Best Combat In Spider-Man Games

Spider-Man is likely the most well-known superhero today, with Batman as his closest competitor. Like Batman, Spider-Man has a particularly strong history in video games, spanning over thirty years and including many classics. These games are often praised for how well they let you swing through the city, sometimes even more than for their fighting. However, the best Spider-Man games also need solid combat, and some have truly excellent fighting systems.

For me, the really great Spider-Man games nail that feeling of being Spider-Man – swinging around super fast, feeling strong, and bouncing back from anything. They’re not always super complicated, but they’re just a blast because you feel so powerful! When the fighting flows with the swinging and web-slinging, it’s seriously amazing. So, I’ve been thinking about all the Spider-Man games out there, and I want to share the ones that have the best combat.

Honorable Mention: Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage

Considering when it was made and the type of game it is, Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage doesn’t stack up against today’s Spider-Man games, but it’s still worth remembering. As a classic beat ’em up, its combat is what you’d expect from the mid-’90s, but playing as Spider-Man and Venom makes it more fun. Both heroes are playable and have their own special moves, though those moves aren’t very complex.

While there are better beat ’em ups from that time, Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage is still a well-regarded game and one of the best Spider-Man titles available. Be warned, though – it’s very challenging, so it’s best for players who are already fans of the genre.

8. Spider-Man 2 (2004)

An Undisputed Classic Where Punching Is Priority Over Dodging

Many people loved Spider-Man 2 for its amazing web-swinging, but the fighting was also really enjoyable. The punches felt satisfying on the PlayStation 2, and players could improve Spider-Man’s fighting skills by leveling up, customizing his moves with different kicks and punches.

Spider-Man 2 really set the standard for what a great Spider-Man game should be, especially when it comes to fighting. The wide range of moves – like punches, kicks, dodging, and aerial attacks – made it a standout action game for its time.

7. Spider-Man: Friend or Foe

Button Mashing Attacks, But With A Friend

Spider-Man: Friend or Foe is a simple, enjoyable game for two players. While it didn’t borrow much from previous Spider-Man games, it was still fun, particularly for kids. The fighting was easy to pick up – you mostly just pressed buttons to punch, similar to older action games.

Even though the combat isn’t as complex as in some other Spider-Man games, the combination of fighting and parkour makes Spider-Man: Friend or Foe a fun experience. While the battles can become a little repetitive, relying on punches and webs, playing with a friend definitely enhances the enjoyment.

6. Spider-Man: Edge of Time

Classic Hack-and-Slash Fun

Okay, so playing Spider-Man: Edge of Time is kinda weirdly like playing an old God of War game. As you go through the story, Spidey learns new moves, and honestly, a lot of the gameplay is just mashing buttons to pull off crazy combos. It’s all about unleashing a ton of punches and kicks, mixed with your web-slinging, and trying to get a really high combo count – you definitely want to show that off!

Spider-Man’s fighting feels smooth because it combines punches with special abilities, letting him dodge attacks and stay agile. However, the way the camera works and the focus on basic punches – instead of his spider-sense – make simpler fights feel a bit clunky.

5. Ultimate Spider-Man

Swinging through the Ultimate Universe as Spider-Man is incredibly enjoyable, and the fighting is too. While the game doesn’t fully showcase Spider-Man’s web-slinging abilities, the option to incapacitate enemies with webs instead of just punching them is a cool addition to Spider-Man games, and it would reappear in future versions of the character.

While the combat in Ultimate Spider-Man is acrobatic and Spidey moves with impressive agility, the camera work can be a real problem. It often feels disorienting, particularly when focusing on one enemy, as others can attack from outside the screen, giving them an unfair advantage.

4. Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions

Multiversal Potential With An Aggressive Style Of Offense Rather Than Defense

The combat in Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions is simply fun. It feels good to attack, and enemies don’t really punish you for getting hit—it’s almost like being hit with pillows. While the game’s responsiveness isn’t perfect, the variety of attacks available from different Spider-Man versions keeps each fight feeling fresh and unique.

Combat in Shattered Dimension focuses on varied attacks and building powerful combos. Players will face diverse enemies that demand adapting your fighting style, using abilities like slowing time and spider-sense to target and defeat them in exciting battles.

3. The Amazing Spider-Man

Combat With A High Focus On Acrobatics & Agility

The Amazing Spider-Man isn’t simply a game based on the movie; its combat system proves it’s something special. The developers clearly put a lot of effort into making Spider-Man feel agile and dynamic, giving players a more exciting moveset. The more you play and master the combat, the more impressive Spider-Man becomes in this fresh take on the character.

Though released around the same time as the popular Batman: Arkham series with its intense fighting, The Amazing Spider-Man took a different approach. While Spider-Man could be surrounded and nearly defeated by groups of enemies, skilled players could use quick movements, dodges, and punches to easily defeat them all.

2. Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

Brutal Combat That Delves Into Spidey’s Charisma & Symbiote

The combat in Web of Shadows was a standout feature, offering players a lot of exciting options. You could switch between fighting as the classic, helpful Spider-Man or a darker, more aggressive version influenced by the Venom symbiote, creating a dynamic and varied experience.

Players had a lot of fun options in combat, like throwing enemies up in the air, using them as makeshift skateboards, or simply unleashing a powerful barrage of attacks. The game offered many ways to make fighting more exciting, blending acrobatic moves with aggressive attacks inspired by both Spider-Man and the Symbiote.

1. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Two Spider-Men With Different Skill Sets In A Highly Revised Combat System

Insomniac’s Spider-Man games were already impressive, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 significantly improves the fighting. This sequel lets players control both Peter Parker and Miles Morales, each with their own unique moves and abilities, making every fight feel dynamic and enjoyable.

Spider-Man’s fighting in this game from Insomniac is both exciting and hard to put down. You can use cool gadgets or just your fists, and the way you can switch between enemies, launching them into the air with punches, kicks, and webs, makes every fight feel dynamic and fun.

2026-01-02 22:07