Shows like The Last of Us and Fallout have proven that games can also make for excellent TV shows. When looking at how successful they are, one can’t help but wonder which other franchises could become critically acclaimed TV adaptations.
Many games and IPs can work well, but I have no doubt the ones listed here would translate well as TV shows.
8
The Zero Escape Series
The Zero Escape series comprises three different entries, each involving nine people who are kidnapped and forced to play through a game where their lives hang in the balance. Though each Zero Escape game differs in its execution, the participants basically navigate through escape rooms by solving puzzles. While seemingly straightforward, each one is full of twists, death, and revelations that will leave you speechless when the credits roll.
These games excel at slowly revealing more and more about the participants, as well as the game itself. Every time you think you understand what’s going on or what could happen next, you’re thrown a curveball that completely throws you off balance. Drip-feeding information in such a manner would keep the audience on their toes and constantly guessing. That, mixed with the sheer brutality, betrayals, and emotional impact of each game, lends the franchise to being a perfect TV miniseries, especially 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors.
Much like how I’ve enjoyed seeing discussions concerning the TV adaptation of The Last of Us, I would be euphoric if I could listen to people try and predict what would happen in the next episode of a Zero Escape show.
Zero Escape: The Nonary Games
- Released
-
March 24, 2017
- ESRB
-
Mature 17+ // Blood, Drug Reference, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
-
Spike Chunsoft
- Publisher(s)
-
Spike Chunsoft
7
Dead Space and Dead Space 2
Though all three entries would work well, I think the first two Dead Space games would make excellent horror shows. These sci-fi classics begin with engineer Isaac Clark setting out to repair a mining ship, only to discover that something has gone horribly wrong.
Dead Space excelled and innovated the genre when it came out due to its emphasis on ambient fear, a key component in what makes horror games feel so tense. The environments, lighting, and unnerving atmosphere would translate beautifully to a horror show. Dead Space 2 upped the ante when it threw in violent hallucinations, which would constantly keep the audience on their toes since they would always be wondering if what they were seeing was real or a delusion.
The surplus of superbly designed enemies, the mystery surrounding the Markers, and Isaac’s declining mental state would all surely be enough to entice people to keep watching. A well-made Dead Space adaptation could truly be one of the best horror shows ever conceived.
Dead Space (2023)
- Released
-
January 27, 2023
- ESRB
-
Rated M for Mature for Blood and Gore, Strong Language, and Intense Violence.
- Developer(s)
-
EA Motive
- Publisher(s)
-
Electronic Arts
6
Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War
Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War is a pick even hardcore Fire Emblem fans may not recognize due to it never coming to the West. It sadly also hasn’t received any sort of official translation unless you count information from Fire Emblem Heroes. In this game, you guide Sigurd through many battles before doing the same with his son, Seliph, to bring peace to the land of Jugdral.
Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War is easily one of the darkest entries in the franchise. Though it emphasizes large-scale battles and has fewer chapters than most games, many fans agree its story is among the most compelling. There are many underlying plots that are unknown to the player, and every map reveals new twists and betrayals, including one of the most shocking events in gaming about halfway through the story. Murder, torture, and even events like the Child Hunts are regular occurrences, making the setting perfect for a television drama.
Another thing working in Genealogy’s favor is the diversity of its fighters. While there are your standard soldiers wielding swords, lances, axes, and bows, there are also wyvern and pegasus riders, mages, and those using holy weapons that would make spectacular fight sequences. The narrative and huge battlefields would definitely keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Fire Emblem: Genealogy Of The Holy War
- Released
-
May 14, 1996
- ESRB
-
t
- Developer(s)
-
Intelligent Systems
- Engine
-
Unity
- Sequel(s)
-
Fire Emblem: Thracia 776
- Franchise
-
Fire Emblem
The Metal Gear series has to be the most obvious inclusion, but a necessary one, nonetheless. Each game differs in its setting and objective, but most revolve around Solid Snake or Big Boss finding and destroying a “Metal Gear.”
The Metal Gear franchise is known for its stealth gameplay, but it also delves heavily into political and philosophical themes, especially concerning war and war profiteering. Honestly, if you were to remove the gameplay entirely, each game would essentially become its own TV drama. Any of the games would translate well for a TV adaptation, but I think the themes and twists in Metal Gear Solid make it the best starting point. However, that is with the caveat that the events of the first two Metal Gear games are at least summarized.
Scenes of Snake sneaking around while peppering in noteworthy Codec calls could be used to ensure consistent pacing. Meanwhile, boss battles and the game’s notable plot twists could provide the excitement and cliffhangers needed to keep people talking between episode drops. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater comes out later this year, meaning Konami could bring back Metal Gear Solid, which could provide even more inspiration for the show’s plot.
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1
- Released
-
October 24, 2023
- ESRB
-
M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
-
Konami
- Publisher(s)
-
Konami
4
The Hitman Series
The flow of every Hitman game makes it an easy recommendation for a TV series. As the name suggests, you take the role of the contract killer, Agent 47, and assassinate targets who are assigned to him in any way you deem fit.
