The strike by the LCS Players Association has already sent shockwaves through the esports industry. Despite attempts to sign replacement teams, Riot Games ultimately decided to postpone the start of the LCS Summer split by two weeks. However, Riot Games made it very clear that they opposed all union demands and were not afraid to cancel the split entirely. If the LCS was to be canceled, North American teams would not be eligible for Worlds 2023 in South Korea.
In response to Riot’s actions, the Players Association announced their dedication to resolving the situation. Subsequently, the Players Association said that they had asked Riot to engage with them in daily meetings to find an equitable solution to the strike. In the absence of the LCS, fans were treated to a showmatch between Disguised and Delta Fox. The best-of-three series was cast by LCS mainstays Azael and CaptainFlowers. Disguised won 2-0 with over 30,000 people watching the stream.
Teams Making Signings And The PA Cancels Media Appearances
Looks like LCSPA-Riot conversations are moving forward.
June 1 saw the first LCS roster moves since the strike was announced. Golden Guardians announced the signing of ADC Jackson “Array” Moldenhauer as the team’s sixth man for the split. This came as a result of former sixth man Youngho “Young” Choi signing with Disguised. Array is a long-time academy player who spent a year with Golden Guardians Challengers before being released last month. While a minor move, it indicates that teams are being able to convince players to cross the picket in preparation for the upcoming season.
Furthermore, freelance esports reporter Mikhail Klimentov shared a text message from Players Association Executive Director Phil Arama. “Mikhail, I’m sorry but I’ve got to postpone indefinitely. We are in productive conversations with Riot at this time and do not want to disrupt them with further media for the moment.” This could further indicate that Riot and the Players Association are nearing an agreement. The LCS Summer split is currently set to start on June 15. Furthermore, the NACL, the second-tier competition that caused the walkout, begins on June 10. This is a developing story and we’ll have any updates here at HotNewHipHop.
The North American League of Legends has been a mess over the past few weeks. Just a month before the Summer split of the North American Challengers League was set to begin, Riot Games announced that LCS organizations were no longer mandated to carry an academy team. This led to seven of the ten LCS organizations dropping their academy rosters. This, along with a number of other changes, gutted the NACL. While Riot attempted to mitigate the disaster of their own creation, another nail in the coffin hammered down. Fan favorite semi-pro team TikTok Tony Top announced they would be disbanding due to financial constraints.
In the days prior to the LCS Players Association calling for a strike vote ahead of the LCS Summer split, Riot once again attempted to mitigate the negative press. They announced that one of the now vacant NACL slots would be taken by Disguised, a team overseen by former Hearthstone pro and massively popular streamer, Jeremy “DisguisedToast” Wang. Toast is an avid League of Legends player and while fans welcomed his involvement, it wasn’t enough to turn the tide against Riot. However, we have now gotten our first look at the roster Disguised could be fielding in the NACL.
Disguised Debuts Roster Of LCS Veterans
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 5 : Jeremy “DisguisedToast” Wang sitting at the game stage computer during the 2019 League of Legends All-Star Event at HyperX Esports Arena on December 5, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games via Getty Images)
In lieu of a formal announcement, Disguised debuted their roster during a best-of-three showmatch against the former roster of Delta Fox. The roster that Toast has put together is stacked with well-known LCS veterans. Manning the top lane is Aaron “FakeGod” Lee, a six-split veteran of the LCS who also comes off a first-place finish with Cloud9 Challengers in the NACL Spring split. Roaming the jungle is Tomio “Tomio” Chan. Tomio is a long-time member of Evil Geniuses Academy who also won the NACL Spring split title on Cloud9 Challengers.
Disguised’s mid laner is Youngho “Young” Choi, who spent the Spring split as a sub on Golden Guardians. Another academy veteran can be found at ADC in Brandon “Meech” Choi. Meech has spent time in the systems of Dignitas, Immortals, and CLG. Finally, joining Meech in the bot lane is support Tristan “Zeyzal” Stidam. Playing his first LCS split in 2018, Zeyzal went to two World Championships with Cloud9. Most recently, after stepping away from the game in 2022, he won the NACL Spring Split. The team is being coached by Greyson “Goldenglue” Glimer, a veteran LCS player who transitioned to coaching in 2021. After their showmatch with Delta Fox, Disguised will join the NACL for the start of the summer split next week. Follow all the latest esports news here at HotNewHipHop.
