X-Men: Legends

Twenty-two years ago, on September 21, 2004, a different kind of X-Men story unfolded. X-Men: Legends arrived in the United States for the GameCube, inviting players to step into the boots of their favorite mutants and form their own strike teams.

WHY IT STILL MATTERS

This wasn't just another beat-em-up; it was an RPG that let you customize your squad, upgrade their powers, and tackle a story that felt distinctly Marvel. You could switch between four characters on the fly, combining their unique abilities to overcome challenges. The game offered a roster of familiar faces, from Wolverine and Storm to Gambit and Rogue, each with their own distinct move sets and upgrade paths. It felt like finally getting to run that perfect team-up you’d always imagined, instead of just playing as the one guy on the cover.

The ability to build your team, manage their powers, and see them grow felt significant for a licensed game at the time. It gave players a tangible sense of ownership over their mutant adventures.