Way back in 1990, Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza created a brand new character for the ever-expanding Marvel Comics universe. The mercenary named Wade Wilson, better known by the alias Deadpool made his introduction in the pages of The New Mutants #98. Little did anyone realize then how much of a global phenomenon this character would become in only a few short years.
Plenty of quips, fourth wall breaks, and astounding comic book moments later, Deadpool has become one of the most popular Marvel creations of all time. His crude humor and willingness to poke fun at just about anything has endeared him to generations of comic readers, in addition to those who don’t read so often. Merchandise, cartoons, and movies, such as the highly anticipated Deadpool & Wolverine, set to release on July 26, have very much extended Wade’s reach across the pop culture spectrum.
Naturally, this has also meant that the Merc with a Mouth has popped up in more than a few video games over the years. While he’s a highlight of the titles he’s in more often than not, some of his appearances are simply a cut above the rest.
5. Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions (2010)
Despite traditionally being more of an X-Men character, as the mischievous mercenary that he is, Deadpool has encountered other heroes in the Marvel Universe within the gaming sphere. For instance, he appears in the 2010 action-adventure game Spider-Man Shattered Dimensions, voiced by Nolan North. While not an evil mustache-twirling villain, he does serve as something of an antagonistic force in the story.
The Deadpool featured here is based on his old Ultimate Comics incarnation and is the host of a Fear Factor spoof called Pain Factor. As such, he forces Spider-Man (specifically the Ultimate Spider-Man iteration) to go through a series of daring challenges in exchange for a piece of the Tablet of Order and Chaos. Spidey does so successfully, but Wade is a bit of a sore loser, so a boss fight ensues. When the dust settles, the webhead wins and gets his fragment.
All in all, Deadpool’s involvement in Shattered Dimensions isn’t too heavy, but his portion of the game is fun. As one would expect from the character, there are plenty of jokes and gags to keep the sequence entertaining, yet he’s no slouch when you have to fight him. This is an excellent use of the beloved Marvel Comics creation that plays all the hits and doesn’t overstay its welcome.
4. Marvel’s Midnight Suns (2022)
Compared to other Marvel games, Marvel’s Midnight Suns more or less flew under the radar for a lot of gamers. The tactical role-playing game features characters like Wolverine, Ghost Rider, Blade, and Captain America. It didn’t receive a lot of fanfare upon release, though it did garner relatively positive reviews from those who played it. Despite this lack of press, it wound up receiving downloadable content, including a pack dedicated to none other than Deadpool.
Deadpool, again voiced by North, was added to the game in January 2023 via the Good, The Bad, and The Undead DLC alongside three new missions. He previously took over the Midnight Suns X, or Twitter, page to advertise his imminent arrival. Wade comes with a handful of outfits, including his now iconic gray and black X-Force suit, a room in the Abbey full of posters from the Marvel Swimsuit Specials of the 1990s, and, naturally, one-liners to spare.
On a roster already chock full of Marvel greats, Deadpool is a welcome addition to Midnight Suns. Many of its characters are fairly no-nonsense, so he’s a breath of fresh air in this environment. While no one really likes paying for DLC, if you’re a fan of the character and Midnight Suns, you’ll likely find he’s worth the dough.
3. Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 (2009)
The original Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is a very enjoyable dungeon crawler featuring pretty much every Marvel hero you would want to see. That game does feature Deadpool as a playable character, but unfortunately, he doesn’t play an active role in the story. Seemingly aware of the character’s continually increasing popularity, the second Ultimate Alliance game from 2009 puts him firmly in the spotlight for a bit.
Deadpool pops up early in the Ultimate Alliance 2 campaign when you and your crew of chosen heroes arrive in Washington, DC. You’re all tasked with stopping a terrorist threat in the United States capital, but Wade doesn’t want to hear it. All he knows is that he wanted to see the cherry blossoms in bloom and the chaos of the situation is ruining his vacation. Fisticuffs ensue, and once the fight is over, Deadpool is unlocked as a playable character. This also opens the opportunity for fun dialogue options throughout the game between him and everyone from Wolverine to Stan Lee himself.
Deadpool is an absolute treat in Ultimate Alliance 2. His boss fight and the circumstances surrounding it are fun and appropriate for the character, he’s fun to play as once unlocked, and, graphically speaking, his character model looks excellent for the hardware. Of course, his alternate maskless costume is a tad nightmare-inducing.
2. LEGO Marvel Super Heroes (2013)
Much like the Ultimate Alliance games, the main draw of 2013’s LEGO Marvel Super Heroes is its expansive roster. From good guys like Iron Man and Hulk to bad guys such as Doctor Doom and Loki, the minds behind the game packed in an immense number of Marvel icons. Unsurprisingly among these is Deadpool, and while he doesn’t involve himself too much in the main campaign, he does have a neat overarching role in the game.
Aside from the story missions, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes features a handful of bonus ones centering on specific heroes and villains. The introductory cinematics are all hosted and narrated by Deadpool, who sets the stage for the mission you’re about to embark on. Additionally, the red power bricks that had become a staple of LEGO games up to that point used for unlocking extras have been renamed Deadpool red bricks. To purchase the extras they unlock, one has to go to Deadpool’s room on the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier. Collecting them all makes Deadpool playable.
Seeing as LEGO Marvel Super Heroes is aimed at children, this version of Deadpool is a bit different than most others. He’s far less crude, and his penchant for violence is very much dialed back to make him fit the LEGO style. While this may seem like a negative, in reality, this is an incredibly fun take on the character. His remaining characteristics, especially his fourth wall breaks, fit the LEGO Marvel Super Heroes universe so well, and those behind the game couldn’t have picked a better spot for him.
1. Deadpool (2013)
After just under a decade in the Marvel Comics spotlight, Deadpool made the leap to the movies. 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine brought the character to the big screen for the first time, portrayed by Ryan Reynolds, infamously botching him in every way possible. Thankfully, a mere four years later, fans were given a much more faithful adaptation of the Merc with a Mouth, but not at the cinema. Deadpool took the gaming world by storm in his own game, the aptly-titled Deadpool.
Deadpool sees Wade team up with the X-Men and various other characters in a fight against the mad mutant geneticist, Mister Sinister. Like a typical Deadpool comic, the story is full of twists and turns, goofy humor, and plenty of moments in need of a double-take. The action is also copious, with Wade making full use of his arsenal of weapons to dispose of his enemies.
Speaking strictly to the game’s depiction of the title character, Deadpool is a home run. Per usual, North is excellent in the role, infusing the written material with so much energy and prime comedic timing. He’ll even make fun of you if you suck. Deadpool is funny, capable in a fight, and as animated as he should be, amounting to a solid take on the character.
