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Review: The Phantom (PlayStation 4/5, Switch & Steam) – Defunct Games

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Defunct Games reviews The Phantom, available now on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch and PC.

I’m not sure the video game version of The Phantom moves faster than lightning and is stronger than a stampeding elephant, but don’t let that stop you from playing this thoroughly enjoyable brawler. Featuring beautiful hand-drawn graphics that look like they were ripped right out of the comics, this globe-trotting swashbuckler is full of cool locations to fight in and exciting car chases to survive. Unfortunately, the sluggish gameplay, repetitive enemies and frustrating bugs hold this game back, but fans of The Phantom, brawlers or both will be more than satisfied with this adaptation. Here’s hoping this isn’t the last time we see Kit Walker don the purple suit in a video game.

NOTE: Defunct Games received a digital code from the developer/publisher of this game for review purposes. For more information about the Defunct Games review policy visit www.defunctgames.com

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#ThePhantom #BeatEmUp #Brawler

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43 comments

@mrgonzale0978 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
the movie was good. didint know they made a 2nd version with different cast. i bought this game very entertaining.
@jonmccown2323 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
Side scroller games are a hard sell today. Of course there is a market but it's a niche project. Not millions of copies sold. But an open world Phantom game would kick Azz.
@SolidSnake240 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
I was interested in this game when i first heard about it but then I saw the gameplay lol. I play a lot of beatemups and this one just isn't up to par with stuff like Streets of Rage 4 or Fight'N Rage. There are way better games in the genre.
@WarioSaysSo April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
HOLY GHOST! I did not even know there was a The Phantom game in development, let alone released (?) I now have to buy it for my PS4 PRO.
For real, despite him being the OG masked crime fighter comic book hero and being a American creation, The Phantom have despite many attempts from its publisher and even DC Comics and Marvel took swings, the character with its comics never really was loved in North America (?) HOWEVER in other countries he was- and still is a loved/respected icon.
Countries includes; Sweden, Norway, Finland, Australia, Turkey, Italy, New Zeeland etc. where they are still made and sold. Heck, its creator Lee Falk blessed Scandinavian publisher Egmont to take over the comics - and have since the 90's done so well with both solid art works and writings.
@torquetheprisoner April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
he was a huge part in defenders of the earth cartoon in the 80's
@LukeTopSecret April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
I still remember my first exposure to the Phantom. It was Issue 1511 "Guran Disappears" in 2008

I was staying at my grandparents house, i was around 7 or 8 years old and my Nanna really want to buy me something like a toy because I was being a good boy. Problem being we were at a grocery store so they didn't have any "cool" toys besides hot wheels so I turned those down. My nanna had to go to a news agency and at the time News Agencys were sellint The Simpsons comics which i had bough many times before so I went looking but instead I saw a Phantom comic.

Looking back I have no idea why I was even interested as the comic is in black and white (boring for a kid who's used to the bright Simpsons comics) but my nanna bought it for me and I was hocked. For those who know issue 1511 it hardly shows the phantom as he is dying and Guran needs to find medical herbs to save him so my exposure was a super hero who didn't fight, didn't have any quipy dialogue but was instead sleeping so it still surprises me I loved that first issue i read so much.


I am now 25 and haven't missed an issue since 2008 and still buy them to this day. I even went back for issues before my time.

As a kid I was trying so hard to get my friends to read some comics but their complaint was always "it's in black and white and the phantom has no powers."

Yeah ok kid you enjoy your batman comics then.

The Phantom is my favourite superhero of all time.
@Zoogi.e April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
Batman: Arkham City
@superc1361 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
Looks like a mobile game .
@tvav69 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
Looks really slow. 😂
@K-FUNKCO. April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
It looks like Archer the tv series
@davedixon2167 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
The art style is great but the 12FPS (animated on the 2s) look of the combat moves is jarring and I believe it when you say it feels stiff.
@lotariosere8393 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
lame game, no other weapons, no run, not the strengh of 10 tigers, nothing, i still waiting the defenders of the earth game.
@ifeanyikennedy1047 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
This game is total bullshit.
@mrcronstedt April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
Nice review ;). Answer to the question at the end of the video: The punisher (2005) PC, PS2, XBOX
@Healthy_Toki April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
Hard to get much more classic than the Phantom. Awesome to see him get a revival! Keep it coming!
@guillepankeke2844 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
Comic book style is old as early 2000s, this isn't a great game. It's kind of mediocre for this character. The awesome animated series of a Phantom of the future is proof of how much can be added to a good character. A beat'em up for this age would be fine if something changes the pace to make things more interesting.
@bakeboi8408 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
This game needs some updates with new enemies,moves,and characters and faster gameplay
@homeaccount5943 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
Please tell me this Phantom game is on disc.
@mirdraco April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
Ah the phantom, the brother of aeon flux.
@Daftanemone April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
It’s lame all the enemies are just named Singh assassin and Singh pirate. Final fight had every enemy have names even palette swaps
@Sammo212 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
I got incredibly excited over the announcement of this game.

