Best superhero games to play in 2024

Marvel's Midnight Suns
(Image credit: 2K)

The best superhero games are larger-than-life adventures full of chances for you to save the day and look good doing it. 

In true comic book style, many of the titles on this list give the best RPGs (role-playing games) and the best story games a run for their money with well-constructed stories and memorable, fully realized characters. However, much like comic books themselves, the best superhero games come in many different varieties. Below, you'll find strategy games that ask you to be responsible for a team of heroes. You'll find slick action games and challenging card games alongside intense dramas and gripping cinematic blockbusters. You'll even find one of the best JRPGs (Japanese role-playing games). In short, there's a huge range on offer. 

Fortunately, we at TechRadar Gaming know video games and we're ready to pass on our knowledge to you. With our help, you'll soon find your next big superhero adventure. Whether you're a Marvel fan or a DC maven, we're confident you'll find something below that suits your tastes. Read on to find out more.

Best superhero games

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A close up of Venom as they roar

(Image credit: PlayStation Studios)
Why we love it

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is more than just a dark second act. By switching between two main characters, the game offers you two contrasting perspectives on the world. This becomes especially moving once we start to see the two characters diverge in the story.

Available on: PS5

Perhaps one of the best superhero games ever made, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 faithfully captures the Spider-Man fantasy while also conveying the web-slinger's darker side. The game follows two Spider-Men: Miles Morales and Peter Parker, featuring the latter's exposure to the Venom parasite. On top of the usual slew of villains, this means that our heroes have to contend with Peter's struggles to overcome the dark inclinations caused by his infection. 

Like its predecessor, Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is an open-world action game with exceptionally fun traversal mechanics. Sure, you can fast-travel, but why would you want to when web-swinging through New York feels so good? As we put it in our review: Marvel's Spider-Man 2 "prioritizes fun above all else, with a host of accessibility features to let everyone join in."

best superhero games: an enemy in a suit of armor vaulting at Batman, a Falcone tower in the distance

(Image credit: Warner Bros. Interactive)

Batman: Arkham Knight

Dark and brooding
Why we love it

Batman: Arkham Knight represents a culmination of Rocksteady's Batman series, beginning back in 2011 with Batman: Arkham City. The title perfectly encapsulates the grim nobility at the heart of Batman by contrasting him with a new figure called the Arkham Knight - a dark mirror to Batman himself. 

Available on: PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S

Representing the other side of the best superhero games coin, the third and final installment in Rocksteady's open-world third-person Batman series caps the series off triumphantly. The game follows the blueprint of previous Arkham titles offering action and mobility in equal measure. You can rappel your way around using the grapnel gun, beat enemies into a pulp using the game's freeflow combat system, and engage in some now-typical open-world activities like taking out watchtowers and hunting down specific criminals.

Released in 2015, Batman: Arkham Knight set the bar for what an open-world superhero game could be. The title's imagining of Gotham City doesn't skimp when it comes to size, visuals, or level design, nor does the cavalcade of side missions disappoint. Not only that - Arkham City features a tense, exciting central story that will thrill fans old and new.

best superhero games: Delsin Rowe producing some fire in his palm

Infamous: Second Son (Image credit: Sony)

Infamous: Second Son

Beyond good and evil
Why we love it

Infamous Second Son may not tell the most sophisticated superhero tale of all time, but it more than makes up for this with its excellent traversal, gritty, open-world environment, and an impressive array of superpowers. 

Available on: PS5 and PS4

One of the best superhero games of its day, Infamous: Second Son sees players take on the role of Delsin Rowe, a young man with extraordinary abilities known as a Conduit who's also on a mission to take down an organization that's hunting him and his kind. Delsin makes his way through an open-world Seattle, where his actions can make him the villain or the hero - depending on how you use his powers.

Despite its age, this open-world game has stood the test of time. Delsin is modeled after actor Troy Baker, whose voice and motion capture performances did a great deal to bring the character to life. Using and acquiring new powers feels fluid and fun, and while there is a lot of open-world busywork, Second Son makes you feel so empowered that the prospect of battling another enemy stronghold doesn't bore, but excites.

best superhero games: Magik smashing her glowing blue fist into an enemy

(Image credit: 2K)

Marvel's Midnight Suns

Pick a card
Why we love it

Marvel's Midnight Suns contains multitudes. It carries both the strategic depth of XCOM alongside the character-driven interpersonal drama of Persona 5. As you get to know the game's roster of superheroes, they'll grow and develop, showing you new sides to their stories.

Available on: PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|external/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ua5hrb6koghoLE8apEbbx7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ua5hrb6koghoLE8apEbbx7-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ua5hrb6koghoLE8apEbbx7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ua5hrb6koghoLE8apEbbx7-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ua5hrb6koghoLE8apEbbx7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ua5hrb6koghoLE8apEbbx7-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)">best superhero games: Delsin Rowe producing some fire in his palm

Infamous: Second Son (Image credit: Sony)

Infamous: Second Son

Beyond good and evil
Why we love it

Infamous Second Son may not tell the most sophisticated superhero tale of all time, but it more than makes up for this with its excellent traversal, gritty, open-world environment, and an impressive array of superpowers. 

