Superman is a series of video games that are based on the adventures of Superman. The games have been released on many consoles since 1978, almost a year after the first Superman film. Due to the success of the movie, the there have been a number of sequels since.

There is a common feeling among fans that Superman is cursed when it comes to video games, because the vast majority of titles featuring the character generally do not receive good reviews and are often criticized for being mediocre. The most prevalent example of this is Superman 64 which is considered to be one of the worst video games ever made.

[edit] Superman (1978, Atari 2600)

Superman video game for the Atari 2600

Superman is an Atari 2600 game designed by John Dunn and published by Atari, Inc in 1978.^[1] The player(s) takes control of the Superman, who must repair the bridge destroyed by Lex Luthor, capture Luthor and his criminals underlings, enter a phonebooth to turn back into Clark Kent, then return to the Daily Planet in the shortest amount of time. To slow Superman's progress, Kryptonite has been released by Luthor. If hit by Kryptonite, Superman loses his abilities to capture criminals and fly. To regain them, he must find and kiss Lois Lane.

Only three of Superman's powers are used in this game: strength, X-ray vision, and flight.

[edit] Superman: The Game (1986, home computer game)

Superman in the 1986 First Star game.

In 1986, First Star software released a home computer game based around Superman and the character Darkseid.

[edit] Superman (1988, Taito arcade game)

In the 1988 Taito arcade game, Superman faces a boss during the vertically scrolling part of the first level.

A Superman arcade game was released by Taito Corporation in 1988.

In this game, Superman fights against the evil Emperor Zaas through five levels. The first player takes control of the traditional blue Superman, while the second player takes control of a red Superman with a Captain Marvel-styled white cape.^[2] The red Superman's presence is never explained in the game.

The game starts out in Metropolis before going to San Francisco, Las Vegas and Washington, D.C. Superman is able to punch, kick and fly. He can also use a projectile "Sonic Blast" attack.

The first four levels have three-parts - a side-scrolling part, followed by a vertically scrolling flying part and a final side-scrolling shooter part. Each part has a boss at the end.

[edit] Superman (1988, NES)

In 1988, an NES Superman video game was released. It is a combination of side-scrolling action mixed in with some puzzles.

In it, the player controls Superman to save Metropolis from Lex Luthor and a gang of criminals that were exiled from the planet Krypton. It featured an overhead map of various locations the player can travel to, but then switched to a more traditional side-scrolling adventure game.

Superman has an energy (Super Power) bar and he can collect various icons in the game to use a limited supply of one of his item powers. Players start out the game as Clark Kent but can change into Superman (provided that they have enough Super Power) by entering into one of the phone booths that are scattered throughout the city. However, taking sufficient damage from enemies would cause Superman to become Clark Kent. Occasionally a "Help!" signal would appear on the map, to which Superman could fly to that area immediately and aid the person in need.

At the end of each city level, the player a different boss and gives each end of chapter victory an animated front page of a Daily Planet newspaper displaying their success.

[edit] Superman (1992, Mega Drive/Genesis)

Sunsoft released a Superman game for Sega's Mega Drive/Genesis system in 1992. It was a traditional side-scrolling arcade game where the player controls Superman through various levels in an effort to defeat various villains, culminating with the evil supervillain Brainiac.

It was planned to release on the SNES, but the game was cancelled some where before it was complete.^{[citation needed]}

The game limited the powers of Superman to jumping, punching and kicking. He could only use his famous superpowers by collecting certain icons scattered throughout the level. At the end of each level, Superman battled one of the super villains from the comics.

While noted for its decent 16-bit graphics and sound, critics panned the game for its limited usage of Superman's powers and for having a limited storyline.

Today, the game has become something of a collector's item, because it is hard to find, and is often not listed among the various Superman video and computer games.

[edit] The Death and Return of Superman (1994)

Gameplay in The Death and Return of Superman.

The Death and Return of Superman was released in 1994 by Sunsoft for the SNES and Genesis consoles. It is a beat 'em up video game based on the Death of Superman storyline and features many characters from the comics. All of the five Supermen are playable characters at some point.

