Adaptations of video games have taken the world of television by storm, giving fans a chance to witness their beloved characters and universes come to life in new and entertaining ways.
Along with a rapid rise in popularity, streaming platforms like Netflix have started investing a huge amount of money into this genre, allowing us to see our favourite characters on the big screen.
They not only capture the essence of the games but also expand our experience by giving us the opportunity to have a fresh look at stories we already know.
We have prepared a list of the 10 best TV shows based on video games. The ranking contains some truly enjoyable shows ending at those, which you cannot miss.
It does not matter whether you are a video game enthusiast or you simply love good storytelling, these shows will satisfy you in both of these matters.
Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness
Coming in at the last spot on our list Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness is a CGI animated series that explores the dark, zombie-infested world of the iconic Resident Evil franchise.
It offers a unique visual experience as well as a supplementation for the main story while only being 4 episodes long. Released in 2021 on Netflix, this series follows the paths of already-known characters, such as Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield who face another case of a zombie outbreak.
While it faithfully captures the atmosphere of the games, being a blend of horror and action, it somehow struggles to leave a lasting impression due to its brief length and not as great storytelling as in the games.
Despite its drawbacks, it offers a truly nostalgic journey for dedicated fans of the franchise and may encourage others to learn more about this world.
Pokémon
Pokémon is one of a video game franchise’s most successful and beloved TV adaptations. With its debut in 1997, the series has captivated audiences from all over the world with its memorable storylines and charming characters.
It follows the story of a young Pokémon Trainer – Ash Ketchum – on his journey towards becoming a Pokémon Master. Along with his friends, Ash captures, trains, and battles various Pokémon.
Being a descendant of the globally recognised games franchise, Pokémon takes us on a nostalgic journey, especially meaningful for those who grew up with games, for whom it is a must-watch position on this list.
The Cuphead Show
The Cuphead Show! (Netflix, 2022–) brings the vibrant world of Studio MDHR’s Cuphead to life with a unique blend of vintage animation and bizarre storytelling.
Drawing inspiration from 1930s cartoons, the show preserves the game’s iconic hand-drawn aesthetic and quirky humor, translating the high-energy adventures of Cuphead and his brother Mugman into episodic tales.
While mixing a unique comedy style, lovable characters, and a light-hearted atmosphere, the series captures the charm of the source material while offering new storylines that expand its universe.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of the challenging gameplay or just a lover of classic visuals, The Cuphead Show! is a marvelous adaptation that pays tribute to its video game roots.
The Last of Us
The Last of Us (HBO, 2023–) is a show based on the widely appreciated video game under the same name.
It follows Joel and Ellie, cast perfectly by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, as they journey through a dangerous, gloomy world while gradually creating a powerful bond with each other.
The adaptation brings its post-apocalyptic world to life capturing freshly formed relationships, the emotions between the characters, and the conflicts that trouble them.
The show combines immersive action, gripping storytelling, and intense character moments, at the same time staying true to the source material.
It’s an outstanding example of how a show based on a video game can honor the original story while captivating a broader audience. All that makes The Last of Us an unmissable position for post-apocalyptic enthusiasts.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog has been a beloved animated presence since the early 1990s, with several shows bringing the iconic Sega character to the screens.
Amongst them, back in 2020, we got Sonic the Hedgehog movie, and in 2022 one of the most recent productions Sonic Prime (Netflix, 2022–) has turned the popular Sega franchise into an exciting and fun animated series with a fresh twist.
With its vibrant animation and lightning-fast action, the show captures the thrilling energy of the games while at the same time offering us lots of humor and emotions. It’s a charming journey, that blends the classic spirit of Sonic with new storytelling opportunities, making it a must-watch for fans of all ages.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (Netflix, 2022-) tells the story of a teenager growing up on the streets of the futuristic and often dangerous Night City.
With his adventures a dream is born, a dream to become the titular Edgerunner – an outlaw and mercenary.
The unique setting and stunning visual style draw attention to the story, both tragic and violent, underscored by the engaging and unpredictable events, making the viewer interested in exploring this universe even deeper.
It’s an impactful entry into the Cyberpunk universe, at the same time, being an unmissable experience for fans of the game and anime enthusiasts.
Fallout
If The Last of Us isn’t enough, there is another tremendous gaming universe that turned into a masterpiece show to consider.
Every post-apocalyptic fan must know the world of Fallout and this year we witnessed the premiere of its long-anticipated TV adaptation. The show was released in April 2024 and ventures into a post-nuclear reality that we know from the iconic video games.
Set in a wasteland covered with radiation the show emphasizes immersive storytelling and follows the adventures and encounters of characters forced to find themselves in this chaotic and devastated world.
With a top-tier cast and well-written story, the Fallout series is a thrilling and fun exploration of our beloved video game universe.
Arcane
Arcane (Netflix, 2021-) leaps into the unmeasurable and diverse universe created by Riot Games known primarily for League of Legends.
Earning one of the top places in this ranking, the show takes place in Piltover and the underground districts of Zaun. It highlights the contrast between those two completely different worlds and shows how neither of these places is a dream to live in.
Undoubtedly one of the best-rated series based on games was recently extended with a second season having its premiere on November 9, 2024.
While the first season has set the bar high, the most recent one seems to be a good competition and continuation of the story. Whether you are a game enthusiast or you love immersive and exciting storytelling this show is the one you shouldn’t miss.
Castlevania
Wallachia’s somber and cruel realm plunges into darkness and shadow after some unfortunate course of events.
An army of evil led by the vampire lord – Dracula, who seeks revenge with a will to deliver justice – invades the lands of men and wreaks havoc and destruction.
This long-cherished adaptation offers a unique graphic style combined with immersive storytelling introducing us to each individual’s motives.
If the atmosphere and story told in the Castlevania game series were to your liking the TV series adapted by Netflix will with no doubt fulfil your expectations.
The Witcher
The Witcher (Netflix, 2019-) series is a remarkable adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s book saga the game trilogy by CD PROJECT RED.
It tells a captivating tale of Geralt of Rivia – a monster slayer, mutant, and outcast – and his adventures in a dark fantasy world. The story, already beloved in its book and game forms has been enhanced and brought to life on the big screen, creating an unmissable opportunity to see our favorite characters once again.
With its great storytelling, outstanding cast choices (including Henry Cavill as the iconic Geralt), and immersive world-building it offers an interesting experience and a chance to immerse deeper into this engaging universe.
Despite some changes to the original story, which caused some parts of the fandom to take issue with it, the show keeps the viewer engaged and uncertain of the upcoming events.
For those who seek a slightly different perspective on the story of our beloved Geralt, this show might be the one they have been looking for.
Conclusion
With countless shows being produced each year, we are constantly given numerous opportunities to dive into new stories and meet fresh characters.
Amongst them are adaptations inspired by our beloved gaming universes, allowing us to reconnect with iconic characters and experience their journeys anew.
Whether by venturing into familiar narratives or accompanying them on new adventures, these adaptations breathe new life into these worlds.
The amount of realms and stories that have not been explored yet is staggering and it is only a matter of time before many of them will be translated to the big screen to captivate us yet again.