Last week, the LCSPA, which represents professional League of Legends players in North America, called for a strike vote. The decision came as a result of Riot Games gutting the second tier of professional League of Legends in the region, leading to the loss of over 70 jobs.
The strike authorization vote overwhelmingly passed on May 28, meaning that the league’s 50 presumptive starters would not be taking the stage for the start of the Summer Split on June 1. However, Riot did not immediately cancel or delay the split. Instead, the billion-dollar game studio scrapped a few key regulations in order to make it easier for teams to sign replacement rosters. The LCSPA hit back, urging any players receiving offers from LCS teams to stand in solidarity with the union. Furthermore, a number of influential figures in the amateur and semi-pro scenes indicated that they would be taking note of any players who crossed the picket.
In a statement released May 30, Global Head of League of Legends Esports Naz Aletaha announced that Riot had chosen to delay the start of the LCS Summer split by two weeks. “We ultimately decided that it would not hold true to our values that Riot’s esports offers our players and fans a showcase for the best competitive League of Legends. Nothing but putting the best players in North America on the stage at Riot Games Arena is acceptable. So we informed LCSPA leadership today that we will delay the LCS season for the next two weeks.”
However, that’s where the generosity towards the union stopped. Despite saying that Riot wanted to start a “productive dialogue between the LCSPA, teams, and the league,” the statement also included a public rejection of all of the demands set forth by the LCSPA. Furthermore, Riot openly threatened to cancel the entire LCS season, eliminating LCS teams from eligibility at Worlds 2023, if the work stoppage extended beyond two weeks. In short, Riot made it very clear that they were willing to dole out any punishment they saw fit if the union didn’t capitulate and surrender. As a result of these threats, the LCSPA has publicly said they have asked Riot for daily meetings to find an equitable solution. This is a developing story and we’ll have any updates here at HotNewHipHop.
Niche biopics are all the rage right now. For foodies, Hulu is releasing Flamin’ Hot, a film about the, alleged, origins of the Flamin’ Hot Cheeto. Meanwhile, the sneakerheads were treated to Air, starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, which chronicled the origins of the Air Jordan brand. Elsewhere, Taran Egerton headed up Tetris, which chronicled the wild journey that brought the smash-hit video game to the United States.
The football world lost an icon in December 2021 when Hall of Famer John Madden passed away. Not only was Madden a Super Bowl-winning coach, but he also helped spawn the equally iconic Madden video game franchise. That franchise will now be the focus of its own biopic.
Will Ferrell Tapped To Play Madden
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 26: Will Ferrell holds canine cast member Sophie as he speaks onstage to promote the upcoming film “Strays” during the Universal Pictures and Focus Features presentation during CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on April 26, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
According to Deadline, a film about the origins of the Madden video game franchise is in the works. The film reportedly “picks up with the legendarily fiery coach after his exit from the NFL, as he teams with Electronic Arts to become the unlikely co-creator of a pioneering video game franchise.” Furthermore, Will Ferrell will star as Madden. It’s a throwback to a time when Ferrell made a string of sports comedies like Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Blades of Glory, and Semi-Pro. However, the film is not expected to be an outright comedy.
Helming the project is director David O. Russell. Known for hits like Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, and Silver Linings Playbook, Russell’s star has faded in recent years. Amsterdam has gone down as one of the biggest flops of 2022. Furthermore, and more pressingly, Russell has had multiple accusations of abuse and misconduct leveled at him. The film is set to be written by Cambron Clark, a freelance writer for The Onion and Weekend Update.Madden will be making his featuring debut.
PlayStation Showcase 2023 is an event from the gaming giant that players all over the world anticipated. On May 24th, 2023, it aired in its entirety, addressing the rumors, leaks, and speculations that ran rampant before the big reveal. Typically, these showcases intend to provide gamers with a glimpse into the biggest projects. However, smaller indie games also get some shine which is equally important and often offers more niche yet enjoyable experiences for players. The showcase was simulcast across PlayStation’s YouTube and Twitch channels ensuring gamers from all time zones could watch it live.
