Summary
There have been plenty of great animated video game adaptations over the years, and quite a few have fallen under the radar. While major animated game adaptations, likePokémon, have become touchstones of popular culture, there were many more that have yet to gain the recognition they so rightfully deserve. There’s always plenty of talk about the greatest video game movie adaptations, but it’s important to highlight the many underrated animated video game TV shows out there.
Thebest video game adaptationsall have something in common, they justified their existence by paying tribute to their source material while adding something new to the lore of the franchise. There have beenincredible animated video game shows across a variety of genres, with anime, kids' comedies, and enjoyable action series all proving themselves worthy adaptations of beloved franchises. While it’s not always easy to get an animated video game TV show right, these underrated entries deserved more recognition for how well they achieved that lofty challenge.
Donkey Kong Country
Cast
Donkey Kong Country is an animated television series based on the Nintendo game franchise. Airing from 1997 to 2000, the show follows Donkey Kong as he strives to protect his home, Kongo Bongo Island, from the schemes of villainous King K. Rool and his minions. Alongside his friends, Diddy and Cranky Kong, Donkey Kong embarks on various adventures involving mysterious crystals and treasures, blending action with humor.
The originalDonkey Kong Countrygame was a major entry in the long-running video game franchise that helped reestablishDonkey Kongas one of Nintendo’s most popular franchises. With a rich storyline that helped expand the world ofDonkey Kong, it seemed a no-brainer that the game would be adapted into its own animated series. The result was the musical seriesDonkey Kong Country, which stood as the first television show to be animated primarily with motion capture technology.
WhileDonkey Kong Country’sanimation style puts it in the history books, it’s also part of the reason it has not stood the test of time as well as some other underrated animated video game adaptations.Donkey Kong Countrydoes look dated today, but those willing to forgive its faults will be rewarded with a compelling series full of great characters.Donkey Kong Countryalso differentiated itself from the games through its music, as each episode featured two songs performed by the characters.
All 11 Cartoons Based On Nintendo Characters, Ranked Worst To Best
Nintendo’s video games have gone on to inspire many animated series, with clear winners and losers in terms of quality.
Monster Rancher
Monster Rancher is an anime series based on the Monster Rancher video game franchise. The show follows Genki, a young boy who gets transported into the game world, where he meets various monsters and friends. Together, they embark on a quest to find the legendary Phoenix to stop the evil Moo from taking over the world. The series combines adventure and fantasy elements while exploring themes of friendship and bravery.
Much like in the world ofPokémon,Monster Rancherfeatured creatures who existed alongside humans who were often used to battle in tournaments. While the concepts of the two games may seem similar,Monster Ranchercarved out its own path and utilized an animal breeding style more akin to the virtual pet style ofDigimonthan the RPG style ofPokémon. Like the rest of its contemporaries,Monster Rancherwas also given an anime adaptation, which sadly only ran between 1999 and 2000 and had a total of 73 episodes.
However,Monster Rancherpacked a lot into its relatively short runas it told the story of a boy named Genki Sakura transported into a world of monsters. As Genki uncovered the mysteries of the stone disks, he traveled the world with a girl named Holly and her monster friend Suezo to seek the legendary Phoenix who could save the world from the evil Moo. WhileMonster Rancherwas derivative of other games and anime series, it was also plenty of fun and a fascinating footnote of thePokémoncraze from the late 1990s.
The Cuphead Show!
The Cuphead Show! is an animated series based on the popular video game, following the adventures of Cuphead and his brother Mugman. Set against a backdrop of 1930s-inspired animation, the show chronicles their whimsical and mischievous escapades and their encounters with various eccentric characters, including the villainous Devil.
Netflix continued its streak of producing fascinating animated video game adaptations with the release ofThe Cuphead Show!Based on the run-and-gun series that followed the wayward Cuphead and his responsible younger twin brother Mugman, the most impressive thing aboutCupheadwas the love it showed for the history of animationand its incredible attention to detail. As a slack stick comedy with fantastic voice acting, music, humor, and tone, Cuphead felt simultaneously modern and like a callback to animation legends of days past, such as Betty Boop or classicLooney Tunes.
