Movie-Games (June 2017)

Movies and Video Games. You would think that these 2 mediums would go hand in hand. In fact, publishers and developers alike tend to agree, and movie tie-in games have been created almost as long as there have been video games to make. Sadly, due to a variety of factors (Release deadlines, unfamiliarity with the source material, licensing issues, etc) many of these games don't live up to their Feature Film partners. However, once in a while you will find that, when done right, movie tie-in games are some of the best out there.

Title: E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial

System: Atari 2600

Release: December, 1982

In 1982, things were rocky for the video game industry. Atari's almost complete lack of quality control led to an overwhelming plethora of shovel-ware released for it's system, and the general public had grown weary of spending hard earned money on worthless interactive toys. When E.T. became the box-office hit that it was, the decision was made to create an equally amazing game to go with the film. Unfortunately, lofty promises were met with one of the worst developed titles in all of interactive media's history. This led to the destruction and disposal of an amazingly large number of copies (and various other games) being deposited in a landfill in New Mexico. A fact that was widely considered urban legend, until just recently, when they were dug up for their historical value. After the failure of this game, and the compounded disappointment from consumers... the ET game was arguably the catalyst for the crash of the industry in 1983 that almost destroyed the medium all-together.

Title: Ghostbusters

System: Atari 2600, NES, Sega Master System

Release: 1984

This now infamous game was released on a variety of systems, all featuring differences in graphics and slight changes to game-play. Interestingly, this game was based off a near finished version of the unreleased game "Crash Wars" which explains some of the seemingly odd design choices for the license. Despite the infamy of the NES version, the Sega Master System version had a number of graphical and game-play improvements that are worth checking out for any Ghost-head and retro-enthusiast!

Title: New Ghostbusters 2

System: NES

Release: 1991

No Movie-Game list is complete without mentioning this hidden gem! Designed by HAL Laboratories as a way to correct the issues of the previously released "Ghostbusters II" for the NES, this game actually never made it to the US! (Though a leaked prototype shows a release was planned, and the GB version made it to US shores.) In this game you control 2 of the 4 Ghostbusters with one button for a proton pack, and another for a trap. Making it feel like you actually were busting ghosts! It also features a wonderfully digitized version of the soundtrack from the film. Pro-Tip: There's a hidden 5th Ghostbuster! 

Title: Bram Stoker's Dracula

System: Game Boy, NES, Genesis, SNES, Sega CD

Release: September, 1993

Following the success of the movie, a number of games were released on systems throughout the early 90s. Some, like the Game Boy version are lauded as being one of the worst platforms of all time. Others like the NES game were not successful as versions for the already superior Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo were released which were much more fun to play. Even the Sega CD got a version of it, with realistic backgrounds and FMVs. Not to be forgotten though, both the Amiga and MS-DOS got versions of their own, albeit very different ones. The Amiga version focuses on a plot where you must destroy all the coffins, and the MS-DOS version is actually in first person!

Title: Jurassic Park - Rampage Edition

System: Sega Genesis

Release: October, 1994

"Jurassic Park" was previously released for all the major systems at the time in 1993. So despite there already being this game for Sega Genesis, it was surprising when the Rampage Edition came out as a Sega exclusive. Misleadingly titled, this version of the game is completely different from it's predecessor. While you still get to play as Dr. Grant, this game gave you the option to play as the Velociraptor! Both characters play completely different from each other and have their own levels. An absolute MUST play for Jurassic Park fans and Sega lovers alike.

Title: 007 - The World is Not Enough

System: PlayStation, Nintendo 64

Release: November, 2000

Everyone knows about "007 - Goldeneye" on the N64. Rare's masterpiece defined what a console FPS could be. However, a few years later another FPS James Bond game came out that didn't get nearly the attention it deserved. After the game "Tomorrow Never Dies" on PSX failed to live up to expectations, it was decided that the next game would follow Rare's template. Interestingly though, the PSX and N64 versions of these games were made by completely different developers; Black Ops Entertainment and Eurocom, respectively. As a result, these games both play differently, but are still takes on what Rare had accomplished before.