Thousands Tuned in for PlayStation Showcase 2023
PlayStation Showcase 2023 started streaming at 3:15 p.m. ET. The Showcase itself began at 4:00 p.m. There were already over 50,000 viewers watching 45 minutes before the show began. As 4:00 p.m. got closer, the viewer count only rose higher. By 3:50 p.m. over 180,000 people were watching. This number only included YouTube viewers. It also streamed on their official Twitch channel, content creator channels, other gaming platforms, and other countries too. Saying this event was a “big deal” would be an understatement.
Mixed Reactions To PlayStation Showcase 2023
PlayStation needs to hold a second showcase in 2023 and the focus needs to be on their first party studios. It could be 20 minutes for all I care, but it’s necessary in my opinion. pic.twitter.com/iCxNcUzfjs
PlayStation Showcase 2023 featured trailers for over 30 games. Those who had predictions found themselves satisfied as well as disappointed. The latter comes in the latest entries in the Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy series. However, the most anticipated reveal was Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, which showcased gameplay for the first time. Unfortunately, there was nothing revealed about a sequel to the universally celebrated Ghost Of Tsushima or Marvel’s Wolverine. Many viewers were disappointed that time was given to showcase Street Fighter 6 and Assassin’s Creed Mirage since so much information about the latter has already been revealed. The most surprising announcement came from something called “Project Q” which allows players to play PS5 games on-the-go. Next, there was a reveal of wireless earbuds from PlayStation that would pair well with the portable gaming device.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2: The Star Of PlayStation Showcase 2023
The biggest highlight of PlayStation Showcase 2023 was the gameplay reveal for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Many players tuned in for this game specifically, which features both Peter Parker and Miles Morales. Players were pleased to know that switching between the two characters could be done with the press of a button. Players who are anticipating the release of the movie Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verseknow this version of Peter will be in the movie. Considering the multiverse concept, maybe the game version of Miles will be in the movie, too.
Sony is Going All-In with Spider-Man Content
PlayStation Showcase 2023 reaffirmed the popularity of one of the company’s most celebrated game series, Marvel’s Spider-Man. The second game in their series, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, features songs from Jaden Smith. The first, a solo cut titled “I’m Ready” and the other is a collaborative song with Kid Cudi titled “On My Own.” Several songs from the game’s score, composed by John Paesano, pair hip-hop’s percussion with eloquent orchestral sounds. With Metro Boomin executive producing the soundtrack for Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse, it sounds like the creators are doing right by Miles by translating his authenticity beyond the screen. We’ll have to see how it all pans out when the movie comes out when the game comes out in the fall. What games from PlayStation Showcase 2023 are you looking forward to most? Let us know in the comments section.
Few video game franchises have penetrated the cultural zeitgeist to the level The Legend of Zelda has. In fact, Super Mario Bros. could be the only Nintendo property to surpass it in terms of being universally beloved. With the recent release of The Legend of Zelda: Tear of the Kingdom, the series has shown no signs of slowing down.
After almost 40 years, the franchise has continued to capture the imagination of gamers. The story of Link adventuring through the lands of Hyrule to rescue Princess Zelda has become a ubiquitous modern-day myth. With almost 20 releases under the franchise’s belt, it could be difficult for newcomers or casual fans to know where to start. While there hasn’t really been a bad Zelda game, some are far more captivating than others.
5. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2003)
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker was a game that truly pushed the limits of the Nintendo GameCube. The cel-shaded graphics and open-world environments were gorgeous for the time. The gameplay mechanics maintained the spirit of the myriad Zelda games which came before. However, it added the ability to traverse areas via Link’s boat, the King of Red Lions.
The legacy of the game persisted in many ways. It spawned the character of “Toon Link,” who appeared in games like Super Smash Bros.: Brawl. Furthermore, it got a high-definition rerelease on the Nintendo Wii U in 2013. Even twenty years after its release, Wind Waker has been considered an all-time classic. It has been seen on several “best video games” lists by publications like Nintendo Power and IGN.
