Games

Best DC Multiplayer Games, Ranked

Published

7 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Christoph Rediske

split image of dc universe online batman arkham origins and injustice 2 scaled

Summary

Table of Contents

DC properties explore multiplayer games, like
Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League
.
Justice League Task Force
offers classic DC characters in a Street Fighter-like game.
Gotham Knights
allows four players to protect Gotham City in an action RPG setting.

When it comes to games based on DC characters, most people think of single-player action games with an engaging story, like the Batman: Arkham series or even the LEGO Batman games. However, with the popularity of multiplayer games rising over the years, Warner Bros. and DC have attempted to tap into that niche for their properties.

Bat-Family Characters Who Deserve an Arkham Game

There are plenty of Bat-Family characters from Batman’s library of heroes that deserve their own time in the sun with an Arkham game of their own.

Multiplayer may not always work, but occasionally, some stand out more than others thanks to their effective execution. Some remain classics to this day, while others were forgotten or defuncted for one reason or another. The games range from PvP action games to co-op adventures that can be enjoyed with friends or strangers online.

10 Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League

DC’s Controversial Take On A Looter Shooter

Released: February 2, 2024
Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer
Engine: Unreal Engine 4
ESRB: M17+ For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence
OpenCritic Rating: Weak

While controversial in many ways, Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League did bring a new multiplayer experience that is unlike other DC games. With hundreds of guns to loot from bosses, three skill trees per character, and an open world map to explore with up to four players, each with their special skills and ultimate attacks, it is noticeably similar to Borderlands games.

The main story and its DLC expansions can be played solo or online with friends and strangers, with eight different characters to choose from. It may not be the most beloved entry in the Arkhamverse timeline, but it does have its dedicated players who stuck through for four seasons before support was pulled for the game.

9 Justice League Task Force

Justice League Task Force

Systems

Platform(s): SNES , Sega Genesis
Released: 1995-06-00
Developer(s): Sunsoft , Blizzard Entertainment , Condor, Inc.
Publisher(s): Acclaim Entertainment
Multiplayer: Local Multiplayer

In the realm of 1v1 DC fighting games, most people think of the Injustice games, but it was not the first game to attempt such a concept. That honor goes to Justice League Task Force, which was developed by Blizzard Entertainment of all companies. Instead of a Mortal Kombat clone, it came closer to the likes of Street Fighter but with DC characters.

Justice League Task Force features many classic characters, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Arrow, and Aquaman, with a few villains. A smaller roster, but it was one of the first DC games to feature more than one famous hero, with famous DC locations like Gotham City and Metropolis as venues, making for a fun gem from the 90s that is often forgotten.

8 Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe

The Game That Walked So Future Mortal Kombat Games Could Run

Systems

Released: November 16, 2008
Developer(s): Midway Games
Publisher(s): Midway Games
Multiplayer: Local Multiplayer
Engine: Unreal Engine 3
ESRB: T For Teen Due To Blood, Suggestive Themes, Violence

Before Injustice was made by Netherrealm, the developers first experimented with DC via Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe, which is technically the eighth mainline Mortal Kombat game. On top of featuring a cheesy but memorable Mortal Kombat story mode, it has the classic arcade mods, and the opportunity for players to fight each other locally.

best fighting game franchise story street fighter mortal kombat tekken

6 Best Story-Driven Fighting Game Franchises

Some of the best fighting game franchises out there also happen to have some of the most compelling storytelling in the genre.

While there is a noticeable lack of content, especially since the online servers are defunct, the concept of Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe makes it worth the time. It is as simple as a fantasy can get, with so many potential matchups, such as The Flash fighting Shang Tsung and Superman fighting Raiden.

7 Justice League Heroes

The Dungeon Crawler Made To Compete With Marvel

Justice League Heroes

Released: September 10, 2006
Publisher(s): Warner Bros. Games , Eidos Interactive
Multiplayer: Local Multiplayer
Engine: Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance
ESRB: t

In 2006, Marvel and DC competed in the same genre of dungeon-crawler action RPGs. Marvel had their Ultimate Alliance games, while DC presented the world with Justice League Heroes, featuring the titular superheroes going up against a convoluted plot featuring many villains, including Brainiac, Gorilla Grodd, and Darkseid.

Similar to its competitor, Justice League Heroes can be played with one other player, and depending on the level, there can be many versions of a dynamic duo, especially with the unlockable heroes. Though it might not be as polished as the Ultimate Alliance games, it is considered a hidden gem for its time.

