If you’re after the best superhero games on Xbox, remember that with great power comes great responsibility.
Us mere mortals will never acquire the powers demonstrated by our favourite superheroes. Thanks to video games, however, we can have a taste of them. And if you have an Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S, there are plenty of superhero games to take for a spin. But which ones are the best?
Hopefully we can help you with that. We’ve put together a list of the best superhero games on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. Some of them feature Marvel characters, others DC. And there are also a few that let you create and develop your own characters with superhero-like powers. Needless to say, if yo want to play a game in which you save the day and have heaps of fun doing so, you need to check these out.
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1. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
If you love single-player story-driven games, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, developed by Eidos-Montréal, is a real treat. Even better, it’s currently available via Xbox Game Pass, meaning those who subscribe can play it without spending any additional money.
Playing as Star-Lord, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy thrusts you into a surprisingly heart-warming story, leading a squad of misfits from one catastrophic event to another. You’ll visit multiple planets, fight against a wide range of hostile creatures, and even engage in space battles. Along the way, you’ll have to make snap decisions that may affect your relationships with those who you consider friends.
One of only two games on this list that actually make use of the power of the latest generation of consoles, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy looks and plays great if you have an Xbox Series X or S. It’s still very much enjoyable on an Xbox One console, though, so make sure you give it a go. It might just be the best superhero game available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S consoles right now.
Read our review of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
2. Marvel’s Avengers
The opening hours of Marvel’s Avengers may give you the impression that it’s a single-player story-driven adventure. And a very enjoyable one at that. Put some hours into it, however, and you’ll eventually find that it’s a team-based multiplayer game at its heart, with a large emphasis on finding loot to power yourself up.
While you’ll initially find yourself playing as a young Kamala Khan – aka Ms Marvel – you’ll eventually be able to take control of a wide range of Marvel superheroes. The Hulk, Iron Man, Black Widow, Thor, Captain America; if you’ve ever wanted to be in their shoes, this is your chance. And each superhero has a range of signature powers available to them, making them particularly useful in certain scenarios.
With so many playable Marvel characters, this is undoubtedly one of the best superhero games on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. It been updated to take advantage of Microsoft’s latest consoles, too. So if you’ve got one, it will look and perform better than ever.
Read our review of Marvel’s Avengers
3. LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2
There are many LEGO games featuring Marvel superheroes available on Xbox One – all playable on Xbox Series X/S, too – but we think LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 is the best of them.
As usual, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 has a story spread across many campaign missions, but the real fun is to be found in its open world. There are many puzzles and challenges to complete, unlocking a ridiculous number of Marvel superheroes and villains for you to play as. And of course, being LEGO game, local co-op play is supported.
It had some issues at launch, but most of them have been ironed out now, making LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 easily one of the best superhero games on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. And of all the games on this list, it’s perhaps the one most suitable for youngsters.
Read our review of LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2
4. Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3
If you love Marvel characters and fighting games, then you really need to pick up Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3.
It’s done the rounds now, but Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 is one of the best fighting games ever made. Remastered for Xbox One and playable on Xbox Series X/S thanks to backwards compatibility, it features sharper visuals and all of the original game’s DLC content. That means it has an insanely big roster of fighters including the likes of Iron Man, Thor, and even Spider-Man, and they all look better then ever.
In each bout you’ll assemble a team of three characters, and will fight one-on-one until someone has none left standing. The action is fast-paced and very flashy, and players will get a huge kick out of playing with their favourite superheroes. The follow up to Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3, Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite, is also available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. We thought it was pretty good, but it’s not very popular with fighting game fans.
Read our review of Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3
5. Batman: Return to Arkham
If you’re after the best superhero games on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, then Batman: Return to Arkham is an absolute must-have.
Bundling up Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City, Batman: Return to Arkham offers up hours of thrilling action as the caped crusader. You’ll explore locations, utilising stealth and your finely-honed combat abilities to take down goons along the way. You’ll also come face-to-face will well-known villains, hoping to put you out of action. Ultimately, the fate of Gotham City rests in your hands.
Originally released on last-gen consoles, there’s a chance you’ve already played Batman Arkham Asylum or Batman: Arkham City, however. If that’s the case, then jump straight into Batman: Arkham Knight, which concludes the story and looks noticeably better. It lets you get behind the wheel of the Batmobile, too, though it’s perhaps not quite as much fun as it should be.
In any case, all of the Arkham games are great, so if you’re into superheroes, you really should play them.
Read our review of Batman: Return to Arkham
6. Injustice 2
You’ll find Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 elsewhere on this list, but what if you want a fighting game with DC characters? NetherRealm Studios’ Injustice series has you covered.
While you can play the original Injustice on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S thanks to backwards compatibility, what you really want to play is Injustice 2. Despite being made for Xbox One it looks absolutely fabulous even by today’s standards, and is an absolute hoot to play.
