Honestly, playing with lego marvel superheroes ps4 characters feels like opening a massive toy box that never actually ends. You might think a game from 2013 would feel crusty or outdated on a modern console. It doesn't. There’s a specific kind of magic in how TT Games balanced the roster before the MCU became the only thing people cared about. Back then, the X-Men and the Fantastic Four were still the stars of the show. You get this weird, beautiful collision of comic book history and movie-inspired designs that hasn't really been replicated since.
It's massive. Seriously.
The game features over 150 playable figures if you count the DLC. But it’s not just about the numbers; it’s about how they feel. Most modern superhero games give you one or two ways to move. Here? You’re switching from Iron Man’s flight mechanics to the Hulk’s screen-shaking jumps in seconds. It’s chaotic. It’s loud. It’s exactly what a Marvel game should be.
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The Heavy Hitters and Why They Matter
When you first drop into the Manhattan hub, the sheer variety of lego marvel superheroes ps4 characters is overwhelming. You’ve got the A-list Avengers, sure. Captain America throws his shield to hit switches, and Thor charges up generators with Mjolnir. But the "Big Figs" changed the game's DNA. Turning into the Hulk or Abomination isn't just a cosmetic swap. You feel the weight. You can pick up cars. You can smash through reinforced "cracked" walls that regular characters can't touch.
The inclusion of the Fantastic Four is probably the biggest nostalgia trip for long-time fans. Since Disney’s acquisition of Fox took a while to settle, newer LEGO games basically ignored Reed Richards and Ben Grimm for years. In this PS4 classic, Mr. Fantastic is essential. He transforms into bolt cutters, water pumps, and even a crane. It’s goofy. It’s clever. It makes you realize how much utility was lost in later titles that focused strictly on the Infinity Saga.
Spider-Man is another standout. His web-swinging in the Manhattan hub is surprisingly fluid for a game made of plastic bricks. You can sense the DNA of earlier Spider-Man titles in his movement. He has "Spider-Sense," which reveals hidden objects, a mechanic that keeps the exploration from feeling like a chore. Plus, you can swap to Peter Parker and walk around as a normal guy with a camera, which is a tiny detail that makes the world feel lived-in.
The Weirdos and the Unlockables
You haven't lived until you've flown around New York as Howard the Duck or Stan Lee himself. Stan is basically the "God Mode" character. He has the powers of almost everyone else—Spider-Man’s webs, Cyclops’ optic blasts, and even a Hulk-style transformation into "Stan-Buster" armor. Getting him requires finding all 50 "Stan in Peril" locations, which is a grind, but totally worth it.
Then there's Deadpool. To get him, you have to collect Red Bricks from the bonus missions. He’s the meta-commentator of the whole experience. His room on the SHIELD Helicarrier is filled with jokes, and playing as him feels like a reward for the hardcore completionist. He fights with katanas and pistols, bringing a slightly different rhythm to the standard "mash square to win" combat.
Navigating the Character Grid
Understanding the roster of lego marvel superheroes ps4 characters requires knowing the "Ability Categories." The game doesn't explicitly tell you everything, but you'll notice patterns.
- Telepaths: Characters like Jean Grey or Invisible Woman can control NPCs and move black LEGO objects with pink sparkles.
- Magnetic: Magneto and Polaris are the only ones who can move those vibrating metallic objects.
- Clawed: Wolverine and Sabretooth use their claws to climb specific walls or activate "claw switches."
- Tech: Iron Man and Black Widow can interact with high-tech consoles, though Widow uses her "stealth" to bypass security cameras too.
The game is built on a "Metroidvania" loop. You see a gold brick behind a gold wall in a level? You can't get it the first time. You need a character with heat vision or lasers. You come back later with Human Torch or Cyclops. This loop is what keeps people playing for 40+ hours. It forces you to experiment with characters you might otherwise ignore, like Union Jack or Captain Britain.
The DLC Factor
If you're playing on PS4, you likely have access to the DLC packs, which add a surprising amount of depth. The Asgard Pack brings in Malekith and Kurse, while the Super Pack adds the Dark Phoenix and Winter Soldier. These aren't just reskins. Dark Phoenix has a different power set than standard Jean Grey, and seeing the comic-accurate Winter Soldier (before he was a household name) is a treat for lore nerds.
One thing people often get wrong is thinking that the PS3 and PS4 versions are different games. They aren't. But the PS4 version handles the "character swap" lag much better. On older hardware, opening the character grid could cause a stutter. On the PS4, it's snappy. That matters when you're trying to quickly switch to a flying character to catch a stray stud falling off a skyscraper.
Why This Roster Outshines the Sequels
LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2 is a great game, don't get me wrong. But it suffers from the "rights issues" era. No X-Men. No Fantastic Four. By contrast, the original lego marvel superheroes ps4 characters feel like a complete celebration of Marvel history. You have Doctor Doom and Magneto teaming up. You have Silver Surfer gliding past the Baxter Building.
The voice acting helps too. While it doesn't feature the movie cast, it uses veteran voice actors like Nolan North (Deadpool), Troy Baker (Loki), and Fred Tatasciore (Hulk). They bring a Saturday-morning cartoon energy that fits the LEGO aesthetic perfectly. It’s lighthearted but respects the source material.
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The hub world interaction is where the characters truly shine. Every character has a unique idle animation. Iron Man checks his HUD. Captain America adjusts his gloves. Sandman turns into a literal pile of sand. These tiny flourishes make the digital plastic feel real.
Mastery and Actionable Tips
If you’re looking to 100% the roster, stop wasting time on the main story missions for collectibles. Focus on finishing the story first to unlock "Free Play" and a basic set of powers.
- Prioritize Magneto: He’s one of the hardest to unlock but essential for the endgame. You get him by completing the "Magnetic Personality" story mission and then buying him.
- Farm Studs Early: Get the "×2 Studs" Red Brick as soon as possible. You'll need millions of studs to buy the high-tier characters like Galactus or the various Iron Man suits.
- Ghost Rider is Key: For the racing challenges in the Manhattan hub, Ghost Rider’s motorcycle is one of the easiest to control. Most flying races are a nightmare with a controller, but the ground-based ones are a breeze with him.
- Use the "Extra" Slot: In Free Play, the game automatically gives you a selection of characters to cover all puzzles. But it often misses one. Always keep a character with "Electricity" (like Thor or Storm) and "Explosives" (like Iron Man Mark 6) in your quick-swap.
The charm of lego marvel superheroes ps4 characters lies in their simplicity. It’s a game that respects your time by giving you a massive playground and the right tools to break it. Whether you're a parent playing with a kid or a solo player looking for a relaxing Platinum trophy, this roster remains the gold standard for LEGO games.
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To maximize your experience, focus on unlocking the "Flying" characters first. Being tethered to the ground in the New York hub is a drag. Once you get someone like Iron Man or Silver Surfer, the verticality of the map opens up, revealing hidden puzzles on rooftops that you’d never see from the street level. Start with the "Stan in Peril" missions early; they provide a steady stream of Gold Bricks which are the primary currency for unlocking the most powerful characters in the game.