Something working in Hitman‘s favor is the fact that each mission usually takes place in different locales of varying sizes, meaning each episode could have its own unique setting. While there could be an overall narrative similar to the games, each episode could consist of killing a target and game-adjacent objectives, to gain intel about the overarching plot. The episodes could also explore Agent 47’s backstory, or even that of his marks, to gain a better understanding as to why they’re about to be killed. Given Agent 47 is the world’s most efficient assassin, and the games encourage killing targets in unique ways, there’s no shortage of methods he could employ to take people out.
The Fallout show didn’t follow any of the games and is almost universally praised; I think something similar could be done with Hitman. The series can do its own thing completely, which would grant the writers a lot of creative freedom, not to mention Hitman veterans would be clueless as to what’s about to happen. The tone would naturally be serious most of the time, but I will say the games often have hilarious ways to take out targets and are guaranteed to make you laugh, so there’s certainly flexibility there.
Hitman World of Assassination
- Released
-
January 20, 2023
- ESRB
-
M For Mature 17+ Due To Use Of Drugs And Alcohol, Blood, Strong Language, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Drug Reference
- Developer(s)
-
IO Interactive
- Publisher(s)
-
IO Interactive
3
The Metroid Series
Considering Samus Aran’s profession is that of an intergalactic bounty hunter, Metroid has a lot of potential as a TV series. Most games have you dealing with Space Pirates or entities that threaten peace in the galaxy, so Samus definitely has her work cut out for her.
Though many Metroid games operate with a minimalist approach to storytelling, the franchise is jam-packed with lore and different avenues a TV show could explore. Episodes could center around Samus collecting bounties that lead to a completely original story arc, or they could follow the games exactly and begin with the original Metroid. Her suit upgrades would have her gradually growing more powerful as she battles increasingly stronger threats, be it Space Pirates, new enemy types, or perhaps even the Galactic Federation. Let’s not forget Samus isn’t the only bounty hunter out there, meaning we could have climactic showdowns between them.
The franchise is so rich with possibilities, I’d almost be intimidated to green-light a Metroid TV series just because I wouldn’t know where to start.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
- ESRB
-
t
- Developer(s)
-
Retro Studios
- Publisher(s)
-
Nintendo
- Engine
-
RUDE engine
- Franchise
-
Metroid
2
Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy Tactics is my favorite game, so I won’t deny any bias, but it is meant to be a TV show. There are many major players, but the game mainly follows Ramza, a noble initially fighting for family honor, but who eventually gets caught up in a conspiracy that threatens all of Ivalice.
Final Fantasy Tactics has all the makings for a high-stakes, exciting television drama. It has mystery, corruption, political commentary, plot twists, and literal demons hellbent on resurrecting their master. The duality in Ramza and Delita’s ideologies alone is enough to warrant discussion, much less all the relevant story events that transpire. In a similar vein to Fire Emblem, magic is a common occurrence, and the game’s job system means every important character in the show can have their own unique combination of abilities and magic to use. We’d also get to see series staples like chocobos and summons, with the latter undoubtedly providing a visual spectacle to behold.
The show wouldn’t even have to follow the game directly to be interesting. It would be incredible to see more from Delita’s point of view, or any of the other main characters. It could also explore the Fifty Years’ War that takes place before the game, or what happens after Ramza’s journey concludes. If people liked Game of Thrones, they’d be all in for a Final Fantasy Tactics TV adaptation.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
- Released
-
September 30, 2025
- ESRB
-
Teen / Fantasy Violence, Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Mild Language, Drug Reference
- Developer(s)
-
Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
-
Square Enix
- Franchise
-
Final Fantasy
- Number of Players
-
Single-player
- PC Release Date
-
September 30, 2025
1
The Valkyrie Profile Series
As much as I adore Final Fantasy Tactics, Valkyrie Profile may be the coolest game franchise to adapt into a TV show. The games are inspired by Norse mythology and have you control valkyries, beings who guide the souls of the dead to Valhalla or to fight at their side.
The gameplay loop of Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth fits an episodic format to a T. While there is an overarching narrative, a good portion of the gameplay is recruiting recently deceased souls, and you do so by beholding their final moments in life. Some of them are tragic, others are pathetic, but almost all the stories you watch end in death. Each episode of a Valkyrie Profile show could work similarly, kind of like an inverse of The White Lotus, since you’ll know who dies, but you won’t know how. There are a lot of supernatural elements at play too, and since valkyries are particularly interested in the souls of warriors, you could expect impressive fight scenes to be included.
The show could follow the games, but it could also take creative liberties by developing its own plot and valkyrie protagonist. Odin is always looking for more souls, so if done correctly, a Valkyrie Profile series could theoretically continue indefinitely.
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth
- Released
-
July 18, 2006
- ESRB
-
T for Teen – Blood, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
-
Tri-Ace
- Publisher(s)
-
Square Enix
Though a lot of video game adaptations haven’t worked out as TV shows, the recent successes of ones like Fallout prove it’s more than possible. I realize most of the entries on this list won’t ever receive that treatment, but if they did, I promise they’d stand tall among the best.