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2009 was a huge year for comic book video games. We saw everything from third person action games, role playing games, and first person shooters. We saw ground breaking firsts and anticipated sequels. We fought as our favorite heroes and villains, and along side them. We saved the world and destroyed it too. We also probably threw a few controllers across the room in frustration, but we also got new comics spawned from video games that ventured into the medium to enhance our gaming pleasure. This is a list of the best and worst comic book video games of 2009.

Absolutely Forgettable…

G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra

This game is every comic book gamer’s worst fear: The rushed, low budget movie tie-in game. These games are notoriously bad, always just after thoughts pushed with major action movies, and unfortunately, most comic book games usually are derived from their major motion picture counter part. While this game, and others like it, aren’t completely unplayable, they certainly aren’t worth the $50-60 price tag. However, if you liked the G.I. Joe movie, or are currently enjoying Chuck Dixon’s IDW G.I. Joe series, then you might still want to pick this one up from a bargain bin somewhere.

Star Wars: Clone Wars: Republic Heroes

This game falls into a similar category as G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra, but from a kids TV show perspective. And the difference between this game and G.I Joe is that you won’t want to pick this one up at a discounted rate. Being a Jedi has never been a more boring and frustrating experience. I didn’t think it were possible to turn slicing clone troopers with a lightsaber into something lame. Avoid this one at all costs.

Dragon Ball: Revenge of King Piccolo

Namco-Bandi buying the Dragon Ball rights to Atari, and publishing a new line of DB games was an exciting announcement. Unfortunately, when their first game for the Wii dropped, a 3-D side scrolling beat ’em up, it dropped like a bomb. …or it was a bomb…or it was a dud…either way, the game sucked, unless you’re a small child, in which case the game was everything you could have asked for — simple, easy, and lacking any kind of depth.

A Few Surprises…

Watchmen: The End is Nigh

Allan Moore is quick to get all fussy about his comic book work being made into feature films, but how about video games? Watchmen: The End is Nigh was decent for what it was, but it wasn’t much. The game was originally just a small downloadable-only game (until recently when it was packaged with Watchmen: The End is Nigh Part 2) that had you, or you and a friend, take control of Rorschach and Nite Owl to epicly beat the snot out of gangsters and hoodlums. While a lot of people knew a Watchmen movie was to be released, I don’t think many expected a video game, let alone a decent one.

Marvel vs Capcom 2

It’s considered one of the greatest video games of all time, and it’s back on Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network. I personally was a bit disappointed that MvC2 didn’t get the HD Remix treatment that fellow Capcom fighting game re-release Street Fighter II got, but I was still glad to finally get my hands on the game instead of paying $80+ for a used copy for the PS2 or Xbox.

Welcome To Comics…

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Every now and then a game comes along that is so big it expands into different mediums.  Such is the case with Modern Warfare 2. The highly anticipated sequel spawned a six issue series, published by Wildstorm, that tells the story of a soldier and his journey into the hell that is war. The comic book/video game relationship has always worked both ways (for better or for worse) and we can thank games like Modern Warfare 2 for new and different comic stories to enjoy.

Halo: Helljumper

Halo is no stranger to comics, but this year Marvel launched a new mini-series, expanding on the game Halo: ODST,  about the 105th ODST division of UNSC Marine Shock Troopers. The series is penned by superstar writer Peter David, with art by Eric Nguyen. These Halo comics have been great, and aside from the erratic publishing schedule, Marvel has done a great job with the property. I expect Halo comics to stick around for as long as the games.

Best Of The Best…

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

This one could also fall under the “A Few Surprises” category. Where G.I. Joe failed, Transformers ended up being a great video game to a major action film. The game is just packed with level after level of guns blasting, and cars and jets racing through the city. It’s not the highest quality game you’ll find on the shelf, but if you’re a Transformers fan, then you’ll definitely be satiated.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2

There’s only one thing better than watching all your favorite super heroes team together to fight your favorite super villains, and that’s you teaming up with your favorite super heroes to take on your favorite super villains. ‘Nuff said.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Can it be possible? Three whole good movie tie-in games? What’s the world coming to? I’d say that this game is better than the film itself, but depending on your perspective that might not mean much. This is, however, the most satisfying dose of SKNITs and BUBs you’ll ever find in a video game. This is Wolverine the way he was meant to be — ass kicking, take no names, and absolutely hardcore.

Marvel vs Capcom 2

An oldy, yes, but this goodie will top any ‘best of list’ it’s involved in. It almost isn’t fair to the other games, honestly, because it’s just so good. With Capcom keeping the tradition of the 2-D fighter alive with Street Fighter IV, maybe Disney can set up a license with Capcom for Marvel vs Capcom 3. …Hey, I can dream can’t I?!

Batman Arkham Asylum

In my opinion, not just the best comic book video game this year, but one of the best video games this year period. This game was made for Batman fans. Everything from Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy reprising their iconic roles, to Batman: The Animated Series and Batman: Streets of Gotham scribe, Paul Dini, writing the story, to the amazing gameplay experience; this game is a fan’s dream come true, and does everything a comic book video game should: make us truly become the character.

What to look forward to…

2010 is already looking to be another great year for comic book video games with the recent announcements of Transformers: War for Cybertron and Star Wars: Force Unleashed II. DC Universe Online will be released on the Playstation 3, the Iron Man 2 movie tie-in will be out in May, Dragon Ball Online is expected to drop, and Activision has announced more Spider-Man games are on the way. And though a 2010 release has not been announced, we can definitely look forward to more news and details for Rocksteady’s next Batman game.

And all of that’s just the beginning! Who knows what other comic book dream games could possibly come true? What comic book based game do you want to see in 2010?

Andrew Hurst
andrewhurst@comicattack.net