Title: Spider-Man 2

System: PlayStation 2, XBOX, Gamecube

Release: June, 2004

While it's predecessor was a fun game, this particularly entry redefined what it meant to play as Spider-Man. Introducing the open world setting of Manhattan as your playground, this game featured the at-the-time revolutionary mechanic for how web-slinging was handled. Essentially, your web had to actually connect to a building or structure for you to be able to swing. This meant that as you traversed the game, you had to pay attention and think your next move. Like it's predecessor, and sequel, it adds to the film by bringing in more of Spidey's classic villains for you to take down. OH! and did I mention that it's narrated by Bruce Campbell? Always a plus.

Title: Warriors, The

System: PlayStation 2, XBOX

Release: October, 2005

Created by the folks over at Rockstar Games, this game is a love letter to the movie from 1979. Despite there being 26 years between the release of these two, the attention to detail is fantastic. The majority of the story takes place leading up to the events of the film, but it doesn't end there! You get to play through the movie as well, right down to the song "In the City" by The Eagles playing during the credits. As one of the last great entries in the Beat 'em up genre, this one should not be missed.

Title: Aladdin

System: Genesis, SNES

Release: November, 1993

Depending on what side of the Sega vs. Nintendo battle of the 90s you swore your loyalty too, you would have been playing 2 different games for this Disney movie tie-in. Arguably the more popular of the two was the Genesis version. Sega and Virgin Games worked directly with Disney animators to develop the game, which gave it that authentic aesthetic feeling. On the Nintendo side of things, their version of Aladdin was created by none other than Capcom.

Title: Batman Begins

System: PlayStation 2, XBOX, Gamecube

Release: June, 2005

Based on the film of the same name, this movie tie-in sticks quite closely to the plot of the movie, while taking a few liberties to extend it's length for the game. The most interesting thing about this underrated title is the 'fear' system. In most Batman games you run in and punch your way to justice, but this game encourages you to silently take out your enemies from the shadows, and increases their fear levels until they are in a total panic. Fun Fact, A sequel was in development to coincide with "The Dark Knight", but was cancelled to to technical issues with the game engine.

Title: Hook

System: NES, Genesis, SNES, Sega CD

Release: 1992-1993

Every kid of the 9'0s remembers "Hook" and indeed it had a tie-in game developed by Ukiyotei for the SNES, Genesis, and even Sega CD. While these versions were rather popular, there was also another version that went under the radar, which was created by Ocean Software for the NES. Now, playing as Robin Williams, dressed as peter pan, where you can dunk basketballs for points may not sound like much fun... but somehow it came together in a way that was strangely enjoyable for the time.

Title: Warlock

System: Genesis, SNES

Release: May, 1995

Alternatively titled "Beware the Ultimate Evil of Warlock" This particular title, while not based on a specific Warlock film, slides perfectly into the disconnected nature of the franchise, where each film doesn't rely on the others' plots. This little beauty of a game boasts some great art and a an even better soundtrack. The controls do take a bit of getting used to, but once you get a handle on it you'll be treated to a great little hidden gem of the 90s with interesting puzzles and a lot of atmosphere for the 16-bit era.

Title: Goonies, The

System: Famicom

Release: February, 1986

If you were like me, as a child reared on the NES it was very curious that there was a Goonies 2 yet, there was no "The Goonies" for our Nintendo. As it turns out, despite being an American-made film, this game did exist... in Japan! Released exclusively for the Famicom (and later the Famicom Disk System) This version of The Goonies plays somewhat similar to the original Mario vs Donkey Kong. You traverse maps based roughly on locations in the film, avoiding rats and looking for keys. Despite being a JP exclusive, most the game's text is still in English. Which makes you wonder even more why this wasn't ported outside of the region.