Most games that are based on TV shows are pretty bad. That's because the companies that make them typically only make them because they think they can piggy-back off of what is already popular and selling.
However, some games will surprise you. There are companies that do TV shows justice with entertaining content for both gamers and fans of the series. There may be few now, but they prove that quality games based on shows can be done. Hopefully, we will see more in the future. Until then, here are ten games based on TV shows that are highly rated on Metacritic.
10 The Walking Dead: A Telltale Games Series (Score: 89)
Technically, this game is actually based on the comic books more than the show. However, it likely would not have gotten the attention it deserved if the show was not a critical success at the time. Nearly all of the characters are original, though you do get little Easter Eggs from the show and comics such as Hershal, his farm, and Glenn's character at the beginning. You even meet Jesus in a later season.
Arguably, this game could even be considered better than the show because it is more loyal to the comics and is not as afraid to kill off its characters. Few gamers had dry eyes throughout this series, as it can get very brutal.
9 The Simpsons: Hit & Run (Score: 82)
This game came out back in 2003 for the Gamecube, PlayStation 2, Windows, and Xbox. While there are a lot of Simpsons video games, this one is considered the best. Its genre is action-adventure with some role-playing elements. The game was praised for its depiction of Springfield, as it offers fans a lot of familiar locations. The game also worked itself in as a witty parody to the Grand Theft Auto series.
It is a great game to play for both fun and laughs.
8 Star Trek: Voyager Elite Force (Score: 86)
The high score for this game is only for the PC version, as the PlayStation 2 version of this game actually has a much lower score of 52!
The PC version came out in 2000 and made a lot of Star Trek fans sigh with relief over the fact that they finally got a good Star Trek game. After all, Star Trek is a series that feels like it should be a video game since it works a lot with missions and explorations. The far less-liked version for the PlayStation 2 game out in 2001 and the change in review scores are not just on Metacritic, so definitely get this game on PC and not the PS2.
7 Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Score: 79)
Released in 2002 for the Xbox, this game was most loved for its combat. Critics did mention it was rather short with just 15 to 20 hours of gameplay, but they are some very fun hours. A lot of reviews pointed out that while most games do not live up to the TV shows they are based on, this game was different. The overall user score on Metacritic was even a little higher than the critic reviews with an 8.0.
6 Ducktales: Remastered (Score: 78)
While it was also released on the PlayStation 3, the iOS version of this game had a better Metacritic score by three points. However, while the scores are high, there are not many reviews. To the few that did review this game, they have called it a worth-while nostalgic trip. It is a platformer style game, so its gameplay is relatively simple. Everything is drawn wonderfully and there is decent voice acting. It is a good mobile game to have on the road.
5 Southpark: The Stick Of Truth (Score: 85)
This game was rated most highly for its PC and PlayStation 3 versions. It came out in 2014 and is a role-playing adventure. It was not only highly-rated by Metacritic but received a lot of near-perfect scores from publications like Giant Bomb, IGN, and EGM. The game is pretty open-world and has a ton of inside jokes for its fans. It has a lot of references to the show.
It was loved enough to get a sequel, South Park: The Fractured But Whole, which was released in 2017 and also received great reviews.
4 Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 (Score: 77)
Released for the PlayStation 2 in 2004, this fighting game had better reviews from its everyday users than the critics. It is just one game in a long series, as its first installment was released in 2002 and the latest went out in 2012.
Of all the games though, its this third one that is the most talked about. You get to play as a ton of different characters including Vegeta, Goku, Kid Gohan, Teen Gohan, Trunks, Android 16, Android 17, Android 18, Frieza, Cell, Nappa, and many more.
3 WWE Smackdown! Here Comes The Pain (Score: 85)
This PlayStation 2 game came out in 2003 and was the best wrestling game of its time. It got near-perfect reviews on GameSpy, IGN, Eurogamer, GameSpot, and GamePro. It even won Best Fighting Game at the 2003 Spike Video Game Awards.
The game was loved for its variety of fighting game mechanics and you could create your own character. It was called the best wrestling game for any platformer and aged very well.
2 Astro Boy: Omega Factor (Score: 85)
For the Game Boy Advance, this scrolling action game got near perfect reviews by publications like GameSpy, GameSpot, and GamePro. It was known to be the best action game on the Game Boy Advance and was fun for audiences of any age. Since it is on a portable console and pretty much a fun button-masher game, it is a great option to play in a waiting room or while on the road..
It was also praised for its low increase in difficulty that made the game challenging, but never frustrating.
1 WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role (Score: 90)
Metacritic has tagged this game as a "must play." It was released for the original PlayStation in 2000. It was also the first of its kind that allowed players to make their own character, which was a big deal at the time. There are a lot of unlockable characters from the show such as Stone Cold Steve Austin, Billy Gunn, Mick Foley, and Debra Marshall. It was the first SmackDown game to feature Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit. The one drawback that many agreed on was its long loading screens.