How Is Batman Getting ANOTHER Game, But This Iconic Superhero Hasn’t Had One In 19 Years?

Batman’s popularity is undeniable. He’s brooding, marketable, has a strong premise, and is easy to build a game around. Gadgets, stealth, investigation, and hand-to-hand combat all easily translate into game mechanics. As a result, we’ve seen so many Batman games, with both a rumored new Arkham Batman game and the officially announced Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight this list is only expanding. Batman is clearly a fan favorite and his games are incredibly fun, especially the Arkham trilogy. There appears to be not slowing down for this iconic DC hero between mainline games, spin-offs, and films.

But Batman isn’t DC’s only hero and I’m tired of him getting all the attention. DC has had plenty of prep time to give other heroes a game to spotlight them, and now feels like the perfect time give one particular superhero a game for the first time in 19 years. I say it is time for Bruce Wayne to hang up his cape and cowl and for Clark Kent to don the iconic red and blue suit.

Why Superman Deserves a Game, Not Batman

The last true Superman game, not counting titles like Injustice or Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, where he has been featured, was Superman Returns. This Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 era-game was the last time the Man of Steel received his own game. Compare to this Mr. Wayne, who essentially gets a new game every couple of years. It’s unfair. Superman is easily one of the most recognizable comic book characters, not just in DC, but as a whole.

James Gunn’s Superman proves there is potential behind Clark Kent and that he deserves to fly high in a video game. The filmed proved that Superman is the hero who inspires others to rise above, to embrace all things good. He is a larger-than-life symbol who reminds us why heroes exist and matter in the first place. In comparison, I find Batman overrated, cynical, and someone that appeals to edgier aesthetics. He is gritty and morally gray in an era where this defines so many video game protagonists.

Superman as Power Fantasy and Human Story

When I first think of Superman, I imagine the iconic line, “faster than a speeding bullet, stronger than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.” Superman is one of the strongest comic book characters ever created, and a video game should reflect that. Fully embracing Superman’s power is key to making a game feel authentic to him and giving me what I want. I want to be able to fly across massive landscapes, battle powerful adversaries, and experience the thrill of saving lives.

This last part ties into the other part of Superman’s identity: his humanity. Clark may be a Kryptonian, but at heart, he is just as human as anyone on Earth. A game needs to dig deeper than Superman’s strength and invulnerability. I want to experience someone who struggles with identity and belonging, of feeling powerless in the face of tragedy. A narrative that blends world-shattering stakes with quiet moments of journalism, moral dilemmas, and navigating relationships. Superman’s game should bring light, hope, empathy, and tough choices about what kind of protector he wants to be.

The Challenges of Making Superman Fun (and How to Overcome Them)

Now, admittedly, this is a hard task. After all, there has yet to be a good and satisfying Superman game. His power innately makes it hard to balance. One answer is to make Kryptonite readily available, but this is cop-out and defeats the purpose of being powerful. The other is to add powerful villains who can go toe-to-toe with Superman, but again, this takes away from the aspects of being Superman.

The answer isn’t to strip away what makes Superman special—it’s rethinking challenge, tension, and stakes. Sure, Superman could single-handedly wipe out an army. But what if he had to choose between stopping a crashing plane or chasing a villain across a city? Is protecting one person, say Lois Lane, more important than saving 100? A game starring Superman needs to focus on moral dilemma, making tough choices, and managing prorities.

As for combat, there are numerous ways to raise the tension and challenge here. Powerful enemies could offer opportunities for players to unleash Clark’s full strength. Environmental hazards could pose situations where going all out could have unintended consequences and casualities. Instead of having to defeat a foe, Superman could simply move around the battlefield saving lives.

The fun in a Superman game shouldn’t just be in using his powers, but in how these powers are used. I’d much rather have a tight narrative-driven game in which I get to embody Superman over an open-world game where I just fly around beating up bad guys. Where Batman games focus on being the world’s greatest detective and putting the fear into criminals, Superman should have a game focused on being the world’s greatest protector and facing choices no ordinary hero can.

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