The world of comics is vast, encompassing not only the classic genre of superheroes but a myriad of others as well. From horror to science fiction to pulp adventure, the world of comics is a near-infinitely deep well to draw from.
It’s no wonder video games have taken to that well time and time again for adaptations. Hundreds of comics have received the video game adaptation treatment. Many of these are from the powerhouse publishers Marvel and DC. But the big two don’t have a monopoly on video games based on comics. Smaller publishers make some beautiful, engaging stories, and they’ve been brought to the small screen as well.
10 “Alien vs. Predator” Is A Horror Adventure (1994)
Dark Horse kicked off the now-famous AVP franchise in 1989 with their intermittent series of the same name. Drawing on two powerhouses of sci-fi horror, this series pits the two infamous alien species against each other with humanity caught right in the middle.
This game features three unique storylines for the player to experience. As an alien, they are tasked with rescuing their queen. The predator storyline, meanwhile, is attempting to kill the queen. Finally, a human storyline has the player just trying to survive.
9 “Bone: Out From Boneville” Is A Heartwarming Adventure (2005)
Jeff Smith’s fantasy classic Bone, published by Image Comics, is a masterwork of adventure, intrigue, and heart. This adventure game was the first from Telltale Games, the now-defunct studio known for its deep narratives and choice-driven gameplay.
The game follows closely the first volume of Bone as Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone are exiled from their hometown and find themselves in The Valley, a magical place filled with memorable characters and ancient secrets.
8 “Hellboy: Dogs Of The Night” Is Filled With Satisfying Puzzles (2003)
Another Dark Horse comic, Hellboy is a pastiche of classic cosmic horror, world mythology, and pulp action. There have been video game adaptations of Hellboy movies, but Dogs of the Night came before all those.
It received poor reviews upon release, but fans of the game today laud its surprisingly satisfying puzzles, and the dated and muddy graphics actually work to enhance the dark and brooding feeling that fills Mike Mignola’s panels.
7 “Little Nemo: The Dream Master” Is Considered To Be One Of The Best NES Games Of All Time (1990)
The character Little Nemo originated in a comic strip by Winsor McCay and was the star of the Japanese film Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland. The Dream Master is a 2D sidescroller that sees Nemo befriending small animals in order to unlock their special powers to advance.
The game received all-around good reviews and is considered by some to be one of the best NES games of all time. Potential players be warned, however, as the game is notoriously difficult, even by the standards of the day.
6 “Popeye” Was Meant To Have A Follow-Up Game (1982)
The iconic sailor Popeye dates back to 1929 and has been a mainstay of popular culture ever since. His cantankerous attitude and wacky adventures made him an instant classic, and in the early 80s, it was a no-brainer to stick him in an arcade cabinet.
The gameplay is classic arcade fare – Olive Oyl has dropped a number of items that Popeye has to collect, navigating vertical stages while avoiding all manner of enemies and hazards. The Popeye cast was originally slated to appear in another arcade game, but the developer couldn’t secure the rights. That game was eventually released as Donkey Kong.
5 “Spy Vs Spy” Is A High-Violence Game (1984)
The high-violence slapstick action of Spy vs Spy jumps from the pages of Mad Magazine in this two-player game. The players face off as the iconic black and white spies try to escape from an embassy building, all the while throwing devastating traps at one another.
The comic’s striking visuals are faithfully represented, despite the technical limitations of the day, and the game was well-received upon release.
4 “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” Has Mixed Reviews (1989)
Riding the success of the 1987 TMNT animated series, the NES game sees the heroes on the half shell pursuing their nemesis Shredder, rescuing April O’Neil from Bebop and Rocksteady, and deploying their ninja skills all across the city.
The player can switch between the four turtles at will, and each has its own attacks and health bar. When a turtle is defeated, he is captured by the enemies and must be rescued. Mixed reviews aside, this game is a must-play for any TMNT superfans.
3 “Prisoners Of The Sun” Did Not Age Well (1997)
The classic adventure stories of Tintin chronicle the action-packed life of a Belgian reporter as he finds himself wrapped up in all manner of worldwide conspiracies. Prisoners of the Sun is an adaptation of the thirteenth and fourteenth volumes of the Tintin comic strip, The Seven Crystal Balls and Prisoners of the Sun.
The stories do not age well, with racist depictions of indigenous South Americans being central to the story’s plot. The game, however, remains an interesting artifact of its era, with pixel art that recreates the look of the comic with surprising fidelity.
2 “Samurai Warrior: The Battles Of Usagi Yojimbo” Is A Simple Side-Scroller (1988)
Usagi Yojimbo is a manga that chronicles the exploits of its protagonist, an anthropomorphic samurai rabbit. This adaptation is a simple side-scrolling adventure game, though it boasts some light RPG mechanics that make it worth a look even to this day.
The game’s scoring system is karma, with Usagi’s actions affecting his karma. The player can attack unarmed civilians, but this will lower their score.
1 “The Walking Dead” Is A Modern Classic (2012)
Before the massively popular AMC television show, The Walking Dead was a comic published by Image Comics. Most of the characters in the game are new, but it takes place in the same world established in the comic. The game was a huge success for Telltale, with its focus on narrative and character over traditional adventure-game puzzle solving.
Comic series creator Robert Kirkman had a hand in overseeing the story, so the game feels true to form.
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