Being a multi-media franchise, it makes sense that the Marvel Universe would also make its way to video games. Marvel would first make their way into the video game world in 1982 with a game that appropriately enough, focused on the character that was considered its mascot: Spider-Man. The self-titled game was released for the Atari 2600. From there, other games focusing on other characters would appear over the years.
The 1990s-2010s were arguably the Golden Era of Marvel Video Games, with tons of games coming out on various consoles, focusing on a variety of characters from throughout its mighty universe. And now, Limited Run games has collected some of them into one nice little package not just for gamers who have nostalgic memories of these games, but also new people who may have heard about them and never got to play them before. Like myself. Some of these games I have heard of, but never played in their heyday, and I grew up in this era. Let's look at the trailer!
Magneto rocking an especially evil grin there.
X-Men: The Arcade Game
Developed and published by Konami for the arcade in 1992, you play as one of six members of the X-Men (Wolverine I, Storm, Colossus, Cyclops, Dazzler, or Nightcrawler) in this beat-em-up. The point of the game is to basically save the world from their longtime nemesis Magneto. Along the way, you fight various villains from the X-Men's corner of the Marvel Universe, like Sentinels (including Nimrod), the Reavers, Emma Frost, etc.
I do remember this game was available on X-Box 360's Live Arcade many years ago. I didn't get it. I wish I did, looking back. I do remember playing a demo, and it was pretty fun. I can see that this game was the spiritual ancestor of the likes of Marvel Cosmic Invasion. By the way, if your console has a demo, get it. It's fun!
It makes sense there's be six-player online play. After all, the original game had six main characters, and up to six people could play at the same time.
Captain America and the Avengers
Developed and published by Data East for the arcades in 1991, you play as the titular heroes (Captain America I/Steve Rogers, Iron Man, Vision, or Hawkeye I/Clint Barton) to battle Cap's old nemesis the Red Skull and his army of supervillains and henchmen to prevent his plot to take over the world from succeeding. Data East would port the game to the Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, and the Game Gear. They also did a version of the game for the NES, but that version was an action platformer and not a port of the arcade game.
It got a lot of quarters in the arcades, and from what I could see, it was seen as a decent game. The Game Gear version is seen as the worst port.
Hee hee, Mech Taco. The designers of that robot were drunk when they named it. 😵
The footage must be from one of the console ports, as it likely looked better in the arcade. I do like that this game has some shoot-em-up levels. Gives it a bit of variety.
Spider-Man/X-Men: Arcade's Revenge
Developed and released by LJN in 1992 for the Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Game Gear, and the Game Boy. If you're a fan of the Angry Vido Game Nerd like I am, I know you're groaning right now. After all, LJN is the Rainbow of Death.
In this game, Spider-Man discovers the X-Men being kidnapped by their old nemesis Arcade and the heroes end up joining forces to escape the assassin's Murderworld. Murderworld is nothing new to the Web-Slinger, as he and Captain Britain got trapped in it in Marvel Team-Up #66 (January-February 1976).
I admit, I love the concept. It's always cool seeing superheroes team up. I imagine the console versions are the superior versions. In fact, from what I understand, the SNES/Genesis versions were considered superior to the handheld versions by critics. I would give the console versions a try myself.
Spider-Man/Venom: Maximum Carnage
Developed by Software Creations and released by Acclaim Entertainment/LJN for the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis in 1994. This was one of the first Marvel games to be based on an actual comic book storyline. It also has music composed by Green Jelly. Yeah, I think this was also one of the first games that had a score composed by an actual band.
Both the SNES and Genesis versions are also unique for having their cartridges in non-standard colors (gray for SNES, black for Genesis). Naturally, the cartridges were red. They also did have cartridges in the standard colors, mine was regular Genesis black. This game was given mixed reviews on release, but it has been given retroactive praise and has developed a cult following.
Now this one brings back memories. I played this on the Genesis as a kid, and I enjoyed it. I would love if this was remade in the Shredder's Revenge/Marvel Cosmic Invasion style. I mean, imagine not just being able to play as Spider-Man and Venom, but also as other heroes that were in the game,
Venom/Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety
The sequel to Maximum Carnage, this was also developed by Software Creations and released by Acclaim Entertainment/LJN for the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis in 1995. Also like Maximum Carnage, this game was based on a comic book storyline. Well, it was named after one miniseries, but the game's plot more closely follows another storyline.
In this game, Spider-Man and Venom must join forces once again to not only take on Carnage, but also his symbiote spawn as well as other threats like the Jury and the Life Foundation. This game was given mediocre reviews, and seen as an inferior game.
I remember seeing an ad for this somewhere, but I never really was hyped to play this game.
Heh heh, Venom doing a bit of ballet. No shame in that. Ballet keeps you limber.
Silver Surfer
Developed by Software Creations and published by Arcadia Systems in 1990, Silver Surfer was originally released for the NES. It was seen as a solid shoot-em-up, with its most memorable aspect being its soundtrack.
Now, this game I first learned of thanks to the Angry Video Game Nerd. He gave the impression that the game was ridiculously hard. Now, it wasn't hard because it was too challenging, it was hard because touching anything result in a loss of life. HE CAN'T TOUCH THAT FREAKIN' POT?!
Yeah. I don't get why everything is a hazard in this game. Hopefully, that can be adjusted in this collection.
I like that this game also includes the various ports of these games. Different people have different experiences and nostalgic connections to different games. And in my experience, I'm more curious. As I said before, I've had Maximum Carnage for the Sega Genesis, but that's really it when it comes to this era for me.
I like that a museum will be included. I hope it has lots of stuff in it, like concept art. I enjoy that stuff.
Well, this looks like it will be a great addition to my Switch library! I love that these games can be introduced to a new generation of gamers as well as provide some nostalgia to my generation. And for me, I can play some of these for the first time. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! See you next time!
No comments:
Post a Comment