TV series based onvideo gameshave certainly seen a surge in popularity, with titles likeFallout,The Last of Us, andThe Witcherall getting the chance to excel on both consoles/PCs and the screen. Still, video games on TV have had a long history,going all the way back to the 80’swith shows based on the likes ofPac-ManandSonic the Hedgehog. Among the many titles looking to draw inspiration from the gaming world, not all found popularity, either because they lacked a strong creative vision, were tucked away on a network with few viewers, or were just not appreciated for their time.
There are plenty of underrated TV shows based on video games, and we will unearth some overlooked classics and modern standouts that you need to check out for yourself.
10Maniac Mansion (1989)
Incorporating elements of comedy, family drama, and sci-fi silliness,Maniac Mansionfollowed the Edison family, who lived in a large mansion in the suburban neighborhood of Cedar Springs. The show tied itself to the video game through the eccentric scientist Dr. Fred Edison, whose outlandish experiments affected the family and neighborhood, including turning his wife’s brother into a fly.
LucasArts Adapted TV Silliness
Maniac Mansionis somewhat obscure, tucked away on Canadian television, and not known to many fans of the video game. This is partly because the show was so loosely based on the video game that LucasArts distanced themselves from the project, along with the original game’s creators, Ron Gilbert and Gary Winnick. However, the game developers would get to have a dig at the show in the follow-up game,Day of The Tentacle.
Still, talent went into the project that made it an enjoyably absurd TV oddity, as the series was written bySCTValumni andSchitt’s Creekco-creator Eugene Levy. It also features the voice talents of Joe Flaherty (Freaks and Geeks) and Kathleen Robertson (Beverly Hills, 90210), with guest appearances by Eugene Levy himself and even David Cronenberg.Maniac Mansionis not currently available to rent or stream.
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9Mutant League (1994)
Mutant Leaguewas a spin-off of a series of sports games (Mutant League FootballandMutant League Hockey) about ghastly ghouls and monsters duking it out on the field. These ghouls were created via an earthquake that disturbed underground toxic waste, which then turned a stadium’s worth of fans and players into their monstrous counterparts.
The show, which ran for two seasons and 40 episodes, was hurt by a few factors. It came out in an era with an abundance of 90s animated TV shows aimed at kids that offered a mix of juvenile humor and action, and the budgetary restrictions were pretty obvious. The first season is slightly aimless, but the second did touch on many issues of the era, such as steroid use in sports.
Rude and Crude Dudes and Dudettes
All this considered, the show has become a hidden gem. As much as it suffered from many of the problems that plagued the era, it had a crude comedic wit thatfeels like a precursor to Adult Swim’s 2000s line-up. Moreover, the show took chances in its second season by touching on broader sports subjects, like the previously mentioned use of illegal drugs, and the need for equality in sports by championing female athletes. It is all rather surface level given it being a kids' cartoon, so don’t expect things to go too deep. But it is impressive for the era and genre, while offering up some silly action that will hit 90s kids right in the nostalgia. Some gamers may also enjoy the fact that prominent voice actor Doug Stone, the voice behindMetal Gear Solid’s Psycho Mantis, had a brief role in this series as well.Mutant Leagueis not available to stream or rent.
8Monster Rancher (1999)
TheMonster Ranchertelevision series resonates with those vibes of “I could have been a contender.” The monster-collecting series based on the video game of the same name may not have been able tomeet the same popularity asPokémonorDigimondespite being on the airwaves simultaneously. However, for a show aimed at a younger audience, it was just as addictive as its counterparts, and the monster designs managed to be unique enough not to feel like just a rip-off of more popular titles.
Monster Rancherfollows a young boy who, being an avid fan of theMonster Ranchergames, is given a special CD that’ll unlock a brand-new monster to play with. But, upon using this CD, he’s transported into a world almost exactly like that of his favorite game, where he’s now tasked with defeating the evil ruler Moo on top of finding a way back home. Along the way, he’ll have to use the same monsters he collected in his game to complete his journey. This includes Moochi, who is one of the more adorable monsters despite his rather peculiar design between a duck and an armadillo.
