The cheat code? They’re shows, not movies.
For the longest time, great video games have made for terrible movie adaptations. The evidence goes back decades, running from 1994’s Street Fighter and Double Dragon cheesy one-two punch to the following year’s Mortal Kombat (surely the Most 1995 Movie Ever Made), to more recent examples like Borderland and A Minecraft Movie.
Sure, the Super Mario Bros. movie is an exception (the 2023 one, not the 1993 version), but movies about games tend to disappoint moviegoers, and fans of the games alike. But where movies have mostly failed, TV is succeeding – delivering a steady stream of excellent shows based on popular video games.
We’re not talking about guiding Real Madrid to a Champions League quarterfinal in EA FC25 (Beginner Mode). We mean…
HALO
Spartan super-soldier Master Chief (Pablo Schreiber) discovers mysterious artifacts that connect him to the alien Covenant and force him to question his loyalty to humanity.
What they changed: They made master chief more emotional than he is in the game, even expanding on his backstory to add to his more emotive portrayal.
Why it works: Set in a parallel “Silver Timeline”, the series keeps the game’s epic battles and political intrigue while giving itself space to explore Chief’s humanity.
Watch it on: Showmax and DStv.
Get the game: Steam, Takealot or the Xbox Store.
FALLOUT
Vault dweller Lucy enters the irradiated wasteland of Los Angeles after her father is kidnapped, facing raiders, mutants, and the corrupt remnants of pre-war corporations.
What they changed: They created a whole new story set in the Fallout universe, including new characters and creatures.
Why it works: By keeping the look while changing the lore, Fallout the series provides fresh stories while maintaining the game’s core spirit. By keeping and referencing key game aspects they keep fans of the game satisfied, while creating new characters with backstories give watchers characters to become attached to.
Watch it on: Amazon Prime Video
Get the game: Xbox Store or PlayStation Store
ARCANE
Rival sisters Vi and Jinx see their personal conflict unfold against a backdrop of political intrigue, class struggle, and the rise of a dangerous new magical technology.
What they changed: They created a more linear storyline, made character more emotive and even changes the relationship between character, (like Vi and Jinx being sisters). The biggest change, though, is the incredible visuals.
Why it works: Those stupendous visuals are backed by a compelling storyline that will have you on an emotional roller coaster ride from start to finish. Some of these lore changes and storyline has even made it into the League of Legends game world.
Watch it on: Netflix
League of Legends is free to play on PC, App Store and Google Play.
CASTLEVANIA
Trevor Belmont, last surviving member of a disgraced family of monster hunters, defends humanity against Dracula’s army of demons.
What they changed: Created a separate universe and combined the storylines of Castlevania III and Castlevania: Symphony of Night. They also made the game more emotive, playing on Dracula’s love for his late wife, Alucard’s emotional turmoil in fighting Dracula (his father) and the Growth of lead character Trevor Belmont.
Why it works: The new look and story arcs comes together to tell a compelling story of love lost, vengeance and redemption, all while giving the character more dimension and detailed and exhilarating combat scenes, a far cry from the game’s side scrolling simplicity.
Watch it on: Netflix
Get the game: Steam, Xbox Store or PlayStation Store.
THE LAST OF US
Joel (Pedro Pascal), a hardened survivor in a post‑apocalyptic America ravaged by a fungal infection that turns humans into violent creatures, escorts teenage girl Ellie (Bella Ramsey) across the country.
What they changed: Not much from the main story, but they did focus more on the side characters to add to the story narrative.
Why it works: Strangely enough The Last of Us game already plays out like a life movie. But by expanding on side characters and focusing on things beyond Joel and Ellie, they create a story that is intense, dramatic and intriguing. You really care for Joel and Ellie – and the people they meet on their journey. No wonder the show has won multiple Emmy awards!
Get the game: Takealot, Amazon or PlayStation Store.
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