4. The Legend of Zelda (1987)
The title that started it all has remained a benchmark in video game history. The Legend of Zelda was released over 30 years ago, but its influence has remained simply immeasurable. Gamers were introduced to an elf-like boy named Link, who sought to rescue Princess Zelda from the villainous Ganon. This basic premise would become the blueprint for every Zelda video game that would follow.
What made The Legend of Zelda such a unique experience at the time of its release was its combination of genres. It blended text-based adventure RPGs with hack-and-slash action games, creating a wholly original experience. The Legend of Zelda was a title that redefined what video games could be and birthed a legendary franchise.
3. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (1993)
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening marked several firsts for the franchise, including being the debut installment on Gameboy. It was also the first Zelda game no to be set in the Kingdom of Hyrule. Furthermore, mechanically, it was the first over-head release that allowed Link to jump. That simple addition changed gameplay, drastically. The game also introduced fishing, trading, and the Link’s iconic ocarina.
What made the game so brilliant was its tone and scope. It built upon what worked in previous entries to make the game feel epic in a way the not felt before. Link’s Awakening had a more ethereal atmosphere than other Zelda games. It brought in fourth-wall-breaking characters and a twist ending. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening was a handheld masterpiece and a high benchmark for the series.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildwas released on the Nintendo Switch in 2017 to universal acclaim. The game introduced several new elements to the franchise including consistent physics and degradable weapons. However, what made Breath of the Wild unique from its predecessors was its incredible traversal system.
For the first time in the series, Link was able to climb almost any topographical obstacle in the game’s open world. While the story of Breath of the Wild was familiar to longtime players, the gameplay was a massive step forward. It created a Zelda experience unlike any other, pleasing newcomers to the series, as well as longtime fans.
1. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991)
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past was a formative gaming experience for a generation. It galvanized the gameplay elements introduced in the series’ first release. It also introduced the concept of parallel worlds, which would become a hallmark of the franchise going forward. Other additions A Link to the Past offered Link the ability to swing his sword and run with the use of the Pegasus boots.
These upgrades might seem minuscule in hindsight, but at the time, they were revolutionary. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past was the game that made folks of a certain age fall in love with the series. For elder Millennials around the world, it’s truly a case of “if you know, you know.”
Rap lyrics about video games have been appearing in the genre for years. When rappers drop brand names, we likely only know of them because we’ve heard them mentioned many times. Relating to them depends on how we spend our money. This fits the lifestyle many speak of – either we can relate to it or can’t. However, video games are much more accessible to many listeners.
If they don’t play anymore, these bars can be nostalgic for them. If they’re currently a gamer, they can appreciate the relevancy of the reference the rapper made. These days rap and video games go hand in hand, with many artists regularly streaming and appearing at events for the gaming world. We’ve gathered a list of rappers who have said a thing or two about video games in their music.
At this point, we’re well aware of one of Lil Wayne’s go-to topics in rap. But, he found time to veer from that to drop these rap lyrics about the classic video game series Mortal Kombat. “The Commission or Wu-Tang n****/ Tryna tell u I can kick it like Liu Kang n****/ Got that Sub-Zero flow, how u want me ma/ N**** get over here like Scorpion.”
Even people who have never played the game know its brutal reputation. With it being a 30-year-old franchise, several generations have been exposed to it. Wayne dropped these bars in 2006, and the latest entry in the series was announced on this month. He mentioned three of the game’s most popular characters. Liu Kang, Scorpion, and Sub-Zero are go-to characters for many players. Additionally, “Get over here” is Scorpion’s catchphrase. Wayne seems to be a big fan and is proud of it.
Saying this rap lyric about video games is dated is not an insult. In fact, “dated” may not be the right word. “Nostalgic” definitely fits better. Denzel rapped “Bills on me blue, Sly Cooper.” He has been open about his love of anime, games, and other connected worlds. This bar is from a song full of references to multiple things he enjoys. However, the bar we’re discussing is truly special for listeners. Sly Cooper was a video game series for the Nintendo GameCube. The title character was a raccoon that wore a blue outfit. This bar takes a typical subject and brings a specific reference to it because we all know rappers love their blue faces—one hundred dollar bills.
