Netflix continues to dominate entertainment in ways nobody ever saw coming. What was once a niche DVD delivery service has grown into everyone’s default streaming service. They have spent an unholy amount on original content for their platform and their investment in such offerings has paid off more often than not. Netflix has adapted many novels as well as comic books, but viewers have only recentlystarted to see Netflix look toward video games for content.
The most notable example of Netflix adapting a video game isThe Witcherstarring Henry Cavill,which has done so well for the servicethat it was renewed for a second season before the first was even released. This type of renewal is indicative of the level of confidence that Netflix has in its ability to not only adapt content but to predict what its user base will latch on to as well. With this level of confidence and seemingly unlimited financial resources, Netflix needs to look to other notable series for its next live adaptations. Here are just a few game series that already have a fanbase and would benefit from the Netflix live-action treatment.
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Persona or Shin Megami Tensei
Personaas a series has already seen several spinoffs, from dance, fighting, and even musou style games. More recent installments in the series have even seen anime adaptations. However, one way that the series could reach an even wider audience in the United Stated would be with a live action adaptation. APersonatelevision show would do well tofollow either the 3rd or 4th installmentsin the series. EspeciallyPersona 4, which takes place in a small, rural Japanese town and centers, naturally, around a group of teenagers.
The group of friends attempts to solve the mystery of a string of murders as well as prevents the capture of additional victims into an alternate dimension. Any game in the series could work, and the high school setting would provide the right amount of teen angst and levity for a television series. Theother aspect of the show that would be interestingto see would be the Personas themselves, which are manifestations of the power within our heroes. Netflix has started to show that with the right team and budget their CGI can look quite impressive, meaning it would be exciting to see Personas come to life on screen like never before.
On the other side of the Atlas cointhere’s the Shin Megami Tensei series. Unlike Persona, this series typically focuses on young heroes that have to make contracts with demons in order to fight evil forces around them. In particular Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor would make for a great television series. Originally released on the Nintendo DS, this game follows a group of friends that are trapped within a total lockdown of the city of Tokyo. While trapped, they must tame demons of their own in order to fight of the hordes of hell. It’s a tense, sometimes claustrophobic tale that would be an almost guaranteed hit as a limited series.
God of War
Kratos may have started out asthat buff, pale dude that constantly screamed at everyone, but he’s come a long way from fornication mini-games and excess gore. He’s a papa now, and his tale of begrudgingly raising his son has captured the hearts and minds of gamers across the globe. This epic tale already has a huge following, so it only makes sense that it should receiveThe Witchertreatment.
The series could even take on both the old adventures of Kratos as well as lead into the story of the most recent game. Netflix would probably do well to tone down on the gore in some cases so as not to delve too far into the more ridiculous aspects of the series. However, the television format would allow for viewers to see events through the eyes of other characters than Kratos,shedding new light on a storythey already know.
Danganronpa
Danganronpamight be in need of an alternate title should it receive an English language live-action Netflix adaptation, lest it relegate itself to constantly incorrect pronunciation from the uninitiated. The series follows groups of people that must play a deadly game led by a maniacal teddy bear.
This would be a great series to adaptand comparatively far easier to make than the other entries on this list due to its low amount of action. Instead of battling, the series' strength lies in the balance of tension and mystery that it strikes. As members of the group are murdered, it’s up to the rest of the players to vote on who is responsible, with the killer winning if they are able to avoid getting caught. There are plenty of twists and turns and it would be fun to see Netflix create an original cast of characters so that fans of the games would have something entirely new to sink their teeth into.
Chrono Trigger
Fans of the original Chrono Trigger all agree: a remake of this practically perfect JRPG does not need a remake. But there’s nothing that should hold the right creative team back from creating a Netflix series out of the game’s epic story and lovable cast of characters. Such a show would bring an entirely new audience to the series, with its time travel narrative making for a constantly twisting narrative.
Additionally, it would be great to seecharacters like Robo and Magus brought to life, especially if certain episodeswere to take on their perspective solely. With the amount of different styles here that include samurai swords, magic spells, and hi-tech sci-fi, the show would undoubtedly require a large budget and props and costume teams as detailed as shows likeGame of Thrones.
Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot has only recently started to enter the spotlight againdue to the remakes of his original games. While it’s great to see him returning to the public eye in higher fidelity than ever before, this series has always seemed like the perfect scenario for a mixed CGI and live-action show. Taking inspiration from movies likeSonic the Hedgehog,a Crash television show could center around our bandicoot heroes as they enter present-day Earth in search of an escaped Uka Uka.
This seriescould take on more of a kid-friendly approach, with Crash befriending a human and needing their help to find his mask friend Aku Aku. Each episode could follow Crash as he has to square off against series villains like Cortex, Dingo Dile, and more. The new Crash games are great, but a television show could really help Crash cement his status as a mascot.
