She-Hulk: Attorney at Law has recently premiered, bringing both the green hero and his cousin to the TV for the first time in a while. Hulk does have a long history on television, after all. Not only does he have a legacy on TV, but also in video games.
He appears in games featuring The Avengers, but also has plenty of solo appearances. Superhero games can be a mixed bag, but there are some hidden gems in there. Just like the Hulk, there's some brilliant stuff beneath the ugly surface.
Fury of the Hulk (2003)
There are currently no images of this game available online, which is a shame. It sounds like one of the more unique Hulk games to exist. This mobile game was a puzzle game rather than a brawler like most others, but unfortunately, it's currently lost media.
There is only one source for the game's existence online. In 2003, IGN posted a scathing 1/10 review of the game. This is really the only record of the game given the developer's website can't be located. So while IGN did review it poorly, there is no definitive way to know how bad it was.
The Incredible Hulk: The Pantheon Saga (1997)
The Incredible Hulk: The Pantheon Saga was a PlayStation game based on the Hulk comics. It's based on the story arc where Hulk joined the super team Pantheon. Despite being based on an ensemble book, only the Hulk is playable.
In this game, Hulk brawls through standard beat-em-up levels and can execute special moves by using a gamma meter. While the game does offer difficulty options, many felt the game was too easy. It was also criticized for being repetitive despite its short length.
The Incredible Hulk DS (2008)
This DS game is one of many games based on 2008's The Incredible Hulk MCU film. The player controls Hulk as he jumps on top of the rooftops of around thirty side-scrolling levels. Hulk can grab onto most surfaces and can do a super leap.
These leaps and grabs are extra helpful, as most of the environment can be destroyed by crushing it. This builds Hulk's gamma gage and allows him to enter an invincible super form. But while this mechanic is cool, it did result in critics finding the game too easy as it was simple to get into super form, eliminating challenge.
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
The 2008 console Hulk game is more ambitious than its DS counterpart. It's a fully 3D open-world action game. Most of the game's action takes place in a destructible Manhattan, rather than Harlem as the movie did. The game's plot takes some inspiration from the movie but mainly has an original story.
Partway through the plot, a bunch of classic Hulk villains are unleashed. This splits the game between original missions and movie content but unfortunately, the game's boss battles were cited as horrendous in comparison to the fun open-world exploration and movie-based levels.
The Incredible Hulk (2003)
This Game Boy Advance title is also named The Incredible Hulk, but came out five years before the movie. I It covers the character's origin up to the creation of the Abomination and is an isometric beat-em-up where Hulk can grab items and enemies and throw them around.
Once again Hulk can build up a meter to access special moves, which can open up hidden paths leading to more levels. There is also an extra multiplayer mode where multiple Hulks throw stuff at each other in a mini-game challenge. The game was basic fun, but unremarkable to critics.
The Incredible Hulk Java (2008)
Ironically, the highest-rated game based on the story of MCU's The Incredible Hulk is a mobile game. It's a top-down action game that took cues from a previous Hulk title called Rampage! Like that game, it sees Hulk rampaging through military bases while fighting against a time limit.
Despite basing itself on an earlier game, this mobile game wasn't as well received. The game's graphics have less definition than its predecessor. Additionally, the game uses poor-quality scans of the movie's cast to tell its story and feels cheap.
The Incredible Hulk (1994)
The second ever game to feature The Hulk came out in 1994. It was released on the Master System, Game Gear, and Super Nintendo, but its Genesis version is the most popular. It's a side-scrolling platformer with beat-em-up elements. While there is a Gamma/Rage meter, it functions differently in this game.
The Hulk has four forms he can switch between based on the meter: Hulk, Super Hulk, Hulk Out, and Bruce Banner. The middle two forms are extra destructive, but Bruce can get into areas and solve puzzles only it can. Managing these four forms is what makes this one of the better Hulk games.
Questprobe Featuring The Hulk (1984)
Questprobe was a trilogy of early 80s graphic adventure games based on Marvel superheroes. The first of the series starred Hulk and Bruce Banner in their first video game appearance. The duo has been trapped in the lair of the mysterious Chief Examiner. They must find clues and solve puzzles to progress through the story and escape.
Given it's an old-school adventure game, the game is controlled by typing commands into PC console. The game was praised when it was first released for its graphics and depiction of its characters. Later re-releases saw more criticism of the game's dated mechanics
The Incredible Hulk: Rampage! (2006)
The Incredible Hulk: Rampage! is an extremely fun title. It's an arcade-style top-down action beat-em-up game originally released for mobile devices, but it can be played on PC as well due to being made in Java. While it has been criticized for its lack of background music, it's overall got solid reviews.
Hulk fights his way through a compound full of enemies where he can pick up and throw explosives to solve puzzles and bust down walls. Every once in a while, a dialogue box from Hulk will pop in with a quip on the situation. It's simple, but it's got an addictive gameplay loop for a mobile game from 2006.
Hulk (2003)
2003's console Hulk game is a sequel to the 2003 film. The plot features the Hulk villain The Leader unleashing an army of villains on the world. The plot takes a backseat to the excellent gameplay, though. The action is split between puzzle-solving levels as Banner and beat-em-up levels as The Hulk.
The game features a wide variety of fighting moves like punches, stomps, claps, and grapples to beat enemies and fill up a meter. When it's full, the range of Hulk's attack range is drastically increased which is the most fondly remembered part of the game, as reviewers felt the Banner levels broke up the action too much. This would be fixed in the game's later standalone sequel.
The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction (2005)
Ultimate Destruction was a successor to the 2003 console game and elaborates on many of its mechanics. The game does away with the Banner sections from its predecessor and instead focuses on tough and satisfying Hulk combat. The meter has been retooled into a "critical mass meter" that gives Hulk benefits from taking damage, allowing him to come back during a tough fight.
Additionally, Hulk can grab, climb, and throw almost anything in an environment. These really allowed the game to live up to its subtitle and address complaints of repetitive combat for the previous game. Additionally, between major missions, players can explore a full open world and collect comic books that unlock skins and cheat codes. Combining this with an original story by Marvel writer Paul Jenkins created the best game starring the strongest Avenger.