Movies and TV shows have always been a source of inspiration for video game developers, and vice versa. Check out the new Borderlands trailer based on a game of the same name. Some of these adaptations are faithful to the original source material, while others take creative liberties and explore new possibilities. But How Movies and TV Shows Shape Video Games when not all adaptations are created equal. Some are praised by critics and fans alike, while others are panned and forgotten. At Flikbak TV, we will look at some of the best and worst examples of movies and TV shows that have been turned into video games, and video games that have been turned into movies and TV shows.
“The full value of the gaming industry now exceeds $300 billion, more than the combined markets for movies and music.” –
Accenture 2021
The Best Movie and TV Video Game Adaptations
The Witcher: A Faithful and Fantastic Fantasy Series
The Witcher is a fantasy TV series based on the popular video game series of the same name, which in turn is based on the novels by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. The TV series follows the adventures of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter known as a witcher, who travels across a medieval world plagued by war, magic, and beasts. The TV series stars Henry Cavill as Geralt, Anya Chalotra as Yennefer, and Freya Allan as Ciri.
How Movies and TV Shows Shape Video Games.The TV series has been praised for its faithful adaptation of the video game series, which is widely regarded as one of the best RPGs of all time. The TV series captures the dark and gritty tone of the games, as well as the complex and morally ambiguous characters and choices. The series also features stunning visuals, epic action scenes, and a catchy soundtrack. The TV series has been a huge success, becoming one of the most watched shows on Netflix, and has been renewed for a second season.
Spider-Man 2: A Web-Swinging Masterpiece
Spider-Man 2 is a video game based on the 2004 movie. The second installment of the Spider-Man film trilogy directed by Sam Raimi. The video game follows the same plot as the movie, as Spider-Man battles Doctor Octopus, who plans to use a fusion reactor to destroy New York City. The video game also features other villains and side missions, such as Mysterio, Rhino, and Black Cat.
The game has been praised for its innovative web-swinging mechanics. This allows the player to freely explore a realistic and detailed rendition of Manhattan. The game also features voice acting from the movie’s cast, such as Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, and Alfred Molina. The video game is widely considered to be one of the best superhero games of all time, and one of the best movie tie-in games ever made.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King: An Epic and Immersive Adventure
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is a video game based on the 2003 movie. The third and final installment of the epic fantasy film trilogy directed by Peter Jackson. The video game follows the same plot as the movie. As the heroes of Middle-earth fight to destroy the One Ring and defeat the Dark Lord Sauron. The video game also features scenes and characters from the previous movies. The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers.
The game has been praised for its faithful adaptation of the movie, as well as its immersive gameplay and graphics. The game allows the player to control various characters from the movie. Such as Aragorn, Gandalf, Legolas, and Frodo, and use their unique skills and weapons. The video game also features co-operative and multiplayer modes, as well as voice acting from the movie’s cast. Including Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, and Viggo Mortensen. The video game is widely considered to be one of the best movie tie-in games ever made. Also one of the best hack and slash games of all time.
The Worst Movie and TV Video Game Adaptations
Super Mario Bros.: A Disastrous and Dystopian Disaster
Super Mario Bros. is a 1993 movie based on the iconic video game series of the same name. Featuring the adventures of Mario and Luigi, two plumbers who travel to a parallel dimension where they must rescue Princess Daisy from the evil King Koopa. The movie stars Bob Hoskins as Mario, John Leguizamo as Luigi, Samantha Mathis as Daisy, and Dennis Hopper as Koopa.
The movie has been panned for its unfaithful adaptation of the video game series, as well as its poor plot, acting, and effects. It deviates from the colorful and whimsical tone of the games. Instead presents a dark and dystopian version of the Mushroom Kingdom, where dinosaurs have evolved into humanoid creatures. The movie also features bizarre and nonsensical elements, such as de-evolution guns, fungus, and goombas. The movie is widely considered to be one of the worst video game adaptations of all time, and one of the worst movies ever made.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial: A Terrible and Trashy Game
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a video game based on the 1982 movie. A classic sci-fi film directed by Steven Spielberg. The movie follows the friendship between a young boy named Elliott, an alien named E.T. Who is stranded on Earth and wants to return home. The movie stars Henry Thomas as Elliott, Drew Barrymore as Gertie, and Dee Wallace as Mary.
The video game has been panned for its terrible gameplay and graphics, as well as its rushed development. The Game was developed in only five weeks, in order to meet the holiday season demand. It involves E.T. wandering around a pixelated and monotonous landscape, while avoiding enemies and collecting pieces of a phone. The video game also features a notorious pitfall, where E.T. can fall into a hole and get stuck. The video game is widely considered to be one of the worst video games of all time, and one of the main causes of the video game industry crash of 1983.
The Last Airbender: A Horrible and Hated Movie
The Last Airbender is a 2010 movie based on the animated TV series Avatar: The Last Airbender, which is a critically acclaimed fantasy show created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. The TV series follows the adventures of Aang, a young boy who is the reincarnated Avatar. The only person who can master all four elements: air, water, earth, and fire. The TV series also features his friends Katara, Sokka, and Toph. As well as his enemies Zuko, Azula, and the Fire Lord.
The movie has been panned for its unfaithful adaptation of the TV series, as well as its poor plot, acting, and effects. It deviates from the original and diverse characters and cultures of the TV series. Instead presents a whitewashed and bland version of the world of Avatar. The movie also features awkward and wooden performances, as well as laughable and underwhelming action scenes. It is widely considered to be one of the worst video game adaptations of all time, and one of the worst movies ever made.
Conclusion
How Movies and TV Shows Shape Video Games.Movies are a common phenomenon in the entertainment industry. Some of these adaptations are successful and enjoyable, while others are disappointing and dreadful. In this blog post, we have looked at some of the best and worst examples of these adaptations. We hope you have enjoyed reading this blog post at Flikbak TV.
As you can see, movies and TV shows have a profound impact on video games, and vice versa. They inspire each other, borrow from each other, and sometimes even compete with each other. The future of this creative exchange looks bright, as there are many upcoming video game adaptations to look forward to. Some of the most anticipated ones are The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, The Last of Us, The Witcher: Season 3, Halo: Season 2, Fallout and Borderlands. Whether they will live up to the expectations of the fans or not remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the relationship between screen media and video games is here to stay.
Trivia
- The Witcher TV series features a cameo by Doug Cockle, the voice actor of Geralt in the video game series.
- Spider-Man 2 video game features a cameo by Bruce Campbell. He played the narrator and various characters in the movie and the game.
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King video game. It features a secret level where the player can control Gollum and fight Sam and Frodo at Mount Doom.
- Super Mario Bros. movie was so disliked by the actors and the creators of the video game series. They have publicly disowned it and refused to acknowledge it.
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial video game was so overproduced and unsold. Millions of copies were buried in a landfill in New Mexico, where they were later excavated in 2014.
- The Last Airbender movie was so hated by the fans and the creators of the TV series. They have publicly denounced it and ignored it in the sequel series The Legend of Korra.