Spider-Man — X-Men: Arcade’s Revenge Review

Spider-Man – X-Men: Arcade’s Revenge, developed by Western Technologies Inc. and published by LJN, is a 16-bit action platformer that brought together two of Marvel’s most iconic superhero teams. Released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1992, this game promised an epic crossover, but delivered a notoriously challenging experience. This Spider-Man – X-Men: Arcade’s Revenge SNES review delves into its highs and frustrating lows.

Gameplay: A Gauntlet of Pain

Arcade’s Revenge immediately throws players into the sinister traps of the villainous Arcade. The core gameplay loop involves controlling Spider-Man and four members of the X-Men – Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm, and Gambit – as they attempt to escape Arcade’s deadly Murderworld. Each hero has their own distinct levels and boss encounters, themed around classic villains like Juggernaut, Shocker, and Sentinel.

The game’s controls are often described as clunky, and the hit detection can be frustratingly inconsistent. While each character has unique abilities (Spider-Man’s web-swinging, Wolverine’s claws, Cyclops’ optic blasts), mastering them within the game’s unforgiving level design is a monumental task. The difficulty is legendary, with cheap hits, instant death traps, and a limited continues system making progression a true test of patience.

• Playable heroes: Spider-Man, Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm, Gambit
• Unique levels and bosses for each character
• Notoriously high difficulty and unforgiving design
• Challenging platforming and combat mechanics

Story and Presentation: Classic Marvel Crossover

The premise of Spider-Man – X-Men: Arcade’s Revenge is a classic comic book setup: Arcade captures the heroes and forces them through his deadly amusement park. While the narrative is simple, it provides a fun framework for the superhero action. The game’s presentation is a mixed bag. The character sprites are generally well-drawn and recognizable, capturing the essence of their comic book counterparts.

However, the level backgrounds can sometimes feel repetitive or sparse. The music, while fitting for a superhero game, doesn’t always stand out, but the sound effects are adequate for the 16-bit era.

Graphics and Sound: 16-bit Heroes

On the SNES, Arcade’s Revenge visually captures the heroes fairly well. Spider-Man’s animations are fluid, especially his web-swinging, and the X-Men characters are distinct. The boss sprites are particularly impressive, showcasing the power of the Super Nintendo.

The soundtrack provides a decent backdrop to the action, with some tracks being more memorable than others. Sound effects are standard for the era, providing feedback for attacks and environmental interactions.

Legacy: A Challenging Cult Classic

Spider-Man – X-Men: Arcade’s Revenge holds a unique place in the pantheon of SNES superhero games. It’s often remembered more for its brutal difficulty and the frustration it caused than for its groundbreaking gameplay. As an LJN title, it fits the reputation of the publisher for challenging games.

Despite its flaws, it remains a fascinating piece of retro gaming history, showcasing an ambitious crossover that was perhaps a bit too challenging for its own good.

Is Spider-Man – X-Men: Arcade’s Revenge on SNES Worth Playing Today?

For Marvel Comics fans and retro gaming enthusiasts looking for a significant challenge, Spider-Man – X-Men: Arcade’s Revenge on the SNES might be worth a look. Be prepared for a steep difficulty curve and some frustrating moments. It’s more of a curiosity and a testament to the era’s design philosophies than a universally enjoyable classic, but it’s certainly a game that leaves an impression.