Monster Collecting Adventures
The show ran for two seasons, and while it has not maintained the same staying power as other ‘monster collecting’ shows, it did a service to the game, and the two were perfect companion pieces. The TV show also used the gimmick of video games wherein monsters were summoned using ‘discs.’ This mimicked the unique game play feature of feeding all your CDs and DVDs into your PlayStation to discover what monsters might be hiding within. It’s also worth noting that the head writer for this series, Shoji Yonemura, would later work on the acclaimed seriesParasyte -the maxim-in a similar role.Monster Rancheris available to stream on Prime Video and Tubi.
7Valkyria Chronicles (2009)
Valkyria Chroniclesis a popular Japanese tactical war game franchise set in an alternative version of 20th-century Europe. The game series occurs during a fictional conflict reminiscent of World War II, with two warring factions (the East Europan Imperial Alliance and the Atlantic Federation) forming the crux of the war. The first game, and the accompanying series, follows a militia squad from the neutral nation of Gallia, which has come under attack due to its rich resources.
Underrated Military-Themed Anime
The adaption was an obvious choice given the game’s popularity and the existing fan base for military-themed anime. While taking some liberties with the original story, the anime adaptation’s attention to detail in world-building, flair for drama, andstrong animation stylemakes it stand out in the genre. With the advent of anime streaming, with Crunchyroll switching from a pirate site to a legitimate business in 2009, many series around this time and predating streaming got lost in the fray.Valkyria Chroniclescertainly falls in that category, and while its deviations from the original story may be off-putting to fans of the game, it stands strong on its own and is worth tracking down.Valkyria Chroniclesis currently not available to stream or rent.
6Detention (2020)
Horror games aren’t for everyone, as they can offer more of a shock than movies and really require the player to constantly stay on their toes and be aware of their surroundings. Still, the genre has excelled with a dedicated fanbase and allowed for smaller titles to gain fanfare globally. The Taiwanese gameDetentionmay not be as big a name asSilent HillorResident Evil, but it is a fan favorite that led to a film and a TV series adaptation that perfectly encapsulates what made the horror game a cult hit. The series follows a transfer student, Yunxiang Liu, who begins to experience supernatural happenings as the past period of martial law, known as the “White Terror,” manifests itself in ghosts that appear at the school.
Supernatural and Real-Life Horrors
TheNetflix original dramacreates an eerie and unsettling atmosphere while offering insight into a dark historical period in Taiwan. Asian series outside of South Korea don’t always get the same attention, yetDetentionis certainly an overlooked gem on the platform worth checking out. At eight episodes, it is perfectly bingeable, and offers some insight into a tumultuous period of Taiwan’s history you may not have been aware of previously.Detentionis available to stream on Netflix.
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5Gungrave (2003)
There is an abundance of sensational Japanese video games that have earned cult status, allowing for multiple entries while still not really penetrating the mainstream; from the zombie killing ofOneChanbarato the campy samurai beat-em-up ofSenran Kagura.Gungravecertainly falls under this category, with a gun-wielding gothic cowboy blowing through hordes of enemies with various weapons. Still, the game series also weaved greater story elements that are ideal for an anime adaptation.
The series follows Brandon Heat, a criminal murdered in cold blood before being revived as Beyond the Grave: a hulking mute cowboy whose stoicism is balanced by his penchant for large munitions. Left with nothing but a burning desire for revenge, he takes on the crime syndicate responsible for his demise while forming new relationships where he can.
A Gritty Crime/Action Anime That Goes in Guns Ablazing
The anime adaptation certainly helped cement the lore of the first game, which came out in 2002, but also managed to keep the slick aesthetic and over-the-top action that fans of the game loved. The anime is a great mix of action, light comedy, and drama, all under a sharp visual aesthetic that makes familiarity with the game not even necessary to indulge. The plot also features gritty storytelling elements,perfect for those who like mature animated TV series.Gungraveis available to stream on Hulu.
The 2D side-scrollerCupheadwas met with a lot of praise on release, both for its unforgiving difficulty that pushed players' abilities, but also for the sharp game design that paid homage to classic cartoons of the 30s. The game offered a rich visual world and defined heroes and villains to help really immerse the player in the era. It is no surprise that the game made perfect inspiration for a TV show.
Like the game, this series follows the adventures of Cuphead and Mugman, a pair of brothers whose contrasting personalities lead to them going on a variety of fun adventures. While the series is primarily episodic, their adventures are occasionally interrupted by the villainous Devil, who continually attempts to steal Cuphead’s soul.
