Most of the time, video games are adapted into movies rather than television series. There seems to be a general rule that most video game-to-movie adaptations don’t always score very well with critics or with fans. Sure, there are a few diamonds in the rough, but for the most part, they can come across as a quick cash grab.
COLLIDER VIDEO OF THE DAY
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
On occasion, though, video games are selected to be made into TV shows rather than movies. So far, of those that have been released, almost all of them have been at least average (except for Netflix’s Resident Evil adaptation), with some even being downright amazing. Even if you’ve never touched a video game controller in your life, some of these shows are great binge-watching material, and a fantastic way to broaden your horizons and have fun doing it.
13 ‘Sonic X’ (2003 – 2005)
Original Game Release: 1991 (Sega Genesis/GBA/PC/3DS/Switch)
Image via 4Kids Entertainment
Sonic X is the Japanese anime responsible for the iconic “Gotta Go Fast” theme song that lives rent-free in the heads of many a 00s kid. The show is, obviously, based on the original Sonic the Hedgehog video game that was later adapted into a hit film series. Even though it is an anime, it doesn’t always feel like one, which makes it endearing to Western and Eastern audiences alike.
Unlike the movies, which only feature a few select characters, all the lovable characters from the Sonic series can be found in this children’s cartoon. But see, this is one of those shows that may be intended for children, but is also a great watch for adults. Especially if you’re in the need for some good old-fashioned nostalgia. While this definitely isn’t the first Sonic cartoon, it is certainly the best.
Sonic X
Release Date April 6, 2003
Cast Jason Griffith , Lisa Ortiz , Mike Pollock , Andrew Rannells , Dan Green
Seasons 3
Watch on Amazon Prime
12 ‘Detention’ (2020)
Original Game Release: 2017 (PC/PS4/Switch)
Like Resident Evil, Detention also saw a movie adaptation that was released before the show. While the movie is regarded as being significantly better, the show has found a decent reception, too. Taking place in a Taiwanese high school, a group of students becomes trapped within the building after hours, which is made a lot worse considering the fact that ghosts haunt the halls. Naturally, this series leans more into horror rather than into action, and it works for this series.
Netflix released Detention in 2020, but there was no second season. All the same, if you’re a fan of horror, especially East Asian horror, this one and its movie counterpart are definitely worth the watch. Is it the best TV adaptation of a video game out there? No. But it is entertaining. And let’s be honest, there aren’t a lot of horror games that get turned into TV series.
Watch on Netflix
11 ‘Dragon’s Dogma’ (2020)
Original Game Release: 2012 (PS3, Xbox 360, Windows, Nintendo Switch)
Released in 2012, Dragon’s Dogma is an action role-playing game that takes place in the high-fantasy realm of Gransys, with the playable character setting out to defeat a deadly dragon said to bring about the end of the world. The game stayed relevant as it was updated to Dark Arisen to remain playable on a new generation of consoles, with its cultural staying power seeing it earn a Netflix original animated series in 2020.
It follows soon-to-be father as he sets out to vanquish the dragon that stole his heart, struggling with his morality as ever life he takes costs him more of his humanity. While it divided fans, it was more warmly received by critics. Its action sequences stand as its major highlight, giving it a visually enriching and satisfying appeal that, funnily enough, seemed to work better for viewers unfamiliar with the game. – Ryan Heffernan
Watch on Netflix
10 ‘Halo’ (2022 – )
Original Game Release: 2001 (XB/XB360/PC)
Image via Paramount+
Halo is an Xbox-exclusive first-person shooter series that revolutionized the genre. Taking place 500 years in the future, it centers on humans fighting a war with an alien force comprised of different races in an alliance known as the Covenant. At the center of it all is Master Chief (Pablo Schreiber), an experimental super soldier who looms as the key to humanity’s survival.
While many die-hard fans of the series have criticized it, the consensus is that it is best defined by its more enjoyable moments and its rewarding nods to the game series, even if some pretty significant changes have been made. Its expansion on the story world of Halo, and its focus on a revised version of the events leading up to the fall of Reach, has made the series an enthralling sci-fi with an intriguing narrative. While Season 1 has its critics, Season 2 has been warmly received, with many viewing Halo as one of the best sci-fi series currently airing.
