How to become a superhero without leaving your couch: the best games based on DC comics
Written by @Kef
Even as a longtime fan of DC Comics, it’s hard to deny that DC’s heroes—from A-listers like Batman and Superman to lower-ranking but compelling characters like Aquaman and Black Canary—often play second fiddle to Marvel’s more mainstream offerings. Things have started looking up for DC fans though. Director Matt Reeves presented a unique vision for the Caped Crusader in The Batman earlier this year, and a movie based on the lesser-known antihero Black Adam starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has just hit theaters.
And then there’s video games! DC Comics have always had a lot of solid representation in games, but it can be hard to separate the trash from what’s great. So which games based on DC superheroes are worth playing? Here are five of our favorites.
Gotham Knights (PC, PS5, XBX/S)
The newest game on the list just launched today from the folks at Warner Bros. Games Montreal. This new spin on Gotham City sees a world where Batman has died, and his protégés—Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Robin—must step up to the plate and defend their city. Early reviews for this one have been mixed, but if nothing else, it should provide some fun online co-op opportunities to team up as would-be Dark Knights.
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Batman: Arkham City (360, PC, PS3 PS4, Wii U, XB1)
Though not set in the same timeline, Gotham Knights is a spin-off of the formula that Rocksteady Studios established with its beloved Batman: Arkham series. Of that trilogy (or tetralogy if you include Warner Bros. Games Montreal’s previous title, Batman: Arkham Origins), Arkham City is easily the best. It includes a large (but not too large) open world to explore, fantastic Metroid-esque progression as you earn new tools, best-in-class combat, and a fairly gripping story of Bats yet again going up against one of his greatest foes, the Joker.
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DC Universe Online (NS, PC, PS3, PS4, XB1)
DC Universe Online never gets enough credit. Sure, it’s not the literal best superhero MMO ever made, City of Heroes, but it’s the next best thing that’s still online. DC Universe Online finds a great balance by letting you create your own unique hero but making sure you’re teaming up and fighting with (or against) dozens of established DC heroes and villains on your adventures. And developer Dimensional Ink Games (formerly Daybreak Game Company) has done an amazing job of continued support, releasing over forty story-driven “episode” additions since the game’s launch over a decade ago.
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Injustice 2 (Android, iOS, PC, PS4, XB1)
With Injustice 2, Mortal Kombat developer NetherRealm Studios has done a fantastic job of creating a wildly entertaining alternate reality scenario where some of DC’s greatest superheroes go bad and need to be beaten down. This fantastic fighting game features nearly thirty different characters (including a DLC appearance from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, among other guests), so there’s likely to be a character whose look and play style connects with every player. And best of all, there’s an excellent mobile version of the game as well!
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Lego DC Super-Villains (NS, PC, PS4, XB1)
There have been no less than four mainline Lego Batman games from developer Traveller’s Tales, and each has been very good in its own way. But as the most recent of the batch, Lego DC Super-Villains is also the best and most full-featured. Obviously the focus is on the bad guys here, but rest assured that you can also unlock your favorite superheroes on your brick-breaking adventures. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find a major DC character missing from this game’s absurd roster of over two hundred playable characters (including DLC additions).
If you’re looking for a mobile alternative to Lego DC Super-Villains, The Lego Batman Movie Game provides similar simple action and platforming challenges and humor, albeit with a much-reduced scope and cast.
242662💬 Those are our picks for the best games based on the epic lineup of superheroes from the DC Comics universe. Did we miss any that you prefer? Who’s your favorite DC superhero, and have they got the game they deserve yet? Let us know in the comments!
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