X-Men 2: Clone Wars
Originally released back in 1995 on the Sega Genesis, X-Men 2: Clone Wars allowed players to jump into the action as if they were in a colorful X-Men comic book. After an alien race begins kidnapping and experimenting on mutants, it’s up to the X-Men to save the day.
The game actually allows you to play as either Wolverine, Beast, Psylocke, Gambit, Nightcrawler, or Cyclops, but who’s really going to pass up on wreaking havoc as Logan? Each character plays differently and has different abilities and wolverine can lunge with his claws as well as being able to regenerate health as a nod to Logan’s healing factor. The game is certainly one to check out if you have nostalgic memories of the classic X-Men of the 90’s.
X2: Wolverine’s Revenge
X2: Wolverine’s Revenge was released to coincide with the second X-Men film back in 2003. Despite featuring Hugh Jackman on the box art, this is not a simple movie tie-in game, it’s kind of half and half. Patrick Stewart narrates the game as Professor X but the story is completely original and none of the characters are based on the likeness of any of the actors from the film. Logan isn’t voiced by Jackman, he’s actually voiced by none other than Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars films, Joker in the Arkham games).
The best part of Wolverine’s Revenge is arguably its story, which begins with Logan breaking out of Weapon X before he sets out on a quest to find a cure for a deadly disease. Along the way you’ll encounter a great roster of characters including Beast and Colossus. You’ll also get to go toe-to-toe against some of Wolverine’s most iconic enemies such as Sabretooth, Magneto, and even Lady Deathstrike. While you can go in claws first, the game often encourages players to use stealth to surprise enemies with devastating sneak attacks. Players can use Wolverine’s heightened senses to detect traps and health can be regenerated (though it’s painfully slow). The game also features loads of collectibles such as character bios read by Patrick Stewart and a selection of Wolverine’s most iconic outfits.
X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse
X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse was the 2005 sequel to the equally great X-Men: Legends. Like Clone Wars, Rise of Apocalypse allows players to play as a variety of characters from the X-Men universe, but this list is about Wolverine!
What’s great about this game is that it encourages you to play with your friends with up to four-player cooperative play. Each hero has their strengths and weaknesses so having a varied party is the way to go. The original game was a lot of fun, but Apocalypse makes our list for expanding on what made the original game great while also giving the players a greater sense of scale. This is definitely one to check out if your friends want to play as well.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Tie-in games are often cheap cash-ins, and given the poor reception the film got, you’d be forgiven for assuming this game isn’t worth your time. The irony is that this Wolverine game is arguably the closest you’ll get to feeling as badass as the character himself. Unlike the movie, this video game adaptation is seriously gory and really brings to light just how bloody fighting with claws would be. This is not one you want to let your kids play.
Featuring the voice and likeness of Jackman, the game mainly follows the plot of the film but goes into more detail, adds a few new locations and characters, and also allows you to unlock costumes from eras gone by. What’s great about this game is that it really allows you to feel as powerful as Wolverine is. Normal goons with guns pose no real threat to you and your healing factor and so the game will occasionally dish out a seriously tough enemy to remind you that while Logan is tough as nails, he’s not invincible. The healing factor is perfectly done. As you take take damage, Logan’s clothes and flesh will start to come away until you can see his bones and organs. Give him a chance to heal and you can then watch as his body regenerates in real time.
Lego Marvel Super Heroes
You may want to think twice before allowing any young ones to play some of the previously mentioned Wolverine games, but this is one that the whole family can enjoy. The Lego games are hugely popular among young and old fans alike, and rightfully so. Lego Marvel Super Heroes tells a vast story set in the Marvel universe and allows players to fight the forces of evil as many iconic characters such as Iron Man, Hulk, and of course Wolverine.
Each character has a unique set of abilities and Wolverine’s are well translated into the Lego universe. Not only can his claws rip apart Lego enemies but he can also dig for buried items and use his heightened senses to detect hidden objects. Each Marvel hero’s health is dictated by how many hearts they have but Logan can regenerate his once he’s out of combat. It’s an adorable way to witness the hero that is Wolverine.
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