The anti-hero from Marvel Comics The Punisher has made several appearances on numerous electronic and gaming platforms, including mobile games on cellphones.
A Punisher game for the Nintendo Entertainment System was produced by LJN Toys in 1990. The player controls the Punisher character from a over-the-shoulder perspective through various New York City locations, shooting thugs and battling supervillains as bosses. The final boss was the Kingpin, who was almost impossible to defeat without the aid of a special rapid-fire joystick. The game was also ported to the Game Boy in 1991.
[edit] Computer
In 1990, MicroProse produced a Punisher computer game for DOS and Amiga that was unique when compared with the NES game, as it featured three different modes of gameplay: driving the Punisher's "Battle Van", walking through NYC's streets and select buildings, and scuba diving.
[edit] Arcade
A side-scrolling beat 'em up Punisher arcade game was released in 1993 by Capcom. The game is in the vein of Double Dragon, where the player can control the Punisher and/or Nick Fury on their quest to kill The Kingpin, and would engage on various foes in a hand-to-hand combat, occasionally drawing firearms in lieu of melee combat. The arcade game was also ported to Sega Mega Drive/Genesis in 1994.
[edit] 2005 cross-platform
Box art of the PS2 version
In 2005, a violent Punisher action game exclusively designed for adult players was released by Volition, Inc. Players take control of the vigilante hero to track down criminals and make them pay for their deeds. The game's story is a loose mixture of the 2004 film, as well as the 2000 mini-series, Welcome Back, Frank, written by Garth Ennis and pencilled by Steve Dillon, wherein the character has no aversion to committing acts of extreme (if not gratuitous) violence. A mobile phone game based on this series was also released. Thomas Jane, who portrayed the title role in the 2004 Punisher film also provides the voice of The Punisher in the game.
[edit] PlayStation 3
A PlayStation 3 Punisher game is in development, exclusively for the PlayStation Network.[1]
[edit] Appearances in other games
- The Punisher has a cameo appearance in the 2000 Activision Spider-Man game. In the game, the Punisher helps Spider-Man find Mysterio's secret hideout in Warehouse 65. He offers to help, but Spider-Man declines, stating he wants to "keep the body-count low". The Punisher is then seen again in the last scene of the game playing cards with Spider-Man, Captain America and Daredevil. This is slightly humorous, as the Punisher does not usually fraternize with anyone, let alone known superheroes. The Punisher's voice was provided by Daran Norris.
- The Punisher is one of the few Marvel Comics characters who does not appear in the game Marvel Ultimate Alliance because the videogame license for the character was with THQ at the time of the game's release.
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