Those who were around in the 90s will know that it was perhaps one of the most innovative decades in video game history. As consoles and graphics rapidly advanced, gaming became a hobby for the home rather than the arcade. Consequently, many gaming companies turned to other home entertainment, like TV shows, for inspiration for their games.
Since then, video game tie-ins have become a huge subcategory in and of themselves. But while some are a truly enjoyable and immersive experience, others are a rather empty and blatant attempt at a cash grab. Here are some of the best games based on TV shows that first aired in the 90s.
6 Are You Afraid of the Dark? The Tale of Orpheo's Curse
Nickelodeon’s spooky original series Are You Afraid of the Dark first aired in the early to mid-90s. The show centers around a group of teens known as The Midnight Society, who meet in a secret location in the woods to tell each other scary stories. It was a hugely successful series and has been dubbed by many as an icon of 90s kids’ television.
Are You Afraid of the Dark? The Tale of Orpheo's Curse was released for PC in 1994 and follows a brother and sister who become trapped inside a haunted theater. The game is often described as being very similar to Myst, one of the best PC games of all time. Much like the show, the game is full of elements of the supernatural but maintains a child-friendly approach to horror.
5 Xena: Warrior Princess
One of the 90s’ most prominent cult classic series is that of Xena: Warrior Princess. Featuring a formidable female protagonist, the show follows Xena and her companion Gabrielle as they travel through a fantasy version of ancient Greece and help vulnerable people along the way. Though it was originally a spinoff from an alternate series, Xena: Warrior Princess has become cemented in pop culture history as its own iconic franchise.
Released in 1999 on the PlayStation, the series was adapted as a video game with the same name. The game is primarily a third-person hack-and-slash action game, with some sections of puzzle and platform gameplay. The story centers around Xena’s quest to rescue Gabrielle from an evil sorceress who plots to overthrow the world.
4 Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds
No list of 90s TV shows would be complete without Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and this one is no different. First airing in 1997, the show follows its titular protagonist Buffy as she learns about her role as the chosen one to battle the forces of darkness. With seven seasons in total, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is full of iconic 90s fashion, creepy supernatural storylines, and memorable character arcs.
Though there have been several Buffy the Vampire Slayer games, one of the most popular is Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds. The game is an action beat ‘em up which was released on the PlayStation 2 in 2003. It’s known for being the first in the series to allow players to control characters other than Buffy and to feature a popular multiplayer mode.
3 SeaQuest DSV
This marine sci-fi series originally aired in the mid-90s on NBC and was produced by Steven Spielberg for its first two seasons. The show follows the crew aboard seaQuest DSV 4600, a submarine vehicle operated by a global coalition similar to the UN. Set in the far-off future of 2018, the show inhabits a world in which humanity has depleted the earth’s natural resources and must instead turn to the ocean floor.
SeaQuest DSV the video game was released on the Sega Genesis and the SNES in 1994 and 1995 respectively and allows players to control the titular vessel on various missions. The game takes place both on land where players can buy equipment and weapons, and in vast underwater levels where they must complete scrolling-shooter-style missions using mini-subs, robots, and even a trained dolphin.
2 The Tribe Game
Another cult classic series from the late 90s is The Tribe, which rose to popularity primarily within Europe. The series is a post-apocalyptic teen drama that follows a group of children and teenagers left behind after a mysterious virus kills all the adults. In this harsh new world, the city is run by a variety of gangs known as tribes, each with its own name and distinctive style.
Though the show was released back in 1999, The Tribe’s continuing popularity led to the release of an indie RPG game for PC in 2022. The game features all the fan-favorite characters from the original series and allows players to create their own character design. As a story-driven RPG, players can complete quests, upgrade skills, find resources, and interact with the world of The Tribe in exciting new ways.
1 Spongebob Squarepants: Battle For Bikini Bottom
The only series on this list to still be running is Spongebob Squarepants, which was originally released back in 1999. As one of the defining animated shows of the last few decades, it’s no wonder that everyone’s favorite yellow sponge is still dominating Nickelodeon’s popularity. Whether people have seen the show or not, nearly everyone can instantly recognize Spongebob or any of his iconic friends.
Like other popular series, Spongebob Squarepants has made several forays into the gaming industry. But one of the more popular iterations is Spongebob Squarepants: Battle for Bikini Bottom which was released in 2003. The game is a platformer in which players are tasked with defending Bikini Bottom from an army of robots created by Plankton. In 2020, the game was remade and released across several platforms including consoles, mobile, and PC.