25 Years Later, If You Can Only Play One Spider-Man Game, Let It Be Neversoft’s Spider-Man

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Before it, more than a dozen Spider-Man games were already out, but after a gap of 25 years, Neversoft and Activision’s Spider-Man stands out as one of the most influential and long-lasting. Its irresistible charm and lasting influence set a new standard for Marvel video games. This particular Spider-Man, which features only the character’s name, marked a new era for these types of games. It gained significant popularity, followed by immediate sequels, and even had a playable appearance of this version of Spider-Man in X-Men: Mutant Academy 2.

Neversoft, the developers, created both Spider-Man and the games from the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series using the latter’s engine. Interestingly, a playable version of Spider-Man was hidden in an Easter egg within Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2.

25 years ago, I got hooked on Neversoft’s iconic Spider-Man game for PlayStation. Over time, it was adapted for Game Boy Color (by Vicarious Visions), Nintendo 64 (Edge of Reality), Dreamcast (Treyarch), and PC (LTI Gray Matter). Now, a quarter-century later, this Spider-Man game remains a timeless classic due to its boundless charm and humor, captivating character performances, creative level designs, vivid polygonal graphics, and unforgettable music. As Stan Lee himself puts it in the opening narration of the game: “With great power comes great responsibility… and endless fun!

Experience an authentic superhero adventure filled with exhilarating suspense, unexpected plot twists, numerous nefarious adversaries, and incessant acrobatic feats involving swinging on webs and scaling walls!

Neversoft’s Spider-Man is Etched into the Upper Echelon of Superhero Video Game History

With Great Gameplay Comes Great Replayability

The gameplay offers a wide range of variations, including quick maneuvers like web-dashing and zip-lining, scaling walls through air vents or across glass ceilings, or traversing the outsides of colossal structures. In combat, players can employ exclusive combo moves and special web attacks that are unique to Spider-Man. The villainous Doctor Octopus contaminates New York City with toxic gas, which prevents players from falling below a certain level in exterior environments, while also enhancing the importance of their web-slinging abilities.

Twenty-five years later, the camera can still be somewhat adversarial, much like a typical 3D Spider-Man game might be, but the overall gameplay remains inventive and fulfilling. For instance, the Spider-Man series maintains its comic book accuracy by making web fluid a valuable resource, encouraging players to strategically alternate between regular attacks and web attacks.

Among various web accessories like web domes (also known as webbing projectiles), web gloves (where spiderman shoots webbing), directional web pulls (for swinging around), web balls, and slightly draining web fluid while moving or zipping, leftover web cartridges are always a valuable find. Additionally, the dynamic camera angles contribute to intensely cinematic and nerve-racking chase scenes, especially when players climb buildings, dodge spotlights and bullets, or chase Venom or run from Monster-Ock, a formidable adversary of Spider-Man.

Edge of Time might rival it, given that Atrocity seems to have been influenced by Monster-Ock’s design. This formidable creature is a result of a terrifying symbiosis between Carnage (Cletus Kasady) and Doctor Octopus. Monster-Ock is a bestial figure with a blood-curdling scream, constantly chasing Spider-Man in a climactic chase scene that even today remains more petrifying than many contemporary horror video games. Players must navigate through a tight maze of corridors while evading this relentless pursuer.

Alternate Spider-Man Costumes

  • A Spider-Man 2099 skin that enables double damage.
  • A Symbiote Spider-Man skin that enables unlimited webbing.
  • An overpowered Captain Universe skin that enables invulnerability, enhanced strength, and unlimited webbing.
  • A Spidey Unlimited skin that enables a stealth mode, allowing for invisibility to be toggled on or off in-game, though it doesn’t work on bosses.
  • An Amazing Bag Man skin that has no ‘Spidey belt’ and thus only allows players to hold a maximum of two web cartridges.
  • A Quick Change Spidey skin that has no ‘Spidey belt’ and thus only allows players to hold a maximum of two web cartridges.
  • A Peter Parker skin that has no ‘Spidey belt’ and thus only allows players to hold a maximum of two web cartridges.

