It may not feel like it, but Marvel’s The Hulk has been with us since May 1962, featuring in everything from the original comic books and movies to online slot games. However, the character owes much of his mainstream popularity to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and films such as The Avengers (2012).
As a bit of a celebration of The Hulk’s lesser-known forays into entertainment, here is a quick run-down of a few of the character’s more niche appearances, in board games, iGaming, and Marvel’s mobile phone apps.
Board Games

The Incredible Hulk: Smash distilled all the things that makes Bruce Banner’s alter ego so much fun into a cardboard box – and then added Play-Doh into the mix. Part building, part racing, and part smashing, this 2009 board game tasked players with moving Play-Doh vehicles towards a goal according to the roll of a dice.
However, if you rolled a Hulk fist image instead of a number, your opponent could draw a card that allowed them to squash your vehicle with the included plastic fist. The beauty of the game is that it came with lots of chunky 3D parts, some of which (the cardboard buildings and the game pieces, for example) required assembly beforehand.
If you’d prefer something a little more delicate though, there’s always Operation Hulk (2010), a green-skinned version of the classic surgery game.
 

Slot machines
The Incredible Hulk 50 Lines is an online slots game taken straight from bgo’s slot game selection. The title is a sequel that offers more opportunities for players to win than its predecessor did, while retaining popular features such as the Marvel Mystery Jackpot prizes. A free spins board and a ‘Smash Bonus’ that triggers a mini game keep the action fresh.
Part of bgo’s expansive Marvel slots range, which also includes the Avengers, Spiderman: Attack of the Green Goblin, and Iron Man 3, Hulk 50 Lines is an endearing game. With a minimum bet of 1p, the slot machine has found its way into a number of online casinos, including Gala Casino, which offers up to a £400 slots bonus with a £10 deposit, and Slots Heaven, a site that pays out a welcome bonus of up to 200%.
 
Mobile Apps

While the Hulk doesn’t have a mobile game of his own, Marvel’s catalog of Android and iPhone apps is extensive. Marvel Contest of Champions is a free-to-play fighting game featuring 74 different characters, including two variations on the classic Hulk – Red Hulk and Banner’s female counterpart, She-Hulk.
The Hulk also appears in Marvel: Future Fight, a Beat ‘em up and spin on the classic ‘dungeon crawler’ genre, and Marvel Mighty Heroes, a co-op game that also includes appearances from Iron Man, Dr Strange, and members of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Finally, Hulk featured in Marvel: War of Heroes, the company’s entry into the popular card battle genre, before it closed down in May of this year.
There is hope for fans of the latter game, however. While not a mobile app, the card game Legendary: A Marvel Deck Building Game is an easy-to-learn alternative featuring many of the same Marvel heroes, including our favorite green giant.
Inspired by classic horror icons such as Dr. Frankenstein’s monster and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Hulk is perhaps more of a sympathetic anti-hero than a knight in shining armor (or red underpants, as is so often the case with superheroes) but his continuing appeal is undeniable. Stan Lee, The Hulk’s creator, attributes his popularity to the fact that he’s far from perfect, a trait that (ironically) makes him more human than the likes of Thor and Superman.
 
Featured Article by DANIEL SMYTH
Daniel Smyth is a professional writer with almost a decade’s worth of experience covering topics in and around the technology and gaming industries. Daniel is now using his insights to offer tips, tricks and analysis for gamers worldwide.