The Amazing Spider-Man
Developer: Rare
Publisher: Rare
System: Game Boy
Release Date: 1991

	Rare Game Boy game.

There are two decided themes in the Spider-Man Game Boy titles. The first is that he goes to sleep one night, and all is bliss, but when he wakes up, someone's been kidnapped or he's been framed. The second theme is that, pretty much as a rule, the handheld titles are awful. Mary Jane is gone in the first title, so Spidey has to tromp around town beating answers out of the usual supervillains and their cronies. That is, if he can actually manage to connect with a move. Bad animation and lousy control hamper this title from the get-go. Apparently Rare's early games were just as bad as everyone else's.

	Another title shot.
	Spidey and the Goblin toe to toe.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Developer: B.I.T.S.
Publisher: LJN
System: Game Boy
Release Date: 1992

Recovering from a night on the town, Spidey wakes up to learn that he's been blamed for a robbery executed by the Hobgoblin. You control a poorly animated Spidey as you attempt to clear his name in this side-scrolling punch-and-kick platformer, but this Spidey Game Boy title features one of the worst control schemes in memory. Rare's Spider-Man Game Boy title was so bad I thought there would be no place to go but up. I was wrong. 'Nuff said.

	Looks good.
	Looks good.
	Plays bad.

The Amazing Spider-Man 3: Invasion of the Spider Slayers
Developer: B.I.T.S.
Publisher: LJN
System: Game Boy
Release Date: 1993

Another side-scrolling punch-kick-and-swing game, Invasion of the Spider Slayers features better control than its predecessor but lousy gameplay. Levels that feature objectives like "Central Park: Defeat 20 Muggers" are hopelessly outdated and unnecessarily repetitive, even for the early '90s. I want to write something positive about this title, but every time I begin to, my Spider-sense starts tingling. More of a waste of plastic than interactive entertainment, this title will inspire you to use the cartridge to play fetch with the family dog. If you manage to possess all three Game Boy cartridges, I urge you to go on a picnic.

Now show me Arcade Spidey