Time has the power to render all things oblivious. Some things decay into pop-cultural mythology faster than others, as is the case with movie-video-game tie-ins. While a great number of them deserve to stay in limbo, there are a couple of curious titles that deserve some attention. This is not to say that they’re any good, but the idea that someone had the vision to think that these films could make good games appeals to me greatly.
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure – Commodore 64/Amiga/MS-DOS – 1989-1991
There were a few B&T games (because they’re that awesome and totally deserve it), but I decided to focus on the adventure one. Because, I mean, come on, an Excellent Adventure deserves an excellent adventure game.
What was it?
A gnarly point-n-click adventure game back in the days where point-n-click adventures were still a recognised genre, complete with rad DOS sound FX. Bill and Ted broke the comfort zone standing so close together wherever they walk.
Was it any good?
Yep, but so were most PnC adventures games for DOS. I miss the ‘90s…
Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever – Game Boy Advance – 2001
The movie was a colossal hunk of shit, crowned the #1 worst movie of the last decade by Rotten Tomatoes. So it comes as no surprise that the GBA game was left buried in the sands of time. There were plans for a PS2 game, but I can only guess the game developers fired themselves once they saw early screenings of the film.
What was it?
A DOOM-esque first-person shooter, based off an early script of the film. At the start, you chose to play as either Ecks or Sever. The separate stories intertwined at particular points. There was also a four-player mode which, for the time, was kind of a big deal for the GBA.
Was it any good?
Surprisingly, yeah, it was. The overall critical response ranged from “pretty good” to a “pretty GOD DAMN good!” IGN even honoured it as the best FPS for GBA at one point (I’ll try ease up on the gaming acronyms from now on).
Blade Runner – PC – 1997
We all get so precious over the very notion of a Blade Runner sequel. No doubt the gaming community would feel the same way about a modern-day FPS that involves Deckard unnecessarily shooting a hoard of replicants while shoe-horning a patchy retelling of Ridley Scott’s sci-fi masterpiece. Luckily, this 1997 PC title avoided such a travesty.
What was it?
A 3D adventure game, kinda like a point-n-click Resident Evil, loaded on a whopping four discs. But instead of bastardising the original’s story, developer Westwood Studios did the smart thing, creating their own side-story to make it work in a game world.
Was it any good?
It didn’t ascend to the level of greatness its source material did, but then again, it was never trying to. Instead, the game did something that’s deemed a near impossibility: it lived up to the Blade Runner name. It spouts some freakishly spot-on lighting and cinematography that beautifully mimics Scott’s eye, fully realising the world of 2019 Los Angeles. The gameplay often went from logical detective work to blind luck (which is unbelievably annoying), but nevertheless, a damn fine achievement in movie-game tie-ins.
Dirty Harry: The War Against Drugs – NES – 1990
Here’s the logic: if John McClane and Rambo can have their own NES games, then Harry Callahan can too. I can appreciate that premise.
What was it?
A sidescroller where you use your trusty .44 Magnum to wash away the skid marks from the underpants of the law. When you run out of bullets, you use your fists. Like a man.
Was it any good?
No. It did absolutely nothing special, even managing to go below “generic” with a host of issues. But you went through doors by prying them open with a crowbar. That’s kinda cool, I guess.
Fight Club – Xbox/PS2 – 2004
It took five years to turn Fincher’s psychotic classic into a video game (not that anybody was asking for it). Developer Genuine Games may try to claim that it’s based directly from the novel, but they were really influenced by the film.
What was it?
It was a fighting game. Because, you know, the movie’s called Fight Club. Thus, it can only be about fighting. Right?
Was it any good?
Not really. It was a Tekken try-hard that just wasn’t that fun to play. The story mode trots through the plot with the grace of a horse with cerebral palsy. Graphically, it actually has a lot of credibility, though that credibility was suddenly lost the moment you realised they also implemented bitch-tits bounce physics.
Street Fighter: The Movie: The Game – SEGA Saturn/PS1
In an Inception-worthy feat of marketing, some bright exec decided to green-light a video game that is based on a movie which is, in turn, based on a video game. Thus, Street Fighter: The Movie: The Game was born. Released in arcades, it managed to make its way onto home consoles as well.
What was it?
A fighting game (duh) that tried to dip its Street Fighter into its Mortal Kombat by having the entire cast of the campier-than-a-Christian-boy-scout-weekend film digitised into the game, MK style.
Was it any good?
Yeah… nah… sorta. It was still using the basic Street Fighter 2 engine, so on a technical level, fun could be had. Then again, you could just play Street Fighter 2. Actually, yeah, just play Street Fighter 2.
The Blair Witch Project – PC – 2000
Adding further proof that the supposed “truth” behind the found-footage film was all cleverly marketed bullshit, developer Terminal Reality made a trilogy of games exploring the backstory of The Blair Witch Project.
What was it?
A three volume set of survival-horror games (again, like Resident Evil) where the camera remains in a fixed position most of the time (contrary to the film). The first volume, Rustin Parr, took place in the 1940s (further establishing itself away from the movie), giving you control of Elspeth Holliday, a doctor (apparently) who investigates paranormal activity. The second volume, The Legend of Coffin Rock, took place during the American Civil War, following an abandoned soldier who’s given a second shot at living. The final volume, The Elly Kedward Tale, goes right back to the origin of the Blair Witch itself, taking place during the late 18th Century.
Was it any good?
For its time, yeah, it was creepy as hell (more-so than the film, in some folks’ opinion). Today though, you’ll need some patience, because the ancient controls make you feel like you’re pushing a shopping trolley.
Reservoir Dogs – PC/PS2 – 2006
In the bucket of “unnecessary video game adaptations” comes this PC/PS2 title based on one of Tarantino’s finest films. Initially, you’d probably be baffled as to which direction they’d take a game based on a movie that mainly takes place in one room. Well, they found their loophole…
What was it?
A third-person shooter that chronicle the events leading up to the gang’s meeting at the safe house. You’d switch back and forth between different characters, following their separate events before they eventually meet up again.
Was it any good?
It was average at best. The most noteable thing about it was the ability to cut off someone’s ear when you played as Mr. Blonde. Kinda tacky, really…
Plan 9 from Outer Space – Amiga – 1992
Bet I surprised you with this one. Konami, for whatever reason, decided to make a game based off of Ed Wood’s glorious disaster. However, it’s not really based on the movie, but about the movie.
What was it?
An adventure game where the producers of the film want you to retrieve all 6 reels of Plan 9 from Outer Space, stolen by Bela Lugosi’s double.
Was it any good?
Well, can’t be any worse than the film, right?
