2026 has begun, and with January being a rather slow month for new releases, gamers may be keen to dive into their backlogs. With so many memorable games coming out in recent years, and subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus opening up access to hundreds of titles at any given time, the backlog is likely to be huge. But while losing a mountain of games is a productive way to kick off the year, replaying favorites can be just as fun. And when it comes to replays Marvel's Spider-Man series deserves to be at the top of many lists.
There are many reasons on the surface to replay Marvel's Spider-Man game. Perhaps the most obvious is that they are excellent superhero fare, with immensely satisfying battles and crossovers along with some fun stories and entertaining dialogue. Visually, they remain top tier, and players can spend hours getting lost in photo mode. New game plus modes make it even easier to jump back into the fun, as players can mess around with all the costumes they unlocked during their original playthroughs. But aside from that Marvel's Spider-Man series is consistently good and highly replayable, there are a few specific reasons why 2026 is the perfect year for a revisit: Marvel's Wolverine, TASM issue #1000, and Brand new day.
Reason 1: 2026 is a monumental year for the wall crawler
While Spider-Man is like Batman in the sense that he's enduringly popular and always gets tons of content, 2026 has two particularly important releases coming up. First there is number 1,000 of Amazing Spider-Manan impressive milestone that few series ever reach. What story this acclaimed issue will tell is anyone's guess, but Marvel has already built it up with some special covers in 2025. Even if that doesn't make fans' wishes come true and return One more daythat brings MJ and Peter back together for good, it's a monumental event and sure to sell extremely well.
While celebrating 1,000 issues of Amazing Spider-Man would already have many in the mood to play as Marvel's friendly neighborhood hero, the hype will only increase thanks to the release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The fourth Tom Holland Spider-Man film is set for release on July 31 and will feature both The Hulk and The Punisher, with top-notch action expected thanks to director Dustin Daniel Cretton's experience working with Shang-Chi. Like the other MCU Spider-Man movies, this movie can be expected to be a huge success, and the buzz after seeing it will likely make fans want more content with the webslinger as soon as they can get it. Another season off Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man the year 2026 is just icing on the cake.
Whether fans prefer reading about Spidey or watching him fight crime, 2026 has them covered. And for gamers, there may not be any new releases, but luckily they have a brilliant group of games from Insomniac to play through. Much like players will regularly revisit Arkham series, which clearly inspired certain aspects of Marvel's Spider-ManInsomniac's games are worth going back to. Not only do they offer some of the best versions of Peter Parker and Miles Morales, but players can battle a large portion of the Spider-Man rogues gallery, including Tombstone and Scorpion – villains who will be featured in Brand new day. Whether Spider-Man fans want to kick off 2026 by playing the games to build hype for issue 1,000 and the next Tom Holland Spidey movie, or download the games again after the release of the big projects, this year is an ideal time for a replay.
While Brand new day will contain the suit from the last swing No way homethere's always a chance another suit will appear in the film. If it does, a free update that makes it an alternate color in MArvel's Spider-Man 2 is likely, as Insomniac has done this before with other MCU costumes.
Reason 2: A great way to set the stage for Marvel's Wolverine
Getting in the mood for Spidey's most eventful year in a while would be good enough motivation to replay Marvel's Spider-Man games, there's another reason why 2026 is a particularly good year for a return visit: Marvel's Wolverine. After the devastating Insomniac Games leak that slowed the studio down, Marvel's Wolverine finally launching in 2026. The violent, M-rated game will differ greatly from Spider-Manas it trades an open world for a doodle adventure, it focuses on Weapon X. Players can expect to see several of Logan's rivals, including Mystique and Omega Red, while a brutal combat system that looks more comparable The God of War than Arkham should help the game stand out.
But while there are some distinct differences between these properties, there is one important thing in common Marvel's Spider-Man and Marvel's Wolverine: they share a universe. Sure, there might not be a big cameo from Peter or Miles in it Marvel's Wolverine (unless it was created after the Insomniac leak), but there could be tons of fun world building for Earth-1048. If Wolverine takes on The Hand, these ninjas could be fair game for Marvel's Spider-Man 3 or a possible Daredevil game. Similar, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 teases Doctor Strange's existence means magic exists within Marvel's Wolverines version of the Marvel universe as well. Outside of Wolverine potentially planting seeds for future Insomniac Marvel content, small nods to Spidey's activities can be sneaked in via radio or magazines. Keeping up to date with everything that happened in these games is a great way to make sure you don't miss anything neat as you play through Marvel's Wolverine.
PS Plus Extra offers access to Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered and Miles Morales. If players subscribe to Extra, only Marvel's Spider-Man 2 must be purchased.
The best reason: Marvel's Spider-Man games are awesome
As always, the best reason to replay a good game is because it's so awesome. Sure, seeing Miles Morales go from civilian to hero, or Peter Parker make a terrible sacrifice at the end of the first game, are moments that may not hit as hard as they did when players didn't know what was coming next, but they remain amazing even if predictable. Top-notch acting elevates sequences like the Symbiote hijacking Peter's body Marvel's Spider-Man 2while all the gadgets on offer keep combat and stealth fresh. On another playthrough, players can catch up on jokes they missed the first time around, gain a new appreciation for side stories, or simply have a blast swinging through town as fast as possible with all the movement upgrades acquired.
While number 1,000, Brand new dayand a new Insomniac Marvel game are all added incentives to go back through Marvel's Spider-Man the series is the games themselves best incentive. Whether players are unleashing symbiotic powers, snapping photos like a Daily Bugle photographer, or building the biggest combo they can, play Marvel's Spider-Man is a surefire way to make all Marvel fans in 2026 a little better.
