It’s hard to keep track of the sheer number of Marvel superhero games that have been released over the years. Whether it’sInsomniac’s bold open-world take onSpider-Man, or some of the more experimental titles likeMarvel’s Midnight Suns, needless to say, there are plenty of unique titles for fans of the Marvel universe to jump into. Not all of these games are equal though, not just in terms of their overall quality, but also when it comes to difficulty.
Of course, since the player often assumes the role of a superhero in these games, it makes sense they would have a few tricks up their sleeves to help out in certain scenarios. However, on the other hand, this means the developers always need to try and dial up the challenge to keep the game engaging, which has resulted in quite a few Marvel games being brutally difficult to complete.
6Spider-Man 3
Game FAQ Difficulty Rating: 3.17
Though Treyarch’sSpider-Man 3isn’t too different from the previous game, the game makes it apparent right from the get-go that it’s going to be a much more challenging experience in comparison. Not only are the regular enemies a lot more aggressive and gung-ho this time around, but the story also features plenty of tricky bosses who won’t go down without a fight, especiallyKraven and Lizard, whose quick movements and durability make them true forces to be reckoned with.
Players will eventually be able to get their hands on the Symbiote suit which does make the core combat and traversal a lot easier. However, players won’t have access to it for a large chunk of the game. Fans of the Spider-Man universe should definitely check this game out as it’s packed full of classic characters and locations, but just be warned, completing it is far from an easy task.
5Marvel Pinball
Game FAQ Difficulty Rating: 3.19
Marvel Pinballstarts off easy enough, giving the player smaller and straightforward tables which aren’t too difficult to complete, but because each table is designed to be harder than the last, it’s not long before things start becoming much more challenging. Thankfully, there’s barely any lag when it comes to using the flippers, which does make the controls feel tight and responsive, but this doesn’t help to make the overall challenge any easier, as some of these tables can be downright brutal.
The Venom Pinball table for example will feature multiple different pathways and shortcuts that players will need to make use of to even stand a chance of leading the ball to the end, which is the case for the majority of them. Pinball fans will probably have an easier time getting through thisaddictive game, but newcomers might want to get a bit of practice in first before attempting to see it through to the end.
4Marvel Super Heroes In War Of The Gems
Game FAQ Difficulty Rating: 3.31
War of the Gemsisone of the many beat em' upswhich released during the NES' lifespan, and just like its peers, it doesn’t pull back any of its punches. There are five characters in total that players can take control of, each of whom are vastly different in how they play, with some, primarily Captain America and Iron Man, being considered far superior compared to the others due to their speed and power.
Healing can only be done by seeking out specific items which are scattered throughout the levels, but because they are so few and far between, it means each and every hit of damage can end up being pretty costly in the long run. Players are at least able to equip specific Power Gems before each stage to boost certain stats, but when playing the game fairly, it’s widely considered to be one of the SNES' most arduous beat em' up titles.
3Fantastic Four
Game FAQ Difficulty Rating: 3.39
Fantastic Fourfor the PlayStation plays largely the same as other beat em' ups likeFinal FightandStreets of Rage, but the reason it’s often considered to be so difficult is because of the sheer amount of enemy variety. Whether it’s thetrigger-happy robotsor gigantic bloodthirsty mutants, there’s always a powerful enemy lurking in the shadows who can cause some real problems for the team, and this goes double for the boss enemies.
In classic arcade fashion, a boss enemy will show up at the end of every level, all of whom come with their own unique abilities and stats which help give them a huge advantage over the characters. Players will need to get into the habit of using their character’s special moves at the right time while also keeping an eye on their total Force Power, as it will quickly drain when using these techniques, or when blocking an enemy attack.
2X-Men Mutant Apocalypse
Game FAQ Difficulty Rating: 3.44
X-Men Mutant Apocalypseis a game that forces players to dig into its deeper mechanics if they have any intention of fully completing it. This means learning the effects of each special attack, and more importantly, becoming accustomed to thebuilt-in combo system, which isn’t actually explained in the game itself. Because players are able to cancel normal moves into special attacks, it means there’s always an opportunity to catch an enemy off guard, but actually pulling this off is much easier said than done, especially since these combos can easily be broken.
Some of the characters also have a much harder time than others when it comes to their levels, with Beast and Cyclops being the biggest examples of this, since they specifically have a brutal set of stages they must each try to endure. Still, the game has some gorgeous level design and a wonderful soundtrack ,but there’s no denying that the core side-scrolling beat em' up gameplay can be tricky to get used to, and very hard to master.
1Silver Surfer
Game FAQ Difficulty Rating: 4.68
Often touted as one ofthe hardest games ever released for the NES,Silver Surferis an unrelenting side-scroller which will push the player to their absolute limits, including those who consider themselves veterans of the genre. While the Silver Surfer himself cruises along the levels at a fairly slow pace, he’s constantly bombarded by swarms of projectiles and enemies which will often zig-zag their way toward him, making them extremely hard to avoid. Because every enemy in the game will take several shots to destroy, it also means there’s no chance of taking them out from afar and then forgetting about them, since they’re always going to be a threat.
Alongside the enemies who are already tough enough to kill,Silver Surferalso features some painfully oppressive level design, with tight and narrow areas being a regular occurrence, giving players no room to maneuver. When a game is considered to be one of the hardest on a system like the NES, it’s already clear that it’s going to be far from a walk in the park, butSilver Surferreally is on a whole different level when it comes to difficulty.
