Summary
- Very few Mission: Impossible games available for fans to play.
- Mission: Impossible games range from visually impressive mobile to solid Game Boy Color.
- Operation Surma offers stealth gameplay with some cinematic moments, similar to Splinter Cell.
As Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning puts an end to one of the most iconic action and espionage series of all time, fans may be wondering if there are games out there that allow players to become members of the Impossible Mission Force or, as Ethan Hunt himself. Despite the Mission: Impossible franchise's TV and cinematic longevity, there are very few games that players can try to live out their spy fantasy in gaming form.
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Unfortunately, there hasn't been a Mission: Impossible game on console or PC since 2003. Despite the lack of choice, there have been some good games to play for Mission: Impossible fans, ranging from classic games on 8-bit machines to the Splinter Cell clones. This list includes the best Mission: Impossible games that fans of the movies and TV shows enjoyed.
7 Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation
A Visually Impressive But Repetitive Mobile Game
- Released: 2015
- Developer: Glu Mobile
- Platform: Android and iOS
Based on the film of the same name, Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation was a game exclusively for Android and iOS, but has since been shut down. As mobile movie tie-ins go, it was a visually impressive game, but it was let down by repetitive mechanics and very little depth as a shooter.
Players use the touch screen mechanics to shoot enemies from cover before moving into the next cover. Additionally, there was a PvP mode centered around building a headquarters and competing with others online, which was fun while it lasted. However, due to the free-to-play nature of Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation played heavily into the encouragement of spending real money on weapons and upgrades for the player's HQ.
6 Mission: Impossible 3
A Fun Side-Scrolling Mobile Action Game
- Released: 2006
- Developer: Gameloft
- Platform: Java Mobile Phones
Mission: Impossible 3 is based on the J.J. Abrams-directed movie of the same name. It’s a mobile-only game developed by Gameloft that puts players in the shoes of Ethan Hunt, who is tasked with recovering missing biological weapons. It’s a side-scrolling action game that takes Hunt across the world in action-packed levels.
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It’s similar to Flashback, the iconic 1992 classic cinematic action platformer. While it may not be as genre-defining as its influences, Mission: Impossible 3 was still a competent and decent action game that looked good a the time. Mission: Impossible 3 is considered abandonware, but it can still be played with a bit of J2ME know-how.
5 Mission: Impossible Game Boy Color
A Limited But Decent Stealth Game
- Released: 1999
- Developer: Rebellion Developments
- Platform: Game Boy Color
Mission: Impossible for the Game Boy Color is based on the first film in the series and was developed by Rebellion Developments, the same team behind the Sniper Elite series. There is potential in the gameplay that the studio would later refine with their WW2 stealth series, the isometric gameplay focuses more on stealth, espionage, and gadgets over action.
As a movie tie-in, it's better than expected, but compared to the far superior Metal Gear: Ghost Babel on the same platform, Mission: Impossible didn't win any new fans. Nevertheless, there remains enjoyment in infiltrating enemy bases as a spy, and using a Game Boy Color as a gadget is an intriguing gimmick.
4 Mission: Impossible (1991)
A Solid Point-And-Click Adventure Game
- Released: 1991
- Developer: Distinctive Software
- Platform: PC
In the early 90s, Konami was involved with two Mission: Impossible games based on the 1980s revival series. The first was a top-down action adventure game developed by Konami themselves, and the second was a point-and-click adventure from Distinctive Software, which Konami published. Point-and-click adventure games were extremely popular on PCs during the 1980s and 1990s, with classic titles like King's Quest by Sierra Entertainment and Monkey Island by LucasArts.
It truly lives up to its impossible mission title, as the gameplay is challenging in real time, and determining the next step can often be difficult to understand. It's still very satisfying using gadgets to solve puzzles, unlock doors, as well as slip by enemies unnoticed.
3 Mission: Impossible (1990)
A Classic Game That Captures The Essence Of Espionage
- Released: 1990
- Developer: Konami
- Platform: NES
Mission: Impossible for the NES is based on the revival of the 1980s TV series, which centers around Jim Phelps returning from retirement to seek revenge on the assassin who killed his protégé. In the first Mission: Impossible movie, the IMF leader, Phelps, was portrayed by Jon Voight. Mission: Impossible is a far more advanced espionage game than its age and platform suggest. There is a surprising amount of non-linear freedom in many of its missions, as players get to explore cities, infiltrate multi-layered enemy bases, speak to civilians, agents, and locate enemy agents.
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Mission: Impossible features three different characters with unique abilities, weapons, and gadgets. Some of the missions even include randomly generated clues, providing a different espionage experience, again, another feature that was extremely advanced for its time. The gameplay can be too challenging at times, but worth persevering, and the cinematic boat chase and skiing scenes add to one of the best games in the Mission: Impossible franchise.
2 Mission: Impossible - Operation Surma
A Splinter-Cell Style Adventure
Mission: Impossible - Operation Surma
- Released
- December 5, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Paradigm Entertainment, M4 Limited
- Genre(s)
- Stealth, Action
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Game Boy Advance, Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2
Mission: Impossible - Operation Surma is a stealth action game with a story set between the second and third Mission: Impossible movies. The gameplay elements and button mapping are nearly identical to the Splinter Cell series. While it doesn't quite reach those heights in visual or mechanical aspects, it remains a solid Mission: Impossible game.
It does a good job of incorporating gadgets like scanners and the iconic masks to disguise Ethan's face when infiltrating bases. It includes some hand-to-hand combat with slow-motion reminiscent of Mission: Impossible 2. However, the shooting mechanics are somewhat clunky, and the camera can be at odds with Ethan's positioning. While it does lack some originality, Mission: Impossible Surma is a decent stealth game with some good cinematic moments, and that's all one needs for a game like this.
1 Mission: Impossible (1998)
More Focus On Espionage Than Other Titles
Mission: Impossible
- Released
- July 16, 1998
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Infogrames
- Genre(s)
- Action
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo 64, PlayStation (Original)
After the success of Goldeneye on the N46, there was a lot of hope that the Mission: Impossible game based on the first film would replicate its success. While it never came close to Goldeneye, it did dare to be something different by focusing more on espionage and planning instead of action. Mission: Impossible had a troubled development, which likely played into its lack of polish, but it features large open areas, and players must use disguises and stealth to complete missions.
Mission: Impossible has laid much of the groundwork for the Hitman series, particularly in its implementation of disguises and espionage mechanics. While the controls can feel clunky and awkward, the game effectively captures the essence of a cinematic spy thriller more than other titles in the franchise.
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