Spider-Man has a lot of games. Like, a lot. Most people instantly think of the massive Insomniac hits on PS5 or maybe the classic Spider-Man 2 movie tie-in from back in the day. But tucked away in the 2007 era—right when the Tobey Maguire trilogy was wrapping up—there was this weird, experimental beat-em-up called Spider-Man: Friend or Foe. It didn't try to be a gritty open-world masterpiece. It was stylized, kinda goofy, and focused entirely on a "what if" scenario where Peter Parker teamed up with the very guys trying to kill him.
Honestly, it's a bit of a cult relic now.
If you grew up with a Wii, PS2, or Xbox 360, you might remember the big-headed character designs and the fact that you could actually play as the Green Goblin. That was the whole hook. While the title Spider-Man: Friend or Foe sounds like a deep philosophical question about Spidey’s reputation in NYC, it’s actually the literal mechanic of the game: you beat up a villain, and then they become your buddy.
Why the Gameplay of Spider-Man: Friend or Foe Was So Different
Most Spidey games are about the solo struggle. You’re alone, swinging through Manhattan, feeling the weight of the world. This game threw that out the window. It was a side-scrolling, brawler-style experience. You’d pick a sidekick—maybe Iron Fist, maybe Venom—and just mash buttons until the screen was clear of "P.H.A.N.T.O.M." soldiers.
The story is basically a multiverse-lite plot before the MCU made that a household term. Nick Fury (voiced by the legendary James Wyzard, though inspired by the Ultimate comics look) recruits Spider-Man to travel the globe. You aren’t just in New York. You’re in Tokyo, Egypt, and Transylvania.
The Roster Was Surprisingly Deep
A lot of kids at the time were shocked by who showed up. You had the movie villains because of the licensing at the time—Green Goblin, Doc Ock, Sandman, and Venom. But then Activision sprinkled in comic book deep cuts. Blade shows up. Black Cat is there. You even get Prowler, long before Into the Spider-Verse made him a superstar.
The mechanic worked like this:
- You land in a level (let's say, Tokyo).
- A brainwashed villain attacks you as a boss.
- You defeat them.
- The "control amulet" breaks.
- They join your team at the SHIELD Helicarrier.
It was simple. Maybe too simple for critics at the time, who gave it middling reviews. They called it "repetitive." They weren't necessarily wrong, but they missed the point. It was a co-op dream. Sitting on a couch with a friend, one person playing as Spidey and the other as New Goblin, was peak 2007 gaming.
Sorting Through the Spider-Man: Friend or Foe Versions
Not all versions were created equal. This is a common trap people fall into when looking back at retro games. The "main" versions on 360, Wii, and PS2 were developed by Next Level Games. Yes, the same studio that later gave us Luigi’s Mansion 3. You can see their DNA in the expressive animations and the chunky, almost "vinyl toy" aesthetic of the characters.
Then you had the handheld versions. The PSP and DS editions were completely different beasts. The DS version, in particular, was a 2.5D platformer that actually felt a bit more like a traditional Spider-Man game in some ways, even though it lacked the big-screen spectacle.
The Graphics: A Love-It-or-Hate-It Choice
The art style was a huge departure. Everything was bright. Saturated. Spidey’s eyes were huge. It looked like a Saturday morning cartoon. If you were coming off the dark, moody vibes of the Spider-Man 3 game that released earlier that same year, Spider-Man: Friend or Foe felt like a fever dream. But looking back, that stylized look has aged way better than the "realistic" graphics of other games from that era. It doesn't look like muddy brown textures; it looks like a comic book come to life.
Is It Still Worth Playing Today?
That depends on what you're looking for. If you want a deep narrative about Peter Parker's trauma, go play the 2018 Insomniac game. If you want a mindless, fun, local co-op brawler where you can play as Doc Ock and throw cars at robots? This is your game.
There is a genuine charm in the dialogue. The banter between Spidey and his "foes" is actually pretty funny. It doesn't take itself seriously. In one scene, Spider-Man is making fun of how ridiculous the villains' plans are, and the game leans into the absurdity of the "brainwashing" plot.
However, finding a copy now can be a bit of a pain. It’s not on digital storefronts like Steam or the PlayStation Store due to expired licensing. That’s the tragedy of Marvel games from the 2000s; they’re often lost to the void of physical media. You’ll need to hit up eBay or a local retro game shop to find a disc.
The Legacy of the "Team-Up" Concept
We see the echoes of Spider-Man: Friend or Foe in modern titles like Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 or even the "Team-Up" moves in Spider-Man 2 (2023). The idea that Spider-Man is better when he’s playing off of others—even his enemies—is a core part of the character’s appeal. This game was just the first one to make it the entire identity of the experience.
Actionable Tips for Collectors and Players
If you're looking to revisit this title or try it for the first time, keep these points in mind:
- Pick the Xbox 360 version if possible. It has the cleanest resolution and supports achievements, which adds a bit of replay value to a short game.
- Don't play it solo. The AI for the sidekick isn't great. The game is designed for two humans. If you play alone, the experience feels half-empty.
- Focus on the Upgrades. You collect "tech tokens" throughout the levels. Use them to upgrade your sidekicks' abilities early. Some of the later levels get surprisingly swarmed with enemies, and you'll want the crowd-control moves.
- Look for Secret Rooms. Each level has hidden areas that contain collectibles. They aren't just for completionists; they provide the currency you need to actually unlock the more powerful moves for the villains.
The game is a snapshot of a specific time in Marvel history. It was before the MCU unified every design. It was a time when developers could take huge risks with the art style and the tone. While it might not be the "best" Spider-Man game ever made, its unique take on the Spider-Man: Friend or Foe dynamic makes it a fascinating piece of history for any web-head.
Check your local listings for the Wii version if you want a more "active" experience with the motion controls, though the 360 controller is objectively the most comfortable way to handle the combat. Just don't expect a 40-hour epic; you can breeze through the main story in about six hours. It's a weekend game. A fun, colorful, slightly weird weekend game.