Why Krypto Could Finally Fix Superman’s Video Game Struggles and Win Fans Over
Superman is making a big comeback at the box office, thanks to James Gunn’s fresh DCU reboot, which has already pulled in $261 million worldwide and is just getting started. With a sequel and Supergirl’s debut planned, fans are buzzing about the future. But there’s one question on everyone’s mind: when will we get a great Superman video game? The history here isn’t great—past Superman games have been, frankly, disappointing. Luckily, there might be a clever workaround involving Superman’s loyal canine companion, Krypto.
- James Gunn’s vision for a connected DC Universe includes films, TV, animation, and gaming.
- Superman games have struggled due to gameplay and lore challenges.
- Krypto, Superman’s dog, might be the key to a fresh, fun video game experience.
- Upcoming game Barkour features a spy dog protagonist, showing promise for canine-led gameplay.
James Gunn’s Big DCU Plan and Video Games
James Gunn aims to create a unified DC Universe where movies, TV shows, animations, and games all fit together seamlessly. He wants the same actors and consistent characters across all platforms, which is a massive task. Warner Bros. Games has faced some setbacks, like the cancellation of a long-anticipated Wonder Woman game earlier this year. But if Gunn’s vision works, it could finally fix the long-standing problem of Superman games being notoriously bad.
Why Superman Games Have Fallen Short
Superman games have struggled for many reasons. Technologically, it’s tough to design a game where flying is a key feature without making the sky feel empty or the gameplay boring. Plus, Superman’s huge array of powers makes balancing the game tricky. Previous titles like the infamous Superman 64 or Superman Returns tie-in failed to deliver satisfying gameplay. Gunn’s DCU, with its rich world full of heroes and villains, could help solve the storytelling issues, but the gameplay challenge remains.
Krypto: The Unexpected Hero for Superman Gaming
Here’s where things get interesting. Instead of focusing on Superman himself, the spotlight could shift to Krypto, Superman’s loyal dog from Krypton. This idea gained traction when the upcoming game Barkour was revealed—a spy thriller starring Agent THUNDER, a James Bond-style dog who jumps, runs, and takes down crime syndicates. The game embraces a “charming absurdity” that fits perfectly with Krypto’s playful yet heroic nature.
Playing as Krypto means experiencing the DCU from a fresh perspective. Unlike Superman, who is all about saving the world with moral righteousness, Krypto is more relatable—he’ll help if you call him, but he might also just mess things up. This concept taps into the growing popularity of animal-led games like Stray and Little Kitty, Big City, showing that players love silent, ground-level adventures.
Games like Spirit of the North explore animals with special powers, but Krypto’s energy and flying abilities could take this idea to a whole new level.
Could Krypto Be the Future of Superman Games?
Laura Davila, an environmental artist who worked on the 2006 Superman Returns game, summed it up nicely: “I think a truly spectacular Superman game would have to nail that delicate tonal balance of feeling super strong, but also be able to get down to a regular human’s level and make the player really care about protecting the average citizen.”
Maybe it’s time to forget the Man of Steel for a bit and let Krypto take the lead. This dog has the potential to deliver the gameplay and emotional connection that Superman games have long missed. After all, who better to bring a fresh twist to the DCU gaming scene than the flying superdog himself?
Check out the Barkour trailer and see if you’re ready to be the dog that saves the day.
