Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin is an action platformer that Sega released for the Genesis in North America in August 1991. It was developed by Technopop, and the cartridge was first titled just Spider-Man. When Randel B. Reiss's contract with Sega ran out, programmer Burt Sloane took over development.
The Kingpin plants a nuclear bomb in New York, frames Spider-Man for stealing it and hands the deactivation keys to villains such as Doctor Octopus, Sandman, the Lizard, Hobgoblin, Vulture, Mysterio and Electro. Venom shows up at the end of each round as an extra-hard fight and kidnaps Mary Jane Watson midway through.
Sega also made Master System and Game Gear versions; the Master System game was one of the last for that console officially sold in North America, and Acclaim published the Game Gear game under its Flying Edge brand. In 1993 the Sega CD received The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin, with voiced animated scenes, new levels and music by Spencer Nilsen and Mr. Big. Its Mysterio's Funhouse level later inspired a similar stage in Treyarch's Spider-Man 2 (2004).1
Names and releases
| Region | Title on the box | Platform | Date | Publisher | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA | Spider-ManDeveloped by Technopop | Genesis | August 1991 | Sega | 1 |
| NA | Spider-ManEuropean import sold by Sega of America without US-made boxes or manuals | Master System | August 1991 | Sega | 1 |
| NA | Spider-Man | Game Gear | May 19, 1992 | Acclaim Entertainment (Flying Edge) | 1 |
| NA | The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin | Sega CD | 1993 | Sega | 1 |
| EU | Spider-Man | Genesis | September 1991 | Sega | 1 |
| EU | Spider-Man | Master System | October 1991 | Sega | 1 |
| EU | Spider-Man | Game Gear | April 1992 | Acclaim Entertainment (Flying Edge) | 1 |
| EU | The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The KingpinUK release February 1994 | Sega CD | November 1993 | Sega | 1 |
Also known as: Spider-Man WW1The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin WW1
Box art by region
NA Spider-Man 
EU Spider-Man
Box art © its publishers, shown to identify each release. Scans: libretro-thumbnails.
Version differences
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GameplayGenesis
Only the Genesis version lets Spider-Man photograph enemies and sell the pictures to the Daily Bugle for more web fluid; the Sega CD version removed this.1
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ContentMaster SystemGame Gear
The Master System version keeps the story but has redesigned levels and cutscenes, with a Doctor Strange cameo. Mary Jane is not kidnapped and appears only in the best ending. The Game Gear game is a nearly identical port of it.1
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DifficultyMaster System
The Master System version was considered hard to finish even on the easiest setting.1
Reception
Critics praised the Genesis version's graphics, sound and faithful characters. Developer Randel B. Reiss said two-thirds of Genesis owners at the time bought the game and that it persuaded Marvel not to cancel its licensing deal with Sega. Hyper gave the Sega CD version 73%.1
In lists
Sources
Checked: 2026-10-13Text reviewed: 2026-10-13
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