Gamers and Marvel fans alike have seen plenty of Spider-Man games. That said, longtime devotees still hold one in high regard. It's an oldie but a goodie: Neversoft's 2000 classic on the PlayStation and SegaDreamcast. Simply titled, Spider-Man, this game pioneered many conventions which later titles would rely on.Given that, some might think it's rendered obsolete by its more advanced successors, but that couldn't be further from the truth. The game still boasts several aspects worth experiencing. A number of them are charming quirks of the time, meaning that fans can't get this same experience anymore. Thus, they owe it to themselves to seek out this hidden gem.
9 The Voice Cast
This game's cast is a "Who's Who" of voiceover vets of the time. Many of them were reprising their roles from previous Spider-Man shows, such as Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. as Doc Ock, and Jennifer Hale as Black Cat. They fit the characters then, and they haven't lost their touch here.
No better is that illustrated than Rino Romano as the titular web-slinger. His voice has a natural swagger, which sells the smack-talk aspect perfectly. However, he balances this with an everyman charm essential to the hero. These strengths combine to make one of the best renditions of the web-head.
8 A Comic Book Plot
This is a Spider-Man story which truly embraces its roots. The writers don't follow a movie or attempt to ground the tale in a realistic light. Instead, they take a deep dive into the character's comic history. There's never a dull moment as a result.
The game features a ludicrous plot rife with twists, turns, and a swift-yet-steady pace. This leads to many an encounter with iconic figures. Not only do players tangle with the web-head's greatest foes, like Scorpion, Rhino, and Mysterio, but they also meet a myriad of other Marvel heroes, such as Daredevil, the Human Torch, and The Punisher. Those craving a superhero extravaganza will find plenty to like here.
7 Venom
Although the game as a whole is a tribute to Spider-Man's decades-long history, certain parts take their cues from '90s comics. Venom's characterization here echoes that. He's physically imposing, but he often subverts this with his flamboyant and downright goofy attitude. He loves taunting the city and especially its arachnid defender. That said, he's not the smartest symbiote on the block, so his methods are usually anything but direct.
It's definitely a distinctive version for a distinctive audience. Some like Venom more serious and intimidating, so this silly pseudo-edginess may rub them the wrong way.
On the upside, this approach clearly resonates with many fans. It's essentially the same persona he displayed in the recent Venom movies. Those farcical buddy flicks were wildly successful, so it's safe to assume people love the stupid side of the slime monster. Thankfully, they'll find more of that crazed enjoyment here.
6 Music
Also gleefully indicative of the era is the music. The game's score slams players with intense and catchy beats, one after another. Electric guitars and hardcore drums are prominent throughout. Neversoft took the same road with their Tony Hawk's Pro Skater titles, and it suits Spider-Man's high-flying vigor and the fun tone on display. Granted, part of that comes down to the rock remix of the '60s Spider-Man TV theme. However, it's also due to the lack of imagination from its competition.
Most superhero games--Spider-Man included--go the orchestral route. They pepper players' heroic deeds with noble music to match. Because of that, most of these tracks sound the same. This rocking blast from the past will be a bopping breath of fresh air.
5 Unlockables
To cement its love of the source material, Spider-Man comes with a slew of hidden treasures. These range from comic covers to alternate costumes. Most of these suits come with their own abilities to enhance or cheat the game. Other Spider-Man titles also offer these extras, but never to this extent.
The levels' complexity suits this. Sure, the secrets lie off the beaten path, but they're easily located with a bit of exploration. Thus, fans get frequent, tangible rewards for their patience. Nowadays, such treats would be relegated to DLC. Instead, they make for an engaging hunt that never becomes frustrating.
4 Web Abilities
Of course, Spider-Man wouldn't be the same without web-shooting. It's a simple concept on paper, but this game gets creative with it. Players don't just use their webs to navigate levels or tie up bad guys.
Rather, they have a slew of web-based attacks enhancing their melee abilities. Spider-Man can fire balls of impact webbing as projectiles, form boxing gloves to increase his damage, and encase himself in a protective web dome before bursting forth in a devastating shockwave. Several of these moves have popped up in subsequent Spider-Man games, further reinforcing this game's impact. It takes the "Does Whatever A Spider Can" mantra to a whole new level.
3 Level Design
Variety is the spice of life, and Spider-Man appropriately throws a mix of levels at eager fans, each working just as well to sell the illusion. First come the rooftops: sprawling areas allowing Spider-Man to climb and swing to his heart's content. The developers don't go full open-world, but they include enough to encourage exploration and show the scope of the city. This makes them more focused than a standard sandbox, with each building like a unique platform in itself.
That mentality extends to the indoor levels. Despite being more spatially limited, the interior sequences still utilize Spider-Man's gift for verticality. The elaborate design has a plethora of nooks and crannies only accessible through the web-head's abilities. On the other hand, it never becomes overwhelming; the layout is simple enough that players won't get lost. Considering how Spider-Man games have always struggled with interior levels, the success here is no small feat.
2 Boss Fights
The presence of Spidey's iconic rogues would mean nothing if you didn't get to fight them, and the clashes here live up to that promise. Most bosses can't be damaged by conventional attacks. They instead have some weakness or method of breaking their combo; players must exploit these by utilizing their environment. It's a tried-and-true part of many boss battles.
Moreover, it makes these encounters into high-stakes puzzles. Each one feels different than the last, forcing players to master a new technique or find a new trick to conquer their foe. The PS1 and Dreamcast obviously couldn't handle the flashy, high-octane brawls of more recent titles, so this methodical approach is a convenient workaround. However, it also fits with Spider-Man's intelligence and is arguably more satisfying.
1 Aesthetic
This may seem like a joke. How could a game from over twenty years ago look anywhere near as good as one from today? The mouths don't even move during dialogue. Well, Spider-Man's visual appeal lies not in its textures, but its style.
The cartoonish designs are akin to an animated series or comic book. The vibrant colors cement that impression and make for a refreshing change of pace from the gray mediocrity of modern games. Even Insomniac's Spider-Man falls victim to trend. It spends so much time on facial animation and darkens its bland world so drastically at times that it becomes painful to look at. Contrast that with Neversoft's effort, where even the drabbest locations and characters are bright and dynamic enough to appreciate. The lesson is simple: photorealism can be overrated.
