Highlights

• Marvel games are very popular in the world of handheld gaming, offering fans a variety of experiences on the go or at home.
• Guardians of the Galaxy shines but runs into a problem on the Switch, which shows how important the choice of platform is.
• From LEGO Marvel fun to competitive fighting game experiences, there’s a Marvel handheld title for every fan.

Wonder has a long and storied history in the gaming industry, and its popularity in modern times only serves to solidify the future of Marvel games. Alongside this, handheld gaming is becoming increasingly popular, be it handheld consoles like the Nintendo Switch or the constant accessibility of mobile gaming.

It’s no surprise, then, that there are plenty of excellent handheld titles available for Marvel fans, offering plenty of ways to experience a wide range of Marvel games on the go or from the comfort of your sofa. From fighting games to strategy games and everything in between, there’s never been a better time to be a Marvel-loving handheld gaming fan.

8 Guardians of the Galaxy

A great game, but with disadvantages on the Switch

Guardians of the Galaxy is based on the Marvel comic book series of the same name. It takes on the characteristics that made both the comics and the films so popular, with brilliant characters, a superb soundtrack, and striking, inspired visuals. All of this is coupled with fun and unique gameplay that uses a system where players can use Starlord to command other members of the Guardians to perform special team moves.

The downside, however, lies specifically with the Nintendo Switch version of the game. Although it’s the same game and has all the benefits of the other systems, both players and critics regularly have issues with the Switch version because it can only be played via cloud gaming. Players have reported performance issues and lag, resulting in an unreliable handheld experience that doesn’t capture the flair of other systems.

7 Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order

A fun and cooperative Marvel experience

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order is a Nintendo Switch exclusive remake of the popular Marvel Ultimate Alliance series. Released 10 years after its predecessor, it was welcomed into a gaming climate that loves Marvel media more than ever.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order draws inspiration from all Marvel comics and films. The character designs come directly from the comics, like the designs of Spider-Man and Hawkeye, or directly from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, like Rocket Raccoon. It combines this dense character roster with a striking and exciting gameplay that is made even more fun by the possibility of playing with up to three friends. Although it is simple, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order offers an exciting Marvel experience on the go and with friends.

6 LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2

A multiversal Marvel LEGO adventure

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 Continuing the fun and silly fan service of its predecessor, the game allows players to take control of their favorite Marvel heroes across multiple levels and the new open-world hub Chronopolis, all set in a comedic and family-friendly setting.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 is a critically acclaimed title that offers fun and creative takes on well-known and unknown Marvel characters. The game also introduces several levels that tie directly into Marvel films, including Black Panther And Avengers: Infinity WarDespite the game’s success, some players have argued that the weaker voice acting and the less interesting open world LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 as a notable step backwards from its predecessor. This opinion is confirmed by the different ratings for both games. Nevertheless, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 is a fun and light-hearted handheld title for any Marvel fan.

5 Marvel Contest of Champions

Intense fights and an extensive squad

Marvel Contest of Champions is a free-to-play mobile fighting game that offers an accessible and fun on-the-go fighting experience and features over 250 popular Marvel characters. While players may find the title simple compared to other, more competitive fighting games, there is no denying that Marvel Contest of Champions offers a fast-paced and entertaining casual fighting game experience.

The wide range of characters ensures that players are likely to find at least one of their favorite Marvel characters to play as. The Marvel license and the mobile nature of the game allow for an accessible and stylized fighting game that is perfect for players looking to get their Marvel action fix on the go or away from their home consoles.

4 Marvel Future Battle

The ultimate Marvel ARPG

• Platforms: Android
• Released: 30 April 2015
• Developer: Net Marble Monster
• Genre: Action role-playing game, dungeon crawler

Marvel Future Battle is a mobile action RPG that revolves around collecting and upgrading a variety of Marvel characters to tackle various content, be it PvE or PvP. The game features a diverse and extensive roster of over 270 Marvel characters.

Marvel Future Battle offers a deeper mobile experience than players initially expect. The game contains rich characterization with an ever-evolving meta that keeps players hooked. It is free-to-play and while it suffers from the monetization that many mobile titles have, the game offers players a wealth of content for both free and paid players. Additionally, the game features an extensive story and even prequel comics that allow for a narrative experience alongside the gameplay. The handheld format allows any Marvel fan to have an engaging and deep gaming experience on the go.

3 LEGO® Marvel Super Heroes

Equal parts funny and action-packed

LEGO® Marvel Super Heroes is one game in the long line of licensed LEGO titles that continue to have a beloved and loyal fanbase. As the first Marvel LEGO game, it is a monument to how vast and deep the Marvel Universe is, boasting a roster that includes the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, the X-Men, and many more.

It combines family-friendly humor and a simple yet engaging gameplay loop to provide a perfect, light-hearted, casual gaming experience when played on a handheld console like the Nintendo Switch. LEGO® Marvel Super Heroes features a large open world set in Manhattan. This large cityscape lets players live out their superhero fantasies, whether it’s flying around as Iron Man or swinging from buildings as Spider-Man. It combines the signature LEGO style with popular Marvel characters to create a fun title that’s perfect for handheld gaming.

A competitive fighting game experience

Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 is a unique title, but one that is still popular with gamers. It pits characters from the Marvel Universe alongside and against characters from Capcom games to create a truly unique fighting game experience. Its position as the third entry in the series allows Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 to build on the established formula of the first two games.

Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3The PS Vita version in particular allows for a deep and mechanically complex fighting game, all on a handheld console. The roster of fighters gives the game its unique selling point in the fighting game market and allows for unlikely crossovers, such as Phoenix Wright versus Wolverine or Wesker versus Thor. For Marvel fans looking for a competitive fighting game experience on the go, you can’t go wrong. Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3.

1 Marvel Snapshot

Card collection meets intensive strategy

Marvel Snapshot is a free-to-play mobile card game that combines an extensive roster of Marvel characters with a unique and strategic card battle gameplay, providing an immersive experience for both Marvel fans and players who enjoy the card game format.

Marvel Snapshot features collecting cards, building decks, and upgrading cards as the core of its progression. Players then bring their cards into play against other players or the computer, attempting to win rounds by having a higher attack total on most of the three lanes. Marvel Snapshot has modifiers on each lane that allow for a varied gameplay experience from game to game and require a good deck and a lot of strategy in each moment. Marvel Snapshot is praised by players and critics for offering a competitive card game experience with nearly 300 cards to collect and upgrade – all from the convenience of a mobile device.