This is a rap lyric about video games that shows the age of the artist. It’s also a reference to Biggie’s entry on this list. “Grandma said she loved me, I told her I loved her more/ She always got me things, that we couldn’t afford/ The new Js and Tommy Hill in my drawers/Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, see GoldenEye was away at war,” rapped ScHoolboy Q.
He mentions a Nintendo 64, an entire generation after the Super Nintendo. Goldeneye 007 was a popular game. The song finds him talking about several moments in his past, but this one highlights one of the lighter moments. Fast forward a few years, and he’s a character in the PGA Tour game series. Seeing rappers whose topics aren’t always the brightest be interested in gaming is interesting. It’s further proof we don’t know who they are outside the booth until they tell us.
“PTSD” – City Morgue (2018)
This rap lyric about video games references a character through a double entendre. Doing things in a coupe is something we’ve heard many rappers mention. However, City Morgue talks of doing something truly reckless in it – which is on brand for their music. “Imma crash in the coupe, do the Crash Bandicoot,“ declared City Morgue member SosMula.
Bandicoot is a video game character known for his off-the-wall personality and behavior. One of his signature moves is when he spins in a circle, destroying anything in his path and moving forward faster. While his self-titled series of games are primarily platformers, he’s got a kart racing game too. This one is titled Crash Team Racing. SosMula’s bar could refer to both.
“Juicy” – The Notorious B.I.G (1994)
We’d be remiss if we didn’t include this rap lyric about video games in this list. When rap fans think of the “oldest” rap lyric about video games, their mind usually goes to these classic bars. Biggie says, “Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis/ When I was dead broke, man I couldn’t picture this.” Of course, other songs have more niche references, but this is one even non-rap fans get. Biggie references two game consoles in this bar. It references his past and how he’s elevated since then.
For many people, games are something they had a lot more time for when they were younger. Of course, nowadays, adults get paid to play games which is just another example of how things are constantly changing as time progresses. However, these bars are timeless for a classic song and legendary artist.
“Corduroy” – BONES (2014)
These rap lyrics about video games are the most specific ones on our list. That’s because it’s not just about a video game – it’s a cheat code for a video game.“R2, R2, L1, R2, Up, Down, Left, Right, then I get to bangin’,” BONES rapped in his trademark lower register. BONES is a rapper whose music has referenced computer lingo, games, and movies multiple times. However, this bar takes things to a new level. He names specific button inputs which players know are on a PlayStation controller. The code is for Grand Theft Auto III for the PlayStation 2. When players use it, they will have all the weapons from the game equipped for their character to use. Listeners can infer BONES knows from experience.
Rap lyrics about video games can sometimes appear across generations. Mortal Kombat was mentioned at the beginning of our list.“Black shades, Johnny Cage, diamonds go parade/ Motorola in the kitchen, whippin’ Sonya/ My plug look like Pacquiao, his daughter is Kitana” rapped Quavo and Takeoff. Johnny Cage is a classic character from the Mortal Kombat series. His character is a movie star and often keeps his sunglasses on as he fights. Sonya Blade ends up in a relationship with him. Migos are referring to her as “white girl,” much like their hit “Hannah Montana” spoke of. They managed to seamlessly reference their lifestyle and these characters and connect the two. It sounds like they had a controller in their hands when they weren’t in the trap.
What are some of your favorite bars about video games? Let us know in the comments section.
EA Games once ruled the world of college sports video games. NCAA Basketball and NCAA Football were both beloved franchises that still boast active player bases today. However, NCAA Basketball was discontinued in 2009 due to a lawsuit by former college star Ed O’Bannon. Meanwhile, similar concerns brought an end to NCAA Football in 2013. The games have lived on through passionate fanbases and myriad content on sites such as YouTube and Twitch. Interest in NCAA Basketball spiked during the pandemic thanks to the work of SB Nation journalist Ricky O’Donnell. O’Donnell produced a series of season-by-season breakdowns of his journey trying to break the all-time record for NCAA titles using the worst team in the game, Western Illinois.