6 DC Universe Online

An MMORPG Where People Can Play Their Custom Superheroes

Released: January 11, 2011
Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer
Engine: havok, unreal engine 3
ESRB: t
OpenCritic Rating: Fair

Anyone familiar with MMORPGs will quickly adjust to DC Universe Online, but it is also easily accessible to newcomers to the genre. It’s arguably the ultimate superhero fantasy, with players tasked with creating their own original superhero and choosing to be mentored by a famous hero or villain in the DC universe, going on an adventure through an alternate take DC universe.

As DC Universe Online is the standard affair of an MMORPG, not only is there the typical open world filled with missions that can be played with co-op, but the player can unlock PvP modes as they level up. Superheroes and supervillains battling for dominance is an appealing bonus to the game that can lead to exclusive rewards and memorable experiences.

5 Injustice: Gods Among Us

Mortal Kombat Developers Created A New DC Universe

Released: April 16, 2013
Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer
Engine: Unreal Engine 3
ESRB: T for Teen: Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco, Violence
OpenCritic Rating: Strong

If Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe was the planted seed, then Injustice: Gods Among Us is the flower that bloomed into its own franchise. With the servers still available for any players to enjoy, Injustice: Gods Among Us takes the Mortal Kombat formula and tweaks it a bit with unique mechanics such as the Clashes and Power button to create a just as fun and addictive fighting game.

There is the option to play with friends locally or strangers in online matches, but the most famous aspect of Injustice is its story mode, telling a completely original version of the DC Universe. It tells a story of what happens when Superman becomes a tyrant of Earth, helping cement the trope of evil superhero archetypes in modern media, like Omni-Man and Homelander seen today.

4 Batman: Arkham Origins

Heroes, Gangs, And Villains Fighting For Supremacy Online

Released: October 25, 2013
Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer , Local Multiplayer , Local Co-Op
Engine: Unreal Engine 3
ESRB: T for Teen: Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence

Most people do not go to the Batman: Arkham games for multiplayer action, but Batman: Arkham Origins featured a short-lived but well-made PvP mode. It was essentially a third-person shooter similar to Gears Of War games, with the Joker and Bane gangs fighting each other, with Batman and Robin as a third party to add a unique twist.

The multiplayer for Batman: Arkham Origins was not the hit that it deserved to be, since the main game itself was not a major success. However, over the years, as Arkham Origins gained a cult following, so did the multiplayer, which can still be played on PC thanks to a dedicated community and modding.

3 Gotham Knights

Up To Four Players Can Protect Gotham City Together

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7/10

Gotham Knights

Released: October 21, 2022
Multiplayer: Online Co-Op
Engine: Unreal Engine 4
ESRB: m
OpenCritic Rating: Fair

With Batman gone, Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin, and Red Hood take up the position of Gotham City’s protector in Gotham Knights, which was unfairly treated due to its stark differences from the Batman: Arkham games. It is still a fun open-world superhero game that delivers on making the four Knights play uniquely with individual personal stories throughout the campaign.

Split image of Batgirl, Knightwing, Red Hood, and Robin in Gotham Knights

Gotham Knights: All Suits And How To Get Them

There are several different suit styles in Gotham Knights. Here’s how players can get their hands on all outfits for the Bat Family.

Gotham Knights is an action RPG, with weapons and accessories to create builds for characters as well as a collection of suits to equip. However, its biggest gimmick is that two players can play together online in the open world, while up to four players can work together in the dungeon-crawler mode known as Heroic Assault, which makes the superhero romp even more fun.

2 Gotham City Imposters

A DC Clone Of Call Of Duty That Deserves A Comeback

Systems

Released: February 7, 2012
Developer(s): Monolith Productions
Publisher(s): Warner Bros. Games
Multiplayer: Local Multiplayer
Engine: LithTech

Gotham City Imposters is a concept that would get so much hatred today, being a purely multiplayer first-person shooter with no famous superheroes in sight. Instead, the players take control of crazed fans of Batman or the Jokerz Gang and compete in Team Deathmatch and other standard modes for the genre.

The free-to-play first-person shooter used to have a large following, praising it for providing a silly but addictive shooter adventure akin to classic Call Of Duty games. Sadly, Gotham City Imposters is another defunct game that was delisted from Steam and other services, leading to some hoping that DC will greenlight a sequel or at least bring the game back.

1 Injustice 2

The Gear System Makes The Online Grind Worth It

Released: May 11, 2017
Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer
Engine: unreal engine 3, unreal engine 4
ESRB: T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

Sometimes less is more, but Injustice 2 is a prime example of that bigger can be better, taking everything that worked with the first Injustice game and amplifying it. There were more characters, better visuals, and an even bigger story that feels on par with some of the best DC movies out there.

The online multiplayer was, and still is, a big reason to play Injustice 2, with many rewards unlocked through the online gameplay. Said rewards, allow players to create their dream versions of DC characters with a deep customization system that very few games have matched, with the chances of finding a similar suit being minimal.