Summary
Tony Stark, widely known asIron Man, has become one of the most recognizable faces of theMarvelbrand, particularly after the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which elevated him from a B-list superhero to a cultural icon. Over the years, Iron Man has appeared in various video games both before and after Robert Downey Jr. helped to make the character famous through his film portrayal.
Each game showcases Iron Man’s armored abilities differently, from his iconic repulsors to his ability to fly, while remaining true to the source material. Regardless of the genre—whether RPGs or fighting games—Marvel games have allowed players to immerse themselves in the perspective of the renowned billionaire philanthropist with an arc reactor in his chest.
Many Suits To Enjoy In An Average Movie Tie-In Game
Platforms
PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, iOS
Genre
Action-Adventure, Shooter, Movie Tie-In
Based on the MCU movie of the same name,Iron Man 2doesn’t really follow the movie’s events, but tells its own story using the MCU characters. It’s also very simplistic, with Iron Man and War Machine blasting every robot and enemy in sight until they complete each level using third-person shooting mechanics.
Iron Man 2is not an excellent game, but it doesn’t have any major flaws either, aside from the fact that it can be completed in just a few hours. On the positive side,there are many Iron Man suitsto unlock, including several from the comics that didn’t make it into the movie. It also has its own take on famous Iron Man villains, such as the Crimson Dynamo.
Iron Man is one of many surviving heroes when the world is invaded by a mysterious force led by original characters known as the Imperfects.Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfectsis a darker story, but one that shows the developers’ passion thanks to their unique visuals and take on Marvel’s characters.
The concept of a fully 3D fighting game was unique for its time, with characters able to freely roam a venue, even if it didn’t age all that well.Iron Man’s gameplay was ahead of its time as well. In the more single-player-focused story mode, he shows the potentialMarvel Nemesishad if it had become a franchise, with combat and powers that effectively portray how much of a powerhouse Iron Man can be.
Marvel’s Avengerswas an unfortunate experimentof a multiplayer Marvel gamethat could have rivaledDestiny 2, but was held back by a gameplay loop that was not worth any reward. It was delisted, but those lucky enough to get a copy can still enjoy the different heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Ms. Marvel, Hulk, Black Widow, and more.
WhileMarvel’s Avengershad its issues, the story and portrayal of the characters, especially Iron Man, stood out. Voiced by Nolan North, Iron Man offers a unique interpretation, with impactful punches and blasts that enhance the combat experience. The variety of suits further showcases the developers' respect for the Avengers.
TheMarvel vs. Capcomgamesare wild and colorful fighting gameswith fast-paced combat that can be a bit overwhelming to unsuspecting gamers, andMarvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroesis no different. Iron Man is just one of many Marvel heroes featured in the roster, utilizing his repulsors, flight, and unibeam to deal immense damage.
Marvel Vs. Capcom 2is often regarded as the best of the series, thanks to its gameplay combined with still-appealing visuals that look like a Marvel anime. Fans loved it so much that it would get remastered in theMarvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classicswith active online multiplayer servers to continue the action.
When the MCU was rising in popularity,LEGO Marvel Super Heroescame out, which arguably delivered an even bigger universe thanks to having the rights to all Marvel characters. The Avengers, X-Men, Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, and more all got to shine in LEGO form, mixing humor, action, and storytelling for all ages to enjoy.
In many ways,LEGO Marvel Super Heroesis the standard affair that gamers come to expect from Traveller’s Tales, with all the brick smashing and stud collecting their games are known for. However, the developers executed it all with grace, giving fans what is nowan iconic open-world Marvel game, with Iron Man just being one of hundreds of characters to collect and play as.
There areplenty of fun dungeon-crawler RPGsout there, from theGauntletfranchise toDiablo. However,Marvel Ultimate Allianceis the ideal alternative for those needing a superhero fix, with Iron Man, Hulk, Ghost Rider, Spider-Man, and dozens more characters for fans to enjoy as they fight Doctor Doom, Loki, Galactus, and more across dimensions.
It deserves praise for creating a coherent shared Marvel universe before the MCU did. Iron Man has all the staples that make him Iron Man, and he provides the first hub world in the game in the form of Stark Tower, which is filled with many comic-accurate details, especially in his massive laboratory.
In a time when hero shooters are commonplace and often blend in with each other,Marvel Rivalsmanages to stand out from most, even with its many familiar elements. The unique visual style combined with tight gameplay means Marvel fans can enjoy the same objective-based multiplayer seen in other games likeOverwatch.
Fans of Iron Man can also rejoice, as he is one of the more versatile characters on theMarvel Rivalsroster thanks to his repulsors, flight, and ability to attack enemies from any distance. He can be as funas he can be overpowered, able to wipe out entire enemy teams on his own, thanks to his ability to hover in the air.
While the change from interdimensional threats and cosmic beings to a more Earthly threat may seem like a downgrade,Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2is in many ways an upgrade. It has a more grounded storyline, butone that is faithful to the comics, featuring Captain America and Iron Man on opposite sides of a conflict in which superheroes are forced to register themselves under government control.
Iron Man plays a bigger part inMarvel Ultimate Alliance 2, being the leader of the pro-registration faction. The gameplay for all the returning characters is mostly similar to the first game, but there are more characters, including villains, allowing for even more interesting team-ups.Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2also features Fusion attacks, which are super moves that combine two characters’ abilities for devastating damage.
Marvel’s Midnight Sunswas mocked when it was announced for mixing card-based combat with such great visuals, but it proved to be a favorite among gamers and Marvel fans alike. It blends RPG gameplay with card building andXCOM-like turn-based strategyto create an original Marvel adventure unlike any other in the gaming world.
The game also combines various Marvel teams as part of the titular Midnight Suns, including the X-Men and the Avengers, including Iron Man. Players can control Iron Man, who has unique strengths and weaknesses in battle. He can alter and upgrade his cards by redrawing them. Additionally, he serves as a source of new cards in the Abbey hub world.
The developers at Camoflaj have made a name for themselves withBatman: Arkham Shadow,but it was not their first soirée inthe world of superhero VR games.Iron Man VRliterally puts the player in the eyes of Tony Stark on an adventure fighting the villain Ghost. While virtual reality can be gimmicky, it fits Iron Man like a glove due to his visor and heads-up display.
When it was adapted for more advanced VR systems like Meta Quest 2, the game received significant enhancements. This upgrade provided better control over the Iron Man suit. Coupled with an engaging original story, the gameplay ofIron Man VRcan keep players entertained for hours, as it allows them to genuinely experience what it feels like to be the armored Avenger.
