There may be some weird kind of Marvel backlash going on at the moment but there is no question that the superhero genre is alive and kicking. Recent releases, such as Deadpool and Wolverine have shown that there is a greater scope than the original MCU was given and a real appetite from the fans for different kinds of stories.

The crossover of media also works the other way, of course. Some of the biggest TV shows have their origins in comic books, showing that there is still a very big audience for this kind of stuff. Luckily, there are plenty of superheroes still to be fully realized on screen or within the gaming world.

Many of the biggest superhero characters have already featured in their own games – or as part of other titles. But with gaming remaining incredibly popular, and some characters featuring in esports you can bet on with a Bovada mobile app, the potential for more top-drawer games seems limitless. Here are a few superheroes who we think deserve a better video game.

Iron Man

Fans of the original comic books may have been surprised in the early 2000s when Iron Man became essentially the catalyst for the Marvel movie boom. It is not as though this character didn’t enjoy a wide and dedicated fanbase, but he didn’t seem like a top-tier character to kickstart the MCU revolution.

There have been a few Iron Man games in the past, of course. But they have never really taken off in the gaming community in the same way as the character did with movie fans. There is a huge array of enemies that could be drafted in for gaming purposes and the arsenal and abilities of Iron Man ensure that any title would be visually spectacular rating high on the user experience scale.

Black Panther

When the original Black Panther movie was released in 2018 it catapulted the character from a well-loved but possibly little-known superhero into a cultural phenomenon. In what was regarded as a very monocultural world, Black Panther opened up the MCU to a much wider audience and showed that a movie with a predominantly Black cast could be incredibly successful.

The fact that in the six years since that first movie was released, there has not been a game showcasing the character is quite the mystery – especially considering there has been an equally successful sequel as well. The scope and look of the films provide the opportunity for all kinds of sandbox games that this iconic character deserves.

Blade

Think about the character, location, and storyline of the Blade films and now take a minute to wonder why there have not been any good video games released based on the adventures of this vampire/human hybrid. Everything about Blade screams out video game and there is a huge audience of devoted fans who would dearly love to explore the dark nights of a fictionalized Los Angeles.

The look of a good Blade game would be the main attraction – all moody, dark, urban settings and neon lights. Add to that the martial arts and sword skills of the protagonist and you can take all of our money right now! There were a couple of games released at the beginning of the millennium but the time for a new title is now upon us, especially with the prospect of a reboot movie coming in 2025.

Deadpool

We get it that a Deadpool game does not have quite the universal appeal of Spider-Man 2, for example, but this is another character who has exploded into the mainstream thanks to some hugely popular movies. For what was already a fairly popular – if niche – character, the Ryan Reynolds films have sent Deadpool into another orbit.

As with many of the superhero characters profiled here, there have been a number of games that, at the very least, featured Deadpool. But, with the range of characters available to utilize, and the freedom that the R-rated exploits provide, a new standalone Deadpool video game seems almost a necessity.

Aquaman

The response to the sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom may not have been overly encouraging, but that should not necessarily be a reason not to develop a game worthy of a character who gained a lot of new fans thanks to Jason Momoa’s portrayal of the sub-aquatic strongman.

Like many of the examples we have already given, the setting for any potential Aquaman game is a real attraction here. The ocean worlds give Aquaman something different from the vast majority of superhero titles and could look visually stunning. Back that up with a good storyline and exploit the fondness out there for Momoa and this could be a somewhat surprising success.

Luke Cage

When the Luke Cage series was released on Netflix in 2016, this character earned a whole new audience that may have previously been unaware of his position within the MCU. Two seasons of the show proved very popular and, much like Deadpool, a slightly edgier tone would seem perfect for a move into gaming.

The music used in the TV series was very important to the feel of the show and that is something that could be expanded on in a game. The setting of the tough streets of New York City would also be perfect for the look of a video game title. Fellow Defenders Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Iron Fist could also be included – but setting Luke Cage as the main protagonist would be a good idea in our opinion.