TV shows have always been a popular source of inspiration for game developers. Stories have already been written, characters have already been designed, and other crucial aspects that can enhance the immersion and engagement of the title are usually available.
Game developers will have to put a little work into the design of the mechanics that are used, but everything else has already effectively been done for them. TV shows can also provide an immediate market for the games to enter, as there is a demographic that is already interested in the show’s premise.
Developers do not have to do too much to try and convince an audience that may not be interested, as they can try and spend most of their focus on those that are known to enjoy the show.
With these factors in mind, it is easy to see why so many developers have used the shows as a popular source of inspiration as a release. Of course, while it may appear to be a winning formula, it is not something that has always been replicated with great success.
There have been many titles that have flopped as a result of the high expectations that were initially set amid the news of a release. Once they were published, many were critical of the final product and would often speak negatively about it.
What have been the best six TV show-themed games released?
In contrast, there have been numerous examples available that have been hugely successful following this particular formula. There have been some that have gone on to achieve as much success as the TV show, with some being more synonymous with the game version instead because of how positively received it was.
Simpsons: Hit & Run
Arguably the greatest game based on a TV show to have ever been released, The Simpsons: Hit & Run allowed players to take on the lives of The Simpsons and explore Springfield. It featured incredible gameplay as players were able to do a variety of different things, while also being familiar with every aspect as it followed the show’s themes perfectly.
Lost: Via Domus
A little less popular than The Simpsons: Hit & Run, however Lost: Via Domus was another hit video game that was released. Based on the series Lost, the game was largely based on the same dramas that the show followed. Admittedly, the gameplay was not as great as it should have been, but players were still able to enjoy many of the key aspects of the series, including being able to explore the huge jungle as they tried to avoid the Black Smoke Monster.
I’m A Celebrity Slot
The iGaming sector of the Gaming industry has enjoyed plenty of success using TV shows as a theme, with the I’m celebrity slot game proof of this. The game is based on the TV show of the same name, and will feature many of the various themes that will be recognizable to viewers. Fans of the show who play the game will find that they are able to see the camp in which the celebrities are staying, as well as other familiar visuals being used as the icons on the paytable, such as the logo of the show and many of the critters that make up the bushtucker trials.
The Walking Dead: The Game
The Walking Dead is one of the biggest TV shows to have ever existed, so it was only natural for a video game based on the series to be released. Telltale has managed to prefect their craft of taking series and turning them into exceptional video games, as they manage to continue to provide realistic and authentic experiences that are close to the ones that the shows use. The Walking Dead: The Game provides players the same characters, settings, and storylines as the show, thus making it one of the best to have ever been created.
Star Trek: Bridge Crew
Star Trek has been one of the most iconic TV shows ever, with their release of Star Trek: Bridge Crew being among the most advanced in this theme, too. The game features a virtual reality aspect, thus helping to take it into the future and into outer space and into an episode as if it were being watched. It uses familair visuals, which will give people the opportunity to obtain an immersive and authentic experience.
Dalek Attack
Doctor Who is one of the biggest shows ever, with audiences enjoying it worldwide. A little known fact, though, is that there was a game based on it in 1992 that featured one of the iconic opponents of the doctor: the Daleks! Dalek Attack required players to go through various levels to reach Davros, and once they did, they would have to defeat him.
