Summary
- 90s television made a lasting impact on video games with quality adaptations.
- Power Rangers, The X-Files, Star Trek: DS9, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Superman, & The Simpsons influenced gameplay.
- Quality adaptations translated the charm and essence of iconic 90s TV shows into video games.
The 1990s weren't just a good 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 for TV adaptations over 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. These games, 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.
6 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind
Rita's Rewind Is A Thrilling Throwback To The 1990s
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind
- Released
- December 10, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers was 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 of the best MMPR games of all time with Rita'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 Rewind is 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 Rewind was clearly made with love and passion for the ravenously popular series, and it succeeds in displaying that adoration.
5 The X-Files: Resist Or Serve
The Truth Is Out There
The X-Files: Resist or Serve
- Released
- March 18, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 2
Perhaps no television show is as firmly connected with the 1990s as The X-Files, as the exploits of FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully tapped 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 Serve was 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 Serve presents itself as three episodes of the series, and was one of the most fascinating X-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 an X-Files game, and Resist or Serve's authenticity is helped by having series stars Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reprise their roles.
4 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Fallen
To Boldly Go
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Fallen
- Released
- November 3, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PC
Despite debubting in the late 1960s, Star Trek had its greatest run during 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 excellent Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Fallen. As one of the franchise's most beloved shows, Deep Space Nine was a prime candidate for a video game, and developers The Collective were more than up to the task.
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The Fallen is loosely based on a series of Deep Space Nine novels, tying deep into the mythology of the Bajorans and Sisko's ongoing struggle with the fate that awaits him. Deep Space Nine was heavy on philosophy and metaphysical musings in a way that other shows in the series weren't, and The Fallen makes excellent use of the show's compelling lore. Featuring three playable characters—Sisko, Worf, and Kira—The Fallen is still an outstanding shooter with satisfying phaser combat and a complex tale of destiny.
3 Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
- Released
- August 19, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Beat 'Em Up, Survival Horror, Action-Adventure
After proving their ability to create engaging action games with satisfying combat systems, The Collective was tapped to bring the outrageously popular WB series Buffy the Vampire Slayer into 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 Slayer deftly combines hand-to-hand combat against vampires and all sorts 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 Slayer is still an incredible experience, and is the best way to experience the compelling supernatural teen drama in video game form.
2 Superman: Shadow Of Apokolips
Superman: Shadow of Apokolips
- Released
- September 25, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
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 Series was 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 with Superman: Shadow of Apokolips.
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Shadow of Apokolips feels 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 Apokolips is still the best Superman game ever made, and its use of the iconic animated series as its foundation makes it even more engaging.
1 The Simpsons: Hit & Run
The Simpsons: Hit & Run
- Released
- September 16, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- 3+
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Sandbox
Ever since its debut in the early 1990s, The Simpsons has 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 ups to wrestling titles. However, the absolute best video game adaptation for Springfield's zany family has always been The Simpsons: Hit & Run, a delightful and charming open-world game akin to Grand Theft Auto.
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The writers of the series oversaw the development of Hit & Run and 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 & Run retains all the charm, laughs, and brilliance of the show, and is long overdue for a remaster or remake of some kind.
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