The Cuphead Show!expertly recreated the original game’s eye-popping aesthetic but replaced its pen-and-paper style with digital animation. WhileThe Cuphead Show!has been criticized for lacking substance, the zany, over-the-top antics of its protagonists were energetic enough that it kept viewers entertained through all three seasons.The Cuphead Show!was a unique series based on a fantastic game that was woefully underrated.
Kirby: Right Back at Ya!
Kirby: Right Back at Ya! is an anime series that follows the adventures of the titular character, Kirby, in the peaceful land of Dream Land. Kirby, a pink, spherical creature with the ability to inhale enemies and gain their powers, protects Dream Land from various threats, particularly the evil King Dedede and his henchman, Escargoon. The show combines action, humor, and moral lessons through its engaging storylines and colorful animation.
As one of Nintendo’s best-selling franchises, it’s no surprise thatKirbygot the anime treatment back in 2001, which acted as one of the greatest additions to the series that was not a video game.Kirby: Right Back at Ya!followed its titular hero as they crashed onto Planet Popstarand befriended the villagers that lived in Cappytown. However, the greedy King Dedede and his assistant Escargon were not happy about Kirby’s arrival and did everything in their power to drive him out.
Kirby: Right Back at Ya!was a fun-filled adventure series that followed the pink, spherical, childlike creature as they sucked up foes and avoided peril. With an ongoing storyline about bringing down the evil emperor Nightmare, thisKirbyseries had a thrilling narrative arc that brought style and substance to the franchise. WhileKirby: Right Back at Ya!may not be very well-known to those without a passion forKirby, it was well worth seeking out for those looking for some lighthearted adventures to watch.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog, a 1993 animated TV series, follows the titular blue hedgehog and his friends as they battle the evil Dr. Robotnik to save the planet Mobius. Voiced by Jaleel White, Sonic teams up with characters like Princess Sally and Tails to thwart Robotnik’s nefarious schemes in a darker, more serious narrative compared to other adaptations.
While so many video game adaptations get a lot of flack from consumers,Sonic the Hedgehogwas a franchise that often translated well to other mediums and has had plenty of great TV series. From the originalAdventures of Sonic the Hedgehogcartoon to the latestKnucklesseries with Idris Elba,Sonichas had lots of television adaptations. However, it’s hard to beat the 1993Sonic the Hedgehogcartoon, which imbued the series with a much darker and more dramatic storyline than anything that came before it.
Sonic the Hedgehogfeatured its titular hero battling to overthrow Dr. Robotnik, who had conquered his home planet of Mobius and become a despotic dictator. With themes of death, loss, and romance,Sonic the Hedgehogwasn’t afraid to push the boundaries of children’s entertainment as it delivered a series full of pathos and depth. With strong characterization and an attuned depiction of warfare,Sonic the Hedgehogstood as one of the most engaging cartoons of the 1990s.
Earthworm Jim
Earthworm Jim is an animated television series based on the video game of the same name. The show follows the adventures of an ordinary earthworm named Jim who transforms into a superhero after discovering a robotic suit. Voiced by Dan Castellaneta, Jim battles evil forces and navigates surreal challenges in his quest to save the universe.
Just one year after the release of the run-and-gun side-scrolling platformerEarthworm Jim, Universal Cartoon Studios released an animated series based on the burgeoning franchise. With the voice of Homer Simpson Dan Castellaneta in the title role,Earthworm Jimwas an enjoyable addition to the series that helped expand its lore as its art style and characters were later implemented into future games. As the story of an average earthworm who gained superpowers due to an advanced super suit,Earthworm Jimsaw its hero fight foes across the entire universe.
Not only didEarthworm Jimhave an enjoyable art style, but it also had a unique sense of humor that still holds up decades later. With a likable main character, a sense of fun that can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike, and top-tier voice work,Earthworm Jimdeserves to be remembered alongside the best video game adaptations. While far larger properties, such asMario, had lackluster animated TV adaptations,Earthworm Jimwas an artistic success and clearly a labor of love by its writers and animators.
Carmen Sandiego
Carmen Sandiego is an animated series that follows the adventures of the titular character, Carmen Sandiego, a globetrotting master thief who only steals from other thieves to thwart their plans and support her personal missions. Voiced by Gina Rodriguez, Carmen, along with her team, seeks to stay ahead of the law while unmasking and combating the nefarious deeds of the criminal organization V.I.L.E.
