EntertainmentTVFrom Fallout to Arcane, the best gaming adaptations of 2024 have been on the small screenWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentTVFrom Fallout to Arcane, the best gaming adaptations of 2024 have been on the small screenWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Paramount)
It would be easy to assume that we’d have trouble finding the best gaming adaptations of 2024 following the flop that was Borderlands in theaters this summer. But if there was a lack of big screen success on the scale of 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie (although don’t forget this list was assembled ahead of the imminent release ofSonic the Hedgehog 3this holiday, which just missed out cut-off), it’s actually been a terrific year to stream shows based on the gaming franchises we love to play.
This year’s best gaming adaptations are well balanced between live action and animation, or indeed a combination of both. Given we’re talking about adaptations, these all excel in faithfully bringing to life the properties we’ve enjoyed for years if not decades while also adapting the material with a new twist for a wider audience. Even for the gaming franchises that are story-driven at their core, there’s more going on here than just shooting it beat for beat.
5. Like A Dragon: Yakuza
(Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)
Watch on:Amazon Prime Video
Learn more in ourLike A Dragon: Yakuza season 1 reviewwhere we said it “gift[s] Kiryu and Nishiki’s story with an extra layer of emotional weight”
4. Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft
(Image credit: Netflix)
Watch on:Netflix
Having already had the big screen live-action treatment twice, first starring Angelina Jolie then Alicia Vikander, the legendary British archaeologist returns in an animated series, which follows directly from the character’s adventures fromShadow of the Tomb Raider, and also serving as a bridge between the modern rebooted trilogy and the original games. Hayley Atwell does a fine job voicing the heroine, given the chance to delve deeper into her personality not seen in the games (or indeed in the past film adaptations). If the plot gets a bit too much into supernatural territory, along with a moustache-twirling villain, this is nonetheless a strong continuation of a feminist and badass Lara that’s also not afraid to play up her potential romantic chemistry with friend Camilla Roth. It’s another string in Netflix’s bow for animated gaming adaptations following on from their excellent work withCastlevania.
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Learn more in ourTomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft review, where we called it “warm welcome back for the legendary action hero”
3. Knuckles
(Image credit: Paramount)
Watch on:Paramount Plus
Learn more in ourKnuckles review, where we called it “an earnest and energetic mini-cinematic adventure”
2. Arcane Season 2
(Image credit: Netflix)
Watch on:Netflix
The first season of Arcane was a revelation, with Fortiche’s unique animation aesthetic standing apart from the influence ofSpider-Man: Into the Spiderverseto create its own visual identity. Better yet, it captured even non-League of Legends players thanks to the smart decision to ensure it was approachable even without deep knowledge, putting in the worldbuilding work to create depth to Piltover and Zaun on its own terms. It’s perhaps a shame that the showrunners chose to wrap the show up with this second season, as the stakes amp up with the devastating consequences of season one. There’s many complicated threads to follow (almost like playing the MOBA), yet at its heart is the story of sisters Vi and Jinx (terrific performances from Hailee Steinfeld and Ella Purnell respectively) as their relationship goes through the ringer from betrayal to reconciliation to heartbreak.
Learn more in ourArcane season 2 review, where we said it was “a fitting end to this beloved saga that’s left us wanting more”
1. Fallout
(Image credit: Prime Video)
Watch on:Amazon Prime Video
Looking for more to watch? Check out ourbest TV shows 2024list! Or more to play? Then we’ve got ourbest games of 2024here as well!
Fallout$11.70at Amazon$13.93at Walmart$19.99at Amazon
Fallout
$11.70at Amazon$13.93at Walmart$19.99at Amazon
$11.70at Amazon
$13.93at Walmart
$19.99at Amazon
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5
Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
1
Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”