Between the releases of HBO’s “Mortal Kombat” and casting hype for adaptations of “The Last of Us” and “Borderlands,” videos games adaptations are having a moment. Despite some notable missteps, recent entries into video game movie canon like “Pokémon: Detective Pikachu” and “Sonic the Hedgehog” suggest Hollywood versions of beloved franchises may be leveling up. Streamers, too, have entered the ring. Netflix’s “Castlevania” is coming to a close after four seasons and an Amazon series based on the popular “Fallout” franchise is currently in development.
Despite their worldwide presence, video games remain a relatively untapped market for Hollywood. Expansive worlds, built-in fan bases and sweeping lore make for a orchard of opportunity ripe for Hollywood’s picking. Atmospheric classic “Bioshock” boasts a shocking twist deserving of a collective movie-theater gasp. Blizzard’s “Overwatch” is another clear contender, with beloved characters and cinematic shorts that give them life. And let’s not forget the gaming world’s indie fare. Supergiant Games’ dungeon crawler “Transistor” balances action and drama via the world-saving adventure of a singer and her sentient sword — prime viewing for anyone prepared for a little bittersweet tragedy.
With a trove of stories across style and genre, these are some of the games most deserving of adaptations.