Superman stands as one of the most recognizable and influential characters of all time. This being from another world, nurtured on Earth by a loving family to embody humanity`s finest traits, has been a source of inspiration for nearly 90 years across countless comics and films. Yet, surprisingly, his history in video games has been marked by a string of largely forgettable titles. Despite his status and global recognition, games have consistently struggled to capture the unique appeal of the Man of Steel. With DC`s cinematic universe undergoing a major relaunch, starting with James Gunn`s upcoming Superman film, it`s a perfect time for Superman to finally get the video game he truly merits.
Superman`s track record in video games has been, to put it mildly, inconsistent. Early games on systems like the Atari or Commodore 64 were basic, attempting to portray his immense power within the technical limits of the era. Their primitive nature meant narrative was virtually absent, and they could only feature one or two types of heroic actions repeated endlessly. A 1992 game for the Genesis was a decent but unremarkable action-platformer. It showed Superman`s strength against foes and made a token effort at including his powers, but it felt largely indistinguishable from other action games of the time. “The Death and Return of Superman,” a tie-in with the major comic event, was a beat-`em-up featuring the four characters who emerged after the hero`s apparent death: Cyborg Superman, Steel, Eradicator, and Superboy. While many heroes like Batman, Spider-Man, and Punisher also had similar brawlers, this one was considered better than most, but even it didn`t manage to convey what makes Superman truly special.
These initial game attempts largely failed to grasp Superman`s essence. Although some were slightly better than others, they generally relied on familiar genre formulas. Superman often didn`t feel appropriately powerful, a limitation of game design at the time. More critically, the simple narrative structures couldn`t support the fundamental goodness that lies at the heart of the character. Yes, he could punch through obstacles – but why does he constantly put himself in danger for a planet of strangers? Why does he care so deeply about humanity? Superman`s capacity to see the best in people – and to personify it himself – is just as crucial to his character as his incredible strength and resilience.
As video games transitioned into the 3D era, the situation worsened. “Superman: The New Adventures,” widely known as Superman 64, is infamous as one of history`s worst video games due to pervasive bugs, restrictive level design (the rings), and poor graphics. “Superman Returns,” a licensed game released alongside the movie, was a mediocre open-world title lacking compelling activities. However, its most notable feature cleverly addressed a persistent development challenge: how do you make gameplay interesting when the player character is generally considered invincible? In “Superman Returns,” the hero himself was nearly indestructible, but the city of Metropolis had a health bar. This cleverly shifted the player`s focus from their own survival to the protection of the city, capturing a significant part of Superman`s identity.
More recently, it appears game developers have mostly given up on creating a great game experience centered on *being* the Man of Steel. Instead, studios have increasingly borrowed the character, with all his god-like powers, primarily to present players with an overwhelming threat to overcome. Games like Injustice and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League have explored the “what if Superman were evil?” premise in different ways. This approach works well for those specific narratives. Superman is often criticized as being overpowered, so why not use that to your advantage by making him the ultimate antagonist? But sadly, this means Superman`s most prominent roles in recent games have been ones that contradict the hero he has been for decades, and the very qualities that make him an enduring icon.
So, why is it so difficult to get Superman right in games?
For starters, the criticism that Superman is overpowered carries genuine weight from a game design perspective. He is among the most powerful characters in DC lore, often serving as the benchmark for others, with a history of evolving powers and abilities. Building engaging game mechanics around that level of strength is, evidently, quite challenging. Make Superman too powerful, and playing as him becomes dull. Make him too weak, and the game feels unfaithful to the character and frustrating. The “Metropolis health bar” solution from “Superman Returns” was a smart concept, but as that game showed, it can be difficult to sustain interest in an open world that feels empty or lacks meaningful interaction beyond protection.
As a side note, it`s important to remember that while incredibly powerful, Superman is not immortal. The comics have established that he is so strong he seems invulnerable by human standards, but sufficiently advanced technology, powerful magic, or certain alien beings *can* injure him. Kryptonite, his famous radioactive weakness, can sometimes feel like a convenient plot device, but it`s not the only way to harm him. Villains like Doomsday or Darkseid possess enough raw power to draw blood on their own.
Therefore, a potential solution might involve combining different approaches. A game aiming to capture the feeling of Superman`s incredible power could begin in Metropolis, offering the freedom to fly around the city, rescuing civilians and preventing minor disasters, perhaps utilizing a gamified element like the “Metropolis health bar” to reflect your effectiveness as the planet`s protector. Elements like technology from recurring villain Lex Luthor or various alien invaders could gradually emerge, capable of actually harming Superman, progressively increasing the difficulty until the player faces threats that could genuinely kill him and leave Metropolis defenseless. Overcoming these escalating dangers could fulfill the power fantasy of being Superman while demanding adaptation to new challenges.
More importantly, this kind of structure could be a narratively satisfying way to emphasize Superman`s core identity: he is fundamentally good. The alternative universe stories about an evil Superman ruling as a tyrant may serve to create stakes for other heroes` narratives, but they are not truly stories *about* Superman himself. The Man of Steel is sincere and gentle, a figure designed to be both aspirational and inspirational. He possesses unimaginable power, but he would never use it to inflict pain or suffering. He is generous with his time and his affection for Earth and its people. He gives of himself without reservation. *That* is Superman.
Any story that seeks to be about Superman must capture this element above all else. The question, “What if the world`s most powerful person were evil?” perhaps doesn`t resonate as powerfully as it once did, possibly because we have plenty of powerful, unkind individuals in the real world. Far more revolutionary is the simple, profound idea that Superman has represented for the past several decades: What if the world`s most powerful person were also its kindest?