However, in 2021, EA announced that NCAA Football would be making a return with EA Sports College Football. Originally slated to release in 2023, the game was delayed to 2024. the return of the game was brought about by the impending implementation of NIL legislation that allowed college athletes to receive money from sponsorship deals and similar sources. Now, news that has broken about a vital part of the game development.
Real Players In “EA Sports College Football”
INGLEWOOD, CA – JANUARY 09: A player holds up a sign after Georgia Bulldogs wins their game versus the TCU Horned Frogs in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 9, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
While mods have long existed to import real rosters into the NCAA Football games, the restrictions on using player likenesses meant that the games were also filled with fictional players. That may no longer be the case given an interview the developers granted to ESPN. EA is collaborating with NIL agency OneTeam Partners to facilitate the addition of real players and their likenesses to the upcoming game.
Payment and revenue structuring for players who want to appear in the game is still being finalized. However, but OneTeam told ESPN that payment would be “as inclusive and equitable as possible.” Furthermore, the company outlined on its website that “revenue will be divided equally among the athletes included in each licensing program” if individual sales couldn’t be agreed on. Players who do not opt-in will be replaced by a generic fictional player. At the time of writing, Tulane and Northwestern have both publicly opted in. Notre Dame has also been “in contact” about NIL implementation, but has not formally opted in or out.
Hip-hop culture has been part of video games since sound cards could handle dope tracks. While the prerequisites to what makes a game “hip-hop” have always been broad, they’ve been apparent. Sometimes all it took was a banging soundtrack and a counterculture attitude. In some cases, actual rappers, producers, and other artists were integral to specific titles’ very existence. But this has never been a necessity. Some games were born with a hip-hop attitude, borrowing from various music, cultures, and iconography. Let’s look at five standout titles that are undeniably hip-hop.
5. DJ Hero (2009)
FreeStyleGames’ DJ Hero was a music game that rode the wave crest of titles like Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Players would use a plastic turntable and mixer to cut and scratch two tracks to beat each level. The game was an odd duck, even in video games requiring unique controller peripherals.
With its massive soundtrack of hip-hop and house tracks, DJ Hero made players feel like they were really on the 1s and 2s. It was the closest you could be to DJ’ing a house party from the confines of a bedroom. The game was a moderate hit and spawned a sequel in 2010. Unfortunately, the franchise died as it never really found the broad appeal that games like Rock Band had.
4. Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure (2006)
Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure was a game that defied genres. The game utilized elements of stealth action games, beat ‘em up brawlers, platformers, and graffiti simulators. Its unique gameplay, advanced graphics (for the time), and the incredible soundtrack by RJD2 made it a defining entry in hip-hop video game canon.
Developer The Collective had previously created primarily licensed video game tie-ins, like Men in Black: The Game. However, Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure proved the studio was capable of much more. Unfortunately, The Collective would never get a chance to develop something as unique again. The Collective became defunct shortly after the game’s release.
3. NBA Street Vol. 2 (2003)
Despite their popularity, most annual sports video games tend to be improved replications of previous releases. To be fair, the same could be said for game franchises like Call of Duty and Assassins’ Creed. The repetition could grow stale for some gamers. That’s why a series like NBA Street was such a breath of fresh air. NBA Street Vol. 2 was one of the best examples of a game genre breaking its mold. Developers NuFX and EA Canada crafted a unique vision of what a basketball game could be. The rules were stripped down, the aesthetics were raw, and the soundtrack was fire. NBA Street Vol 2. might’ve been the most hip-hop a sports game could be.
2. Def Jam: Fight for NY (2004)
Def Jam: Fight for NY was the sequel to the popular hip-hop wrestling game Def Jam: Vendetta. Fight for NY expanded the scope of its predecessor, turning into an action game by incorporating more open environments and various fighting styles for players to choose from. The story of the game was a convoluted crime saga.
Players would take control of a nameless hero as they fought through the New York Underground. A massive roster of rappers and producers appeared in the game, and famous clothing lines from the period were omnipresent. Throw in a soundtrack featuring artists like Xzibit, OutKast, and Redman, and you got an all-time hip-hop video game classic. Fight for NY was followed by Def Jam: Icon in 2007. However, it didn’t quite clear the high bar set in place by its predecessor.
