10 Best Licensed Video Games Of The Generation (So Far)

Once upon a time, licensed video games had a well-earned reputation for being cheap, rushed, and downright awful. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, it felt like every big movie release or popular cartoon came with a hastily made game adaptation, usually thrown onto store shelves just in time for a premiere.

There were a few diamonds in the rough, such as some solid James Bond entries or the occasional standout Disney platformer, but for the most part, licensed games were the punchline of the industry.

Then, in 2009, everything changed. Batman: Arkham Asylum didn’t just raise the bar for licensed games; it showed the world what could happen when a talented developer was given the time, budget, and creative freedom to treat an IP with care.

In recent years, a noticeable shift has occurred. While stinkers still exist (like The Lord of the Rings: Gollum or Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League), more and more licensed titles are launching with serious polish and ambition, with quality tending to vary from satisfyingly solid to GoTY contender.

Here are ten recent licensed games released between 2020 and 2025 that didn’t just defy expectations, they completely exceeded them.

As mentioned in the intro, Batman: Arkham Asylum changed the game for licensed adaptations - and it didn’t take long for Marvel to want a piece of that action. After years of hit-or-miss attempts, Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018) finally gave the character the AAA treatment he deserved.

For a long time, Spider-Man 2 on PS2 held the crown, but nothing since has come close - until Insomniac stepped in. Their PS4 debut nailed the traversal, combat, and emotional storytelling, offering a story that respected both Peter Parker and his superhero alter ego and a heartfelt ending that lingered. It felt like a genuine first-party flagship and one of the PS4’s defining titles.

After the solid Miles Morales spin-off, Spider-Man 2 was the big swing. Expectations were massive, and thankfully, Insomniac delivered again. This time, they tackled the Symbiote Suit saga simultaneously with the Harry Osborne arc, storylines the movies had botched more than once.

What followed was a refined, confident sequel that kept everything that worked and layered on new features and emotional weight. Venom finally got the spotlight he deserved, brought to life with menace and pathos by the late, great Tony Todd.

It’s everything a licensed game should be - made by a team that understands the IP, respects its legacy, and isn’t afraid to push it forward. And when the worst thing you can say is “just more great stuff,” there’s really no room to complain.