This game is one of my favorite comic book and DC comics games of all time; it's also one of the only good games based on the Man of Steel in my book. And this game is another childhood gem, as I played this game when I was about 8 and I was just getting into the "Superman" franchise from seeing the 80's Ruby Spears cartoon, movies and of course reading the comics. And as an adult I'm still a "Superman" fan and I still play this game.
The plotline of the game is simple as it's like most of the plotlines from the comic series as there is an alien threat that is trying to take over the Earth and of course Superman to the rescue. That's really it in a nutshell but I'm fine with that, like any video arcade game we were all coming for the action and of course this game thrust you in faster than a speeding bullet.
The graphical presentation is great, from how well colored and detailed it's accurate to the comic series which helps enhance the feel of the comic series comic to live on the video game scene. From the background to the character models from Superman to even the clone counterpart for a second player to play. That clone counterpart I thought was interesting because he looks like another character from the DC comics roaster "Captain Marvel" (Shazam) as he has the red suit and gold cape and chest emblem.
The gameplay is solid, the game is kind of a single plane brawler in the same vein as games like "Kung Fu Master" and "Ninja Warriors Again". However, what makes this game different is that there is a bit of variation in the point A to B, but also the fact that your character can fly. This was cool and made sense as it was Superman after all, he wouldn't keep his feet on the ground for long. It was cool having the freedom to fly around all over the screen, not having to worry about being always on the ground.
And of course, you're going to need this freedom as the enemies also fly around also and can fill up the screen fast, there a good/decent variety well designed and each have their abilities and attacks. Like one of them on the ground who is a big boss type he is obviously an homage to "The Incredible Hulk" but a bad guy and ugly, in a way fighting him is the closest we'd have to a fan battle between the two. Another is one that turns to stone who are the flunkies to watch out for the most, not that you can't take them out but they're not that easy to take out as their form makes them able to take plenty of hits.
You have your punch and kick, it's cool whenever you deliver them just to see your opponent fly away from the impact. But one of the things you can do that makes the game unique is that you can execute a power blast. You hold the punch button down long enough for your arm to charge up and then you basically discharge a kamama. This power blast can take out several flying flunkies and obstacles but also drain stronger enemies. There are some power ups which consist of these crystals. Some of them are just to gain points but others they can build you up, help make your power blast even more powerful.
I like how the game is formatted as there is little variation. You not just go from point A to B horizontally but also there are sequences where you fly up and descend. Those two sequences by their nature are moving stages only here you don't have a moving platform doing the work but yourself with your flying ability.
It's also kind of by its nature two games in one, as there are horizontal consistent flying stages that play out like a shoot em up. Those stages were decent, they're like any shoot em ups you've played but here you're playing "Superman" using his heat vision.
Really like the music in the game which is based on the John Williams score from the movies and it is awesome as it is spot on accurate but most importantly good in its own way which shows how timeless and universal the score truly is.
The only bits of turbulence the game has are for one the fundamental problem most brawlers suffer from which is in being a little repetitive. Which is why I wish the game had a little more enemy variety or something else to the stages. Another thing is there aren't any memorable bosses as it mainly consists of generic bosses, this was kind of a lost opportunity as they easily could have consisted of the rogues from the comic series. However, I can't say this was a big loss as it wouldn't make sense story wise for these rogues to help the alien race to destroy and conquer their planet.
It would be cool if this game got rereleased somewhere in the future, that is if they can somehow get certain things sorted out. But mainly, I'd love to see a sequel to this game; I don't see a reason why this can't happen and with the recent "TMNT Shredder's Revenge" it's possible. For graphical presentation we could have two modes, the presentation from this game and the recent style that would look even closer to the comic but corollate with the present graphical standards. We can have more variety in the stages like one stage could be a three-dimensional shooter like "Space Harrier" which would be awesome.
For the good guys we could have four players possibly more, which would consist of other DC heroes like "Green Lantern" and others. As well as the rogue gallery that could consist of rogues from the "Superman" comics or the DC verse. Make the plotline where the villains all work together by forming the "Legon of Doom" and all try their hand in hostile world takeover and it's up to Superman and the rest of the Justice League to stop them. Thoughts to consider anyway, let alone we haven't had another Superman video game (good one) in years so it would be a good change of pace.
"Superman" soars high in the arcade.
Rating: 3 stars.
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