Then I saw the pictures. Then I saw the video. I wish that this was faster paced. Even retro beat'em ups felt more fast paced than this.
@jodrano9356 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
Marvel vs Capcom 2 is the best comic book game ever made. Batman Arkham Asylum is up there
@batman-cu1ep April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
Just subscribed. Great review. I will give this game a try
@jmhaces April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
Back in the '80's there was a cartoon show that was basically "The Avengers" but using old timey comic strip heroes. It included Flash Gordon, The Phantom (said to be the son of the OG Phantom to make timelines fit, so probably the same as the kid in this game since all Phantoms seem to take the family name Kit Walker), a magician called Mandrake and his bodyguard Lothar, and all their teenage children.

I never realized just how old and established these characters were until my grandmother saw me watching it and asked if Mandrake's girlfriend Narda was in the show and I realized that not only did my Grandma know more about the lore of these characters than me, she had read the comic strips in the paper when she was a child or at least a teen.
@saymonm4563 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
The Phantom were very popular in Brazil in the eighties and his comics are still published in Brazil by Mythos editora.
I liked this game and i hope they do i sequel with The Defenders of The Earth.
My favorite comic book game is Batman Returns(SNES)
@CCJRetro April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
My favorite comic video game would be Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley.
@Cheeselord83 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
all style no substance, this is a common theme with alot of "hand drawn" games. They always seem to focus more on the visuals, the gameplay comes in 2nd or 3rd. Underneath the striking visuals is a VERY slow, dull and generic brawler.
@V3ntilator April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
The Phantom were so popular in Norway it's almost like it were part of Norwegian culture.
I never hear anyone ever mention "Silver Arrow", but that Belgian comic were also huge in Norway.
@TheLongestConfidence April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
Batman lost his parents? Jfc, spoilers, dude!
@eviltom17 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
Reminds me a lot of the old Genesis game "Comix Zone" love it!
@randallfallin1423 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
I'm afraid I'll just play phantom 2040 snes again, it's surprisingly good
@Cyberpunknut April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
You don't know how right you are to say the smaller scope comic book stories are more refreshing. Not every story needs to be about stopping an apocalypse. The game is pretty striking looking.

I liked that Billy Zane movie as cheesy as it was lol.

QOTD, The first two batman Arkham games probably nail the look, tone, and feel of Batman while respecting both the comic , and animated versions.
@JenMistress April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
Have a feeling when the enemies would stay just out of range, wished it was Scorpion rather than Phantom, so that way you could throw that Spear and say, "Get over here!" 😉😂🤣 As for the question, I'm going to say Something Unlimited. Yeah, I know it's an Adult Only Parody game, but since you play as Lex Luther going to have sexy time with DC Super Heroines and Villainess, I'll say that count. 😉
@chrisfellows8507 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
Once again no Xbox! This game looks incredible!
@brandonsclips7741 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
The backgrounds are gorgeous on this one
@DP12321 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
I've got the PS5 version coming from Limited Run, but glad to hear this is a good game. It'll go nice next to my Phantom 2040 on Genesis.

Best comic book game? The Punisher on PS2/Xbox/PC is my vote. A bit gimmicky, but a great time. Wasn't based on that awful 2004 movie either which is nice.
@Mystemo April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
In Sweden (and Italy I believe) The Phantom used to be the most popular comic book hero of them all. Even today there are regular releases of new Phantom comics in the magazine rack.
@stuartbagley2586 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
Is this on XBOX as well?
@kennyulysse2163 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
🍿🥤
@thaneros April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
This game ripped moves straight from Streets of Rage lol
@superbros64deluxe April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
Looks like the Phantom was trying to copy the homework from another P named hero, Frank Castle aka the Punisher, My favorite comic beat em up? I think I'll say the Punisher (as much as I could say Turtles in time or TMNT arcade some could argue those are more based on the 1987 cartoon so they don't count as "comic games")
@jayesun3420 April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
I think I'm going to enjoy this Phantom game.Niiice
@JosephCoco April 3, 2025 - 2:31 pm
QotD: I'd love to say Wonderful 101, but I've never beaten it 🤦

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