10 Spider Man Storylines That Need A Video Game

10 Spider-Man Storylines That Need a Video Game

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re looking at Spider-Man storylines from the comics we’d like to see adapted into video games, whether they serve as side stories in larger adventures or as the basis for an entire plot.

“Future Foundation” (2011)

While “Future Foundation” is technically also a Fantastic Four storyline, that really only makes us want it more. It follows Spidey joining the famous family after the death of the Human Torch. While Spider-Man’s white suit has appeared in plenty of games, and there have been lots of nods to the Fantastic Four across his adventures, an actual team-up could be something really special. Spider-Man and Human Torch have one of the strongest friendships in comics, so it would make for an interesting narrative for him to take over the spot as a dying request. And considering the Fantastic Four have never really gotten a great game, giving us access to a roster of four would keep gameplay extra fresh.

“Hunted” (2019)

We may have only recently gotten a Kraven-centric video game in “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2,” but we’ve got a different idea for this one. 2019’s “Hunted” follows Spider-Man and a whole host of other animal-themed heroes and villains, who are trapped by the hunter inside a force field in New York’s Central Park. And they must defend against a group of wealthy, heavily armed hunters. It would make the great basis for a retro style beat ‘em up, which has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years. Kraven has help from Arcade, Taskmaster, and Black Ant, so there are some natural boss fights. And in addition to Spidey, captives include characters like Black Cat, the Lizard, and Scorpion, so there’s your roster of playable characters. There’s definitely some potential here.

“Ultimate Spider-Man” (2024-26)

The original iteration of “Ultimate Spider-Man” did get a video game back in 2005, and a pretty good one at that. But we’re talking about the most recent run, which was published between 2024 and 2026, and is set in a different continuity. The story follows Peter as he’s bitten by the radioactive spider in adulthood, already married to MJ with two kids. It’s a unique spin on the hero’s classic struggle between superhero and regular life. The 2005 game is now a cult classic, so it would be exciting to see the “Ultimate” name return. Blending this story with the game’s comic book style, which featured cel shaded visuals and panelized cutscenes, would be really cool to see.

“Spider-Man 2099” (1992)

Miguel O’Hara, aka Spider-Man 2099, has appeared in several games over the years. But there has never been one that actually focused on just him and his story. The closest we got were his segments in 2010’s “Shattered Dimensions” and its sequel, “Edge of Time.” But even in those games, he was tied to Peter Parker. It would be great to get a game where O’Hara is the main focus, set completely in Marvel’s futuristic offshoot. Taking on Alchemax and the other corrupt corporations of Nueva York sounds like a fun twist on Spider-Man’s traditional stories. And we’d love to get our hands on a more comprehensive moveset for Miguel’s abilities, which include more animalistic qualities like retractable claws and talons, and a poisonous bite.

“Spider-Island” (2011)

Anybody could be Spider-Man, but what happens when everyone is? This 2011 storyline sees everyone in Manhattan suddenly gain the same abilities as Peter Parker. You can imagine the level of chaos that hits the streets, as everyday folk and criminals alike now have the power of a superhero. That chaos is exactly why we think it would be fun to explore in a video game. The comics bring in other heroes from the Fantastic Four and the Avengers to help Spider-Man contain the situation, scenes that could be recreated in impressive set pieces. Plus, given how deadly Spidey’s rogues tend to be, just imagine some of them with Spider-Man’s extra abilities. That would put a new angle on bosses we’ve fought multiple times over the years.

“Identity Crisis” (1998)

When it comes to this storyline, the reason we’d like to see it adapted is the wealth of gameplay opportunities it could offer. It follows Spider-Man after he falls into Norman Osborn’s trap and is framed for murder. And in order to stop the villain and clear his name, Peter adopts several other alter egos. They each use different gear, and fight differently in an attempt to hide that he’s Spider-Man. There’s a natural progression hook of discovering and perfecting the different styles of each alter ego. And being able to switch between them on the fly or for different missions sounds like a great gameplay loop. While we have gotten their costumes in a handful of games, there’s more that could be done here.

“Spider-Man: Life Story” (2019)

One of Spider-Man’s more introspective storylines, “Life Story” is a mini-series where each issue is set in a different decade and focuses on the major canonical events throughout the character’s publication. Except, unlike the never-ending status quo of the mainline universe, Peter Parker ages in real time. The story recontextualizes Peter’s time as a hero, with his dedication bearing more weight with age. There’s a lot of potential to expand on this in a video game. Different art styles for each decade, as well as unique takes for bosses depending on when they appear. Plus, a realistic look at what his commitment means has a lot of narrative prospects, and could make players view him in a new light.

“Spider-Verse” (2014-15)

The “Spider-Verse” storyline was inspired by a video game itself, “Shattered Dimensions.” It’s been adapted on TV, in movies, and been expanded on in the comics. And while the first movie got a mobile AR game, it deserves something bigger and bolder considering how many characters both the comics and movies made the general public more aware of. A game where you control a team of different Spider heroes, with abilities best suited for different tasks, sounds fantastic. Different dimensions could come with different visual styles and mission types. Plus, we can’t deny how awesome it would be having access to characters like Peni Parker, Spider-Ham, and Spider Gwen, and so many other options, in a single package.

“The Clone Saga” (1994-96)

The original clone saga from the 70s was set directly after Gwen Stacy’s death. It followed Spider-Man contending with clones of himself and Gwen, created by a new villain, the Jackal. The second run in the 90s, however, is the more popular one. It sees Peter’s clone resurface, now under the name Ben Reilly, AKA the Scarlet Spider. But with plenty of other clones popping up with far more nefarious intentions, it’s naturally an overwhelming time in Peter’s life. There’s clearly a lot of narrative potential to expand on in a video game. But it would also focus on characters, namely Scarlet Spider and the Jackal, that haven’t gotten a lot of opportunities to shine outside of the comics.

“Superior Spider-Man” (2013-14)

One of Spider-Man’s most popular storylines of the modern era, and it isn’t even about Peter Parker. Well, sort of. “Superior Spider-Man” follows Otto Octavius whose consciousness is transferred into the body of Peter Parker. While he still protects NYC as a hero, someone like Otto clearly has a very different way of thinking and methods of attack. That could make for an interesting protagonist to embody, especially since part of Peter still remains in Otto’s mind and communicates with him. We imagine his gameplay would be similar to Peter’s for obvious reasons, but more brutal and violent. Otto is not nearly as kind to criminals, with a viciousness that could be fun to unleash, the ramifications of which could provide engaging character growth, just like the source material.

Which of these storylines would you like to see adapted into a game? Or is there one we left off? Share your thoughts in the comments, and we’ll see you next time!