As a devoted admirer, I’ve recently found myself donning the iconic White Spider-Armor MK 1 suit. It’s not a permanent part of me, but rather a remarkable accessory that I acquire as a shield pickup in the game. This armor bestows an additional health bar upon me, providing an extra layer of protection during my thrilling adventures!

Spider-Man Games Have Yet to Dwarf Neversoft’s Venom

In the game titled “Spider-Man” by Neversoft, it is just as accurate to say that it offers some of the most memorable and undeniable portrayals of Spider-Man’s rogues gallery. However, unlike Batman: Arkham Asylum, encounters with villains such as Scorpion, Rhino, Mysterio, Carnage, Doctor Octopus (and a hint at Lizard in the labyrinthine sewer passages) are brief during boss fights. Yet, these appearances effectively capture the essence of these characters.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to say that in my gaming journey so far, the portrayal of Venom/Eddie Brock in the Spider-Man game stands out as one of the most impressive, surpassing even the comics in some aspects. A big part of this is due to Daran Norris’s exceptional performance – a versatile actor known for roles like Cosmo and Mr. Turner from Fairly OddParents, Gordy from Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide, Scorpion, Mysterio, Captain America, Human Torch, and even Punisher in Spider-Man.

What makes the PS1 Venom truly striking is his unique blend of menacing sinister tones that make him a chilling villain, but with a dash of playful sassiness and goofiness that perfectly captures this version of the character. This is especially evident when he transitions from a formidable foe to a reluctant ally that Spider-Man has to tolerate, begrudgingly or not.

The Spider-Man game developed by Neversoft and published by Activision, with its endless allure and long-lasting influence, stands out as one of the most influential and endearing titles in gaming history.

Enhancing it by tenfold with its appeal and quirkiness, Spider-Man doesn’t skimp on the budget when it comes to character appearances that are effortlessly integrated yet surprising and inexplicable. For instance, some of the unusual final scenes in Spider-Man‘s game, which are undoubtedly etched into players’ minds, depict Spider-Man playing cards with Captain America, Daredevil, and Punisher; at the same time, Doctor Octopus, Mysterio, Rhino, and Scorpion are found sharing a cell in prison.

Neversoft’s Spider-Man Paved the Road for Nearly Every Spider-Man Game After It

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at how Spider-Man’s legacy continues to thrive today. From the competitive world of speedrunning to the ever-popular memes that keep us laughing, Spidey’s influence is undeniable.

Moreover, his spirit lives on in every subsequent Spider-Man game, shaping them in ways both big and small. Although Neversoft never went on to develop another Spider-Man title post their initial release, they certainly set the stage for Activision’s 14-year-long journey with this iconic character. Over the years, numerous games have emerged from these humble beginnings, each built upon the solid foundation laid by the original game.

  • Spider-Man, developed by Neversoft and published by Activision (2000)
  • Spider-Man 2: The Sinister Six, developed by Torus Games and published by Activision (2001)
  • Spider-Man 2: Enter Electro, developed by Vicarious Visions and published by Activision (2001)
  • Spider-Man: Mysterio’s Menace, developed by Vicarious Visions and published by Activision (2001)
  • Spider-Man, developed by Treyarch and published by Activision (2002)
  • Spider-Man 2, developed by Treyarch and published by Activision (2004)
  • Ultimate Spider-Man, developed by Treyarch and published by Activision (2005)
  • Spider-Man: Battle for New York, developed by Torus Games and published by Activision (2006)
  • Spider-Man 3, developed by Vicarious Visions and published by Activision (2007)
  • Spider-Man: Friend or Foe, developed by Next Level Games and published by Activision (2007)
  • Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, developed by Shaba Games and Treyarch and published by Activision (2008)
  • Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, developed by Beenox and published by Activision (2010)
  • Spider-Man: Edge of Time, developed by Beenox and published by Activision (2011)
  • The Amazing Spider-Man, developed by Beenox and published by Activision (2012)
  • The Amazing Spider-Man 2, developed by Beenox and published by Activision (2014)

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2025-08-30 20:35