Hulk, Thor and Captain America coming to DS and PSP?

The fact that a deal has been struck between a game publisher and comic book powerhouse Marvel is hardly surprising – superheroes are super hot right now. Besides, it's not as if superhero video games are a new thing.

But the fact that the publisher in question is Sega is significant, if only because the Japanese company (which also develops most of its titles, let's not forget) has a decent track record when it comes to the quality of its output. And quality isn't something that tends to have a close association with superhero video games.

The exclusive, multi-year global licensing agreement covers The Incredible Hulk, Thor and Captain America and extends to both the original comics and forthcoming films.

The first game is to be based on next year's Hollywood blockbuster The Incredible Hulk (aka Hulk 2) and is obviously set to coincide with the film's release.

Both Thor and Captain America movies are currently pencilled in for 2009, giving some indication of when we can expect the other two games. (Though it's worth remembering the deal isn't limited to Marvel's cinematic output.)

Before those two, however, Sega will release a game based on the Iron Man film currently in production and due to appear in 2008. This is the result of a previously announced agreement between Sega and Marvel which, as the latest deal, enables Sega to develop and distribute titles based on Marvel's property across all current gaming platforms.

Given the current commercial potential of superheroes, it's not unreasonable to expect all titles to make it on to both DS and PSP – it makes supersense, after all. Sega has yet to confirm this, of course, but we suspect this is mainly because it's super busy, ensuring that none of the productions ends up as the rushed, substandard mess that typifies so many past superhero video game transitions. Now that would be an heroic achievement.