In case you haven't heard, the rollout of downloadable content characters for "Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2" has begun -- and the first of five characters to be announced is one of the Marvel Universe's most delightfully psychotic super villains: Carnage.

Does it seem odd to have a serial killer teaming with the likes of Iron Man and (well, in this case, or) Captain America might seem a little odd at first -- and, let's face it, it is -- but when Activision polled gamers at New York Comic-Con this year about who they'd like to see in the game, Mr. Kasady topped the list.

With a gaming pedigree like that of Carnage, it's easy to see why you guys like him in your games so much. The "MUA2" DLC marks the Venom-spawn's eighth videogame appearance -- and his first playable outing. What were those other seven appearances all about, you ask? Well, let's check 'em out in chronological order...

Spider-Man and the X-Men in Arcade's Revenge (Flying Edge, 1992 -- Super NES/Genesis version described; also on Game Boy)

Carnage's first game appearance in color was...kinda weird, actually. Not only was he working for Arcade (very possibly the oddest choice of an ultimate super villain in Marvel games history), he was also teamed up with Rhino. 'Cause...that always happens, right? While Rhino charged, Carnage "[turned] his skin into solid darts" (so says the manual) that he threw your way until you pound him into submission and -- this is where it gets really weird -- you see a buck-naked Cletus Kasady lying on the ground, fading into life power-ups.

Spider-Man 2 (LJN, 1992 -- Game Boy)

Considering that Carnage's first costumed appearance was in March 1992, it's pretty amazing that he not only made two game appearances that year, but also actually made the cover of this Game Boy exclusive. I didn't play the game, but rumor has it (hooray for back-of-box captions!) you rode some sort of "deadly Skull-Coaster" in order to get to him.

Spider-Man/Venom: Maximum Carnage (Acclaim, 1994 -- Super NES, Genesis)

If you ask me, this game is the main reason why so many of you voted to have Carnage included in "MUA2." Based on a huge comics event of the same name (it even followed the story beat for beat), "Maximum Carnage" absolutely punished you as a player -- as either Spidey or Venom, no less -- but was so much fun at the time, you didn't care. It was one of the best beat-em-ups of its day, and Carnage was nothing less than ruthless throughout. Acclaim even made the cartridges red instead of the typical black or gray in honor of the guy's thirst for blood. It's still fun to play today -- just don't count on ever beating it without the skills to match your serious time investment.

Venom/Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety (Acclaim, 1995 -- Super NES, Genesis, PC)

You know you're at the height of symbiote popularity when Venom's name comes before Spidey's in this follow-up to "Maximum Carnage." This one was much more beatable, though, as you took on Venom's symbiotic "children" with Carnage waiting for you there at the end.

Spider-Man (Activision, 2000 -- PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, PC, Mac, Game Boy Color)

As if "Maximum Carnage" wasn't great enough to popularize Carnage in the gaming space, his role in the first truly awesome 3D super hero game of all time was nothing to scoff at either. Late in the game, Spidey fights him and subdues Cletus...but that's not it for the Carnage suit, which plays a major role in the game's climactic escape sequence. If you have played and beaten this game, you know just how sweet what becomes of the suit actually is. And if you haven't? Well, go play the thing and see for yourself! It's totally worth it.

Ultimate Spider-Man (Activision, 2005 -- Xbox, PlayStation 2, GameCube, PC, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance) 

What is it with Carnage and showing up in so many great Spidey games? Well, his appearance in this "sequel" to the original Venom story arc in the ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN comics was probably his weirdest to date. The game came out sometime between Ultimate Carnage's first and second appearances and fit beautifully into comics continuity -- at the time, anyway (not so much anymore). The twist here? The Carnage suit actually takes hold of Peter Parker as you pound him to a pulp playing as Venom. Good times.

Marvel Trading Card Game (Konami, 2007 -- PC, Nintendo DS, PSP)

I'll admit, I haven't played this one. But I have it on good authority that there is a Carnage card in the deck, and it probably looks something like what you see to the right. Actually, come to think of it...would this be his first playable appearance? (Whatever the case, he's definitely more exciting in "MUA2"...)

So, what are your memories of Carnage in Marvel games? Did I leave anything out? Show me some love in the comments, and I'll continue to do entries like these for the remaining four DLC characters as they are announced.

Excelsioryuken!

C-Bake