Here are 7 Spider-Man games that have been largely forgotten:

With the highly anticipated release of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 drawing near, following the immense success of its predecessor, the popularity of video games featuring the web-slinging hero has reached new heights. Spider-Man, both as a franchise and a character, has always been a perfect fit for the world of video games. The ability to swing through vast cities, unravel mysteries like a detective, and defeat villains in acrobatic and inventive ways naturally lends itself to an ideal video game adaptation.

Peter Parker's adventures have been portrayed in video games across various platforms and genres for decades. While there are numerous Spider-Man games for players to enjoy, there are a few titles that may have faded from gamers' memories.

7 Spider-Man – SNES

Spider-Man on the Super Nintendo, based on the 90s animated series, is a side-scrolling platformer that faithfully captures much of the animated series' essence. However, it is often overlooked due to the popularity of the more difficult-to-find Spider-Man titles on the platform, such as Maximum Carnage and Separation Anxiety. In this final collaboration between LJN and Activision with the Spider-Man license, Dr. Octopus and Green Goblin join forces to seek revenge on Spider-Man and wreak havoc in the city. While it offers a side-scrolling platformer experience, there are several other superior games available on the SNES, and its gameplay fails to stand out.

That being said, the level design and animation in this game effectively utilize the source material from the animated series. Additionally, compared to other challenging Spider-Man games on the platform, this title may be more suitable for fans of the franchise, particularly those who enjoyed the TV series.

6 The Amazing Spider-Man – Game Boy

Released in 1990 under the unexpected collaboration between publishers LJN and developers Rare, The Amazing Spider-Man on Game Boy is a delightful surprise. It presents players with intricately designed environments that feature climbable buildings and alleys to navigate while engaging in side-scrolling beat 'em up action. Considered one of the Game Boy's finest offerings in the genre, this game follows the protagonist's quest to rescue the abducted Mary Jane. Along the way, players confront various iconic villains, including Mysterio, Rhino, Dr. Octopus, and Venom.

Although the game received mixed reviews, with some highly praising it and others expressing more lukewarm opinions, it still showcases the impressive capabilities of the Game Boy. The level of detail captured in various New York environments is astounding, and the beat 'em up gameplay provides a fun and engaging experience.

5 Spider-Man: Mysterio’s Menace – Game Boy Advance

Spider-Man: Mysterio's Menace takes the side-scrolling format commonly found in 4th generation consoles and brings it to the GBA (Game Boy Advance) hardware. This fast-paced and visually appealing platformer offers greater depth, smoothness, and animation quality compared to Spider-Man's previous 2D adventures. One of the most charming aspects is how the capabilities of the GBA provide a sense of travel in Spider-Man's web-swinging that is reminiscent of his 3D open-world titles.

Developed by Activision, this game is relatively short, as players can complete it in about 2 or 3 hours. However, its impressive animation, fast-paced gameplay, and the presence of recognizable bosses contribute to making it a fantastic Spider-Man title, even if it has been somewhat overlooked or forgotten.

4 Spider-Man – PS2

Spider-Man on the 6th generation of consoles was a highly successful game during its release, although it was overshadowed by its truly groundbreaking sequel and often forgotten as a result. Serving as a movie tie-in to the first Sam Raimi Spider-Man film, this title follows the film's storyline while also incorporating additional villains from the franchise. One notable aspect is the inclusion of a voice cast that matches the actors from the movie, enhancing the immersion of the game. The gameplay draws inspiration from the PS1 title, featuring a stage-based 3D beat 'em up style, but it also offers an unprecedented opportunity to swing through a 3D-rendered New York City using web-slinging mechanics.

Undoubtedly, the sequel to this game would not only revolutionize Spider-Man games but also have a significant impact on 3D open-world games. However, if a gamer were to revisit the original entry, they would discover that it is still an excellent Spider-Man game with plenty to offer.

3 Spider-Man 2: The Sinister Six – Game Boy Color

In the early 2000s, developer Neversoft gained recognition for their debut of the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater franchise. During that time, Neversoft also released Spider-Man on the PlayStation, which received critical acclaim. Interestingly, the game spawned three sequels on different platforms, with Spider-Man 2: The Sinister Six on the Game Boy Color being the first. Drawing inspiration from older platforms, the gameplay in this title is a side-scrolling platformer across six stages, culminating in a final boss battle against Dr. Octopus.

Utilizing the Game Boy Color's distinct color palette, this Spider-Man game offers a visually vibrant and animated experience, with comic book-style onomatopoeia appearing with each strike. Despite being frequently overlooked, this Spider-Man game is not particularly original, but it is far from easy and includes some impressive cutscenes throughout the gameplay.

2 Spider-Man 2: Enter Electro – PS1

Neversoft provided gamers with the first 3D Spider-Man game that became iconic and remained popular for many years. It received a fully 3D direct sequel called Spider-Man 2: Enter Electro just one year later. In modern terms, if this release were made today, it would be considered downloadable content (DLC). Enter Electro offers the same combat mechanics and linear gameplay as its successful predecessor, without introducing many new elements. It is likely less discussed than the original game because it is seen as a clear example of offering more of the same.

The storyline focuses on Spider-Man's mission to defeat Electro, who has initiated a string of heists across New York City. However, both the soundtrack and cutscenes in this game fail to live up to the quality of its predecessor, giving the impression of a rushed production attempting to capitalize on the success of the original game.

1 The Amazing Spider-Man Vs. Kingpin – Sega CD

Enhanced by the CD-ROM technology of the Sega CD, The Amazing Spider-Man vs. Kingpin was launched in 1993. Serving as an upgraded version of the earlier Genesis title, this side-scrolling platformer pits Spider-Man against Kingpin, who plans to detonate a nuclear bomb within 24 hours. Although the Genesis version of the game holds a special place in the hearts of many players, this Sega CD upgrade is less renowned, primarily due to its limited availability on the hardware it was released for.

The improvements in this Sega CD edition are significant. It offers faster gameplay, additional combat moves for Spider-Man, and a high-quality soundtrack. However, what is likely to impress gamers the most are the fully voice-acted and animated cutscenes that perfectly capture the essence of the comic books.