1. Jet Set Radio (2000)
Jet Set Radio (also known as Jet Grind Radio in North America) was another game that shook video game conventions. The game followed a gang of graffiti-tagging inline skaters. Players would control various characters as they tried to paint over tags from rival gangs before the timer ran out.
At its release, the closest relative to Jet Set Radio would have been Tony Hawk Pro Skater, but even that wasn’t an apt comparison. Japanese Developer Smilebit had created something wholly original. The game featured an insane soundtrack filled with hip-hop, techno, and trip-hop tracks. The art style was wild, and the game’s counter-culture attitude was omnipresent.
The relationship between video games and film is a tumultuous one. Most films based on video games either miss why the source material was engaging, or they’re outright awful. On the other side of the coin, most video game tie-ins to movies are soulless cash grabs cobbled together by already stressed development teams.
While the video game-movie curse hasn’t quite been lifted, there are a few shining movie tie-in games in the sea of mediocrity. Now, it’s rare for a video game based on a film to be good, but it’s even rarer for them to surpass their source material. Here are five video game movie tie-ins that actually might.
5. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)has the dubious honor of being the worst X-Men film featuring Hugh Jackman. This is not hyperbole. The film, directed by Academy Award-winner Gavin Hood, was a huge swing and a miss. With lousy CGI, a terrible script, not even a stellar performance from Liev Schreiber could save the film.
However, the video game tie-in, released the same day as the film, was awesome. It gave longtime fans of Wolverine the kind of visceral combat so many X-Men games had been lacking. The game was by no means revolutionary, but it was a solid hack-and-slash game with great animation and killer combat.
4. The Mummy: Demastered (2017)
Why is this game so good? It honestly makes zero sense. It’s a side-scrolling action game in the style of Metroidvania. And it’s a perfect one, too. The game claims to be based upon the 2017 Tom Cruise trash fire The Mummy, and if you squint hard enough…sure. Why not?
WayForward Technologies’ The Mummy Demastered follows a soldier working for Prodigium. While opening up a large map, players must fight against monsters unreleased by Princess Ahmanet. And that’s about where the comparisons end. The game is just simply solid and almost makes up for the two hours the film robbed from everyone.
3. Goldeneye 007 (1997)
The 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye was a solid entry in the series. It also introduced one of our better Bonds, with Pierce Brosnan taking up the mantle of 007. The film was a critical and financial hit that spun out three more Brosnan Bond films…all of which were bad. But as good as GoldenEye the movie was, the 1997 N64 video game of the same name was legendary.
Developed by Rare, GoldenEye was a first-person action game that mostly followed the film’s events. However, what made the game the stuff of legend was its intense multiplayer mode, which would later be replicated in games such as Perfect Dark. GoldenEye was the go-to activity of a generation of kids looking to chase each other with silenced pistols on a console. It also made that generation hate Oddjob. Look, if ya know, ya know.
2. Ghostbusters: The Video Game (2009)
Alright, alright, before anyone breaks out the pitchforks and torches, the answer is “no!” Ghostbusters: The Video Game was not better than Ivan Reitman’s 1984 comedy classic. However, it was (and still is) the best piece of media the franchise has released since the original film.
The game featured the voices of Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, and Dan Aykroyd, all of whom reprised their roles from the films. Ghostbusters: The Video Game even allowed Aykroyd and Ramis to explore their ideas for what would have been Ghostbusters 3. In fact, it would be fair to consider Ghostbusters: The Video Game the end of a trilogy. While the gameplay was simple, the story and writing make it a must-play for franchise fans.
1. World War Z (2019)
Max Brooks’ 2003 horror novel World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War was one the best pieces of literary zombie fiction. The book’s 2013 film adaptation was not exactly a masterpiece. It shirked most of the novel’s ideas and stories (and its framing device), much to the film’s detriment. But Brad Pitt looked good running from zombies, so we mostly forgave it.
However, against all odds, the 2019 video game adaptation of the film was gangbusters. World War Z was a squad-based third-person shooter game in the vein of Left 4 Dead. Developer Saber Interactive brought the film’s intensity while keeping the original novel’s “boots on the ground” narrative.
