Marvel Super Heroes

Marvel Super Heroes is a 2D fighting game. A thematic sequel to Capcom's previous Marvel fighting game, X-Men: Children of the Atom, this game was the ancestor of the popular Marvel vs Capcom fighting game franchise.

In Marvel Super Heroes, each player takes on the role of a Marvel Comics character. In the basic game, players can choose between heroes like the Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Wolverine, Iron Man, Spider-Man and Psylocke. Representing the villainous side of the line are Blackheart, Magneto, Juggernaut and Shuma-Gorath. In addition, two unlockable boss characters, Thanos and Doctor Doom, are available to players who succeed in the game's single-player arcade mode.

Each character in the game has unique powers and attacks; as the round progresses, the character also builds up points in a "super meter" that can be spent to perform devastating super attacks. The first player to reduce the opponent's life bar to empty wins; if both characters are still standing when the game's timer runs out, the player with the most life left wins.

One feature that makes Marvel Super Heroes stand out from other fighting games is its use of Infinity Gems. These mystical artefacts -- as seen in the Marvel films -- confer special powers on characters, granting them bonuses to damage, health or other abilities. Some characters have special moves they can use when empowered by one of the gems. For example, when Wolverine receives the Power Gem he gains shadowy duplicates who attack alongside him, adding extra hits to his attacks. Final boss Thanos gets one potent special move for each Infinity Gem, reflecting the godlike power he gathers from them in the comics.

In the arcade mode, you can gather Infinity Gems by completing challenges; in two-player mode, the gems are rewards for performing certain actions, such as hitting the opponent with a special move followed by a super attack.

Like other classic 2D fighting games, Marvel Super Heroes has great depth and complexity and demands practice to master its complicated execution. Timing, spacing and practice are vital to gaining the upper hand in a match, as is knowing each character's particular strengths and vulnerabilities.

Pros

• Colourful Jack Kirby - inspired art
• Deep strategic play
• Fast-paced fighting gameplay

Cons

• Dated graphics
• High execution requirements