Summary
The 1990sweren’t just agood time for video games, as television saw a tremendous increase in terms of quality and output during the decade. Television was experiencing a surge that wouldn’t be matched for quite a while, and the industry was finding itself in fierce competition with video games, which grew into a more direct and fruitful partnership as the ever-evolving gaming space would become a haven forTV adaptationsover the years.
Whether it was a show aimed at a younger audience, a supernatural teen drama turned beat ‘em up, or an iconic cartoon series,90s television has made quite an impression on video games. 90s TV was a time of experimentation, cultivating audiences from all walks of life to tell stories that resonated with teenagers, adults, and kids alike. Thesegames, based on 90s TV series,have been ranked based on their overall quality, as well as their success in bringing the shows they’re based on into the world of video games.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangerswas one of the most popular shows of the 1990s, as its combination of relatable teen melodrama and costumed superheroes fighting monsters was a slam dunk with kids of the era. The franchise is currently in a bit of an ongoing evaluation, but that didn’t stop developer Digital Eclipse from making one ofthe bestMMPRgamesof all time withRita’s Rewind, a fantastic beat ‘em up that sees the classic Rangers return to the spotlight.
Drawing from classic beat ‘em ups of the era and utilizing some absolutely gorgeous sprite art,Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewindis a total delight for anyone who grew up watching the iconic series. The combat feels sharp and punchy, as Digital Eclipse gives excellent feedback to the player for every punch, while also making use of top-notch sound design and music.Rita’s Rewindwas clearly made with love and passion for the ravenously popular series, and it succeeds in displaying that adoration.
Perhaps no television show is as firmly connected with the 1990s asThe X-Files, as the exploits of FBIagents Fox Mulder and Dana Scullytapped into the sinister world of conspiracy theories and government cover-ups that was so prevalent during the era. While a compelling point-and-click adventure game based on the series was released in 1998,The X-Files: Resist or Servewas the game that fans had truly been waiting for, as it allowed players to firmly step into the shoes of Mulder and Scully in a third-person survival horror experience.
Taking place during the seventh season,Resist or Servepresents itself as three episodes of the series, and was one of the most fascinatingX-Files-related projects David Duchovny worked on following a dispute with Fox that led to him departing the show. Its placement within the seventh season was brilliant, as it genuinely feels like it could be slotted directly into the series without missing a beat, as it expertly captures the tone and style of the TV show. The survival horror gameplay is a perfect fit for anX-Filesgame, andResist or Serve’sauthenticity is helped by having series stars Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reprise their roles.
Despite debubting in the late 1960s,Star Trekhad its greatest runduring the 1990s, as the franchise was a force to be reckoned with. Across three live-action television shows and blockbuster spin-off films,the sci-fi franchise went on quite a run during the decade, and saw numerous video games based on the shows come out, including the excellentStar Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Fallen. As one of the franchise’s most beloved shows,Deep Space Ninewas a prime candidate for a video game, and developers The Collective were more than up to the task.
The Fallenis loosely based on a series ofDeep Space Ninenovels, tying deep into the mythology of the Bajorans and Sisko’s ongoing struggle with the fate that awaits him.Deep Space Ninewas heavy on philosophy and metaphysical musings in a way that other shows in the series weren’t, andThe Fallenmakes excellent use of the show’s compelling lore. Featuring three playable characters—Sisko, Worf, and Kira—The Fallenis still an outstanding shooter with satisfying phaser combat and a complex tale of destiny.
After proving their ability to create engaging action games with satisfying combat systems, The Collective was tapped to bring the outrageously popular WB seriesBuffy the Vampire Slayerinto the world of gaming. Using their aptly-named Slayer Engine, The Collective brought the world of Sunnydale to life in exquisite detail, as the developer was able to recreate the tone, style, and feeling of the show in absolutely spectacular fashion.
Buffy the Vampire Slayerdeftly combines hand-to-hand combatagainst vampires and allsorts of monsters with puzzle solving and exploration, all within the framework of a story that feels directly linked to the series. The narrative was authored by several writers of the TV show, who used their expertise to link it to some major events from the series. With some absolutely fantastic combat and an authentic setting,Buffy the Vampire Slayeris still an incredible experience, and is the best way to experience the compelling supernatural teen drama in video game form.
After bringing Batman to life with a stupendous animated series, Bruce Timm and his crew decided to do the same with Superman. Drawing from the Fleischer cartoons from the 1940s,Superman: The Animated Serieswas a bold, updated vision of the Man of Steel that modernized many elements of the character in outstanding ways. Two years after the series finale, this legendary show would get the royal treatment in video game form withSuperman: Shadow of Apokolips.
Shadow of Apokolipsfeels like the series come to life, as the art deco vision of Metropolis is stellar to look at. It also utilizes the entire voice cast from the show, as Tim Daly and the rest of the actors return to lend their voices to these characters once more. Flying feels excellent, as a press of the shoulder button sends Superman into the air in a way that hasn’t quite been topped in any game starring the Man of Steel since.Shadow of Apokolipsis stillthe best Superman game evermade, and its use of the iconic animated series as its foundation makes it even more engaging.
Ever since its debut in the early 1990s,The Simpsonshas become one of the most influential and popular animated shows of all time. With that popularity came the desire to see the iconic family in video games, where they have appeared in numerous genres,from beat ‘em upsto wrestling titles. However, the absolute best video game adaptation for Springfield’s zany family has always beenThe Simpsons: Hit & Run, a delightful and charming open-world game akin toGrand Theft Auto.
The writers of the series oversaw the development ofHit & Runand also brought the entire voice cast back, adding a sense of authenticity and genuine humor to the game that would have been lost otherwise. The dialogue is outrageous and hilarious, while the trademark humor and biting satire remain in place. Driving around a huge 3D rendition of Springfield was a novel thing at the time, as the town had only been seen in 2D at the time.The Simpsons: Hit & Runretains all the charm, laughs, and brilliance of the show, and is long overdue for a remaster or remake of some kind.
