8 Best Superhero Games Not From Marvel Or DC

Whether it’s comics, television, movies, or video games, the superhero genre is all about Marvel and DC. These two giant companies have been churning out superhero stories in different mediums for many years. Yet, they don’t own the concept of superheroes.

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Yes, other companies don’t have the rights to classic characters, such as Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, or The Incredible Hulk. But they’re still capable of creating great pieces of work involving their own heroes. And when it comes to the video game realm, the following titles are the best superhero adventures that don’t fall under the banners of either Marvel or DC.

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8

Saints Row 4

As a series, Saints Row is all about gang warfare. Yet, the fourth-numbered game flipped the script quite a bit by including aliens and superpowers. In the open-world action-adventure game, you play as the leader of the titular gang, who also happens to be the president of the United States.

When an alien invasion occurs, the protagonist gets thrown into a virtual world where the laws of physics have no jurisdiction. As such, you can gain several superpowers, such as super speed, super jump, telekinesis, and more. With these abilities, you have to end the alien threat.

7

Viewtiful Joe

While the Batman Arkham games get credit for setting a new standard for the genre, some great superhero games were released before Arkham Asylum. One of them is the exciting side-scrolling beat ’em up known as Viewtiful Joe.

The adventure begins innocently enough with Joe taking his girlfriend to the movies. But they quickly get dragged into the screen, and the protagonist’s lady friend is captured. With the help of his favorite superhero, Captain Blue, Joe transforms into Viewtiful Joe. Along with seemingly increased power and endurance, the change gives Joe a few special abilities that let him speed or slow things down and one that enhances his attacks.

6

The Wonderful 101

The Avengers movies have taught people that, occasionally, one superhero isn’t enough to save the day. The Wonderful 101 doubles down on this concept by containing many heroes for you to control. What’s interesting is that you do it all at the same time.

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All the heroes come together in one big horde, and you guide them around each level. They showcase elite-level team cohesion as they all move and fight in tandem. Speaking of fighting, the heroes are able to come together to transform into large weaponry that you can use against the various dangerous rogues you face. It’s as wild and unique as it sounds.

5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

Since they don’t technically have superpowers, it’s debatable whether you can call the TMNT crew ‘superheroes.’ Yet, they have as many abilities as Batman, and the Arkham titles are still considered superhero games, so the TMNT virtual adventures should receive the same treatment.

And it just so happens that there are several great Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games, such as the 2022 old school beat ’em up Shredder’s Revenge. In this one, you have to use your unbelievable ninja skills to thwart classic TMNT villains and their parade of goons to save the Statue Of Liberty.

4

Gravity Rush 2

The superhero protagonist in this action-adventure game is called Kat. She is not a feline – she is a teenage girl with the ability to manipulate gravity. This means she can make gravity lighter or heavier to suit her needs, and she spends a lot of time floating through the air.

Kat doesn’t just use these powers for fancy travel, though. Throughout the game, she faces several evil forces that threaten her world, as well as another universe in which she visits. The girl must use her unique powers to save the day.

3

South Park: The Fractured But Whole

While South Park: The Stick Of Truth was a parody of the fantasy genre, The Fractured But Whole focuses more on superheroes. Each of the kids dons the superhero persona they sometimes use in the show and utilizes their powers in this turn-based RPG.

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Technically, the characters don’t actually have superpowers, as the kids are all partaking in a big LARP (live-action role play). They pretend to be two rival superhero groups gunning for their own media franchise, ala Marvel and DC. However, as this is South Park, things quickly get over the top as they begin to uncover a conspiracy putting them in the crosshairs of several dangerous people. Thankfully, the kids’ fictitious superpowers are more effective than they should be.

2

Infamous

Infamous is interesting because it makes being a superhero completely optional. You play as a bike messenger named Cole MacGrath, who gets caught in an explosion that turns him into one of the most powerful electric users in gaming history. So, it’s a very comic-book-like origin story.

However, whether Cole uses his new-found abilities for good or evil is completely up to you. Therefore, technically, this open-world action-adventure title could also be considered a supervillain game. Regardless of whether you choose to follow the light or dark path, you receive a bunch of incredible electric-based abilities.

1

Control

Games don’t get more unusual than Remedy’s Control. The premise isn’t too crazy, as you play as the new director of a government agency designed to deal with paranormal activity. Your main goal is to defend the agency’s headquarters against a strange force called the Hiss.

It sounds simple, but things quickly get very strange as you begin to play the game. One of the best unusual things to happen is that the protagonist, Jesse, gains several superpowers. She can fly, use telekinesis, and even control the minds of her foes. This gives you a fighting chance to stop the Hiss invasion.

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