Iron Man Video Games: Still Going Strong 25 Years Later

We are certainly living in the Age of Superheroes. If there is any doubt, take a look at some movie listings or check out all the newest TV shows. You just can’t get away from them these days, but who wants to? They provide great entertainment and not just on TV or in the movies. Some of the best video games that come out now feature superheroes, and no matter who you like, you can probably find that character in a game. This is especially true if you are a fan of Marvel. While folks like Batman and Superman are still making noise, Marvel characters are really the ones crushing it.

This surge in Marvel dominance may stem from 2008, when the first Iron Man movie came out. Almost instantly, thanks in large part to Robert Downey Jr., Iron Man’s popularity skyrocketed and the rest is history. Since the first film, there have been several great video games starring Iron Man.

The PS Vita has a variety of titles to choose from, including LEGO Marvel Avengers and LEGO Marvel Superheroes. You can of course play Iron Man in these, but you don’t have to stop there; pretty much anybody in the Marvel Universe—hero or villain—can be utilised. You can also catch Iron Man in the PS Vita’s Marvel-themed pinball tables for Zen Pinball 2.

While you may have played some of these recent games, what you may not know is that Iron Man first made an appearance in a video game a quarter of a century ago, according to Marvel. Captain America and the Avengers came out all the way back in 1991. In this one, players got to choose from the titular hero, Vision, Hawkeye, and Iron Man as they battled several different enemies, including Juggernaut and Red Skull. Although tame by today’s standards, the game is fun and a precursor of what was to come.

In 1996, things really started cooking for Iron Man with the release of Marvel Super Heroes in War of the Gems. Again, players got to choose one of many characters to play; aside from Iron Man, there were Spider-Man and Wolverine, among others. The goal was to track down the Infinity Gems and defeat Thanos.

It was four years later when Iron Man began to come into his own. In Marvel Vs. Capcom, he was finally able to use his proton cannon and his impressive capabilities were revealed. Since then, the Iron Man games have only gotten better. And his appearances haven’t just been of the fighting variety. That much is evident on Gala Casino, where Iron Man can actually help you win some money. Based on the second Iron Man film, the slots game incorporates striking visuals and features a variety of characters from the movie, including Black Widow and Ivan Vanko.

In 2003, fans playing Tony Hawk’s Underground discovered that one of the unlockable characters was none other than Iron Man. But instead of a boring old skateboard, he used a hoverboard, naturally.

Perhaps the weirdest Iron Man incarnation, as seen on ScreenRant, occurs in Grand Theft Auto V. Thanks to “modding,” which means changing a computer program so it will do something it really wasn’t supposed to, at a certain point in the game, players can actually become Iron Man. They can slip into his suit, start flying around, and fight people with his weapons. It really takes stealing cars to a whole other level.

What’s your favorite Iron Man game?

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About Simon Plumbe 1052 Articles
Husband, father and lifelong geek. Originally from the West Midlands, now spending my days in South Wales with my family and a house full of animals. Passionate about video games, especially retro gaming, the Commodore 64 and PlayStation Vita. Love pro wrestling, sci-fi and I'm an animal lover and vegetarian. Enjoyed this and my other articles? Why not buy me a coffee: http://ko-fi.com/simonplumbe

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