Halo
Release Date March 24, 2022
Creator Steven Kane, Kyle Killen
Seasons 2
Watch on Paramount+
9 ‘Gangs of London’ (2020 – )
Original Game Release: 2006 (PSP)
Image via AMC
Crime shows, especially shows about organized crime, are pretty popular with audiences, with successful shows like Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, or Peaky Blinders becoming hits on the small screen. So Gangs of London was already going to be a hit, even if it was based on a video game. The game came out exclusively for the PlayStation Portable, and is the third installment in a series. Despite this bizarre choice of source material, the show works pretty well.
Many critics deemed the show to be a masterpiece for its gritty action and tense atmosphere; a signature trope of crime shows. If crime shows are your cup of tea, this is definitely one worth checking out. In fact, since the game itself is pretty niche, it wouldn’t be surprising if some of this show’s fans had never even heard of the original game before. It’s that entertaining, and worth a watch if you’re a fan of the game.
Watch on AMC+
8 ‘Carmen Sandiego’ (2019 – 2021)
Original Game Release: 1985 (PC/C64/SNES/Sega Genesis)
Image via Netflix
Carmen Sandiego originally started as an educational series of video games. It seems weird that educational games of all things would be turned into a Netflix TV series. But this one worked pretty well as it saw the release of four seasons in just two years and received stellar reviews. The Netflix series decided to spice things up a little and craft an action-adventure series with some of the classic education thrown in, just to keep things at least a little reminiscent of the originals.
The show features a star-studded cast, with Gina Rodriguez voicing the titular character. The cast also includes Finn Wolfhard and Dawnn Lewis. The show proved to be a brilliant adventure story reminiscent of classic Indiana Jones flicks, with a few fun facts sprinkled in, allowing viewers to have fun and maybe learn a thing or two in the process. Even though Carmen Sandiego is marketed as a kids’ show, it’s still enjoyable for adults who remember the games from their childhood.
Carmen Sandiego
Release Date January 18, 2019
Seasons 1
Watch on Netflix
Original Game Release: 1995 (PS1/PC)
Image via Peacock
Twisted Metal is one of the wildest game series ever created. The premise focuses on a group of destructive racers that deck out their vehicles with all kinds of high-tech weaponry. With a memorable cast of characters and loads of high-octane action, the game was bound to be adapted into a show or movie eventually; and, so far, it’s delivered.
Fans of the series have been hungry for a new installment for quite some time now, as the most recent game came out in 2012. Luckily, the show seemed to satiate fans’ appetites as it delivered all the abrasive comedy and ridiculous explosions that they had come to expect from the franchise. If you’re a fan of cheesy action movies, or of the zany game itself, Twisted Metal is, by far, a must-watch.
Watch on Peacock
6 ‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ (2022)
Original Game Release: 2020 (Windows, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia)
Image via Netflix/CD Projekt RED
An expansion on the immensely popular CD Projekt sci-fi game from 2020, Cyberpunk 2077, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners excelled as an anime evolution of the story world. While the game was initially met with some criticism but developed into a respected title, the series was an instant hit, with the standalone miniseries winning over plenty of fans thanks to its visual splendor and its frenetic action sequences.
Set in Night City, a dystopian megacity where crime and corruption run rampant, a street kid decides to use his skills to get by as an “edgerunner,” a teched-up, black market mercenary also known as a “cyberpunk.” An all-out assault on the senses, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners overloads its 10 25-minute episodes with action, style, and a frenzied narrative to make for a terrific treat for fans of the video game as well as lovers of sci-fi anime. – Ryan Heffernan
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Release Date September 13, 2022
Cast Aoi Yuki , Kenichiro Ohashi , Kenjiro Tsuda , Kazuhiko Inoue
Seasons 1
Watch on Netflix
5 ‘Castlevania’ (2017 – 2021)
Original Game Release: 1986 (NES/C64/GBA/PC)
Image via Netflix
Castlevania is a show released by Netflix that is based on the original Japanese dark fantasy game. While the show is clearly inspired by anime and meant to look like that, technically, it doesn’t fit the definition of the term. This is because anime typically refers to Japanese-made animated series, which Castlevania isn’t.
