Video Games and Pop Culture: The Ultimate Crossover
Let’s dive into the relationship between Video Games and Pop Culture; how the games we adore have been made into films & TV series and vice versa!
Video Games and Pop Culture, a relationship that has lasted older than most of us, goes hand in hand like Mario and his Kart! There is no doubt about how the two industries have a massive impact on not just one another but each and every one of us as well. It’s time to see how!
Let’s Raid the Tomb of Nostalgia
Over the years, you must have noticed the ultimate crossover between video games and entertainment. It is neither a new concept nor is it ever going anywhere. Wondering why?
Well... for this, let’s go back in time!
It all started way back in 1993, when the first ever movie adaptation of a video game was released for the public. Can you guess what it is?
(hint: Movie is based on a Nintendo game involving two brothers)
YES! It’s based on Nintendo’s Super Mario! 🍄
While the movie didn’t perform well at the box office, it opened doors for massive movie productions! Live action films like 1995’s Mortal Kombat and 2001’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider were great hits! It’s been decades to these films and till date they are remembered not just as great movie hits but amazing video games as well. Fast forward to recent times, you may recognize the movies: The Angry Birds (2016) and Sonic The Hedgehog (2020) that were video game adaptations too! All these movies tap into the child within you. The child who played these video games on long winter nights or burning summer days and enjoyed it with the capacity!
It is not just video games that have been given movie adaptations but movies have been into fun and interactive games as well! A recent prime example of this is the Harry Potter movie series that has been turned into an interactive game called Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery🪄 Here you choose whether you wish to be a witch or a wizard and roam around Hogwarts making friends, performing tasks, taking care of creatures and much more. But the best part about this game is the fact that you get to play Quidditch!
YES! How exciting is that and trust me, it’s a lot of fun!
YES! While most of you may think that Pokémon GO was the first ever game released by the franchisee, the initial game was called Pocket Masters: Red and Pocket Monsters: Green in Japan but were later released to the US as Pokémon: Red and Pokémon: Blue!
Fun Fact: Full form of Pokémon is Pocket Monsters 👾
It was only a year later in 1997 when the first Pokémon show was released known as the Pokémon: Indigo League which contained 82 episodes and the Pokémon T.V. series is continued till date! If you’re a fan and looking to binge watch, I’d suggest you start binge watching NOW because you’ve got a lot to cover!
Similarly, you must have heard about The Witcher, right? Did you know that the popular Netflix series is based on a famous role playing game called The Witcher Trilogy developed by CD Projekt Red!
Now that we have gone through shows that have been adapted from video games, let’s not forget about games that have been adapted from shows!
This might just hit you right in the feels…Ready for it? The Last Airbender: The Legend of Aang! If you’ve no idea what I am talking about, this show is an American animated television series that first aired in 2005. The story revolves around the protagonist, Aang, who must master Fire, Earth and the Water. Him, along with his friends, journey all around the nations having various adventures! It was only a year after this, the game was released on various gaming consoles and was widely loved by all, just like the show!
While I have so many more movies, shows and video games to talk to you about, I’ll just let it end with one of my favourite shows!
But you know, another interesting point to note is when it comes to such releases is the fandom that comes along with it. Aaahh, and nobody messes with the fandom. It is due to the massive fan base such shows, movies and games have that the one just wants to test out the waters leading most of them to go hit. One of the best examples for this is Comic Cons and other such events which receive massive footfall with people dressing up as their favourite characters.
Now if you’ve just seen the show or played the game, I know you’d be equally excited to dress up and meet your favourite characters. Oh and the thrill of being with like minded people and having fun. Ahh, what a vibe! Right?
While video games are interlinked with quite a few more interesting industries, we’ll just end it here folks!
Until next time, Happy Turniping!
