SerpApi.Org
Most of the time, video games are adapted into movies rather than television series. There seems to be a general rule that most video game-to-movie adaptations don't always score very well with critics or with fans. Sure, there are a few diamonds in the rough, but for the most part, they can come across as a quick cash grab.
On occasion, though, video games are selected to be made into TV shows rather than movies. So far, of those that have been released, almost all of them have been at least average (except for Netflix'sResident Evil adaptation), with some even being downright amazing. Even if you've never touched a video game controller in your life, some of these shows are great binge-watching material and a fantastic way to broaden your horizons and have fun doing it.
'Sonic X' (2003–2005)
Sonic X is the Japanese anime responsible for the iconic "Gotta Go Fast" theme song that lives rent-free in the heads of many a 00s kid. The show is, obviously, based on the original Sonic the Hedgehogvideo game that waslater adapted into a hit film series. Even though it is an anime, it doesn't always feel like one, which makes it endearing to Western and Eastern audiences alike.
Unlike the movies, which only feature a few select characters, all the lovable characters from the Sonic series can be found in this children's cartoon. But see, this is one of those shows that may be intended for children, but is also a great watch for adults. Especially if you're in need of some good old-fashioned nostalgia. While this definitely isn't the first Sonic cartoon, it is certainly the best.
'Detention' (2020)
Like Resident Evil, Detentionalso saw a movie adaptation that was released before the show. While the movie is regarded as being significantly better, the show has found a decent reception, too. Taking place in a Taiwanese high school, a group of students becomes trapped within the building after hours, which is made a lot worse considering the fact that ghosts haunt the halls. Naturally, this series leans more into horror rather than into action, and it works for this series.
Netflix released Detention in 2020, but there was no second season. All the same, if you're a fan of horror, especially East Asian horror, this one and its movie counterpart are definitely worth watching. Is it the best TV adaptation of a video game out there? No. But it is entertaining. And let's be honest, there aren't a lot of horror games that get turned into TV series.
'Dragon's Dogma' (2020)
Released in 2012, Dragon’s Dogma is an action role-playing game that takes place in the high-fantasy realm of Gransys, with the playable character setting out to defeat a deadly dragon said to bring about the end of the world. The game stayed relevant as it was updated to Dark Arisen to remain playable on a new generation of consoles, with its cultural staying power seeing it earn a Netflix original animated series in 2020.
It follows a soon-to-be father as he sets out to vanquish the dragon that stole his heart, struggling with his morality as every life he takes costs him more of his humanity. While it divided fans, it was more warmly received by critics. Its action sequences stand as its major highlight, giving it a visually enriching and satisfying appeal that, funnily enough, seemed to work better for viewers unfamiliar with the game. —Ryan Heffernan
'Halo' (2022–2024)
Halois an Xbox-exclusive first-person shooter series that revolutionized the genre. Taking place 500 years in the future, it centers on humans fighting a war with an alien force comprised of different races in an alliance known as the Covenant. At the center of it all is Master Chief (Pablo Schreiber), an experimental super soldier who looms as the key to humanity's survival.
While many die-hard fans of the series have criticized it, the consensus is that it is best defined by its more enjoyable moments and its rewarding nods to the game series, even if some pretty significant changes have been made. Its expansion on the story world of Halo, and its focus on a revised version of the events leading up to the fall of Reach, has made the series an enthralling sci-fi with an intriguing narrative. While its seasons were uneven, many viewed Halo as one of the best modern sci-fi series.
'Gangs of London' (2020–Present)
Crime shows, especially shows about organized crime, are pretty popular with audiences,with successful shows like Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, or Peaky Blindersbecoming hits on the small screen. So Gangs of London was already going to be a hit, even if it was based on a video game. The game came out exclusively for the PlayStation Portable and is the third installment in a series. Despite this bizarre choice of source material, the show works pretty well.
