The last 18 months have taken their toll on all us, but finally things are starting to get back to a semblance of normality. One of the best things about this return to normalcy has been the reopening of movie theatres up and down the country.
Whilst Netflix and Prime Video have provided us with crumbs of comfort in recent times, they are still no substitute for the big screen. In this article however we pay homage to some of the best movie-inspired video games.
The ones that have leaped effortlessly from cinema screens to gaming monitors without losing any of their charm or authenticity. Let’s take a look at them now…
GoldenEye 007
Nintendo 64
1997
What better place to start than with the best movie-inspired game of all-time? GoldenEye 007 was released 2 years after the film of the same name and is arguably one of the most important video game releases of all-time.
Not only did it highlight that movie-inspired video games could be a rip roaring success – the game sold 8 million copies worldwide and grossed $250 million when gaming was still quite a niche industry – but it also paved the way for future first-person shooters.
The split screen feature also demonstrated the potential that multiplayer modes had. Without this crazy, whacky and incredibly addictive game who knows what modern day gaming would have looked like?
(The best game of its generation.)
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Online slot
2021
There’s no doubting that Anchorman is an iconic film. It’s arguably Will Ferrell’s biggest hit, and it even inspired a sequel in 2013.
Found among these online slots, it’s certainly worth playing and one of the best movie-inspired online slots on the market. It has a fairly high 96.03% RTP but it is the fully licensed cast of Channel 4 along with a whole host of laugh out loud quotes and clips that makes this slot well worth a play.
Powered by Bally and Scientific Games, the slot has 25-paylines as well as four bonus featuring free spins, expanding reels and substantial multipliers.
(You can enjoy some of these iconic quotes as you spin the reels on this great game.)
Alien: Isolation
PlayStation, Xbox & PC
2014
Ridley Scott is the man behind Blade Runner, Gladiator and The Martian to name but a few of his many, many Hollywood hit movies. After winning the award for ‘Best Debut Film’ at the Cannes Film Festival in 1977 Scott turned his attentions to his next film, Alien.
Released two years later the film became an instant cult-classic spawning a hugely profitable franchise that eventually resulted in this great 2014 video game. Alien: Isolation took all the key aspects of the movie franchise and blended them effortlessly into a visually stunning game.
In addition to that the game absolutely nailed the horror theme. If you want an idea of what this game is like think Resident Evil in outer space.
(This game will have you on the edge of your seat throughout.)
Marvel’s Spider-Man/ Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
PlayStation 4/PlayStation 5
2018/2021
Whilst these two titles are technically based on comics, we all know that the vast majority of Spider-Man fans were introduced to the super hero by the 2002 hit film. Since then there have been plenty of attempts to bring the franchise to gaming, but none as successful as these two.
The graphics and gameplay are quite simply next level, especially on the latest release which is available on PS5.
If you can suspend your disbelief for some rather corny plot twists you can enjoy an early era Assassins’ Creed style jaunt around a stunningly rendered New York City.
(Enjoy some of the best graphics available on Spider-Man: Miles Morales on the PS5.)
Star Wars Battlefront
The Star Wars movie franchise is one of the most globally famous movie franchises of all-time and throughout the decades has inspired tonnes of branded merchandise and spin-offs. The best Star Wars video game for some time was the 1999 Racer title on N64 and PlayStation One.
That was until 2015 when Electronic Arts rebooted Star Wars Battlefront on PC, PS4 and Xbox One. The gameplays, visuals, soundtrack and high production values of the game were all praised highly by fans and critics alike.
What made the game so addictively playable though was the effortless integration of Star Wars staples into the modern world of online multiplayer gaming. Whether you were a long-term fan of the movie franchise from the beginning or a complete newbie to the franchise, this game had something for you.
Subsequent releases were just as good, but as the trailblazer the 2015 reboot has to take the mantle of best Star Wars video game.
(This game had authenticity, graphics, gameplay and variety.)