Big superhero games aren't going away, despite major release cancellations

People love to play video games that put them in the cowl of their favorite superheroes. Whether you're a DC fan who loves becoming Batman or just a big fan of the adventures of the Marvel universe, there's something exciting for everyone in the superhero genre. Luckily, there have been a variety of big releases that have taken some of our favorite Marvel and DC superheroes to new heights, redefining how we view some of the greatest heroes of all time. But not everything has been good for fans of superheroes, as a few major projects were unexpectedly canceled. To some, that signifies a change that could lead to studios moving away from projects featuring some of the biggest comic book heroes.

However, that couldn't be further from the truth. While the loss of games like Wonder Woman from WB Games and Black Panther from Cliffhanger Games are low points for fans, there are still plenty of games for superhero enthusiasts to look forward to. Players will still be able to get their superhero fix from a number of upcoming titles and current releases that are keeping things going strong. Don't count on video games hanging up the capes and cowls just yet. Here's why superhero games aren't going anywhere, despite a few major blows that rocked our universes.

Marvel games are cooking

So much happening in this universe

If there's one universe of comic book heroes that is keeping things fresh and exciting for gamers, it's definitely the Marvel universe. And the best part about it is that it doesn't solely have to do with any of the Marvel Studios movie releases. There's a wide variety of video game releases currently available and upcoming, based on different Marvel properties, with a broad range of characters showcased. Fighting game fans who love the Marvel vs. Capcom series have something familiar coming from developer Arc System Works with Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, slamming multiple characters together from throughout the Marvel universe into a 4 vs. 4 fighter. It's a game with a unique sense of style for these superheroes, but it's definitely a great spiritual follow-up to a legendary series that Marvel fans have loved over the years.

One of the most anticipated games for a while was the Black Panther game being made by Cliffhanger Games. Initially, multiple aspects of the Black Panther mythology were planned to be incorporated into the gameplay, including the choice of who would take on the mantle. But after the game was suddenly canceled, Marvel fans worried there wouldn't be another title to fill its place. However, many had forgotten that the upcoming Blade title being developed by Arkane Lyon was still in the works, originally announced back in December 2023. This third-person action game is set to reintroduce Blade to the public consciousness, while also bringing the world another major title with a black superhero lead, and highlighting the Marvel universe's underworld of vampires. While the Black Panther game would have had a similar impact following the popularity of the Marvel Studios films, there are a lot of people who love Blade as a character, which could lead to his game having a successful release on a similar level.

But does that mean Black Panther is just forgotten after his game is canceled? Not at all, because the Black Panther is still part of the upcoming Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra. While it may not be the king of Wakanda that people commonly know, it's still part of the mythology of Black Panther in a way that is interesting to superhero fans. The game is being made by Skydance New Media and is set during the events of World War II, with Black Panther teaming up with Captain America against the forces of Hydra. So even with the Black Panther game being lost, we won't be missing out on the character whatsoever. Other Marvel game releases may or may not include the character at some point, such as titles like Marvel Cosmic Invasion from Tribute Games that include multiple heroes from throughout the universe.

However, there's also what everyone is playing online right now: Marvel Rivals. This game made a huge splash on its initial release and has gone on to become a massive success. To many, Marvel Rivals filled a void left by other games, such as Overwatch 2 and Apex Legends. Hero shooters have become a popular genre, but many changes to the titles that were leading the charge were making players feel disenfranchised. Whether it was the balance changes or other factors outside the games themselves, people wanted to play something different. And when Marvel Rivals arrived on the scene, it instantly caught fire with fans. The game continues to find success through its many content updates, which add new content based on Marvel comic storylines and films by Marvel Studios.

Meanwhile, over at DC

The universe is shifting again

While the majority of superhero games coming out are based on the Marvel universe, that doesn't mean the DC universe is stagnant. The biggest loss for fans was the cancellation of Wonder Woman, a game that Monolith Productions was developing. The game was canceled in the wake of shifts at WB Games, which led to three studios being shut down, and was reportedly set to utilize the Nemesis system that Warner Bros. once used for the Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor titles. However, changing priorities within the company led to the announcement that Rocksteady Games would be returning to the Batman Arkham series.

Up until most recently, the only Batman-related game coming out was Batman: Arkham Shadow, a VR game for the Meta Quest 3 scheduled for release in 2025. Having the studio go back to making Batman Arkham games seems like the best move since each of the three releases from Rocksteady Games were so popular, despite games such as Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League not doing as well upon release. Without the voice talents of Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill reprising their roles as Batman and the Joker, it's hard to say if a new Rocksteady Batman game will have the same level of success as before. For now, superhero fans will just have to wait and see what happens.

Other heroes incoming

What's outside the big two

Luckily for fans of superhero games, there will be upcoming releases that involve the two biggest comic book publishers in the industry. One franchise thathas become extremely popular is the Invincible comics, which is set to receive a 3-on-3 fighting game for all platforms in 2026. Invincible VS, much like the Marvel vs. Capcom series, brings together characters from the comics and animated series into a big fighting game. The announcement of the game came from the June Xbox Games Showcase, which highlighted the fast-paced nature of the fighting, as well as how crazy combos can get. Main characters like Mark, Atom Eve, and others from the comics and animated show are announced, but it's expected that even more will make an appearance in the game.

Fans who love the show will be pleased that the voices for each character are performed by the actors from the show, adding another layer of authenticity to the game. While many would be quick to dismiss Invincible VS as a quick Marvel vs Capcom clone, the brutality and mature nature of the series on full display makes it stand apart from it. The three-character teams and swapping mid-round might be similar, but Invincible VS will have a very different tone in comparison. Between this and Marvel Tokon: Fighting Spirits, there will be no shortage of brawling for superhero fans looking to get into a new fighting game.

Superheroes aren't going anywhere

Superhero games are stronger than ever right now, given how much there is to look forward to and enjoy at the moment. While Marvel Rivals continues to make Marvel fans hyped for what new additions the game will see next, all the newer projects in development coming over the next year show that superheroes aren't going anywhere. Things may be heavy on the Marvel side of things, but DC Comics fans will eventually be getting their fix as well, with the promise of new games coming down the line in the wake of recent cancellations. There's definitely no shortage of heroics to be had and adventures to go on in video games. Fans will be fighting, shooting, and bursting their way through villains with their favorite superheroes for quite a long time.