What Spider-Man Games are Backwards Compatible in 2024? The Comprehensive Guide
Wondering which past Spider-Man video games can be played on your current gaming hardware? As both a passionate web-head and gaming specialist, I‘ve thoroughly researched backwards compatibility for Spidey titles across Xbox and PlayStation platforms.
The verdict? 13 Spider-Man games are backwards compatible on Xbox One and newer models, while only Spider-Man (2018) and Miles Morales for PS5 currently work across PlayStation gens.
Below I‘ll break down exactly which titles remain playable on modern consoles, detailing how their re-released versions hold up. I‘ll also overview how backwards compatibility works across Xbox and PlayStation devices.
So whether you‘re feeling nostalgic for web-slinging adventures past or simply want Spidey action to tide you over until 2023‘s hotly anticipated Spider-Man 2, this guide has you covered!
At a Glance: Backwards Compatible Spider-Man Games
Before digging into the specifics, here‘s the full list of compatible Spider-Man games on contemporary gaming hardware as of 2023:
Xbox One/Series X/S Backwards Compatibility
- Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions
- Spider-Man: Edge of Time
- Spider-Man: Friend or Foe
- Spider-Man: Web of Shadows
- Spider-Man 3
- Spider-Man: Battle for New York
- X-Men Origins: Wolverine
- Transformers: The Game
- Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
- Transformers: Dark of the Moon
- Transformers: Fall of Cybertron
- The Amazing Spider-Man
- The Amazing Spider-Man 2
PlayStation 4/5 Backwards Compatibility
- Marvel‘s Spider-Man
- Marvel‘s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Now let‘s analyze Spider-Man backwards compatibility for Xbox and PlayStation more closely.
Decoding Spider-Man Game Backwards Compatibility on Xbox
Microsoft‘s dedication to backwards compatibility opens the door to playing a plethora of Spider-Man titles on contemporary Xbox consoles.
The Xbox One marked a renewed investment into OG Xbox and Xbox 360 compatibility, meaning over a dozen past Spider-Man games also work on Xbox Series X/S.
Revisiting these classic Spider-Man adventures fills me with nostalgia. It also impresses me how solid the graphics and gameplay hold up years later. While you‘ll miss out on modern gaming‘s visual pizzazz and extra polish, the core fun remains intact.
Let‘s explore what Spidey games shine amongst Xbox backwards compatibility line-up.
Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions
- Gameplay: Web-swing and brawl as 4 different Marvel heroes in an interdimensional Spider-Man adventure
- Release Date & Platform: 2010 for PS3, Xbox 360
- Metacritic: 72%
- Where to Buy: Used physical copies on Amazon or eBay for ~$15
To me, Shattered Dimensions stands out as the most creative and fun-filled Spider-Man game amongst its Xbox backwards compatible peers. Constructing unique comic book visual styles for different Spider hero incarnations makes levels feel flashy fresh.
The variety of combat moves and unlockable abilities also keeps brawling from ever getting stale across 5-6 hour experience. If I had to suggest just one Spidey game to play or replay thanks to Xbox compatibility, it would be this dimensional hopping romp!
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows
- Gameplay: Traverse through an open-world NYC battling Symbiote invasion
- Release Date & Platform: 2008 for PS3, Xbox 360
- Metacritic: 73%
- Where to Buy: Used physical copies on Amazon or eBay for ~$10
With Web of Shadows, developer Treyarch expanded Spider-Man 2‘s open world foundation into an impressively sizable NYC playground. Gliding and web-slinging felt freeing, made more impactful when wrecking havoc against marauding Symbiote enemies.
While rough around the edges, I have fond memories patrolling as Spider-Man and the darker Black Suit anti-hero. It satisfied my desire for urban exploration between story missions with plenty of collectibles and side activities. Given its scale and mechanics, I‘d love to see Web reimagined on modern hardware.
More Great Games Amongst Xbox‘s Backwards Compatible Spider-Man Titles
Beyond those standouts, there‘s worthwhile fun to find with other Xbox backwards compatible Spider-Man games like:
- Spider-Man: Friend or Foe – A kid-friendly co-op beat-em-up adventure
- Spider-Man 3 – Content-packed movie tie-in with multiple Spider suits
- X-Men Origins: Wolverine – Features a playable Spider-man level
- Transformers Cybertron games – Include surprisingly good Spider-man cameos
I‘m also shocked by how expensive physical copies of The Amazing Spider-Man 1 and 2 for Xbox 360 have become. Fans negatively received the titles upon launch, but with Activision no longer selling digital copies tracking down physical discs now runs $60+!
Their steep resale value speaks to Xbox‘s expanding library of playable Spider-Man games.
PlayStation Lacks Extensive Spider-Man Backwards Compatibility
Whereas 13 Spider-Man games enjoy re-release through Xbox compatibility, PlayStation backwards compatibility proves far more limited.
The PS4 plays nice with most PS1 generation titles but has near non-existent compatibility with original PlayStation 2 (PS2) or PlayStation 3 (PS3) games. This prevents reveling in PS2-era Spider-Man games or PS3 entries like Web of Shadows and Shattered Dimensions.
And while the PS5 fares marginally better thanks to PlayStation Plus Premium streaming select PS3 games, no classic Spider-Man titles appear officially supported.
That leaves only acclaimed PS4 exclusives Spider-Man (2018) and Miles Morales (2020) as PlayStation‘s backwards compatible offerings. Their refined graphics, fluid combat, and flashy set-pieces shine brightly even in the looming shadow of 2023‘s Spider-Man 2.
I‘m happy these two excellent adventures live on for PS5 owners. Still, Spidey fans like myself yearn to replay countless other PlayStation-born web-slinging titles.
Here‘s a consolidation backwards compatible Spider-Man games across the full breadth of Xbox and PlayStation consoles:
| Platform / Console | Original Xbox | Xbox 360 | Xbox One | Xbox Series X/S | PS1 | PS2 | PS3 | PS4 | PS5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spider-Man Games | None | 13 Titles | 13 Titles | 13 Titles | None | None | None | Spider-Man, Miles Morales | Spider-Man, Miles Morales |
Preserving Spider-Man Gaming‘s Past for Future Generations
Gaming‘s eliminate barriers to revisiting both all-time classics and hidden gems from yesteryear.
From a preservation standpoint, Xbox deserves praise for its extensive commitment expanding backwards compatibility. As PlayStation experiments with streaming legacy libraries, I dream of bygone Spider-Man console exclusives reaching new gamers.
Some may argue visual aging or clunky mechanics rightly leaves certain Spider-Man titles retired to nostalgia. Yet I believe even flawed games granting us special Spidey moments deserve potential second lives.
Here‘s hoping the future brings further backwards compatibility and remastering opportunities. With renowned sequels like Spider-Man 2 fast approaching, no better time exists celebrating PlayStation and Xbox‘s web-slinging past.
Let me know your favorite backward compatible Spider-Man games or if you have any other questions! Excelsior!
