Games developed through licensing can have major problems attached to them, ranging from a lack of originality to delays caused by studio problems. It’s been seen before in titles such as the WWE series, among other IPs, with the comic book landscape having similar issues.
The Justice League were meant to have their big arrival on consoles well before Injustice: Gods Among Us had set the stage. This cancelled game was far into development, so much so that it’s a shame it wasn’t released. That said, here are 10 facts fans should know to understand just how big this title was meant to be.
10 It Was Titled “Justice League Arcade” And Developed By Double Helix Games
While it’s not certain if Justice League Arcade would have stuck as the title in the long-run, that was the name the game was developed with. In case there are any doubts if the studio could have pulled the game off, it’s worth noting that Double Helix Games were the developers.
This studio is responsible for titles such as the horror game Silent Hill: Homecoming and other mainstream properties, including G.I: The Rise of Cobra, and Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters. Considering the studio’s primary strength has been delivering blockbuster media in gaming, Justice League Arcade was similarly meant to have a larger-than-life feel.
9 It Was Set For Seventh Generation Consoles
Here’s something that would’ve shaken the industry had it come true: Justice League Arcade was aimed to be one of the first big titles for the seventh generation consoles. Its original release was set to be around 2007, which would have placed it only months after the PS3, Wii, and Xbox 360 were released.
Not only would this have stirred significant interest in each console, it meant that the sales performance on each individual platform would have been the earliest indicators of success for the consoles.
8 It Was A Tie-In For A Justice League Movie
A big deal was made, and continues to be made, of the Justice League movie that was released in 2017. However, Justice League Arcade’s production was only possible due to a big-budget film meant to arrive.
The game was a tie-in for Justice League Mortal, a movie being developed by George Miller, the director of the mega-hit Mad Max: Fury Road. Due to the major release of the film, Justice League Arcade was similarly placed as a huge venture in gaming production.
7 It Was Part Of The Beat ‘Em Up Genre
Although it might sound as if this game would have had serious potential either as an open-world feature or an action-adventure entry, the genre was instead supposed to be beat ’em up. This means the gameplay was mostly based on button-mashing and power moves.
It would have joined the ranks of games like Devil May Cry and God of War, with Justice League Arcade placing an emphasis on beating bad guys in expansive surroundings. Along with that, gameplay also focused on taking out swarms of enemies, while main antagonists were fought on a solo basis.
6 The Core Group Were Selectable Options
It’s a common tactic to tout appearances by a bunch of characters, only to deliver one or two central figures. However, Justice League Arcade wasn’t meant to be like this, instead having the entire core Justice League as playable options.
Green Lantern, Batman, the Flash, Superman, and Wonder Woman were all readily available to be chosen, with the choice of character having the entire campaign dedicated to them. This would have bolstered the replay value, as players could start over with an entirely new character.
5 Every Character Had Certain Abilities Only They Could Use
The beauty of having selectable options between protagonists was the fact that their individual move set was ready for the taking. While button-mashing meant that the general gameplay style consisted of kicks and punches, every playable character had a unique style.
This involved having moves only they could pull off, with certain areas of expertise and strength dedicated to each individual character. Special moves were a significant aspect, such as Batman’s use of his gadgetry, and Wonder Woman taking out the lasso to use in different combos.
4 The Film’s Delay Caused Game Production Delays As Well
Ultimately, since it was meant to be a tie-in to Justice League Mortal, the game’s cancellation was due to the film being scrapped. Unlike the movie, though, the game was very much in active development, but saw multiple delays due to the film’s problems.
At one point, the film was pushed forward to 2009, with a budget reportedly around $300 million. When the ensuing tax costs meant the movie couldn’t be made, the game developers attempted a separate release. Unfortunately, this didn’t come about either, meaning Justice League Arcade’s demise has the movie to blame.
3 Features Were Meant To Be Unlocked
Although the superheroes here were vastly powerful, the game wasn’t going to let players have it that easy. In order to progress further, gamers were supposed to earn their abilities, which entailed having to unlock them.
The more experience gained, the more features players could unlock, meaning the character was going to start off relatively weak before being upgraded to the point where they could take on stronger enemies. Alternate costumes and power-ups were meant to be found using exploration.
2 Mongul Was The Primary Villain
For those who don’t know, Mongul is a primary antagonist of Superman’s, with various interpretations of the character based on the story he’s placed in. Justice League Arcade had this villain as the main boss, although a whole lot of other villains were also available.
The rest of the rogue’s gallery included Sinestro, Professor Zoom, Zod, and Cyborg Superman. The overall story revolved around Mongul’s Warworld, surviving which was supposed to be the bulk of the plot.
1 The Gameplay And Concept Are Available For Viewing
Now, here’s the most interesting fact: the game’s prototype can actually be seen in all its glory. The concept and finished portions of the Xbox 360 version are available online, and everything from the beginning of the playthrough to the end have been released.
The parts that were never completed are filled in using illustrations of what it was meant to look like, so there are no gaps in narrative. It goes to show that Justice League Arcade was certainly near completion, and would’ve been just as intriguing as the cancelled Marvel game featuring the Avengers.
NEXT: Injustice 2: 10 Tips & Tricks To Being The Best Red Hood
