The BEST Superhero Game Of Each Year (1996-2026)

The Best Superhero Game of Each Year

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re taking a look at the best superhero video game of every year, from 1996 to 2026.

“X-Men vs. Street Fighter” (1996)

In the early days of crossover gaming, “X-Men vs. Street Fighter” was a big deal. The game was an evolution of Capcom’s previous works with the Marvel license. It pitted the company’s mightiest mutants against the Street Fighter roster, which was obviously fantastic to see. But what made it special wasn't just the novelty. The tag-team mechanic fundamentally changed the franchise going forward. Letting you swap between Wolverine and Ryu mid-combo felt genuinely groundbreaking. It was so fun and fast, with the novelty of these franchises clashing making it an arcade hit.

“Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter” (1997)

Building on the chaos of its predecessor, Capcom went even deeper into the Marvel roster and refined every system that made the original click. Characters like Spider-Man, Hulk, and Captain America, as well as a few deep cuts, joined the fray. And the assist mechanic introduced a layer of strategy that competitive players immediately began to exploit. The game's bright and kinetic visual style captured the energy of a Marvel comic, paired with Capcom’s expertise in fighting mechanics. Although most of the X-Men were sadly replaced, it set the stage for what was to come.

“Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes” (1998)

We promise, we’ll get to something else soon. But this truly was the best superhero game of 1998. Two universes. One incredible clash. The first true “Marvel vs. Capcom” title expanded on both sides of historic rosters. For Capcom, characters like Mega Man, Strider, Morrigan. For Marvel, exciting new inclusions like War Machine, Venom, and Gambit. Again beyond novelty, it was as fast and fierce as its predecessors, with some tweaks to the team-up system, and featured a host of assist characters. The game became the foundation of one of fighting games' most beloved franchises, and its legacy echoes in tournament play to this very day.

“Shadow Man” (1999)

Not every superhero wears a cape. Based on the Valiant comic of the same name, Acclaim's dark horse from 1999 put players in the role of Michael LeRoi, a voodoo warrior who straddles the living world and a terrifying dimension called Deadside. With a tense atmosphere that paired perfectly with the concept of traveling into the land of the dead, it was unlike anything else on the market at the time. And, particularly on PC and the N64, the game looked fantastic. It was bold and strange. Plus, there wasn’t really any competition from Marvel and DC that year.

“Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes” (2000)

The final time we’ll talk about Marvel and Capcom’s crossover extravaganza. But really, how could we not? “Marvel vs. Capcom 2” is a phenomenal fighting game, one whose glory is still sung across fighting game communities everywhere. An astounding fifty-six playable characters across both legendary histories. From iconic characters like Magneto and Jill Valentine, to those no one expected to see, like Spiral and Servbot. And it, to this day, controls like a dream. The three-on-three format is so finely tuned. And this is the pinnacle of the franchise’s lightning fast battles. Few games arrive with the cultural impact of a thunderclap, nor do they have the power to remain in the conversation for as long as this one.

“Spider-Man 2: Enter: Electro” (2001)

While we sadly couldn’t honor the NeverSoft “Spider-Man” for last year, we can at least talk about its not-quite-as-good sequel. While not as fondly remembered, Vicarious Visions still delivered more web-slinging action, and a brand new villain, backed up by others that leaned confidently into classic Spidey comic lore. Swinging and fighting as Spidey was as fun as ever, and the team still delivered on boss fights. It wasn't the most technically ambitious game of its year, and its short length stopped it from reaching the heights of either its predecessor and what would come the following year.

“Spider-Man” (2002)

The first movie in Sam Raimi’s trilogy was a cultural phenomenon. Thankfully, its tie-in game wasn’t a rushed cash grab like many that came before, and after it. Treyarch delivered something genuinely great, blending story elements from the movie, as well as new plotlines featuring other characters. The web-swinging was fluid and exhilarating, better than what had come before thanks to new hardware. It captured the physical joy of being Spider-Man, careening through NYC. It often gets outshined by its sequel, but this was a very strong foundation.

“Viewtiful Joe” (2003)

We’ll take a break from the licensed games to focus on something purely original. And truly, unlike anything else we’ll probably talk about. With his girlfriend kidnapped into a movie world, Joe enters after, where he gains a spiffy new look and a variety of movie-centric powers. Moving in slow-mo, zooming in to pull off a cool pose, all while pummeling legions of foes into the dirt. Still, doing so requires precision through fine-tuned practice, and comes with satisfying results. Not only is the game exceptionally creative, it's a love letter to both American comic books and Japanese tokusatsu heroes. It’s a beautifully whacky mix of both, in particular thanks to its cel-shaded art style.

