Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Spider-Man 2 on the Nintendo DS delivers a tight blend of beat-’em-up action and light adventure elements, all wrapped in a pseudo 3D presentation. The game plays on a fundamentally 2D plane, but levels dynamically rotate around our hero, creating a sense of depth and fluidity rarely seen on the DS. Combat is rooted in simple but satisfying button combos, with Spider-Man’s web swings, wall crawls, and acrobatic flips providing both combat flair and platforming challenges.

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Each mission introduces new objectives—rescuing hostages trapped in crumbling buildings, defusing ticking bombs before time runs out, or navigating narrow ledges under fire. This variety keeps the pace brisk, preventing the core beat-’em-up mechanics from feeling repetitive. Boss encounters with iconic foes like Mysterio and The Vulture ramp up the intensity, demanding quick reflexes and strategic use of Spider-Man’s web-themed gadgets.

Exploration is limited but meaningful: hidden web cartridges expand your web-shooter capacity, while brief environmental puzzles—such as activating switches or uncovering secret passages—lend the adventure a light Metroidvania feel. The DS touchscreen occasionally steps in for quick minigames, like slicing wires during bomb-defusal sequences, adding tactile engagement without overstaying its welcome.

The learning curve strikes a nice balance between accessibility for newcomers and depth for veterans. Combos are easy to string together, but mastering Spider-Man’s full move set—web zip, air dashes, and wall-to-wall thrusts—reveals advanced tactics. Frequent checkpoints and generous health pickups ensure frustration stays at bay, letting players focus on the thrill of swinging through rotating stages and beating back waves of thugs.

Graphics

Visually, Spider-Man 2 makes impressive use of the DS hardware. Character sprites are detailed and fluid, with Spider-Man’s motion feeling particularly natural as he leaps and lunges through the cityscape. Enemies and environments pop with vibrant colors, from the neon-lit rooftops to the grimy back alleys patrolled by Kingpin’s goons.

The pseudo 3D effect—where levels spin and shift around the screen—serves both style and function. It creates dynamic camera angles during chase sequences and boss fights, enhancing the illusion of moving through a living, breathing Manhattan. This rotating-plane trick occasionally challenges spatial awareness, but it never obstructs the action or leads to unfair hits.

Backgrounds are layered with parallax scrolling, giving streets and skyscrapers a genuine sense of scale. While resolution limitations prevent hyper-detailed textures, clever sprite work compensates with expressive character animations and sharp, contrasting outlines. Explosions, web effects, and boss telegraphs all stand out clearly, ensuring you always know what’s happening in the heat of battle.

Loading times are minimal, and transitions between areas feel instantaneous, preserving the game’s brisk momentum. Even on a handheld system years old, Spider-Man 2 manages to look modern and engaging, proving that smart design can outshine raw graphical horsepower.

Story

In this DS outing, Peter Parker juggles everyday responsibilities with super-heroic duties—threats emerge as radiation-fueled oddities and common criminals alike test his resolve. The narrative stitches together a series of bite-sized missions rather than one sprawling open world, allowing each villain confrontation to shine as its own set-piece.

The main storyline centers on the rise of Doctor Octavius, whose sinister experiments warp the city’s infrastructure and unleash new dangers. Along the way, you cross paths with Mysterio’s reality-bending illusions and The Vulture’s high-altitude swoops. Each antagonist receives a short but memorable character arc, with mission objectives cleverly tied into their signature gimmicks.

Plot beats are delivered through static comic-book panels, accompanied by text dialogue that channels Spider-Man’s trademark wit. While the writing leans toward cliché at times—Peter’s quips can feel predictable—the pacing remains commendable, propelling you from one mission to the next without long lulls.

Subplots involving hostage thrillers, bomb defusals, and civilian rescues give the story added texture, reminding players that Spider-Man’s fights are never strictly “good guy vs. bad guy.” You’re actively saving lives and thwarting schemes that threaten innocent bystanders, which reinforces the hero’s moral urgency at every turn.

Overall Experience

Spider-Man 2 on DS stands out as a solid handheld adaptation of Marvel’s web-slinger. Its fusion of beat-’em-up mechanics with light exploration and timed puzzles delivers a varied gameplay loop that remains engaging for hours. The pseudo 3D rotation gimmick never feels gimmicky—rather, it elevates simple stage designs into dynamic arenas.

While the mission-based structure may feel restrictive for those expecting a full open-world Spider-Man sandbox, the concise levels and clear objectives ensure there’s never a dull moment. Boss battles, in particular, provide memorable highlights, challenging you to learn attack patterns and exploit Spider-Man’s agility to triumph.

Replay value is bolstered by collectible web upgrades, hidden rescue opportunities, and the urge to perfect speedruns on timer-based stages. For fans of classic side-scrolling action and those who relish the Marvel Universe’s rogues gallery, this DS entry offers a bite-sized but satisfying superhero adventure.

Overall, Vicarious Visions’ first foray on the Nintendo DS emerges as a compelling demonstration of creativity within hardware constraints. Whether you’re a longtime Spider-Man enthusiast or simply seeking an action-packed handheld title, Spider-Man 2 delivers web-swinging thrills and villainous showdowns that stand the test of time.

Retro Replay Score

6.4/10