Video games based on major films tend to generate a lot of attention. But every now and then such a game slips through the cracks, either because it’s designed on a smaller scale or because it simply doesn’t perform well with critics upon release. Not all of these games are particularly worthwhile, but here are 9 relatively unknowing titles based on very big films that you may find are worth your time.
Ghostbusters: The Video Game
This is actually more based on the total Ghostbusters franchise than any single film. Though because Ghostbusters: The Video Game was designed with original story content, it’s perhaps best described as a playable sequel to Ghostbusters II. This game cracked a list at WhatCulture of good video games based on movies because it “truly is a third GB movie.” While that might be going a bit far, the sentiment is fair. This game nails the Ghostbusters atmosphere and is a full adventure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyVGSGynYpg
Man Of Steel – Metropolis Mayhem
This game by Warner Bros. was released alongside Man Of Steel and though it’s ultimately pretty short and simple, it’s a lot of fun. The graphics are sharp and you get to control Superman whizzing around Metropolis blasting things out of your way with heat vision. That’s about all you want in a Superman game, right?
Achilles
Though not officially related to the film Troy, this amusing side-scrolling and slashing experience from the selection at Armor Games includes actual audio from the film. More importantly, despite crude graphics, it’s a terrific game and an awesome chance to enjoy the elite combat capabilities of ancient Greece’s mightiest warrior.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
This one is pretty simple: the film of the same name was horrible, but the game designed for Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii was terrific.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E.: Mission Berlin
Despite a lot of publicity and a cast headlined by up-and-coming Hollywood hunks, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. generated relatively little noise in 2015. But this accompanying app by Warner Bros. was surprisingly fun. It’s a 3D, third-person shooter/stealth adventure that’s pretty effectively designed for mobile devices.
The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction
The two Hulk-based films that were released prior to the launch of the Marvel Cinematic Universe both fell short in their own ways. But this video game released in between the two has been hailed as a near-perfect Hulk gaming experience. It allows players to enjoy the sheer destructive power of the green beast, and it’s available for the PS2, Xbox, and Gamecube.
LEGO Harry Potter Years 1-4
This is probably the most popular title on the list, so it may not fit under the umbrella of games you haven’t heard of. However, because most of the focus has always been on the console version of the game, it feels worth noting that the app version is about every bit as good.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Released in 2014 for brand-new consoles (at the time) like the Xbox One, PS4 and Wii U, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 accompanied the film of the same name. It generated more attention than most games on this list, but it also blended in with a pretty crowded list of Spider-Man games released in the past decade. The film didn’t do particularly well with fans or critics, which may have contributed to this game being somewhat ignored. On its own, this is a gorgeous and thorough open-world action experience. It’s arguably the closest non-Batman superhero game to match the quality of the Arkham series.
Pirates Online
Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl was a sensation when it first came out, even if its sequels made the franchise appear silly and confusing. The Pirates Online MMO brings the world of the films to life in a pretty satisfying way, however, and is certainly a fun option for anyone who loved that first film.
Frankly, the world of movie-based gaming is larger than most of us tend to realize. And these are just a few forgotten titles from that world that are worth your time if you can get your hands on them.
