Marvel's open-world Black Panther video game is currently in development, but the hero has already appeared in many interactive Marvel projects.
Black Panther first appeared in the pages of Marvel Comics in 1966, and his popularity has only grown in the ensuing decades. Widely considered to be the industry's first African superhero, T'Challa made his debut years before other black heroes like Marvel's Falcon and DC Comics' John Stewart. While he first appeared as an ally of the Fantastic Four, Black Panther quickly ed the prestigious ranks of the Avengers and received his own storylines in the Jungle Action series. T'Challa and his nation of Wakanda have appeared in numerous adaptations since, including the late Chadwick Boseman's masterful portrayal of the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The company's vast and colorful comic universe has inspired many Marvel video games over the years, letting players become Earth's Mightiest Heroes and their iconic villains. The Marvel: Ultimate Alliance series of action RPGs let fans form a squad of beloved characters, while fighting games like Marvel vs Capcom let Marvel's superheroes face off in combat against each other or Capcom gaming legends. Insomniac's Marvel's Spider-Man series, and Eidos-Montreal's cosmic epic Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, have recently reinvigorated the Marvel gaming brand. These titles have allowed fans to step into the shoes of the world's most beloved superheroes, and Black Panther obviously ranks high in the list.
Black Panther Pulls A Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Hat Trick
Owing to his immense popularity, Black Panther has appeared in all three games in the Marvel: Ultimate Alliance series. The action RPG titles let T'Challa forces with fellow superheroes to protect the world from threats like Doctor Doom and Thanos. Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 introduced Wakanda as a gorgeous level for players to traverse, too, with T'Challa fighting the forces of The Fold as a able hero. The iconic African nation also returned for Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 3, though this version of the setting is considered less impressive. The action RPG series successfully captures the Wakandan ruler's agility and power, making him a useful addition to any team composition.
Black Panther Has Left His Mark On MMOs and Mobile Games
The Marvel Comics brand has inspired many different types of video games, ranging from narrative single-player adventures to online social experiences. Black Panther has appeared in many of these online games, ranging from the child-friendly MMO Marvel Super Hero Squad Online to the Facebook game Marvel: Avenger Alliance. The mobile action RPG Marvel: Future Revolution doesn't include Black Panther, but the powerful warrior is playable in similar projects like Marvel Contest of Champions, Marvel Future Fight and Marvel Strike Force. These games don't let T'Challa run across the jungles and plains of Wakanda, but they do let fans take the Black Panther mantle with them wherever they go.
LEGO Marvel Titles Turn Black Panther Into Plastic
Travelers Tales' LEGO video games are massive buffets of playable heroes, and the LEGO Marvel titles are no exception. 2013's LEGO Marvel Super Heroes turned Black Panther into an adorable plastic brawler, with players unlocking the fearless feline superhero through a side mission where they help him find a lost cat. T'Challa then returned in both LEGO Avengers and LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 as DLC, with the latter project also letting players explore a brick-based recreation of Wakanda.
In these appearances the King of Wakanda is at his most jovial, owing to the lighthearted nature of Travelers Tales' line of family-friendly LEGO games. John Eric Bentley voiced T'Challa in the first LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, with Osi Okerafor replacing him in the sequel. James Mathis III, who has voiced T'Challa in numerous animated and gaming projects, also voiced the character in LEGO Marvel's Avenger's.
Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite Sees Black Panther Step Into The Ring
While he showed up in Storm's ending cutscene in Marvel vs Capcom 3, Black Panther was added to Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite as a full-fledged playable character. The intense fighting game franchise's most recent entry lets players become icons from both the Marvel Comics and Capcom universes, including legends like Spider-Man, Captain America, Chris Redfield and Ryu. His superhuman speed and reflexes make Black Panther in Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite an extremely mobile melee fighter, letting him easily extend combos and avoid slower opponents during two-on-two brawls.
Marvel Powers United VR Lets Players Become Wakanda's Protector
An Oculus virtual reality game titled Marvel Powers United VR, which released back in 2018, let players become Black Panther alongside seven other playable heroes. The immersive co-op experience featured Marvel legends like the Hulk, Captain Marvel, Deadpool and Thor, allowing fans to protect the world in true VR style. The game's version of Black Panther let players channel the great power of Bast, Wakanda's Panther God, while also taking advantage of T'Challa's vibranium suit to defend Wakanda and his co-op allies. The inclusion of Black Panther in Marvel Powers United VR also directly followed the hero's solo MCU film, taking full advantage of the African icon's popularity.
Marvel's Avengers Added Black Panther in War for Wakanda
Marvel's Avengers originally launched with a roster of six Marvel champions, but developer Crystal Dynamics has continued adding more of Earth's Mightiest Heroes over time. The action game's largest piece of post-launch content to date was Black Panther - War for Wakanda, a large single-player expansion that saw players explore Wakanda as its superpowered king and protector. In Marvel's Avengers T'Challa is portrayed by Christopher Judge, a prolific actor known for playing Kratos in 2018's God of War.
With blinding melee attacks and special vibranium-powered special moves, Black Panther ranks as one of Marvel's Avengers' most fun characters to control. The DLC quickly made the disappointment of him not being a launch character easy to forget, and, months on from its release, it still ranks among the best additions made to Marvel's Avengers. T'Challa also comes with plenty of customization options, meaning players can go for a classic look if they prefer.
Fortnite Includes A Beautiful Black Panther Cosmetic Skin
Back in December 2020 Fortnite added Black Panther to its long list of colorful crossover skins. Epic Games' battle royale shooter has cosmetic items of many Marvel icons, like Spider-Man and Deadpool, though these outfits do not actually affect gameplay. T'Challa looks particularly regal in Fortnite thanks to the inclusion of a cape, and players can even obtain a variant of his vibranium suit that glows with purple kinetic power. Upon his introduction to Fortnite players could obtain Black Panther's Kinetic Shockwave ability, though now the Wakandan king's attire is simply cosmetic.
Black Panther ranks as one of Marvel's oldest and most beloved superheroes, leading to numerous video game appearances. These games often stay true to T'Challa's unique abilities by making him a fast and relentless melee fighter who also possesses incredible physical defense thanks to his vibranium suit. The iconic nation of Wakanda is often depicted alongside Black Panther, since the regal superhero is rarely found far from the nation he calls home.