All of your favourite DC superheroes are featured, such as Batman, Superman and Aquaman. Many of the DC villains are in, too, so you can beat them to kingdom come with your favourite hero. What’s best about Injustice 2, however, is that you can customise each of its fighters with pieces of gear that alter their stats. This RPG-like feature bolsters its single-player offerings in particular, making it great for fighting game fans that shy away from taking the action online.
Read our review of Injustice 2
7. Megaton Rainfall
Megaton Rainfall is perhaps the best superhero game on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S that you’ve probably never heard of.
Played from a first-person viewpoint, Megaton Rainfall casts you as a superhero, capable of flying at insane speeds and firing lethal energy blasts. You’ll need to chase down and destroy massive destruction devices. But be careful, as your abilities can easily topple buildings if you’re not cautious.
It may be an indie game, but Megaton Rainfall offers the ultimate superhero experience. Being able to fly through building and even rise above the atmosphere really does make you feel like an immensely powerful being. It may not be associated with Marvel or DC, but if you’re after the best superhero games on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, this really does need to be in your collection.
Read our review of Megaton Rainfall
8. Batman: The Telltale Series
While most Batman games are all about action, Telltale’s take on the Batman mythos studies Bruce Wayne in closer detail.
A narrative-driven adventure, Batman: The Telltale Series is all about dialogue choices and quick-time events. You do get the odd opportunity to do some investigation work as well though. More importantly, your actions determine how the story plays out, and it’s one that will have you doggedly working your way through all five of its episodes.
Batman: The Telltale Series was followed up by Batman: The Enemy Within, too, which we thought was even better. And more recently, a Shadow mode upgrade has been made available for both games, giving them a film noir look and improving texture quality. So, if you’re after a more cerebral superhero experience, be sure to give them a look.
9. LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 is good and all, but what if you’re not a fan of Marvel? DC fans might want to check out LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham instead.
Just like LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2, and all LEGO games for that matter, LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham features a story that unravels over many campaign missions. It also features a large open world, filled with things to see and do. But here you’ll be unlocking DC superheroes and villains, each with their own special abilities.
There’s local co-op play, of course, and as it’s a LEGO game it’s suitable for all ages. So, LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham is a great game to buy if you have kids, and you can even play alongside them. The two previous LEGO Batman games are also available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S if you want more brick-based DC action.
10. South Park: The Fractured But Whole
Do you like superheroes and comedy that borders on being offensive? If so, then be sure to check out South Park: The Fractured But Whole.
In South Park: The Fractured But Whole, Cartman and his friends decide to become superheroes so that they can strike at the heart of crime within South Park. As the new kid, that means you get to create your own superhero, choosing from a multitude of fantastic powers. And of course, you end up being involved in some ridiculous escapades.
Anyone that has played South Park: The Stick of Truth will be right at home with The Fractured But Whole. It’s very similar, but with a whole new superhero-based story. There are also tweaks to the combat system, making it more strategic.
Chances are you’re not going to feel like a superhero playing South Park: The Fractured But Whole, but its superhero-based antics will make you chuckle. That why it’s on our list of the best superhero games on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
Read our review of South Park: The Fractured But Whole
11. Crackdown 3
Take control of a super-powered agent and take down the terrorist threat plaguing New Providence, that’s the premise of Crackdown 3, a game that we like quite a lot.
Featuring the likeness and voice of Terry Crews, you can play the whole game as him if you wish, or you can change your appearance to that of any of the other agents that you rescue. Regardless, you’ll spend your time hitting TerraNova targets, developing your character as you go along. And by the end of the game, you really will feel like a superhero.
As well as being able to jump really high, you’ll gain the ability to boost in the air, too. You can also summon an agency vehicle which can change its form, and you have access to a varied arsenal that makes taking bad guys down fun. Perhaps the best thing about Crackdown 3 though, is that you can play its campaign in co-op. So, if you have a friend that also wants to be a superhero, you can take down crime and cause chaos together.
It may not feature any superheroes you know, but Crackdown 3 is a superhero game through and through. That’s why it deserves a spot in this list of the best superhero games on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
Read our review of Crackdown 3
12. Saints Row IV
The Saints Row series has always been crazy, but Saints Row IV really takes the biscuit by giving players superpowers.
With the crew finding themselves trapped inside a virtual recreation of Steelport, computer whizz Kinzie gets to work giving them an advantage so they can fight their way back out. Ultimately, that means giving your player-created character the ability to run at insane speeds, jump as high as buildings, utilise the power of the elements, and even fly. Needless to say, you’re effectively a superhero.
Originally released on Xbox 360 before being ported to Xbox One early in its life, Saints Row IV isn’t the best-looking game on this list. Still, it really is a whole lot of fun, so if you’re looking for the best superhero games on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, it’s worth a try. You can pick it up stupidly cheap new, too.
