Superman

The Good
Superman (1988) is loosely based on the DC Comics character and, the second Superman film. All of Superman's powers are, at some point, used in the game and you get to battle the likes of zombies, ghosts, Lex Luther and the Zod gang.

The Bad
Superman (1988) combines traditional side-scrolling action with some role playing elements. While this is a bit atypical for a super hero video game, it could have worked had the programmers gotten anything right. The sound effects and music are easily forgettable. The graphics are equally bad with everyone appearing as squatted, pudgy characters who all seem to share a fetish for green attire. The game's text fails to inspire and is often spelled wrong. Last, but not least, several aspects of this game seem entirely inappropriate for Superman. Superman does not need to take the subway. He does not need to collect special crystals to use his many super powers. He does not talk to the Statue of Liberty, much less live in New York City and he is probably not going to try to fix the New York Stock Exchange or pretend to be a Ghost Buster.

The Bottom Line
Superman (1988) has the potential to be a great game; combining side-scrolling, arcade action with role playing elements is actually a great way to bring the Man Of Steel into the gaming world. Yet, this effort fails on every objective test. Superman may not be an easy character to adapt for a video game, but comic book fans deserve better than this unimaginative effort. About the only good thing I can say about it, is that its not as bad as Superman for the Nintendo 64.