Some Work & Some Just Don't
When it comes to adapting our favorite video games into TV series, we're always a bit dubious. Sometimes they end up being absolute bangers while managing to stay true to the original content. However, other times they turn out as total flops that we cringe to think about. Here are the 10 best and 10 worst TV series based on video games.
1. The Last Of Us
Often regarded as the best video game adaptation ever, The Last Of US is based on the post-apocalyptic video game of the same name. It blew up when it debuted on HBO and was also the launching pad for the daddy of the internet, Pedro Pascal's sudden, unprecedented popularity.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America on Wikimedia
2. Arcane
Arcane is an ingenious animated series set in the League of Legends universe. It explores the origin stories of iconic characters and touches on real-life themes like family and power.
3. The Witcher
The Witcher follows monster hunter Geralt of Rivia on his many quests in a magical and dangerous universe. The series lends itself well to countless imaginative plots, twists, and turns.
4. Castlevania
This beautifully animated series based on the video game Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse stole the hearts of game fans and casual viewers alike. It tells the story of the battle between humanity and the forces of Dracula.
5. Twisted Metal
We love a good action-comedy and Twisted Metal certainly fits the bill. Based on the game franchise, it follows John Doe as he delivers a mysterious package across a post-apocalyptic wasteland. It's full of off-kilter moments and quirky characters.
6. The Cuphead Show
Cuphead was famous for its vintage cartoon style and near-impossible gameplay so it seems only fitting that it was turned into an excellent animated series. The whimsical show follows Cuphead and his brother, Mugman on their misadventures in this chaotic cartoon world.
Chad & Jared Moldenhauer on Wikimedia
7. MegaMan NT Warrior
MegaMan NT Warrior is an anime series based on MegaMan Battle Network. Set in a futuristic world where humans use semi-sentient computer programs to navigate cyberspace, it's full of early aughts video game and anime nostalgia harkening back to the early days of the digital world.
8. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is set in the dystopian world of 2020's RPG game Cyberpunk 2077. It follows street kid David Martinez as he navigates the dangerous digital megalopolis of Night City. It explores themes of greed, sacrifice, and identity.
9. Pokémon
With the obsession of 90s kids everywhere, the Pokémon TV series was the perfect companion to the game. It follows aspiring Pokémon master Ash Ketchum and his companion Pikachu as they catch Pokémon and battle trainers.
10. Dragon's Dogma
Based on the action role-playing game of the same name, Dragon's Dogma is set in a world where humans are threatened by mythical creatures. The protagonist is on a quest for revenge after his heart is taken by a dragon
RuinDig/Yuki Uchida on Wikimedia
Now that we've talked about the TV video game adaptations that hit, let's go over the total duds.
1. Resident Evil
There have been some great Resident Evil adaptations over the years but this is not one of them. The 2022 Netflix series is full of ridiculous plots and had almost no connection to the original game, disappointing fans.
2. Street Fighter
It's not too surprising that the animated series based on the game where all you do is beat your friends up is full of one-dimensional characters and storylines. There are some cool action sequences, but overall, the show is campy and too simplistic.
3. The Legend of Zelda
If you didn't even know they made a Legend of Zelda series, you wouldn't be the only one. It was pretty low quality with a cheesy tone and inconsistent characters not worthy of being associated with the awesome game franchise.
4. Viva Piñata
Xbox Game Studios was really ambitious when they created this game about Piñatas that came to life and an animated series along with it. As if that basic plot wasn't already bad enough, it was criticized for having underwhelming animation and repetitive plotlines. Unsurprisingly, it flopped.
5. Pac-Man And The Ghostly Adventures
In Pac-Man And The Ghostly Adventures, Pac-Man is a kid who battles against evil ghosts. While a Pac-Man show has some potential for being good, fans of the game felt that it was too much of a departure from the beloved game, the humor was just too silly and aimed at too young an audience.
6. Mega-Man Fully Charged
Despite its cute animation style, Mega-Man Fully Charged was a flop. Meg-Man fans felt the goofy and childish tone, simplistic plotlines, and significant departure from the original game made it undeserving of the Mega-Man title.
7. Tak And The Power Of Juju
While the game was decent, you'd be hard-pressed to find any diehard Tak fans out there, so it's a bit puzzling that they went ahead with a TV series anyway. The series ended up being pretty uninspired with weak plotlines and character development.
8. Candy Crush
Hands down one of the most horrendous TV videogame adaptations ever is Candy Crush, the game show. On the show, contestants competed in teams to solve large versions of the game's puzzles. Maybe it's just us, but aren't gameshow's a little passé?
9. Rabbids Invasion
A series based on Raving Rabbids had the potential for hilarity but unfortunately, Rabbids Invasion fell short. The mischievous space bunnies were watered down into flat, unfunny, and annoyingly noisy cartoon characters.
10. Donkey Kong Country
Donkey Kong Country was doomed to fail just based on its horrendous animation which is so bad it's hard to look at. Aside from that, the jokes are bad and the plotlines are overly simplistic, giving into redeeming qualities.