Capturing the Classic 30s Era of Cartoon Mayhem
With only one season currently available on Netflix (with more planned),The Cuphead Show!proved that the video game was perfect for TV by wonderfully recapturing the 30s era while modernizing it for a contemporary audience. Moreover, the show strikes that perfect balance of appealing to a young and mature audience with a smart script and likable characters. Though its homage to the likes of early Fleischer and Disney cartoons may deter some unfamiliar with the TV series' origin, they are overlooking one of the best cartoon adaptations of a video game ever produced.The Cuphead Show!is available to stream on Netflix.
3Street Fighter II Victory (1995)
Street Fighterhas consumed countless quarters at the arcade, and the series is still going strong. The characters have become recognizable pop culture icons, from the meme of “Guile’s theme goes with everything” to Zangief playing a villain inWreck-It Ralph. There have also been multiple adaptations to the two-player fighting game, including the1994 live-action adaptationstarring Jean-Claude Van Damme. Still, out of all the different media surrounding the popular franchise, the 1995 anime often gets overlooked.
Like the game, the series primarily focuses on martial artists Ryu and Ken, who meet a colorful cast of characters on a journey to improve their skills. However, they inadvertently end up getting caught up in the crosshairs of M. Bison, a notorious criminal mastermind.
All the Gritty and Brutal Charm of 90s Era Anime
Featuring the game’s most iconic cast, the 1995 animeStreet Fighter II Victorycelebrated its source material by giving each character a chance to shine. The series is also peak 90s anime, with the fight between Vega and Chun-Li being notably brutal and realistic. The fight sequences throughout are glorious and capture the excitement of an arcade fighter, and the relationships between the characters are fleshed out; it is a well-rounded anime and the perfect adaptation of the video game. The show also exemplifies Japanese dominance over American cartoons in quality, asStreet Fighter II Victorycame out the same year as the much-malignedStreet Fighter: The Animated Series.Street Fighter II Victoryis not currently available to stream or rent.
2Wakfu (2008)
Wakfuis a turn-based MMORPG that was a sequel toDofus. Created by French developer Ankama Games, it certainly found its footing and popularity among French-speaking gamers, but has expanded into global success, resulting in spin-off comics, merchandise, and a TV adaptation. Despite the game’s rather simplistic original plot, the visual design and rich world-building allowed the story and fanfare to expand far beyond the game.
Wakfutakes place in the same world as the game, focusing specifically on a boy named Yugo and his mysterious origins. As he and his growing band of friends explore the world, their adventures will see them battling villains and solving problems while they unravel the mystery surrounding Yugo’s existence.
French Animation at Its Best
Regarding animation, French productions are often overlooked despite the country producing critically acclaimed works and classic series likeAstérix. Add this to the fact thatWakfu, while popular, is overshadowed by more popular MMORPGs that have pierced the mainstream, which means that many people slept on thisNetflix Original animated series.
However, the animation style in the series is utterly gorgeous, which also extends to the action sequences. The series balances comedy and drama perfectly, meaning you have a show that is thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end.Wakfuhas four seasons with a total of 71 episodes, plus additional OVAs and specials; there is a lot of content to enjoy.Wakfuis available to stream on Netflix.
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1Gangs of London (2020)
Gangs of London
You might be hard-pressed to make the connection betweenGangs of Londonand a video game franchise, with the masterfully crafted crime drama that follows power struggles between various international criminal gangs being a far cry from most games that have been adapted. However, creator Gareth Evans has always been interested in adaptingThe Getawaygame franchise and took the entry of the same name as the foundation for his show.
Being an adaptation of the titular game,Gangs of Londonfollows Sean Wallace (Joe Cole), the son of a powerful criminal mastermind housed in London. After his father’s death, the subsequent power vacuum leads to the many gangs residing in London’s underbelly coming to deadly blows.
British Crime Thriller Heavy on Action
Gangs of Londonis undeniably the most critically acclaimed and popular entry on our list. However, it remains somewhat underrated given its availability is limited to AMC+ as a Sky original. The connection to the video game is also not immediately apparent, with the franchise never achieving the success of other open-world games likeGrand Theft Auto. Still, the show is an intense, action-packed, gritty crime drama that leans heavily into Gareth Evan’s experience with action films such asThe Raid. The series also boasts great performances with a large ensemble cast led by actors Joe Cole and Sope Dirisu.Gangs of Londonis available to stream on AMC+.
