8 Spider-Man Games That Still Feel More Fun to Explore Than Most Modern Open Worlds

With the recent Spider-Man: Brand New Day movie, it not only gives a fresh perspective on Tom Holland's MCU Spider-Man but also reminds us of how beloved this superhero is across various entertainment media. No matter who portrays him or which adaptation is considered better than the other, the point is that he's a hero who's the perfect example of the indomitable human spirit.

And in video games, the friendly neighborhood webhead has made an equally major impact. Which is exactly why I've put together a list that details the best Spider-Man games that (lowkey) still feel more fun to play and explore than some modern open-world titles, a genre that's equally rich yet has become an oversaturated mess in recent years.

8 Marvel's Spider-Man

When We Became Greater

Before you point your pitchforks at me, this isn't the sequel or the Miles Morales spin-off; Insomniac's first iteration of the beloved webhead from 2018, Marvel's Spider-Man, still remains, for many, one of the most replayable and enjoyable games of the current era. It only seemed fitting to start us off with this one.

They hand-crafted everything to near-perfection; the laser-focused storytelling (minus the MJ and Miles sections), the combat, the web-swinging. Hardcore fans might tell you otherwise on the web-swinging aspect, but c'mon, they really did a great job on their first go here.

And with the Remastered version, you can have an absolute blast playing the game from start to finish, along with the well-crafted set of DLC expansions. It pains me what happened with the sequel as well as the post-launch support for it, but that's also why the first game remains an unforgettable experience for everyone, one that outweighs the bloated nature of some current open world titles.

7 Spider-Man 3

The Overlooked Symbiote Power Trip

Insomniac laid a promising foundation with its version of a Symbiote-mutated Peter Parker, but that hardly lasted long enough to make a memorable impact, especially with such a rushed story. That's exactly why it only felt right to mention the third movie-licensed game of the Sam Raimi series, Spider-Man 3. And this is the PS3/X360 versions, just to be clear.

A lot of people regard this as the black sheep of the Spider-Man games, but I want to make a brief defense case of how it isn't necessarily (or objectively) a bad game. The game sort of complements the movie's mixed reception, if that makes sense.

The QTE-riddled gameplay can make for some hilarious moments if you tend to fail each one intentionally, and the overall writing, such as times when Tobey Maguire is needlessly yelling at someone on the phone, makes for a truly whimsical session. I implore you to give it a fair shot yourself with an open mind, and who knows, maybe you might grow to like it a bit like me.

6 Spider-Man (2000)

Why Less Was So Much More

This Spider-Man game released all the way back in 2000. You'll have people whispering in your ear about the DreamCast being a superior port, with the sharper textures, higher resolution, and even enhanced character models, but with the PS1 version, there are certain alternative means to play it upscaled, with some additions to make it feel even more modern. Pick your poison, honestly.

While this gem doesn't feature a true open world like today's superhero games, it still captures the thrill of exploration in a way that many modern titles struggle to match.

And that's mainly because every level feels handcrafted, encouraging players to poke around its rooftops, construction sites, warehouses, and secret laboratories for hidden comic books and alternate routes. The levels are compact compared to modern open worlds for sure, but trust me when I say that they're packed with personality and memorable set pieces that any Spider-Man fan will enjoy.

5 Spider-Man: Friend or Foe

Co-Op Chaos Beyond NYC

Right off the bat, I immediately wanted to clarify that Spider-Man: Friend or Foe was my most played Spider-Man game on the PS2 as a kid. Partly because of how enjoyable the 3D beat-em-up combat was, but mainly as a result of the excellent roster of villains and sidekicks that you got to play as besides the infamous web-slinger himself.

The game is obviously more linear than other entries here, with the level design, but these same levels hide collectibles like DNA Helixes and Keystones along with hidden paths that can lead to enemies or secluded areas.

And each of the characters I've mentioned that accompany Spider-Man, from the likes of the Green Goblin, Doc Ock, Black Cat, Venom, Scorpion, and Iron Fist, all have a varied skill tree that you can upgrade to unlock different abilities to use in combat. It may start to get repetitive because the gameplay formula never really changes, but the fun factor remains, especially if you're playing it with a friend or family member in local co-op.

4 Spider-Man 2

Sorry, Insomniac, but This 2004 Adventure Hit Different

One of the other Spidey games on the PS2 that I constantly played was Spider-Man 2, and yes, this one's specifically the licensed title that had Tobey Maguire voicing the friendly neighborhood hero. Despite releasing back in 2004, it still captures something that many modern open-world games struggle with: making movement feel like a reward.

The highlight for many at that time, and even now, is how this game incorporated a physics-based web-swinging model that demands timing and momentum, making every trip across the city engaging rather than feeling automatic or on-rails.

The city itself also has a surprising sense of purpose, since random crimes can pop up organically, NPC pedestrians react to Spider-Man's presence, and familiar landmarks make Manhattan feel alive despite the game's age. Obviously, there isn't an overwhelming amount of content by today's standards, but as a PS2 licensed game, it perfectly captured the feel of the movie.

3 Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions

Multiverse Magic Before it Was Cool

At a time when Batman was loosely transitioning to an open-world nature with the Arkham titles, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions became a perfect example of how focused level design can make exploration feel far more rewarding than wandering along an enormous map packed with repetitive objectives. And that isn't a jab at the Arkham series by any means, just an appreciation for this game in modern times.

Each of the four Spider-Men has completely different gameplay mechanics and presentation. Amazing Spider-Man has that classic comic-book-esque combat and sauce that we all love; Noir Spider-Man goes with the stealth route when navigating shadowy museums and warehouses; Spider-Man 2099 races through futuristic megacities at breakneck speed; and lastly, Ultimate Spider-Man shreds everything with the overwhelming power of the symbiote.

Every dimension has its own visual identity and gameplay mechanics, so exploring never becomes repetitive, and the pacing between all four protagonists is kept refreshing, which makes you excited almost every time you switch between them.

2 Ultimate Spider-Man

The Comic Book Style Comes Alive

If we're talking about a game that fully embraces the comic book art style as very few seem to do, then Ultimate Spider-Man is right up there. It's such a great Spider-Man game that I had a hard time deciding where to put this amongst the top 3 here. Right from the get-go, you just know it's peak, since we get to cycle between playable protagonists by playing as Venom, which is just scratching the surface here.

More importantly, though, this game also avoids one of the biggest problems with many modern open worlds: unnecessary bloat. The map is compact enough that every district feels worth visiting with both playable heroes, and there aren't hundreds of repetitive objectives competing for your attention. The only downside I can think of is that the main story progression is gated by side activities, which can make it feel a bit disjointed. Besides that, you have an almost perfect Spider-Man game here with such a unique art direction.

1 Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

Unmatched Airtime and Combat Freedom

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows is, quite honestly, the most fun you'll ever have in a Spider-Man game. No, it isn't just because of that meme of an intro, but actually because of the game's general quality. Everything here is just astounding to me: morality-based storytelling that flips the script depending on your playstyle or major choices, and a combat/maneuverability system whose stylish foundation is almost reminiscent of Devil May Cry.

And I said almost, because if you closely examine the absurd inputs that you can pull off in this game, you'll realize just how much depth they added to the action. The cherry on top is the way the city also feels surprisingly dynamic, thanks to its evolving invasion. As the story progresses, New York changes dramatically, with neighborhoods becoming overrun by symbiotes, civilians needing rescue, and rival factions battling in the streets.

The only real issue my friends also shared my slight disdain for is that the mission design can start to stagnate a bit. Still, even that gets outweighed by the game's positives, so don't worry about this absolutely peak Spider-Man game losing steam.