Many critics deemed the show to be a masterpiece for its gritty action and tense atmosphere, a signature trope of crime shows. If crime shows are your cup of tea, this is definitely one worth checking out. In fact, since the game itself is pretty niche, it wouldn't be surprising if some of this show's fans had never even heard of the original game before. It's that entertaining and worth a watch if you're a fan of the game.
'Splinter Cell: Deathwatch' (2025–Present)
Splinter Cell: Deathwatchis based on the revolutionary Tom Clancy stealth franchise, which hasn't seen a major installment since 2013's Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Blacklist. The series, like the games, stars Sam Fisher (Liev Schreiber), an agent with Fourth Echelon, a division of the NSA. Fisher is used to carrying out politically sensitive missions behind enemy lines to prevent major wars or catastrophes, almost always working alone.
This time, he is forced to train a new recruit, Zinnia (Kirby), as they unravel a global conspiracy. This show was actually a hit with fans of the franchise, who were desperately in need of some new content. If you like espionage thrillers à la Mission: Impossible, this is a series you may want to check out.
'Carmen Sandiego' (2019–2021)
Carmen Sandiego originally started as an educational series of video games. It seems weird that educational games of all things would be turned into a Netflix TV series. But this one worked pretty well as it saw the release of four seasons in just two years and received stellar reviews. The Netflix series decided to spice things up a little and craft an action-adventure series with some of the classic education thrown in, just to keep things at least a little reminiscent of the originals.
The show features a star-studded cast, with Gina Rodriguez voicing the titular character. The cast also includes Finn Wolfhard and Dawnn Lewis. The show proved to be a brilliant adventure story reminiscent of classic Indiana Jonesflicks, with a few fun facts sprinkled in, allowing viewers to have fun and maybe learn a thing or two in the process. Eventhough Carmen Sandiego is marketed as a kids' show, it's still enjoyable for adults who remember the games from their childhood.
'Twisted Metal' (2023–Present)
Twisted Metalis one of the wildest game series ever created. The premise focuses on a group of destructive racers who deck out their vehicles with all kinds of high-tech weaponry. With a memorable cast of characters and loads of high-octane action, the game was bound to be adapted into a show or movie eventually, and, so far, it's delivered.
Fans of the series have been hungry for a new installment for quite some time now, as the most recent game came out in 2012. Luckily, the show seemed to satiate fans' appetites as it delivered all the abrasive comedy and ridiculous explosions that they had come to expect from the franchise. If you're a fan of cheesy action movies or of the zany game itself, Twisted Metal is, by far, a must-watch.
'Devil May Cry' (2025–Present)
Devil May Cryis based on a hack-and-slash series of video games about demon hunting. The show stars Dante (Johnny Yong Bosch), who is also the protagonist of the main games. Dante is a half-human/half-demon, known as a cambion, who is constantly on the run from the shadowy government organization DARKCOM. He has to balance this life of running away with his job as a professional demon hunter. On a routine contract, he comes into contact with a terrorist who intends to exterminate the human race as an act of vengeance.
Devil May Cry proved to be the treat that long-time fans of the series were really hoping for. It's a solid adaptation and a great new story set in the same dark universe. It's filled with the gruesome violence and fast-paced action that fans have come to love and expect, which has led to some pretty high critical praise. Even though the end is already in sight, it's still worth checking out.
'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' (2022)
An expansion on the immensely popular CD Projekt sci-fi game from 2020, Cyberpunk 2077, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners excelled as an anime evolution of the story world. While the game was initially met with some criticism but developed into a respected title, the series was an instant hit, with the standalone miniseries winning over plenty of fans thanks to its visual splendor and its frenetic action sequences.
Set in Night City, a dystopian megacity where crime and corruption run rampant, a street kid decides to use his skills to get by as an “edgerunner,” a teched-up, black-market mercenary also known as a “cyberpunk.” An all-out assault on the senses, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners overloads its 10 25-minute episodes with action, style, and a frenzied narrative to make for a terrific treat for fans of the video game as well as lovers of sci-fi anime. —Ryan Heffernan
