Punisher computer and video games

The fictional anti-hero, The PunisherSystem was produced by LJN Toys in 1990. The player can control the Punisher character from a first-person perspective through various New York City locations, shooting various thugs, and battling various supervillains as bosses. The final boss was The Kingpin of Crime, who was almost impossible to defeat without the aid of a special rapid-fire joystick.

Game Boy port

A similar port of the NES game was also released for the original Game Boy titled: Punisher The Ultimate Payback. Spider-Man makes a cameo appearance in this game as he swings down on a web to free the hostages. Also in Game Boy version Jigsaw is featured as the final boss instead of The Kingpin.

Computer

In 1990, MicroProse produced a Punisher computer game for DOS and Amiga that was unique when compared with the NES game, as it featured three different modes of gameplay: driving the Punisher's "Battle Van", walking through NYC's streets and select buildings, and scuba diving.

Arcade

A side-scrolling beat 'em up Punisher arcade game was released in 1993 by Capcom. The game is in the vein of "Double Dragon", where the player can control the Punisher and/or Nick Fury on their quest to kill The Kingpin, and would engage on various foes in a hand-to-hand combat, occasionally drawing firearms in lieu of melee combat.

ega Mega Drive/Genesis port

The arcade game was also ported to Sega Mega Drive/Genesis in 1994. This version, developed by Sculptured Software and published by Capcom, had inferior graphics and other [ [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/genesis/review/R88014.html gamefaqs.com] ] limitations due to being ported to a less powerful hardware.

2005 cross-platform

In 2005, a violent Punisher action game exclusively designed for adult players was released by Volition, Inc. Players take control of the vigilante hero to track down criminals and make them pay for their deeds. The game's story is a loose mixture of the 2004 film, as well as the 2000 mini-series, "Welcome Back, Frank", written by Garth Ennis and pencilled by Steve Dillon, wherein the character has no aversion to committing acts of extreme (if not gratuitous) violence. A mobile phone game based on this series was also released. Thomas Jane, who portrayed the title role in the 2004 Punisher film also provides the voice of The Punisher in the game.

PlayStation 3

A PlayStation 3 Punisher game is in development, exclusively for the PlayStation Network. [cite web|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/punisher-no-mercy-unleashed-playstationrnetwork/story.aspx?guid={E2030AC5-708C-4CBF-91D0-659ABA1652D2}&dist=hppr|title=The Punisher: No Mercy to Be Unleashed on the PLAYSTATION(R)Network|date=2008-09-24|accessdate=2008-09-25|publisher=Market Watch]

Appearances in other games

*The Punisher has a cameo appearance in the 2000 Activision Spider-Man game. In the game, the Punisher helps Spider-Man find Mysterio's secret hideout in Warehouse 65. He offers to help, but Spider-Man declines, stating he wants to "keep the body-count low". The Punisher is then seen again in the last scene of the game playing cards with Spider-Man, Captain America and Daredevil. This is slightly humorous, as the Punisher does not usually fraternize with anyone, let alone known superheroes. The Punisher's voice was provided by Daran Norris.

* The Punisher was mentioned at the beginning of the 2005 multiplatform fighting game "". Mistakenly a reporter claims that the Punisher is "missing in action". A torn piece of cloth from his trademark "skull" can be seen hanging on a post over a large chaingun in the cinematic opening.

* The Punisher is one of the few Marvel Comics characters who does not appear in the game "Marvel Ultimate Alliance" because the videogame license for the character was with THQ at the time of the game's release.

References

External links

* [http://www.thepunishermerchandise.com/video_games/punisher_video_games.html The Punisher videogames] at Punisher.com
*moby game|id=/dos/punisher|name="The Punisher" (1990 PC)
*moby game|id=/nes/punisher_|name="The Punisher" (1990 NES)
* [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/nes/data/587531.html "The Punisher" (1990 NES)] at GameFAQs
* [http://www.gameoverdude.com/PN/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=270 "The Punisher" (1993 Arcade) review] at Gameover Dude
* [http://www.gamefaqs.com/coinop/arcade/data/583713.html "The Punisher" (1993 Arcade)] at GameFAQs