Unforgettable Adventures: The 5 Best Video Games Based on TV Shows

Imagine diving into your favorite show’s world—not just watching, but taking the lead role. Picture yourself exploring every corner of Westeros, facing off with Daniel LaRusso, or leading the crew of the USS Enterprise on a space mission. That’s the kind of excitement video games inspired by TV shows can bring to die-hard fans.

In recent years, the gaming world has been bringing famous TV narratives and characters to life, offering experiences that go way beyond what you see on screen. These games aren’t just adaptations—they’re full-blown extensions of your favorite fictional universes, letting you interact with the stories in ways you only dreamed of before. They build real attachment and can even hook people who haven’t watched the original shows yet.

Unforgettable Adventures: The Top 5 Video Games Based on TV Shows

But which games truly stand out? Which ones capture the magic of their TV roots and are totally binge-worthy? Check out these titles that not only honor their original shows but also shine as masterpieces in gaming. Maybe your favorite show is in the mix! Keep reading to find out.

1. The Sopranos: Road to Respect

Released in 2006 by 7 Studios and published by THQ for PlayStation 2, The Sopranos: Road to Respect is based on HBO’s legendary The Sopranos (1999–2007). The story takes place between seasons 5 and 6. You play as Joey LaRocca, the illegitimate son of Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero, trying to work his way up the Soprano crime family. An Xbox 360 version was planned but scrapped.

Unlike open-world games like GTA, Road to Respect is more linear and story-driven, focusing on the Mafia life and iconic moments from the show. You can interact with main characters, do missions, play Texas Hold ‘Em with Italian mobsters, and hang out at famous spots like the Bada Bing! club.

Many original actors reprise their roles—lending voices and likenesses to the game. Fun fact: Christian Maelen, who voices Joey, was David Chase’s second choice for Christopher Moltisanti in the TV series.

2. The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead is a graphic adventure game released in 2012 by Telltale Games, set in Robert Kirkman’s comic universe (which the show is also based on). This first installment follows Lee Everett, a convict who finds himself protecting a young girl, Clementine, during the zombie apocalypse in Georgia. Players’ choices in dialogue and action shape the story, impacting future episodes.

Telltale struck a deal with Kirkman and Warner Bros. in 2011 for this game, inspired by Heavy Rain and Mass Effect, putting the spotlight on story and player choices over action. Kirkman oversaw the project for authenticity but let the team get creative. Your decisions affect interactions and small events but don’t fundamentally change the main plot.

Released in five episodes between April and November 2012, The Walking Dead garnered tons of praise for its emotional story and the compelling Lee-Clementine relationship. It took home awards like the 2012 Video Game Awards and is widely seen as a landmark in adventure gaming.

By the end of 2012, it had sold over 8.5 million copies, and by July 2014, sales passed 28 million, making it a record-breaker for its genre. Telltale expanded the franchise with the additional “400 Days” episode in 2013 (linking to season two), plus more seasons between 2013 and 2019, and a Michonne-focused spin-off.

3. Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones – A Telltale Games Series is a graphic adventure game available on Android, iOS, PC, and major consoles. Based on the HBO hit, it uses Telltale’s signature narrative style. Player choices significantly shape future events across its six episodes. The story follows House Forrester of Ironrath, a loyal banner house of the Starks, torn apart by the War of the Five Kings, with five playable family members.

The game expertly leans on both George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” books and the acclaimed TV show. Several beloved show stars returned to lend their voices and likenesses, including Emilia Clarke (Daenerys), Iwan Rheon (Ramsay), Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Lena Headey (Cersei), Natalie Dormer (Margaery), and Peter Dinklage (Tyrion).

4. Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues

Launched in 2020, Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues is an action-packed side-scrolling beat ‘em up developed by Brazil’s Flux Games and published by GameMill (NA)/Maximum Games (EU). It’s directly based on Cobra Kai, the popular Karate Kid spin-off series. Available on Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and later Windows, its sequel, Cobra Kai 2: Dojos Rising, landed in 2022 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

A few key cast members voice their characters, adding to the authenticity, such as Ralph Macchio (Daniel LaRusso), William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence), Jacob Bertrand (Hawk), and Gianni DeCenzo (Demetri). Other characters are played by different talented actors.

The engaging story kicks off with Hawk and Demetri sent to the principal’s office after intense dojo rival fights. Hawk blames Demetri and Miyagi-Do for the conflict, while Demetri points at Cobra Kai’s aggressive tactics. Fed up, the principal suspends both—unless they can jointly explain what truly happened.

Realizing they have to work together, the two rivals reluctantly retell the events, uncover everyone’s underlying motives, and begin to recognize their own faults along the way, leading to a unique narrative experience.

5. Star Trek: Resurgence

Released in 2023 by Dramatic Labs, Star Trek: Resurgence is an immersive narrative adventure game set during the iconic Next Generation era. You play as two original characters: First Officer Commander Jara Rydek and Ensign Carter Diaz, both from the USS Resolute, who find themselves caught in a sprawling alien conspiracy.

Gameplay intelligently mixes meaningful dialogue choices, environmental puzzles, exhilarating quick-time events, and tactical action sequences. Your decisions dynamically shape the unfolding story and influence your relationships with the crew. Importantly, you can’t go back to change past choices, and minor mistakes will simply send you to the nearest checkpoint, maintaining narrative integrity.

The USS Resolute is initially tasked with escorting Ambassador Spock on a critical diplomatic mission between two warring mining rivals. However, a sinister, hidden enemy is soon revealed, subtly manipulating both sides for their own gain. Rydek finds herself navigating complex politics between seasoned veteran officers and a reckless new captain, while Ensign Diaz strives to prove himself, potentially finds romance, and ultimately becomes crucial to saving the Federation from imminent danger.

Image: Courtesy / Telltale Games

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