Available on: PS5 and PS4

One of the best superhero games of its day, Infamous: Second Son sees players take on the role of Delsin Rowe, a young man with extraordinary abilities known as a Conduit who's also on a mission to take down an organization that's hunting him and his kind. Delsin makes his way through an open-world Seattle, where his actions can make him the villain or the hero - depending on how you use his powers.

Despite its age, this open-world game has stood the test of time. Delsin is modeled after actor Troy Baker, whose voice and motion capture performances did a great deal to bring the character to life. Using and acquiring new powers feels fluid and fun, and while there is a lot of open-world busywork, Second Son makes you feel so empowered that the prospect of battling another enemy stronghold doesn't bore, but excites.

best superhero games: Magik smashing her glowing blue fist into an enemy

(Image credit: 2K)

Marvel's Midnight Suns

Pick a card
Why we love it

Marvel's Midnight Suns contains multitudes. It carries both the strategic depth of XCOM alongside the character-driven interpersonal drama of Persona 5. As you get to know the game's roster of superheroes, they'll grow and develop, showing you new sides to their stories.

Available on: PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S

No list of the best superhero games would be complete without this mix of XCOM-style turn-based combat, deckbuilding, and comic book drama. Though this may sound like an odd combination, the strategy veterans at Firaxis Games have managed to craft a gripping turn-based combat system that translates different Marvel heroes' superpowers into card skills. You play as a centuries-old warrior named the Hunter, who teams up with a broad roster of Marvel heroes from Iron Man to Blade to stop the apocalypse.

Marvel's Midnight Suns goes to serious lengths when it comes to building a world where all of these different superheroes fit without alienating players who only know some of them, or who might have no touchpoints with Marvel other than the movies. The writing is top-notch and will endear you to every single hero as they battle with personal issues and the game's roster of sinister villains. Midnight Suns also includes a significant social element that sees you hanging out in front of the TV with your favorite characters, painting, stargazing, and much more.

best superhero games: Harley Quinn posing in front of a large explosion

(Image credit: WB Games)

Injustice 2

Unjust cause
Why we love it

The best superhero stories are all about climactic showdowns between rivals - a spirit Injustice 2 captures in a big way. Mortal Kombat's DNA is baked into every facet of Injustice 2, where satisfying combat animations, punchy sound design, and razor-sharp quips are par for the course.

Available on: PC, PS5, PS4 Xbox Series X|external/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TaZHKwnBrffVe5LGejNPnG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TaZHKwnBrffVe5LGejNPnG-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TaZHKwnBrffVe5LGejNPnG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TaZHKwnBrffVe5LGejNPnG-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TaZHKwnBrffVe5LGejNPnG-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TaZHKwnBrffVe5LGejNPnG-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)">best superhero games: Harley Quinn posing in front of a large explosion

(Image credit: WB Games)

Injustice 2

Unjust cause
Why we love it

The best superhero stories are all about climactic showdowns between rivals - a spirit Injustice 2 captures in a big way. Mortal Kombat's DNA is baked into every facet of Injustice 2, where satisfying combat animations, punchy sound design, and razor-sharp quips are par for the course.

Available on: PC, PS5, PS4 Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One

When it comes to fighting games, Injustice 2 is one of the best superhero games there is. Developed by NetherRealm Studios, the makers of Mortal Kombat 1, Injustice 2 is all about dramatic setpiece battles, showing off a broad roster of DC heroes and villains, all alongside a story that blurs the line between the two. 

Injustice 2 looks good, plays smoothly, and features a fun combo system that makes you feel powerful even if you're not a seasoned fighting game player. Add to that immensely detailed animations and plenty of environmental attacks, and you have a fighting game that makes you feel like a true superhuman. On top of this, the game's story is as dramatic as they come, offering a dark tale right at home in the DC universe. 

best superhero games: the Guardians of the Galaxy standing next to each other, Groot holding a blue llama

(Image credit: Eidos Montreal)
Why we love it

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is a surprisingly mature and thoughtful title, offering a flavor of characters and storytelling that stands apart from the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the best way possible. Before long, you'll find yourself drawn into the Guardians' world, laughing when they laugh and crying when they cry.

Available on: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|external/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TaZHKwnBrffVe5LGejNPnG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TaZHKwnBrffVe5LGejNPnG-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TaZHKwnBrffVe5LGejNPnG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TaZHKwnBrffVe5LGejNPnG-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TaZHKwnBrffVe5LGejNPnG-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TaZHKwnBrffVe5LGejNPnG-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)">best superhero games: Harley Quinn posing in front of a large explosion