Can Video Game Adaptations Now Be as Good as the Games Themselves?

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For decades, video game adaptations had a reputation as some of the weakest films around. Fans would hear that their favourite game was heading to the big screen and brace for disappointment. That has changed dramatically in the last few years. This week, Paramount announced a live action Cyberpunk 2077 film, and Xbox launched a whole new division to turn its games into films, television and live experiences. So have adaptations finally reached the point where they can match, or even beat, the games they come from?

The history explains why people were sceptical. The 1993 Super Mario Bros film is still remembered as a strange misfire, and many adaptations in the 1990s and 2000s ignored what made their games special. Studios often treated games as brand names to attach to generic action films. Stories were changed beyond recognition, characters were rewritten and fans felt their favourite worlds had not been respected. Box office results were often mixed and reviews were frequently harsh

The turnaround has been remarkable. The Last of Us, which premiered on HBO in 2023, won widespread praise and multiple Emmy awards, with many critics calling it one of the best shows of the year. Arcane, Netflix's animated series based on League of Legends, won the Emmy for outstanding animated programme and was loved by people who had never played the game. Fallout on Prime Video in 2024 captured the tone of its games while telling a new story. These were not just good adaptations, but good television full stop

Films have found success too. The Super Mario Bros. Movie in 2023 earned more than $1.3 billion worldwide, making it one of the biggest animated films ever. The Sonic the Hedgehog films have been consistent hits, and A Minecraft Movie became a huge box office success in 2025. Critics did not always love these films, but audiences clearly did. They showed that families and fans would turn up in large numbers for games done with care

What changed? Several things came together. Games themselves now tell richer stories with complex characters, giving writers better material to work with. Many of the people making films and shows grew up playing games and respect them. Game studios have also become much more involved, protecting their worlds and characters. Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann co-created The Last of Us series, and Riot Games was deeply involved in Arcane

Longer formats have helped as well. A game might offer forty hours of story, which is hard to squeeze into a two hour film. Television series give room to explore characters and worlds properly. Animation has proved especially powerful, as Arcane and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners both showed. Animation can capture the visual style of a game without the compromises that live action budgets sometimes force

Can an adaptation be better than the game? In some ways, the question compares different things. Games let you make choices, explore at your own pace and feel responsible for what happens. Films and shows offer tight storytelling, strong performances and shared experiences. The Last of Us series made some choices that many fans felt improved on the game, such as expanding the story of Bill and Frank. That suggests adaptations can add something new rather than simply copying the original

There is plenty to look forward to. Cyberpunk 2077 has a rich world and a beloved anime already proving the setting works on screen. Xbox's new XP division will oversee the A Minecraft Movie sequel, the Fallout series, a Call of Duty film and more. Many other games are in development as films and shows. With studios now taking games seriously, the next few years could produce some wonderful adaptations

There are still risks. Not every game has a story that suits film or television, and some adaptations will still miss the mark. The Halo series on Paramount+ had strong production values but divided fans and ended after two seasons. Producers need to respect what makes each game special, rather than chasing a familiar formula. But the overall direction is clearly positive, and the old curse of game adaptations looks thoroughly broken

Casting has become another strength. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey brought depth to The Last of Us, and Walton Goggins was widely praised for his role in Fallout. Strong actors take material seriously, and their involvement signals to audiences that an adaptation is worth their time. Voice casting for animated adaptations has improved too, with performers who understand the characters. These choices help adaptations stand on their own merits

The relationship also flows the other way. Successful shows bring new players to the original games, giving studios fresh audiences and extending the life of older titles. Fallout saw a big surge in players after its series launched, and Cyberpunk 2077 gained renewed attention after Edgerunners. That benefit gives game studios a strong reason to protect quality. When adaptations and games support each other, everyone wins

Which game adaptation is your favourite, and why? Do you think any adaptation has been better than the game it came from? And which game would you most like to see adapted next?

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