“Spider-Man 2” (2004)

Following up their strong work on the original movie’s tie-in, Treyarch returned for the sequel. And just like the movie, it’s a solid improvement. The physics-based web-swinging was genuinely innovative. The moment you first let go of a building, it made everything before feel dated. Which is why it was praised for years afterwards, as more and more “Spider-Man” games continued to release. The film adaptation content was almost secondary; the city itself was the game. Just existing in that world felt authentically heroic in a way that no superhero game had quite achieved before. It raised the bar for superhero gaming, that some might argue wasn’t topped for quite a while.

“The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction” (2005)

There’s nothing like some good old fashioned mayhem. For “Ultimate Destruction,” the developers at Radical Entertainment took the hero’s catchphrase, “Hulk Smash,” quite literally. The game handed players the keys to an open world and essentially said: wreck absolutely everything. Tear cars apart to use as makeshift fists, sprint up skyscrapers, and launch yourself across entire city blocks within a single bound. While not all mission types were designed equally, there had never been a Hulk game that let you wreak havoc to such a degree. Nor has there been since.

“Marvel: Ultimate Alliance” (2006)

Building off of its work on the “X-Men Legends” games, Raven Software delivered what would be one of their finest titles. With a completely original plot, it featured a roster that pulled from multiple corners of the Marvel universe, teaming up to defeat Doctor Doom. The globe-spanning story sent you everywhere from Asgard to the Skrull homeworld. It was pure comic book fan service, yet executed with genuine craft. It was a simple, yet satisfying action RPG blend, with the vast roster of heroes and villains offering different ways to fight. The ability to mix and match your dream team, on top of co-op, gave it enormous replay value.

“The Darkness” (2007)

We’re stretching the ‘hero’ part of the word here a bit. But Jackie Estacado definitely has the ‘super’ part down. Another game based on a non-Marvel or DC published comic, this time coming from Image’s Top Cow imprint, “The Darkness” follows Jackie after his mob boss Uncle tries to assassinate him. What saves him is the titular demon that has clung to his family for generations, which gives him ungodly power and is satiated by feasting on hearts. Needless to say, this one gets pretty brutal, and pretty damn fun. Powers granted by the Darkness made it stand out from other first-person shooters, and there was a surprisingly deep story of loss to go along with the vicious gameplay.

“LEGO Batman: The Videogame” (2008)

Apologies to all the DC fans for taking so long. But we’re about to have a nice stretch of domination here. After other Lego games proved the formula was actually great, Traveller's Tales turned their attention to Gotham City. And the results were delightful, being both bigger and more detailed than previous games. Batman, Robin, Nightwing, and a cavalcade of iconic foes from Mr. Freeze to Killer Croc all got the charming plastic treatment. In a year without a truly dominant superhero title, “Lego Batman” delivered consistent, joyful entertainment that proved the genre didn't always need to be big to be great.

“Batman: Arkham Asylum” (2009)

Pardon the overused term, but “Arkham Asylum” really was a game changer. With writing from Paul Dini, and the returning voices of Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, and Arleen Sorkin, it was a tremendous reunion for fans of the 90s animated series. Beyond that, with a creepy, intricately designed setting and a slew of memorable rogues from Batman’s history, it is simply a fantastic Batman story in its own right. Then there’s the freeflow combat system and satisfying gadgets, both of which make taking on the Dark Knight’s many foes a blast. Not only did it establish a franchise, its influence would be felt throughout the 2010s.

“Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions” (2010)

Coming off the success of Arkham Asylum, the pressure was on for superhero games across the board. And Beenox rose to the challenge in an unexpected way. Rather than one world, the story of “Shattered Dimensions” spans four, focusing on four entirely different iterations of Spider-Man. That may sound unremarkable now. But in 2010, utilizing different mechanics while playing through the visually different settings of the Amazing, Noir, 2099, and Ultimate universes was fresh and exciting. The key differences between the four heroes kept the experience from getting stale. Plus, putting four wildly different interpretations of the same character together was a creative achievement that would pay off in other ways for years to come.

“Batman: Arkham City” (2011)

Still regarded as one of the best superhero games of all time, “Arkham City” was more than just an improvement on its predecessor. By going open world, Rocksteady changed what was possible in the ever-expanding subgenre of action adventure games. An entire section of Gotham had been transformed into an open-air prison. Gliding between its gothic rooftops, fighting off goons in dark alleys, contending with the larger cast of villains; there was naturally plenty to do. From the world design that kept you itching to play to the storytelling that wove together threads involving Hugo Strange, the Joker, Ra's al Ghul, and Catwoman, it was a Batman fan’s dream game. And one that, to many, has yet to be topped.

“Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes” (2012)

2012 was one of several years that were light on superhero games. Nevertheless, “Lego Batman 2” is a strong follow-up to what Traveller’s Tales achieved with the first game. Obviously, one of the game’s biggest draws was its wildly expansive roster. Stretching far beyond the boundaries of Gotham, the list now included heroes like Superman, Wonder Woman, and the Flash, and villains like Captain Cold and Lex Luthor. And, for the first time in a Lego game, these icons were fully voiced, adding much more warmth and personality. The absurdist humor was still in top goofy form, and it offered yet another breezy action experience both solo and in co-op.

“Injustice: Gods Among Us” (2013)

After the creators of “Mortal Kombat” blended their universe with that of DC Comics in 2008, they got a chance at an original story with the publisher’s characters with “Injustice.” The story focuses on an alternate Earth, ruled over by an oppressive Superman after the Joker tricks him into killing Lois Lane. As we see heroes from the main universe cross over, it’s a fascinating ‘What If’ scenario, full of emotionally heavy interactions as we learn more about the dark alternate history. On top of the story, the mechanics were deep enough to sustain a competitive scene while remaining accessible enough that casual fans could feel like gods themselves.

“Infamous Second Son” (2014)

It may not be a traditional superhero series, but “Infamous” is still full of superheroics. And honestly, “Second Son” was a clear winner in 2014. Seattle became a gorgeous sandbox thanks to Sucker Punch’s level of care in world design. Even better, each ability Delsin can absorb fundamentally changes how you interact with and move through the world. It of course didn’t hurt that unleashing them on enemies was also fluid and satisfying. With completely new tech, it was a strong step forward for gameplay and visuals. And it was an early showcase of what the PlayStation 4 was truly capable of.

“Batman: Arkham Knight” (2015)

Although it may not have reached the heights of “Arkham City,” Rocksteady’s conclusion still clearly deserves to be recognized as the achievement it is. It was enormous in every sense; with scope and ambition suitable for a final chapter. Combat and gadget systems were naturally fine-tuned, making hand-to-hand encounters even more fun. The Batmobile's integration certainly divided fans, yet the sheer spectacle of driving that hulking machine through a rain-soaked Gotham was undeniably cinematic, especially thanks to the new gen visuals. The story was another element that divided fans, with the Arkham Knight’s secret identity being both obvious and telegraphed. Still, it mostly stuck the landing with an emotionally affecting ending, closing the book on a beloved era.

“Batman: Arkham VR” (2016)

However, while that era may have ended, this universe, as we all know, didn’t. Rocksteady followed “Arkham Knight” up with a bite-sized VR chapter. While Virtual reality gaming was finding its footing in 2016, this was a compelling case for the technology's potential. Rather than a full-scale action game, “Arkham VR” was an intimate mystery set between “City” and “Knight.” Putting on the cowl, using the gadgets and suit, then going through crime scenes as the world's greatest detective, it created a strong sense of presence. Unfortunately, it’s an incredibly brief experience. Inventive and immersive, we only wish it was longer.

“Injustice 2” (2017)

“Injustice” left players craving more from the alternate reality, which NetherRealm thankfully followed up on. Although the story didn’t quite hit the same highs as the first game, everything else, from its visuals to its gameplay, was a marked improvement. There was a new level of strategy with the Gear System, which let players customize their fighters’ look with stat-boosting equipment. Of course, one of the bigger draws was seeing what other heroes the devs could include. The likes of Gorilla Grodd, Poison Ivy, and Black Canary spanned the legendary lineage of DC, with DLC going even further, offering a wide array of fighting styles to choose from.

“Marvel’s Spider-Man” (2018)

After being outshined in video games for several years, Spider-Man came back stronger than ever with the help of Insomniac Games. Although the studio had released many excellent games in the past, nothing prepared Marvel fans for the glory that was to come. The web-swinging was physics-defying poetry; one of the most satisfying movement systems in open-world gaming history. But what elevated it beyond a mechanical achievement was the story: a Peter Parker, several years into his career, juggling failure, love, loss, and responsibility with maturity. Beyond the wonderful characterization of the lead character, villain work was also exceptional, from Spidey’s classic rogues, to main threat Mr. Negative, to Peter’s tragic friendship with Otto Octavius.

“Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order” (2019)

It had been quite a long time since the last “Ultimate Alliance.” And while Team Ninja’s revival is probably the weakest in the trilogy, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a bombastically fun superhero romp. Taking inspiration from the MCU at the time, it followed a huge roster of characters banding against Thanos and his Black Order, in search of the Infinity Stones. As such, you have a ton of characters to unlock, both beloved icons and fresh newcomers. Local co-op remained the beating heart of the experience, making it the ideal couch game for an era where those were increasingly rare. It wasn't a reinvention of the formula, but it was a warm, energetic, and lovable return of something we had thought dead.

“Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales” (2020)

Although it was more of a smaller side story than a full fledged sequel, Miles Morales’ solo adventure proved itself a vital piece of the puzzle. Traversal and combat was naturally just as fluid as it was the first time around. But Miles himself came with new tricks; the ability to turn invisible and emit electric blasts. This was only one way he was made to feel different from Peter. The other was its story, about a young man finding his identity as a hero while navigating Harlem, family, and his newfound powers. Set during the holidays and scored with an orchestral hip-hop blend, it had a warmth that helped establish Miles as a hero in his own right.

“Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy” (2021)

As an apparent consequence to Square Enix’s middling “Avengers” game in 2020, it seems many players chose to stay away from the publisher’s next Marvel title. That will forever be a shame, because in the hands of Eidos-Montreal, the Guardians of the Galaxy soar. The banter between Peter Quill and his teammates was so naturally written, and their growth over the course of the game was extraordinary to behold. Combat was a blast, flipping around and blasting foes as Star Lord, while commanding teammates to use different abilities, which offered a small layer of strategy. The soundtrack pulled from '80s rock with the same unhinged commitment as the movies, particularly during Team Huddles, which could enhance your abilities while allowing you to rock out.

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge” (2022)

We’ve seen many retro revivals over the years, though “Shredder’s Revenge” remains one of the very best. Calling back to the classic beat ‘em up hits the Turtles used to star in, the developers at Tribute Games delivered exactly what their name implies: a loving tribute. More than that, though, it’s a much needed enhancement on a decades-old formula. Controls are as smooth as silk, and character movesets are just varied enough to keep everything fresh. It looks astonishing too, from every level detail to the character animations, which now include those like Master Splinter and April O’Neil. Plus, since up to six players can join the brawl, there’s plenty of frantic, beat ‘em up joy to be had.

“Marvel's Spider-Man 2” (2023)

Although the story of “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2” has received criticism from fans, there’s no denying how much fun it is to play. Insomniac's third entry in their Spider-Man universe was their most ambitious yet, and it mostly delivered. With both Peter and Miles as joint protagonists, and with Pete getting an enticing new symbiote suit, there is no shortage of moments where the gameplay isn’t a blast. And this is in particular thanks to the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller, making you feel every punch and web thwip. Plus, while the symbiote storyline was seen as rushed by some, it brought out darker corners of Peter's personality, as well as interesting new layers to Yuri Lowenthal’s performance.

“Marvel Rivals” (2024)

With a universe full of different power sets, Marvel can fit into any kind of game genre that features combat. With “Marvel Rivals,” NetEase helped the company conquer the team based hero shooter. Much like those that came before it, there’s an addictive hook built into the game’s DNA that makes it truly hard to put down. And with how popular the Marvel license is, there is an authentic joy seeing characters both big and small get together for a variety of different team comps. As a live service game, “Marvel Rivals” has only grown bigger and better since its release. Through new characters and a multitude of updates featuring tweaks to gameplay, it keep legions of fans coming back for more.

“Dispatch” (2025)

A smaller scale superhero tale, and one of the few with wholly original characters, “Dispatch” was also one of the most talked about games of 2025. Combining a superhero world with the setting of a workplace comedy, players are tasked with navigating new professional relationships and a new responsibility. While on the job, you get to decide which power sets are best suited for which task. And white not, you get to know your super-powered colleagues through all their faults and strengths. The game features pristine world building, marvelous writing and voice acting, and a stunning visual style that seems lifted straight from a comic. All while maintaining the stress of your new job, making you feel like your choices really matter.

“LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight” (2026)

One may think the “LEGO Batman” hook might have died out by now. But by blending it with combat heavily inspired by Rocksteady’s beloved “Arkham” series, “Legacy of the Dark Knight” proves there’s still a lot of life left here. It feels just as good to pummel goons here as it did back then, paired weirdly well with the tried and true absurdist humor of Lego games. More importantly, though, it’s a purely joyful celebration of “Batman,” as it always has been, with an original story that draws from decades of history, a huge roster of characters, and local co-op, an increasingly nicer thing to see in 2026.

What’s your all-time favorite superhero game? And which do you think are hidden gems? Share your thoughts in the comments, and we’ll see you next time!