Microsoft does not have a shining diamond exclusive to mirror that of Sony’s Spider-Man game from Insomniac Games. Such was its success on the PS4 that Sony purchased the studio making it a subsidiary in 2019, meaning that Spidey fans will likely need a Sony console if they want to play as the Marvel hero in the future.

That said, there are still plenty of solid Xbox games — third-party and exclusive — that fit the idea of what a superhero game should be. Some might be stretches, but they embody what it is to be a superhero in a video game. All of these titles are available on Xbox consoles, whether they appear on it natively or through backward compatibility.

Updated November 6, 2021 by Michael Llewellyn: It’s unfortunate that the Xbox doesn’t have its own exclusive superhero title beyond the Crackdown series. It can be argued that the Xbox console does need its own Spider-Man, especially after the reports of Microsoft showing an interest in acquiring WB studios earlier in the year.

Thanks to Game Pass and some new third-party releases, the superhero library is still a healthy one on the Xbox with lots of titles to choose from. There is more coming from WB Studios with the upcoming release of Gotham Knights and the Suicide Squad game. In the meantime, there are lots of superhero games across several genres to choose from on the Xbox.

Disclaimer: This list is in no particular order.

13 Guardians Of The Galaxy

  • Released: 2021
  • Developer: Eidos Montreal

In many ways, Guardians of the Galaxy feels like an apology to fans that bought into 2020’s Marvel’s Avengers video game from Square Enix. Marvel’s Avengers wasn’t a terrible game but its best elements are in the single-player story mode.

As a result, most fans wished that the developers released a game that focused entirely on the story rather than its multiplayer. That’s where Guardians of the Galaxy comes in. Not only is it much better than the Avengers game but it’s a great superhero game in its own right. It’s a more focused action game with unlockable skills rather than trying to be an RPG-lite mechanics of its predecessor. It’s a fun title with an amazing 80s soundtrack making it a worthy addition to a superhero fan’s collection.

12 Batman: A Telltale Series - Shadows Edition

  • Released: 2019
  • Developer: Telltale Games

After playing Rocksteady’s Arkham games, jumping into Telltale’s Batman series may seem a little jarring. As an episodic graphic adventure series, Telltale’s Batman is entirely focused on the story with occasional quick-time events but your choices will change the outcome of the story.

The Shadows Edition combines the first Telltale Batman game released in 2016 and 2017’s The Enemy Within. It’s the latter that is a better game, however, with more meaningful choices, a better script full of twists and surprises, and a fantastic portrayal of The Joker.

11 Guardians Of The Galaxy: The Telltale Series

  • Released: 2017
  • Developer: Telltale Games

Released in 2017, Guardians of the Galaxy by Telltale is another graphic adventure game like their Batman and Walking Dead series that focuses on story over action. Once again player choices are meaningful and can change the outcome of certain story events.

As with the 2021 action game from Square Enix, this game’s story isn’t connected to the MCU, but it has a more comic book feel. The character designs and animations won’t wow fans of the team but the story remains intriguing and offers up some genuine surprises throughout its 5 episode adventure.

10 Batman: Return To Arkham

  • Released: 2016
  • Developer: Rocksteady Studios

The entirety of the Batman: Arkham games are available to play on the Xbox. While Batman: Arkham City is from the previous generation, it is the best among the three primary games.

This collection comes with Arkham City and its predecessor, Arkham Asylum. The former is an open-world Batman game that did the license justice like no video game adaptation before it, offering exhilarating combat, a good story, and tons of nods fans will enjoy.

9 Injustice 2

  • Released: 2017
  • Developer: NetherRealm Studios

The Mortal Kombat studio has proven it knows how to make stories work in a fighting game. With the first Injustice game and its sequel, NetherRealm also proved it could do it with DC’s line of comic characters.

Injustice 2 is not as dark as Mortal Kombat, but it strikes a mature tone that complements the source material. This game knows what it’s doing while still feeling true to the characters.

8 DC Universe Online

  • Released: 2011
  • Developer: Dimensional Ink Games

This MMO has been going strong since 2011. The only release that has been shut down is the PS3 version but other than that, DC Universe Online is thriving.

You can create your very own superhero in the DC universe and then fight alongside some of the greats. As this is its tenth year, one can be assured there is plenty of content to go through even on the free version.

7 Disney Infinity 2.0

  • Released: 2014
  • Developer: Avalance Software

This second entry into the Disney Infinity series focused on Marvel characters. This was around the time when the first Avengers film wrapped up and Guardians of the Galaxy was in theaters.

There were so many characters to choose from and it was fun for the whole family. Nowadays, tracking the game and figures down may be tricky, however, the search is worth it for just the toys.

6 Marvel’s Avengers

  • Released: 2020
  • Developer: Crystal Dynamics

Marvel’s Avengers is the latest superhero game that has hit consoles. In fact, it’s now on new generation systems, the Xbox Series X and PS5. Marvel’s Avengers is a Destiny-like take on the brawler genre.

It’s been something of a controversial title with promises being broken and updates frustrating fans. However, the single-player content is still worth a look especially as the game is now available on Xbox Game Pass.

5 Lego Marvel Super Heroes

  • Released: 2016
  • Developer: Traveler’s Tales

Lego Marvel Super Heroes is the ultimate Marvel game for the whole family, assuming a person doesn’t mind seeing a bunch of blocks explode.

The game’s biggest selling point is that it comes with a huge roster of heroes and villains who are playable. This title is a love letter to the Marvel universe through and through. The sequel followed in 2017 but it’s the first game that’s considered the better of the two.

4 South Park: The Fractured But Whole

  • Released: 2017
  • Developer: Ubisoft

The first South Park RPG proved that a good game could be made based on the show. While that game focuses on fantasy aspects, South Park:

The Fractured But Whole is a pure superhero parody. Of the two, the first game tends to be regarded as the better game, although not by much. The Fractured But Whole is still a good superhero RPG with jokes and references aplenty that most fans will get a kick out of.

3 Crackdown 3

  • Released: 2019
  • Developer: Sumo Digital

This is a different take on the superhero genre but the Crackdown series overall fits. The whole premise is on playing as a super-powered cop, breaking down gang territories with extreme force.

Crackdown 3 didn’t live up to the high expectations of most fans, but it is included with Xbox Game Pass and worth a look for those looking for an open-world superhero title on the Xbox.

2 Sunset Overdrive

  • Released: 2014
  • Developer: Insomniac Games

Before Insomniac hit it big with Marvel’s Spider-Man in 2018, Microsoft locked them down for this Xbox One exclusive. Sunset Overdrive is also a different take on the superhero genre, this time looking at a zombie apocalypse.

That said, it has a lot of what one would love from Insomniac’s Spider-Man games, including bright visuals, humor, and, best of all, crazy gadgets and powers. Sunset Overdrive is an underrated gem for this console for sure.

1 Anthem

  • Released: 2019
  • Developer: BioWare

Anthem was another take on the Destiny style of gaming. BioWare’s game had a rough launch and has been abandoned, although it is not without its positives.

Anthem was often described as the best Iron Man game and because of that, it deserves a spot in the superhero realm. It’s like playing as Tony Stark on an alien planet. Try it out now before the servers inevitably shut down.