Regardless, the reviews for the show were very impressive. Many critics praised it for its visuals and compelling storyline; and the best part about it is it doesn’t have the typical Japanese samurai action that many anime or anime-inspired shows have. From the game’s original inception, it has taken influences from European Gothic literature, which makes it a great fit for non-anime fans, too. But again, it’s technically not an anime.
4 ‘Arcane’ (2021 – )
Original Game Release: 2009 (PC)
Image via Netflix
Arcane was released on Netflix in 2021 to a surprisingly good reception. The show is based on League of Legends, a competitive MOBA-style game exclusive to the PC. While the game is immensely popular, this show defied all expectations and was enjoyed by newcomers and veterans of League of Legends. Heck, it was even enjoyed by people who had never even heard of the game before.
The animated show centers on VI, one of the playable champions in the game, and features many familiar and recognizable characters. Even if you have no idea what League of Legends is or what it’s about, it’s a pretty darn good show, and is most certainly one of the best game-to-television adaptations audiences have seen thus far. The show is so good that it literally got a critical score of 100% and an audience score of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. How many shows does one know that have done that?
Arcane
Release Date November 6, 2021
Seasons 2
3 ‘The Last of Us’ (2023 – )
Original Game Release: 2013 (PS3)
Image via HBO
A new horizon for live-action video game adaptations, The Last of Us has received widespread acclaim from both fans and critics as a brilliant re-working of the award-winning video game for the small screen. Starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, the series takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has been decimated by a fungal, zombie plague. As people grow increasingly savage, a world-weary soldier is tasked with protecting a young girl whose immunity to the virus sparks new hope.
Aided by the fact that Neil Druckman, the co-developer and creative director of the 2013 video game, worked as one of the show’s creators, the series was widely acclaimed for its dedication to sticking to the source material. The result is a scintillating zombie horror story that also functions as a harrowing drama focusing on weighty themes like loss, family, sacrifice, and morality. It captured the essence of the video game perfectly and has become a modern television phenomenon after just one season.
The Last Of Us
Release Date January 15, 2023
Creator Craig Mazin, Neil Druckmann
Seasons 2
Watch on Max
2 ‘Fallout’ (2024 – )
Original Game Release: 1997 (Windows)
Image via Prime Video
Based on the immensely popular Fallout games, the television series represents the latest in the recent success stories of video games being adapted to the small screen. Each installment of the game series focuses on survivors of a nuclear apocalypse in different parts of a retro-futuristic America. The Amazon Prime series follows Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell), a Vault dweller who has survived the 200 years of fallout in a bunker, as she ventures into a radiation-ravaged Los Angeles to search for her father.
Winning the approval of fans and critics alike, Fallout has succeeded in honoring the games it was based on while expanding the narrative to tens of millions of new audience members. Its scrappy protagonists and lawless setting give the series a captivating grit, while its stylish flourishes ensure it remains an aesthetic treat to revel in. Completed with a brilliant narrative, Fallout could represent a new gold standard in video game adaptations. – Ryan Heffernan
Fallout
Release Date April 11, 2024
Creator(s) Graham Wagner , Geneva Robertson-Dworet
Seasons 1
Watch on Amazon Prime
1 ‘Pokémon’ (1997 – )
Original Game Release: 1996 (GB)
Image via the Pokémon Company
Pokémon has built a huge multimedia empire since the original games were released in 1996. Since then, there has been a card game, multiple other main entries and spin-off games, and even several Pokémon movies. The show’s tales of friendship and coexistence have captivated the hearts of many. Not only is the show one of, if not the longest-running Japanese anime series ever, but it’s one of the most successful TV shows, period. Each season brings new adventures and characters, as well as more of the lovable little creatures that give the show its name.
While primarily geared towards kids, the show has amassed a massive fanbase on the back of its fun-loving adventure thrills and its universal accessibility. It has remained a quality program that is consistently enjoyed by avid fans, and is a central part of the childhoods of many, which is what makes the show the best video game-to-television adaptation of all time.
Pokemon
Release Date September 8, 1998
Creator Junichi Masuda, Ken Sugimori, Satoshi Tajiri
Cast Veronica Taylor , Rachael Lillis , Eric Stuart , Ikue Ôtani , Rica Matsumoto , Megumi Hayashibara
Seasons 25
NEXT: Great TV Series Based On Graphic Novels