STAR WARS: EPISODE III – REVENGE OF THE SITH (DS/GAMEBOY ADVANCE/PS2/XBOX/PC)
The official movie tie-in for the movie of the same name, the game centers on Anakin and Obi-Wan at the close of the clone wars. Released on this day in 2005 by LucasArts and Ubisoft, the title found its way onto a number of platforms. A GameCube as well as a PSP version of the game were originally planned but were ultimately scrapped in favour of the other consoles. The PS2 version of the title was re-released on the PSN in February of 2015. The game is heavily focused on lightsaber combat, and takes the player through various missions over seventeen levels, following the path of the movie. Revenge of the Sith received mixed, but average reviews; generally positively however, as far as move-videogames go. Hovering between the 65% and 73% in average scores, the PS2 and Xbox versions of the title only received a 45% score. Maxim, however, rated them highest at 80%. Generally speaking the title was praised for its combat, but lamented for everything else.
SPIDER-MAN 3 (DS/GAMEBOY ADVANCE/PC/PS2/PS3/XBOX 360)
The Spider-Man umbrella is no stranger to video game releases; some movie related, some not. Spider-Man 3, is an action game loosely based on the movie of the same title. The game was released on a variety of consoles on this day in 2007. Much like Revenge of the Sith, versions for both the Xbox and GameCube were initially planned for but scrapped before release. The game expands on the movie, by adding extra characters as well as tie-ins from the comic books and greater Marvel universe. Enemies faced by players are different depending on the platform the title is played on; Xbox 360, PS3, and PC vs. Wii, PS2, and PSP vs. GBA and DS. However, all versions featured boss battles with New Goblin, Sandman, and Venom. Depending in the console the game was reviewed on, reception changed vastly. Generally speaking, the newer the console was at the time, the better the game was received, more or less. The game was criticized by many for not being the same on each system, despite the fact that it was that exact reason that gave some consoles better reviews than others. The Wii version of the title was listed as the 7th worst superhero game released by that point in time.
IRON MAN 2 (PS3)
Tis the season for Iron Man tie ins this week, as we turn our heads towards the Iron Man 2 venture. Released on this day in North America in 2010, the Sega-published game has an original story written by Matt Fraction. Unlike the other two titles in this list, Iron Man 2 is set after the plot of the film on the majority of its platform releases. The game utilizes celebrity voices, reprising roles from the film, and includes an exclusive song from Lamb of God. Unfortunately, despite it’s attempts at being a movie tie-in plus, the game was met with generally unfaourable reviews from all sources on all systems. Unlike the other titles in this list, newer consoles did not always net better scores, as the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions received as low as a 1.5/5 and a 2/10 respectively.
PSA: If we can learn anything from our looks at movie franchise video games, is that really we need to find a way for companies to learn they’re rarely a good idea–at least where superheroes and action movies are concerned. Unless of course it’s Lego-made, then all bets are off.
© Images Activision, Gameloft, LucasArts, Sega, & Ubisoft
Some other titles released on this day:
- Medarot: Perfect Edition- Kabuto Version (Japan) – Wonderswan – 1999
- La Pucelle: Tactics – Playstation 2 – 2004
- Elsword – PC – 2011
My Life, or Something Like It 