Video games based on movies are usually not terribly well-received, and often for good reason. However, there have been quite a few licensed games that are well worth playing. Huge hits like Goldeneye 64 and Alien Isolation have proven that tie-in games can be successful, but unfortunately, many more great games have been overlooked over the years.
Whether they put players in the shoes of classic action heroes or beloved cartoon characters, these licensed games haven't received nearly as much appreciation as they deserve.
Mad Max
A recent and moderately successful tie-in, Avalanche's Mad Max was meant to be loosely connected to the events of Fury Road. Giving players control of eponymous leather-clad road warrior, Mad Max gave players free rein over the post-apocalyptic world, building their custom car and arsenal along the way.
While the story and ground combat was nothing particularly new, the engaging weather effects and a plethora of activities made exploring the Wasteland feel exciting, and the vehicular combat is some of the most exhilarating that the medium has ever seen. It's unfortunate that so few fans were able to witness this absolute gem.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
X-Men Origins: Wolverine is a very case where the game is actually better than the movie it is based on. While the film was torn apart by fans and critics, Wolverine's tie-in game was surprisingly great. Not being limited by the film's PG-13 rating, Wolverine allowed players to witness the savagery of the character in all its gory wonder.
Hack and slash combat reminiscent of Devil May Cry and an inspired use of Wolverine's healing factor to represent player health through how damaged his body makes this game arguably one of the best superhero video games and one that, unfortunately, suffered from being attached to such a maligned movie.
007: Everything Or Nothing
Every James Bond game will forever have to live in the shadow of the almighty Goldeneye, but Everything Or Nothing could easily give the classic a run for its money. Based on Pierce Brosnan's action-packed and impossibly suave Bond, Everything Or Nothing tells an original story that lets players enjoy all of the gadgets, stunts, and one-liners that Bond is known for.
Featuring a wide array of gadgets and weapons, multiple objectives that encourage experimentation, and a voice cast including Shannon Elizabeth and Willem Dafoe, Everything Or Nothing is one of the best Bond games of all time and has sadly fallen by the wayside.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle For Bikini Bottom
Battle For Bikini Bottom has become somewhat of a cult classic game and has even seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years. The game lets players take control of SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy, as they progress through iconic locations such as Jellyfish Fields, Rock Bottom, or the Kelp Forest.
Playing similar to classic collect-athons like Banjo-Kazooie, Battle For Bikini Bottom also has a surprising level of difficulty that keeps it challenging even for older players. Most of the voice cast returns, and the script is full of the same great SpongeBob humor fans love from the show. The game even received a remaster in 2020, so now even more players can try it out.
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith
Revenge Of The Sith was actually fairly successful at the time of its release but has been largely overlooked since in favor of other Star Wars titles. The game tied in very closely to the movie and expanded on many of the iconic moments from the film.
As both Anakin and Obi-Wan, players got the chance to rescue the Chancellor, battle General Grievous, storm the Jedi Temple, and play the climactic showdown on Mustafar from both sides. Also boasting co-op levels, a versus mode, and some of the best lightsaber combat of the generation, Revenge of the Sith is an older Star Wars game still worth playing today.
Asterix And Obelix Kick Buttix
Based on a popular French-Belgian comic series, Asterix and Obelix Kick Buttix (known as XXL outside of the U.S.) puts players in the shoes of everyone's favorite Gauls as they battle through the Roman Empire in search of their captured friends. The combat, while simple, controls smoothly and is hilariously satisfying, allowing players to bash their way through the wide variety of enemies in a number of amusing ways.
Players journey through locales such as Greece, Egypt, and Normandy while fighting centurions, pirates, Vikings, lions, and even entire Roman Phalanxes. Ridiculously powerful unlockable combo attacks and a rip-roaring soundtrack make the game an absolute blast, even for players who have never heard of the source material.
TRON: Evolution
As a film based on the concept of video games, it was inevitable that 2010's TRON: Legacy would get at least one tie-in game, but few likely predicted how good that game would be. TRON: Evolution brings the world of TRON to life with impressive graphics and an engaging story that chronicles the evil Clu's rise to power during a computer virus, cleverly implemented as a physical decay of the world.
Players could traverse the dazzling levels with tight free-running controls and battle enemies with a layered combat system. They were also given control of vehicles such as tanks and the iconic light-cycle for some sections. It is a shame that so few people stepped into the Grid to play this game.
The Thing
John Carpenter's The Thing is one of the most revered sci-fi horror movies of all time. Its long-delayed video game adaptation has also gone down in history as a masterclass in tension. Following the events of the film, The Thing recreates the atmosphere of its movie counterpart with disturbing accuracy.
A fantastic trust mechanic between players and the NPC's they encounter make every interaction in the game full of paranoia, as at any moment an ally could turn into the Thing or snap from insanity. Couple that with a large variety of weapons and equipment and it's no wonder John Carpenter gave the game his personal seal of approval.
Indiana Jones And The Staff Of Kings
Indiana Jones has been on many famous adventures on film, but his most underappreciated outing came in video game form. Players don the fedora and bullwhip of the legendary archaeologist as he searches for the biblical Staff of Moses. Along the way, they solve some clever puzzles and battle Nazis in satisfying hand-to-hand combat and gunplay.
While the graphics have not aged well, the gameplay is still fairly solid, and many of the environments and tombs are still impressive to behold. A solid cast of characters and a stunning finale through a parting sea can rival even the spectacle of the films. Staff Of Kings laid the foundations for the heights that Uncharted would reach years later, but sadly it's been all but forgotten.
Transformers: Fall Of Cybertron
High Moon Studios' Cybertron games are some of the most acclaimed pieces of Transformers media ever created. Both War For Cybertron and Fall of Cybertron are huge fan favorites, but Fall of Cybertron shines as a true masterpiece. A superb narrative interweaves both the Autobot and Decepticon sides, and the game allows players to take control of both in a surprisingly deep tale of a world ravaged by war.
The gameplay is also phenomenal, featuring a host of fun weapons, unique character abilities, and the ability to change between robot and vehicle form on the fly. Several fan-favorite characters are playable, including the always awesome Dinobots, and many are voiced by their original actors. Fall of Cybertron stands as one of the best tie-in games ever made and is well worth a play even for those who aren't fans of the franchise.