternate versions of Spider-Man from the Marvel comics such as Spider-Girl, Spider-Pig, Spider-MJ, and many more to play as. The game was even recently updated with the Iron Spider suit from 2018's Avengers: Infinity War.

41.

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Released: 2014

Publisher, Developer: Activision, Beenox/Gameloft for Mobile

Platform: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo 3DS, Mobile

One of the last Spider-Man games to be published by Activision, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 builds off the gameplay and web-swinging of its predecessor while continuing the alternate events set from The Amazing Spider-Man video game in 2012. At least, the best that it could. The game also explores the morality system like Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, where your gameplay decisions affect New York's perception of Spider-Man. Similar to The Amazing Spider-Man 2 film, the game was rated with low scores and reviews. It even tried to leave narrative breadcrumbs for the next game, which was obviously never made and never will be made, just like the third movie.

On a happier note, Stan Lee plays a comic book store owner in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 video game which is pretty cool.

42.

Title: Spider-Man Homecoming - Virtual Reality Experience

Released: 2017

Publisher, Developer: Sony Pictures Virtual Reality, CreateVR

Platform: VR Headsets including HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR

Spider-Man Homecoming - Virtual Reality Experience is basically the virtual reality version of this toy all kids remember:

But of course, less fun. At least the game was free.

43.

Title: Spider-Man

Released: 2018

Publisher, Developer: SIE, Insomniac

Platform: PlayStation 4

Insomniac's Spider-Man video game is the Spider-Man epic many fans have been waiting for and can potentially dethrone past greats. From gameplay showcases and trailers, the game looks ambitious, bold, beautiful, and true to the Marvel character. New York is bustling and alive, Spider-Man is witty and charismatic, and the story is a complex, personal venture for the man behind the mask. Insomniac plans on delivering the best Spider-Man game, and it seems like they not only delivered, but set the bar for other future Spider-Man games. We'll find out soon if it can exceed our expectations, but there's no doubt that this latest entry in a long line of Spider-Man games will have people talking for years to come.

But that's not all! As said before, Spider-Man is a comic book icon and has been featured in many other video games such as:

Revenge of Shinobi (1989)

The Punisher: The Ultimate Payback! (1991)

Marvel Super Heroes (1995)

The Marvel vs. Series (1997-2017)

X-Men Mutant Academy (2000)

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (2000)

Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects (2005)

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 1 and 2 (2006 & 2009)

Marvel Super Hero Squad Online (2011)

Marvel: Avengers Alliance 1 and 2 (2012 & 2016)

Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth (2012)

Marvel Heroes (2013)

Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes (2014)

The Lego Marvel Series (2013-2017)

With such a strong presence in pop culture, Spidey's popularity will never wane and the video games centered on or around him will keep on coming. With Spider-Man being a relatable and complex character and having access to one of the richest rogue galleries in comics, it's not hard to realize why people go nuts for him. Sure, there has been a few bad, and even awful, games under the superhero's name, but the majority are worthwhile and fun experiences for Marvel fans and gamers alike. That's something I believe we can all agree on.

As of writing this, these are all of the Spider-Man video games released and all of the video games that included him. If there are any missing, feel free to leave a comment and I'll include it in the list! Whether you're a gamer or a Spider-Man fan, I hope you enjoyed reading this history piece as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Until next time True Believers!