The First Rule of Fight Club Is You Don’t Talk About Its Video Game
Even the most exciting, engrossing, and action-packed movies have a tough road to becoming a successful video game. While it feels natural to adapt certain movies, like Rambo, into video games, rushed schedules, bad graphics, and poor marketing can lead to a flop. Of course, there are also a few that hit it out of the park. Here are 10 worst movie-to-video game adaptations and 10 of the best.
1. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Atari released an E.T. video game after the astronomical success of the film, and it went on to become arguably the worst game of all time. E.T. was rushed through five weeks of production to make it out for the holiday season. It had a confusing design and a host of problems that made it unplayable. The millions of unsold copies were famously buried in a New Mexico landfill.
2. Superman 64
Loosely based on Superman: The Animated Series, this video game lets players fly through endless rings. Needless to say, it had its limitations in addition to bad graphics and clunky controls. The missions were also repetitive. This game was a disaster upon release.
3. Catwoman
This video game, based on a total misfire of a movie, was never going to fly. Catwoman featured stiff animation, awkward climbing mechanics, and combat that required extensive button mashing. Critics and gamers blamed its failure on its bland levels and a myriad of other issues.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America on Wikimedia
4. Rambo: The Video Game
This adaptation of the popular Rambo franchise was an unoriginal on-rails shooter that should have been released a decade or two earlier. The shooting galleries were repetitive, and the voice samples made it feel like a parody.
5. Charlie's Angels
This video game, adapted from the Charlie's Angels movie, was poorly animated and filled with glitches. This game actually became a cautionary tale for the gaming industry.
6. Fight Club
Due to its themes, Fight Club was an odd choice for a video game adaptation. Lacking any type of social commentary, this game was a basic fighting game with some gore, but it was clunky and surfaced. An example of how a video game needs to connect to the movie to make a successful adaptation.
Scott Ellis from Dallas, US on Wikimedia
7. Street Fighter: The Movie
This video game tried to capitalize on the live-action Street Fighter movie, and even digitized actors to make them part of the fun. Unfortunately, the gameplay was stiff and featured poor hit detection. This might be the worst Street Fighter video game.
8. Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis
This video game adaptation was widely criticized for its boring gameplay, dull environments, and lackluster fighting. Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis is one of the lowest-rated superhero games of its generation, and the repetitive underwater fighting didn't help matters.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America on Wikimedia
9. The Crow: City of Angels
Based on the sequel to The Crow, this fighting game was disconnected from its source material and had some of the clunkiest controls imaginable. The choppy animation made this game feel unfinished.
10. Terminator Salvation
This video game, based on the popular Terminator franchise, was a basic third-person shooter that failed to connect with gamers. Players didn't take to fighting endless waves of robots in dull environments.
1. GoldenEye 007
GoldenEye is considered to be one of the best licensed games ever. It revolutionized console shooters and completely captured the spirit of the movie. Its multiplayer mode became legendary.
2. Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man 2 was beloved for its open world that let players swing freely through the New York skyline. This game was expansive, thrilling, and thoughtful.
3. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
This video game wasn't tied to a specific Star Wars movie, but it was still a fantastic RPG experience. It offered branching storylines, lots of character development, and players were forced to make moral choices.
4. Batman: Arkham Asylum
This game offered gamers and Batman fans tons of fluid fighting, stealth mechanics, and more than enough Gotham lore. Arkham Asylum became the gold standard for licensed titles thanks to its combination of detective work and heart-pumping action.
5. The Chronicles of Riddick
Sometimes, a forgettable movie can still become a solid video game. The first-person stealth game was atmospheric and featured one of the best prison break experiences in video game history.
6. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
This game marries exploration, fierce lightsaber combat, and the cinematic storytelling that fans of the movie expect. Considered by many gamers to be one of the best Star Wars games ever.
Agnieszka Stankiewicz on Unsplash
7. X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Though the movie was middling, the video game adaptation was a vastly different experience. Players enjoyed fun combat, visceral animations, and a strong portrayal of Wolverine.
8. Mad Max
This Mad Max video game isn't tied to a specific movie, but it perfectly captures everything that makes that franchise such a success. Players journey through a brutal wasteland and rave about the vehicular combat and tense atmosphere.
9. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Adapting the adventure and thrills of the second instalment of this popular trilogy was a tough task, but the publisher pulled it off. With seamless gameplay, massive battles, and accurate character depictions, this game was a rousing success.
10. Ghostbusters: The Video Game
Fans loved this Ghostbusters game when it was released in 2009. Featuring voice work from the original cast, this game played like a true franchise instalment. Players got to use proton packs and ghost traps, and enjoy witty dialogue. A video game that was a true love letter to fans.
Urko Dorronsoro from Donostia - San Sebastian, Euskal Herria (Basque Country) on Wikimedia
