Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The heart of this 2002 Spider-Man adaptation lies in its side-scrolling platform framework, where Peter Parker’s agility and web-slinging take center stage. Players must deftly combine running, jumping, and the trademark spider crawl to scale walls and navigate the urban canyons of New York City. Each of the twelve main levels presents a fresh objective, from simply reaching the exit to locating trapped civilians and disarming time-sensitive bombs.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

Combat is straightforward but satisfying: standard punches, kicks, and web attacks are bolstered by collectible power-ups that upgrade web shot speed, strength, and spread. As you progress, every level culminates in a boss fight against a villain lifted straight from the comics. These encounters reward pattern recognition and careful timing, making each showdown feel like a miniature puzzle in its own right.

To break up the side-scrolling action, developers have inserted 3D bonus stages where the camera locks behind Spider-Man as he swings through the skyline. These segments inject a burst of variety, testing your reflexes under the pressure of tight camera angles and speedy obstacles. Additionally, photo-op moments scattered throughout the levels encourage exploration: hit the on-screen prompt in time and you’ll unlock stills from the movie in an in-game gallery.

Graphics

Graphically, Spider-Man leans into a bright, cartoony aesthetic that mirrors the blockbuster’s visual style. The sprite work for both heroes and villains is crisp, with smooth animations that capture Spider-Man’s signature flips and dives. Backgrounds feature simplified but recognizable New York landmarks, giving each stage a distinct sense of place without overwhelming the action.

The game also rewards exploration with unlockable movie stills. When players snap the right shots in designated photo zones, they unlock high-resolution images from the film. This gallery acts as a nostalgic time capsule for fans, showcasing the film’s costume designs and set pieces alongside your gameplay achievements.

While the majority of levels stick to 2D side-scrolling, the 3D bonus stages demonstrate what the engine can do with a behind-the-back camera. Textures become more detailed, and motion blur effects lend a fleeting sense of speed as Spider-Man rockets between skyscrapers. It may not rival fully 3D contemporaries, but the shift in perspective adds welcome visual flair.

Story

Loosely adapting the 2002 motion picture co-created by Stan Lee, this game places players in Peter Parker’s shoes as he wrestles with newfound powers and the moral weight of heroism. The narrative touches on key film moments—Spider-Man’s origin, his struggle with responsibility, and the climactic face-off with Norman Osborn’s alter ego, the Green Goblin.

Each level advances the plot in bite-sized chunks: rescuing trapped citizens reinforces Peter’s compassion, while dismantling bombs and chasing the Goblin’s henchmen underscores the high stakes. Dialogue snippets and text boxes between stages provide context, though they often feel like shorthand compared to the movie’s full cinematic scope.

Despite its streamlined storytelling, the game captures the spirit of the source material. Familiar supporting characters make cameo appearances, and boss fights against comic-book foes inject personality into the action. Fans of the film will appreciate the nods to iconic set pieces, even if the plot is trimmed to fit the platformer format.

Overall Experience

Spider-Man for the console of 2002 offers a compelling mix of classic platforming and superhero spectacle. Its manageable difficulty curve makes it accessible to younger players, while secret photo challenges and power-up hunts provide incentive for completionists. The controls are responsive, ensuring that web swings and wall crawls feel intuitive rather than cumbersome.

Though some levels rely on trial-and-error—particularly when racing against the clock to defuse bombs—the game rarely feels unfair. The visual variety between 2D and 3D stages keeps momentum high, and boss battles deliver peaks of excitement that punctuate the platforming sequences.

For fans of the movie and veterans of side-scrollers alike, this Spider-Man chapter is a nostalgic blast that balances faithful comic-book action with accessible gameplay. Its simple but well-executed mechanics, combined with unlockable collectibles, make it a solid pick for anyone seeking a hero’s journey across the rooftops of New York City.

Retro Replay Score

7.3/10