Best Handheld Spider-Man Games

Spider-Man has starred in dozens of fantastic games over the decades, ranging from classic beat ’em ups (Maximum Carnage) to ground-breaking efforts (Spider-Man 2) and superhero masterclasses (Marvel’s Spider-Man). Even his worst games (The Amazing Spider-Man 2) still have a few positives that can make them worth playing, at least for die-hard fans who want to consume everything featuring Peter Parker (or other Spider-people). The thing is, we are talking solely about home console releases, as handheld Spider-Man games tend not to leave much of an impact. Honestly, an argument could be made that everybody’s favorite friendly neighborhood superhero has yet to get a defining portable adventure.

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That said, Peter has had his share of decent-to-great handheld outings, even if they are nearly all overshadowed by the home console releases. It does not help that quite a few of these games share the same name as their bigger siblings, forcing a comparison that does them absolutely no favors while also making them harder to remember. If you are looking for something on the go, here are Spider-Man’s greatest portable games.

6

Spider-Man: Friend Or Foe (PSP)

Provides Colorful Looks At Many Classic Spidey Villains

This light-hearted, kid-friendly beat ‘em up is brimming with classic Spidey villains. The plot of Spider-Man: Friend or Foe revolves around bizarre monsters known as P.H.A.N.T.O.M.s, with Spider-Man taking on allies in his bid to vanquish them. With plenty of fighting action and some mystery to uncover over the course of the plot, Friend or Foe makes for a fun diversion.

Now, to temper expectations, this game is a simple beat ’em up that gains most of its value through its unlockable characters, most of whom have to be purchased. As there are quite a few characters, this aspect adds a bit of replayability, although you can get everything done in a few hours. The gameplay itself is very basic, with the combat mostly revolving around simple punching and kicking (albeit with combos). Attacks do not feel great due to poor feedback, and the characters control a bit too similarly, even if there are minor differences. Don’t get me wrong, Friend or Foe on PSP is fine enough for what it is, and this specific concept is a great fit for a beat ’em up akin to something like Marvel Ultimate Alliance. Unfortunately, the game really doesn’t come close to reaching those standards.

5

Spider-Man: Battle For New York

An Action-Packed Look At The Ultimate Universe

This Ultimate Spider-Man prequel, Battle for New York, highlights the always-bitter feud between the web-slinger and the Green Goblin. Here, Norman Osborn’s infamous Oz Formula rears its ugly head again, being used on the people of New York City.

With a horde of monstrous goblins now roaming the streets, it falls to Spider-Man to put a stop to his hated nemesis’ attack on the city. Interestingly, the Green Goblin is also a playable character for a change here, making this an especially exciting bit of gaming for fans of the diabolical menace. The DS version provides a relatively straightforward action-adventure for players, bolstered by its entertaining characters and a surprise appearance from The Ultimates.

4

Spider-Man: Web Of Shadows

An Intriguing, Symbiote-Focused Mystery

The handheld versions of this choice-focused Spidey adventure offer a notably different gaming experience. The PSP version of Web of Shadows, in particular, changes the action due to sporting 2.5D graphics.

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Both the PSP and Nintendo DS versions also offer noticeably different renditions of the plot, with, frustratingly, fewer endings to choose from. Despite that issue, the handheld versions still offer a thrilling adventure through a symbiote-infested Manhattan. The DS version also provides surprise new allies in the form of popular X-Men hero Nightcrawler and, in a surprising twist, the Green Goblin as well. With plenty of web-slinging beatdowns to hand out to Spider-Man’s extensive rogues’ gallery, Web of Shadows remains an exciting wall-crawling adventure regardless of the console.

3

Ultimate Spider-Man

A Must-Play For Fans Of The Comic Book Series

This adaptation of the hit comic-book series has come to enjoy a glowing reputation in the years since its release. Sporting a distinctive art style modeled on Mark Bagley’s comic art, Ultimate Spider-Man follows the crime-fighting adventures of the Ultimate Universe’s take on Peter Parker.

While the Game Boy Advance rendition of the game did not quite set the world on fire, the Nintendo DS ONE provided the web-slinging goods. With a rich storyline full of classic heroes and villains for Spider-Man to interact with, the game remains compelling throughout. On top of getting to play as Peter Parker, Eddie Brock’s monstrous alter-ego, Venom, also spends time in the player’s control, further diversifying the gameplay and action on offer.

2

Spider-Man 2 (PSP)

A Genuine Attempt At A Portable Version Of The PS2 Classic

So far, we have covered a few portable Spider-Man games that share their names with home console releases, only to be completely different projects that are (unsurprisingly) far less impressive. Well, Vicarious Visions deserves all the props in the world, as the developer managed to deliver an authentic rendition of Spider-Man 2 to the PSP, delivering similar combat, locations, and graphics.

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Now, just to be crystal clear, this is still a unique game that is designed specifically for the PSP, and it ditches the home console’s open-world for traditional level design. However, the latter incorporates open environments to allow for web-swinging, which is fairly close to the PS2 iteration. The lack of a second thumbstick hurts the camera control, but Spider-Man 2 is otherwise very playable and impressive.

1

Spider-Man: Mysterio’s Menace

Provides A Great Showcase Of The Titular Villain

Following on from the events of Enter Electro, this action-packed effort sees Peter Parker throw down seven distinct enemies. Loaded with neat cutscenes modeled on comic-book panel art, Mysterio’s Menace follows a straightforward plot of Spider-Man tackling a crime wave over one night.

Along with the return of Electro, Spider-Man also collides with classic rogues such as Rhino, Hammerhead, and the titular Mysterio. As is to be expected from handheld games of its time, Mysterio’s Menace largely follows a side-scrolling platforming format. Basic but fun and focused, Mysterio’s Menace is another on-point entry in the classic early noughties series of the character.

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