Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Spider-Man on the Game Boy Color delivers a surprisingly robust platforming experience, blending linear progression with the freedom to tackle levels in the order you choose. You’ll dive into locations ranging from the bustling city streets to the winding sewers and industrial docks, each teeming with thugs, mutated creatures, and mechanical traps. The non-strictly linear structure means you can revisit earlier stages once you’ve gained new abilities, opening up hidden areas and bonus challenges.

Combat is simple yet satisfying, with Peter Parker using a mix of kicks, punches, and web-based attacks to clear enemies off the screen. As you defeat foes, Spider-Man gains experience points and levels up, unlocking new fighting moves that add depth to the brawling. Timing your attacks and managing the cooldown on web balls keeps encounters engaging, especially when waves of enemies force you to think on your feet.

Spider-Man’s signature powers shine through in the gameplay loop. Swinging between rooftops is more than a visual flourish—it allows you to reach higher platforms, bypass hazards, and survey the environment for hidden pickups. Clinging to walls offers stealthy vantage points, while web balls can immobilize enemies or activate distant switches. The built-in spider-sense mechanic alerts you to nearby secrets and incoming threats, adding a layer of tactical awareness to each level.

Boss battles serve as highlight moments, pitting you against familiar antagonists such as Venom, the Lizard, and the Hobgoblin. Each boss demands a unique approach—whether it’s dodging venomous attacks or identifying the right moment to strike—ensuring that these encounters feel distinct and memorable. Overall, the gameplay strikes a solid balance between exploration, combat, and boss showdowns.

Graphics

For a Game Boy Color title, Spider-Man boasts vibrant sprite work and detailed backgrounds that capture the essence of Marvel’s iconic heroics. The color palette is well-chosen, with bold reds and blues making Spider-Man stand out against gritty urban backdrops. From the grime of subway tunnels to the eerie greens of Dr. Curt Conners’ lab, each environment feels thoughtfully designed within the hardware’s limitations.

Character animations are fluid, especially during swinging sequences and combat. Spidey’s acrobatic flips and web throws convey a genuine sense of weight and motion, while enemy sprites display a surprising level of individuality—grunts, robotic drones, and mutated henchmen all look distinct. Even large bosses like Venom fill the screen with imposing detail, emphasizing the scale of those climactic battles.

Level layouts incorporate parallax scrolling and layered foreground elements, giving an impression of depth that enhances immersion. Minor effects, such as flickering lights in a subway car or dripping water in the sewers, add atmosphere without taxing the system. Though the resolution is modest, smart use of shading and sprite outlines keeps everything clear and readable, ensuring you never lose track of Spider-Man amidst the action.

The UI is clean and functional: health bars, web-ball counters, and level indicators are unobtrusive yet informative. Menus are straightforward, making it easy to manage power-ups and track progression. Overall, Spider-Man’s graphics deliver a polished look that rivals many contemporaries on the same platform.

Story

The narrative kicks off with an explosive lab accident at Dr. Curt Conners’ facility, setting off a chain of events orchestrated by a mysterious villain. As Peter Parker dons the Spider-Man suit, you’re drawn into a plot that intertwines classic comic book drama with the looming threat of the alien symbiote. Early cutscenes establish stakes quickly, motivating your journey through New York’s underbelly.

Throughout the adventure, you’ll face a lineup of arch-nemeses who each bring their own flair and motivations. The Lizard’s desperation and Venom’s relentless pursuit mirror the darker corners of the symbiote storyline, while the Hobgoblin’s cunning traps keep you on edge. Each encounter advances the plot, weaving in dialogue snippets and in-engine moments that reinforce Spider-Man’s role as both superhero and protector of innocents.

While the handheld format limits extensive storytelling, the pacing remains tight. Non-linear access to certain levels doesn’t dilute the narrative drive—rather, it empowers you to uncover bits of lore in any order, piecing together clues about the mastermind behind the chaos. NPC interactions and environmental storytelling, like graffiti warnings in the sewers or news tickers on city billboards, enrich the world without interrupting gameplay.

By the time you reach the final showdown with the symbiote-enhanced villain, the stakes feel personal. The blend of science-gone-wrong themes, Peter Parker’s sense of responsibility, and the franchise’s iconic rogue’s gallery culminate in a satisfying narrative arc that punches above its handheld pedigree.

Overall Experience

Spider-Man for the Game Boy Color offers a comprehensive package that will appeal to both platformer enthusiasts and Marvel fans alike. The balance of free-roaming exploration, varied combat, and strategic web-based abilities keeps each level fresh. Progression through a skill-based leveling system provides a tangible sense of growth as Spidey learns new moves and becomes better equipped to face tougher foes.

The game’s replay value is noteworthy—returning to earlier stages with enhanced powers reveals hidden paths, secret bosses, and collectible bonuses that encourage multiple playthroughs. Side challenges, such as time trials or debris-clearing missions, add optional depth for completionists. Even on shorter play sessions, Spider-Man’s quick stage transitions make it easy to pick up and put down without losing momentum.

Audio complements the visuals with catchy tunes and punchy sound effects, ensuring that web swings and landings feel impactful. While the Game Boy Color speakers have their limits, the music tracks convey a sense of heroic adventure that aligns with the gameplay’s upbeat tempo.

In summary, Spider-Man on the Game Boy Color stands out as a well-rounded action-platformer boasting tight controls, intelligent level design, and a faithful interpretation of the Spider-Man mythos. Whether you’re reliving childhood memories or discovering the wall-crawler for the first time on retro hardware, this title delivers an engaging experience that’s difficult to put down.

Retro Replay Score

7/10