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Superman Returns Kryptonite Crisis Game
Superman Returns Kryptonite Crisis Game
Photo © 2006 Erik Arneson
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Superman Board Games and Card Games

From Erik Arneson,
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Superman games from 1940 to the present

After a layoff of nearly 20 years, Superman has successfully returned to movie theaters. There are a number of excellent Superman-themed games available now, and collectors will want to pick up the games from decades past -- although none of those are particularly memorable for their gameplay.

Here's a look at Superman games past and present, listed in reverse chronological order.

Superman Returns: Kryptonite Crisis
Published by Mattel in 2006.
For 2 to 4 players.

Lex Luthor has built New Krypton, and Superman must defeat him in order to save Metropolis from the earthquakes that Luthor's massive island is causing. Each player is Superman, trying to be the first to make it up the mountain. Along the way, players dodge deadly Kryptonite boulders and manage a hand of cards (which can help you or move your opponents back). Designed for children ages 6 and up, Superman Returns: Kryptonite Crisis has an interesting card-playing mechanic that makes it significantly better than most licensed games for that age group.

DC BattleDice
Published by Playmates in 2006.
For 2 players.

Scheduled for release in late 2006, the DC version of BattleDice will assuredly include Superman. The Marvel edition is available now. Battle Dice consists of "pop dice" that open to reveal small action figures. Each figure has six different attributes plus symbols and numbers signifying their powers. Players battle by loading their dice with action figures, then rolling simultaneously with their opponents. The player with the lowest number selects the attribute to be used and the battle begins.

Monopoly: Superman Returns Edition
Published by USAopoly in 2006.
For 2 to 6 players.

This themed edition of Monopoly comes with six pewter tokens, including Superman, Clark Kent's glasses, Kryptonite, and the Daily Planet globe. The board features still photography from the movie.

DC Trading Card Game (Vs. System)
Published by Upper Deck Entertainment in 2004.
For 2 players.

The Vs. game system quickly established itself as the premier superhero TCG. In addition to DC characters like Superman, cards are available with characters from Marvel Comics.

DC HeroClix
Published by WizKids in 2002.
For 2 players.

The entire DC comic book universe is featured in this game, which also has versions for Marvel Comics and independent comics. The game involves plastic figures on a combat base that includes stats for speed, attack, defense, damage and range. Each player chooses an army of comic book characters and then they battle each other.

Superman III
Published by Parker Brothers in 1983.
For 2 to 4 players.

Described as a cross between Blackjack and Bingo, this is a quick-playing card game released in conjunction with the movie of the same name. Although the box claims that it is "based on" the movie, nothing inside the box seems to related to the film at all.

Superman II
Published by Milton Bradley in 1981.
For 2 to 4 players.

The box cover for this game features Christopher Reeve as the Man of Steel, along with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) and three villains. The goal is to be the first to capture the three bad guys while also collecting 24 or more power units, entering the Fortress of Solitude and correctly guessing a mystery villain card.

Superman Match II Special Edition
Published by Ideal, probably in 1978.
For 2 players.

This children's memory game is played by attempting to match one of the 32 pairs of Superman-related images in the plastic board. The images are flipped over by pressing on them with your finger.

The Adventures of Superman
Published by Milton Bradley in 1940.
For 2 to 4 players.

I was not able to find much information about this game, which appears to be the first Superman game ever published. Players are each Clark Kent; they compete to be the first to move their Clark Kent token from the starting corner into the "editorial sanctum" in the middle of the board.

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