5 Superhero Games We Almost Got (And Why They Never Came Out)

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It’s no surprise that superheroes are popular in video games. Their exciting powers, colorful outfits, and dramatic stories fit perfectly with the fast-paced, action-packed nature of gaming, and many games have successfully let players experience being a hero. But making games is difficult, and unfortunately, a lot of promising superhero games never actually get finished.

Many promising superhero games have been cancelled for various reasons – from problems with development to financial difficulties or internal conflicts. It’s unfortunate, as some of these cancelled titles sounded genuinely enjoyable. Here’s a look at five superhero games that were never released and the reasons why players never got to experience them.

Daredevil: The Man Without Fear

Originally planned for release in 2003 on the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and PC, Daredevil: The Man Without Fear was being created by 5,000 Ft. and intended for publication by Encore Inc. The game would have followed Daredevil (Matt Murdock) as he investigated a gang war in New York City, triggered by what seemed to be the murder of Kingpin. The project began as a smaller game centered around key events from Daredevil’s past, but received more funding when the development team learned about the upcoming Daredevil movie starring Ben Affleck.

Development of the game was a bit chaotic, with ideas ranging from a sprawling open world like in Spider-Man 2, a repetitive gameplay loop reminiscent of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, and a visual style mimicking Daredevil’s echolocation. Ultimately, disagreements between Sony and Marvel regarding the story and how the game would play reportedly led to its cancellation. Fortunately, a playable early version surfaced online in 2023, offering fans a glimpse of what could have been.

The Flash

The Flash has been in a few video games, but a particularly ambitious project was planned in the 2000s. This game, developed by Bottlerocket Entertainment with Warner Bros.’ involvement, would have been an open-world experience centered around the Flash’s incredible speed. Players would have focused on quick movement and combat, facing off against many of the hero’s iconic enemies.

The game was originally intended to include appearances from popular heroes like Superman and Batman. Developed for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, early gameplay videos suggested a really exciting approach to the idea of super speed. Sadly, financial problems at Bottlerocket Entertainment forced the studio to close in 2009, cancelling all their projects – including the planned The Flash game.

X-Woman: The Sinister Virus

Created by Clockwork Tortoise for the Sega Genesis, X-Woman: The Sinister Virus was planned as a fast-paced action game featuring the X-Men. The story would have centered around Storm, Rogue, and Jean Grey as they journeyed globally to find a cure for a dangerous virus impacting all male mutants. Like other X-Men games, each character would have had special powers, but this game would have also given them the ability to fly.

Originally planned as a follow-up to X-Men 2: Clone Wars, a playable version of the game was showcased at E3 in 1996. It was meant to be one of the last games Sega would publish directly for the Genesis console. However, due to repeated delays, the project was cancelled. Shortly after, the development team, Clockwork Tortoise, broke up, leaving only a few screenshots published in gaming magazines as evidence of its existence.

Wonder Woman

A Wonder Woman game inspired by Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor seems like a perfect fit for a solo adventure starring the Amazon Princess. Announced in 2021, the game was planned to have a unique story rooted in mythology. A key feature would have been the Nemesis system – made famous by Monolith – allowing players to build individual relationships with characters, both friendly and hostile, throughout the game.

The game faced a lot of internal issues, leading to multiple revisions of its story and a rising budget. Following a difficult 2024 for Warner Bros. Games, including the disappointing reception of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, the Wonder Woman game was cancelled in early 2025 after Monolith Productions was closed down.

The Avengers

Originally planned for release in 2012 on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, and PC, The Avengers game was being developed by THQ Studio and Australia Blue Tongue Entertainment. While intended to launch around the same time as The Avengers movie, it wasn’t connected to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Instead, the game would have adapted the “Secret Invasion” comic book arc, featuring the Avengers battling the Skrulls, a race of shapeshifting aliens.

The game was originally planned as a four-player cooperative experience where players could take on the roles of iconic heroes like Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor. However, due to financial difficulties at THQ, the development team was shut down. Eventually, Ubisoft acquired the game’s assets and incorporated some of its ideas into their game, Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth, released on Xbox 360 and Wii U.

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2025-12-31 22:17