The mystery exploration seriesWhere in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?was a popular educational video game first released in 1985. With a story that involved a search for an elusive international thief and criminal mastermind named Carmen Sandiego, this game always hinted at a backstory that was never properly explored. That was until the release of the excellent animated seriesCarmen Sandiego, which told Carmen’s backstory from her own perspective.
Carmen Sandiegotook influence from nearly 40 years of gamesinvolving the titular thief as viewers were taken on a journey around the world that both paid tribute to and elevated its source material. While the series was aimed at younger viewers, the storylines had enough depth and intrigue that it pulled audiences of all ages throughout its four-season run.Carmen Sandiegowas a truly underrated series that showcased a video game adaptation done right.
Castlevania: Nocturne
Set in 1792 during the French Revolution, Castlevania: Nocturne focuses on Annette, a powerful sorceress who travels to find a descendant of a vampire-hunting family named Richter Belmont. At the same time, a counter-revolutionary aristocracy joins forces with Vampire Messiah. The series continues centuries after the events of the first Castlevania series, with Richter following in his ancestor’s footsteps to slay the hordes of the night.
While theCastlevaniavideo game series had already received an anime adaptation in 2017 that ran for four seasons, this franchise outdid itself with the release of the sequel seriesCastlevania: Nocturne. Based on the classic side-scrolling gothic-horror fantasy series,Castlevania: Nocturnewas set in 1792 and adapted the gamesCastlevania: Rondo of BloodandCastlevania: Symphony of the Night. With plenty of exciting demon-slaying fun,Nocturnewas a worthy follow-up to this fascinating series.
Just like in theRondo of Bloodgame,Nocturnefollowed Richter Belmont’s fight against demons and night creaturesas he attempted to prevent the apocalyptic rise of a godlike Vampire Messiah. With epic stakes and deep lore,Nocturnewas the perfect example of a video game TV show done right. There were plenty of calling cards to the vampire myths thatCastlevaniawas inspired by, and this series was a prime example of how to lure in new viewers while satisfying purists of the original games.
MegaMan: NT Warrior
MegaMan: NT Warrior follows Lan Hikari and his NetNavi, MegaMan.EXE, as they combat cyber threats in a futuristic world where technology and the internet are deeply integrated into daily life, highlighting their efforts to thwart the schemes of cyber-criminals and maintain peace in the digital and real world.
TheMega Mangame franchise has been ongoing since 1987 and has received plenty of spin-offs, including the underrated animeMegMan NT Warrior. This lesser-known TV adaptation was based on theMega Man Battle Network, a tactical spin-off taking place outside of the mainMega Mancontinuity that focused on alternative timelines where computers and technology, rather than robotics, were the main scientific advancements. This concept differentiatedMegaMan NT Warriorfrom other parts of the franchise as it focused on the incredible potential of the internet.
As a series produced in the early 2000s,MegaMan NT Warrior’spositioning of the internet as the driving force of everyday life was oddly prescient. This anime was a success while it aired but has been mostly forgotten by modern viewers, which was a shame because it was packed with plenty of intriguing concepts and ideas. This was a hidden gem worth seeking out for lovers of theMega Manfranchise.
Arcane
Arcane is an animated series set in the League of Legends universe, debuting in 2021. It explores the conflict between the affluent city of Piltover and the oppressed undercity of Zaun. Central to the story are two sisters whose allegiance to opposing sides of a technological and ideological war strains their bond.
With an impressive 100% rating on Rotton Tomatoes,Arcanewas a fantastic animated series set in Riot’sLeague of Legendsuniverse. With a style that mixed 2D and 3D animation,Arcanedelivered an emotionally complex story focused on the sisters Vi and Jinx. Through incredible visuals, compelling characters, strong worldbuilding, and emotional depth,Arcanewas an insightful series that could appeal to non-League of Legendsplayers and long-time lovers of the series alike.
Arcanehas consistently ranked among the best video game adaptations of all time but still deserved wider recognition among the mainstream as it was one ofNetflix’s most impressive animated series. With a story of escalating unrest between the rich and downtrodden, although it’s presented in a steampunk style,Arcanewas oddly relevant to the current social and political context of modern times. WhileArcanehas been well-received, this series sets a new standard for translating a game’s world in the medium of television.