The gameplay is the standard "beat 'em up" type, where the player controls a character that can move in all directions. A set number of foes will enter the screen and only after they are defeated can the character continue on the quest. With the exceptions of Superman and to a point the Man of Steel, each character has two standard types of level: melee combat and flying in which only projectile moves can be used.

[edit] Superman 64 (1999)

There was also a Superman game released for the Nintendo 64 in 1999.^[3]

This title is a 3D action game in which the player takes control of Superman who must rescue his friends from a virtual-reality replica of Metropolis. Lex Luthor challenges Superman with tests within the virtual world which make up the majority of the gameplay. Most of said tests involve flying through a series of floating rings within a time limit.

The game is notorious among critics and gamers as one of the worst games ever made. Common criticisms include poor collision detection, unreliable controls, high difficulty and generally poor execution.

[edit] Superman: Shadow of Apokolips (2002)

Superman: Shadow Of Apokolips was released for the Playstation 2 and Nintendo GameCube consoles. It was developed by Infogrames and published by Atari in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics.

The designs were intended to reflect the look and feel of Superman: The Animated Series. Cut scenes used cel-shaded animation to emulate the look of traditional animation. The original Animated Series voice cast all returned to their roles for the game.

The game received mostly positive reviews, with an air of uncertainty going into its release because of Superman 64 of the previous generation.

[edit] Superman: The Man of Steel (2002)

Superman: The Man of Steel was released exclusively for the Xbox in 2002. It was developed by Circus Freak Studios and published by Atari. It is based on the long-running comic book mythos, as opposed to most other Superman games which are adaptations of the character in other mediums besides the source material.

The game received mixed-to-negative reviews, with many citing a confusing control scheme^[4][5] and repetitive mission modes.

[edit] Superman: Countdown to Apokolips (2003)

Superman: Countdown to Apokolips is a video game that was released in 2003 by Atari for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance. It was based largely on Superman: The Animated Series, including its character portrayals, and artistic style. There are bosses such as Live Wire, Darkseid, and Bruno Mannheim, as well as goons and other items.

[edit] Superman Returns (2006)

Superman Returns is a video game loosely based on the Superman movie of the same name, developed by Electronic Arts-Tiburon. In the game, Superman combats Metallo, who does not appear in the movie, as well as other classic villains.

The game features the voice and likeness of many cast members.

Superman Returns: The Videogame was not well-received by many critics.^[6]

For the Game Boy Advance, a different style of game was released to exploit the license. Superman Returns: Fortress of Solitude combines various puzzle challenges (one of which was Sudoku with superpowers) punctuated with short flying action sequences.

[edit] Superman in other video games

[edit] Justice League Heroes (2006)

Justice League Heroes is a console video game for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable systems. It is based on DC Comics' premiere superhero team, the Justice League of America.

It is based on the long running comic book series (as opposed to other recent Justice League games which are adaptations of other media besides the source material).

The handheld Nintendo DS version shares a similar visual style and gameplay mechanics to the console game, but serves as a prequel to its story.

[edit] Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (2008)

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe combined characters from the Mortal Kombat francise with those from the DC Universe, including Superman.

[edit] References

1. ^ http://www.mobygames.com/game/atari-2600/superman Moby Games. "Superman for Atari 2600," (retrieved on March 9th, 2009).
2. ^ "The Killer List of Videogames: Superman". http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9977. Retrieved July 19 2006. 
3. ^ http://www.mobygames.com/game/n64/superman__ Moby Games. "Superman for Nintendo 64," (retrieved on March 9th, 2009).
4. ^ IGN's review
5. ^ GameSpot's review
6. ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/930272.asp?q=superman%20returns

• Additional technical info: "System 16: Taito Hardware". http://www.system16.com/hardware.php?id=649&gid=1589#1589. Retrieved July 19 2006. 

[edit] External links

• Superman Atari 2600 at AtariAge
• Superman Atari 2600 at MobyGames
• Atari 2600 Game Play Video
• Superman NES review on Something Awful
• Superman NES at MobyGames
• The Fat Mann Judgeth review on Superman (Sega Genesis) Part 1
• The Fat Mann Judgeth review on Superman (Sega Genesis) Part 2