I think we can all agree that we’re living in the golden age of television. Since streaming services like Netflix became the most used TV format, budgets for TV series have gone from “television level” to the same level that Hollywood movies operate on. These big budgets and the fact that television is now created with the same quality of scripts and concepts previously reserved for big-budget Hollywood films only means that some of the most famous and skilled actors of our time are now appearing in series as well.
So much demand for high-quality TV means that producers have to find scripts and concepts in creative places, and many of them turn to video games for inspiration. Fantasy shows, casino shows, medieval shows, and more have been finding their source material in the world of video games, more often than not, to great success. Even as far back as the eighties, this was a formula for success. If you haven’t already watched these shows, it’s time! Here is our list of the best eight TV shows (in our humble opinion) based on video games.
1. The Witcher
This is a TV show based on a game based on a book! Though it got to Netflix the long way around, we are so glad that we get to follow the adventures of Ciri and Geralt of Rivia. Geralt is a Witcher- a magically altered man that hunts monsters. Ciri is a princess. Though they’re unlikely companions, Geralt is bound to look out for Ciri and help her learn to control her power while they figure out what her role in the world might be.
2. Castlevania
Probably one of the most beloved vampire video games in gaming history, Castlevania was the perfect candidate to transfer to the small screen. This anime-style series from Netflix follows the storyline of a disgraced monster hunter from a once-great house. Along his travels, he meets a magic-wielding traveler and the son of Dracula himself. They must come together to save the world from the horrors that Dracula unleashed when his wife was killed.
3. HALO
Sci-fi meets intense action in this show. The Covenant Empire, a united collective of eight alien species, is coming for humanity. The one and only Master Chief, an enhanced human soldier, must do his best to defend humanity and the planets from the horrors that would follow if the Covenant took power.
4. Resident Evil
Sticking with the theme of things that go bump in the night, we have Resident Evil. This well-known zombie game was made into a series of very successful films before it came to Netflix. This new storyline takes place after the events of Racoon City, in…New Racoon City. Old mistakes will be repeated, and new, deadlier ones will be made as the characters fight for their humanity and the human race.
5. DOTA: Dragon’s Blood
Defense Of The Ancients, or DOTA as it is known to gamers, has had a very successful run as an animated series on Netflix. We step back in time to a medieval setting populated with good and evil goddesses, elves, dragons, and dragon knights. A princess needs to understand her abilities and place in the world, a magician seeks a reunion with his lost daughter, and a dragon knight becomes one with the creatures he swore to fight against.
6. Mortal Kombat
Though this live-action show only had a short TV run in the late nineties, Mortal Kombat met a desperate need for more MK content at a time when the game had taken over the consciousness of an entire generation. Megalomaniac Shao Kahn seeks to add earth to his collection of realms, but King Lao and his companions must fight against this at all costs. A true classic of game-based TV.
7. The Super Mario Bros Super Show
This interesting blend of live action and animation features a WWF Hall of Fame wrestler as Mario (Lou Albano) and Danny Wells as Luigi. Each episode also has a special guest. The rest of the show is the standard “two plumbers get sucked down a drain and must fight King Koopa out of the Mushroom Kingdom” storyline.
8. The Legend of Zelda
The oldest show on our list is The Legend of Zelda. Based, as you may have guessed, on the game of the same name, this animated series aired in 1989 and ran for only one season. As in the first installation of the game, the heroes Link and Zelda must fight with all their might to defend their kingdom from Ganon, an evil wizard intent on getting his own way.
Wrap Up
As you can see, even in the days before Netflix and Disney Plus were your go-to viewing choices, TV found inspiration in the world of games. For those who can’t get enough of these series, some more interesting releases are in the pipeline for 2023, so stay tuned!
