Video games based on comic books have a pretty poor track record. From early turds like Superman on the Atari 2600 to newer abominations including Catwoman and Aquaman. Marvel properties haven't fared much better, but the comic renaissance of the early 90's inspired a ton of video games based on comics. Today we're putting the akwardly-named Spider-man X-men Arcade's Revenge through the wringer. But you never know, it might surprise me. Let's fire it up and take a look:
Image source: original photo by retro-room
Wait a minute...
Image source: original photo by retro-room
Uh-oh.
Image source: User aaronmunroe on YouTube
In the not at all terribly named Spider-man X-men Arcade's Revenge, you begin the game in control of Spider-man, as he navigates a 2D maze where he enters buildings that have absolutely no logical layout to them, no stairs and no elevators. It must be hell for the accountants that work on the top floor. But anyway...
As Spider-man, you must explore this stage and use your spider-sense to locate what I presume to be bombs around the level, which somehow opens the door into Arcade's lair. Why Arcade put his base below an H&R Block is beyond me. But anyway...
Not only do you have to find each of the bomb-things, but you have to collect them in a certain order. The one you need to turn off next is flashing and your spider-sense points you towards it and after finding it, the next one is activated. I see no reason to do it this way other than to have a reason his spider-sense exists in this game.
The level has a handful of enemies, mostly generic robot drones that fire energy beams and bullets at you. They're easily dispatched with Spider-man's web shooters. He can also use his trademark web-swing to get around the level, but there's not enough open spaces to really enjoy it.
Image source: User aaronmunroe on YouTube
After collecting all of the bomb-things, you find some members of the X-Men who have been captured by Arcade. At this point, you can pick whichever hero you want and play a stage that's specifically for them. Wolverine has to fight through a giant toyland, Storm must navigate through a flooded industrial area, Cyclops is thrown into a cave stage and Gambit has to get through a bizarre industrial-cave level filled with Chess-inspired enemies and playing card backgrounds.
While its interesting that each character is playable and has their own completely unique abilities, like Wolverine's claws, Cyclops' eye beams and Gambits energy-infused playing cards, the gameplay is clunky and simply not much fun. Storm's level is downright horrible.
I should have known better when I saw that damn LJN rainbow on the cart label.
Image source: User aaronmunroe on YouTube
The visuals in Spider-man X-men Arcade's Revenge are pretty mediocre. While most stages use a decent amount of color and use multi-scrolling backgrounds, there's nothing impressive about the graphics. Characters are recognizable, but are muddy and lack detail. This could almost pass as a high-end 8-bit game rather than a 16-bit title.
Thankfully the game fares better in the sound department. Effects are at best average with some being pretty poor. The sound of Spider-man's spider-sense is a horrible, scratchy noise I never want to hear again. However, the game features some really great music. Each stage features a different tune and most of them are far too good to be in a game this mediocre.
Image source: User aaronmunroe on YouTube
Spider-man X-men Arcade's Revenge certainly doesn't help the argument against video games based on comics. The gameplay is clunky and simply just not much fun. While it's not a horrible or broken game, it just screams mediocrity through nearly every aspect other than the music.
Hard pass. I'm being generous with a 3.5, which is largely because the music saves it from a lower score. This was the Super Nintendo version, but this game was also released on the Genesis, Game Boy and Game Gear. I don't see any of the ports being any better and I'm not willing to find out either.
Current value:
Loose: $7.97 | Complete: $26.49
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Cover Image Source: OcpCommunications on YouTube