Top 10 Best Obstacle Course Game Shows Ever
#10: “Ultimate Tag” (2020-)
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It’s a pretty safe bet to say that every one of us has probably played a game of tag or two in our lifetime. It’s a childhood favorite and the rules are simple. Whoever is first tagged “it” must then “tag” another player, which, in most cases, just means a tap on the shoulder (or a shove, depending on who you play with). The “tag” is then passed around as each player taps another and… yeah, you know the rules. Given that this game inspired a movie, it’s no surprise to see a competition show centered around it as well. Players run through a series of obstacles while attempting to dodge professional taggers. It’s way more intense than a playground battle, and definitely more entertaining.
#9: “Double Dare” franchise (1986-2019)
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Upon hearing the name of this show, you’re probably flooded with childhood memories of embarrassing things you did on account of a dare. Hopefully, that’s not just us… This Nickelodeon game show takes that idea and sprints with it. It combines physical challenges and trivia questions, plus the “dare” component. If one team doesn’t know the answer to a trivia question, they can “dare” the opposing team to answer, who can then “double dare” them in return. The physical challenges often involve food or liquids--and the challenge is not to eat them, if that tells you anything. For a game show aimed at kids, it gave just enough gross-out factor to be funny, and still had you rooting for a winner.
#8: “Floor Is Lava” (2020-)
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As a kid, how often did you pretend the carpet in your living room was lava while jumping from cushion, to couch, to cushion? If you played it often, you might want to think about trying out for this show. Just as the name implies, contestants on this Netflix original must navigate a precariously built obstacle maze without falling into the sea of “lava” beneath them. It may not be actual lava, but that doesn’t make the contestants any less fearful of falling in. Between Rutledge Wood’s high energy and the zeal of the contestants, you can’t help but smile and hope they make it to the other side.
#7: “Viking: The Ultimate Obstacle Course” (2005-07)
It might be the first Japanese game show to appear on our list, but here’s a teaser: it’s not the last! Similar to other shows of this genre, “Viking” consists of four stages of obstacles that increase in difficulty with each round. Fifty players vie for the title of “Ultimate Survivor” as they climb walls, build makeshift bridges, dodge giant beams, and all but fly through the air. It’s fascinating to watch as contestants you wouldn’t expect to do well surprise both the commentators and the audience. Given the rather intense reputation of Japanese game shows, this one is pretty tame in comparison.
#6: “Hyperdrive” (2019)
What do you get when you combine “Need for Speed” with your typical obstacle course? An eye-full of fast cars taking runs like nobody’s business! This Netflix competition show pits drifting drivers against each other in a high-speed obstacle circuit. A large part of the appeal is seeing these cars drift around some pretty tight corners, but the added pressure of the stopwatch definitely shifts the action into high gear--and we mean that literally. Throw in some specialty targets, pylons to avoid, and water levels, and you’ve got a must-see for any fan of racing cars.
#5: “The Titan Games” (2019-)
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The tagline for this show reads as “Titans aren’t born. They’re made.” While some of the other shows on this list have players compete solo for the quickest time, “The Titan Games” sees players directly rivaling against each other in-game. As with many competitions like this, the rounds are divided by gender, with each challenger striving to move onto the next circuit. Should they succeed, the competitors then take on “Mount Olympus”, which consists of a series of obstacles each player must overcome. The fastest man and the fastest woman are crowned winners and dubbed “Titans”. It’s a ‘strong’ spin on the classic obstacle course race, and certainly yields some pretty amazing athleticism.
#4: “Ultimate Beastmaster” (2017-2018)
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If you’re scrolling through Netflix and happen to come across this show, you might be tempted to dismiss it as yet another “ninja” show. Although it shares many of the same types of obstacles seen elsewhere, “Ultimate Beastmaster” definitely stands out on its own. Not only does it allow international contestant participation, the show also produces localized versions available in other countries, which often feature many regional celebrities as commentators. Have you ever wanted to join one of these competitions? You might just get the chance! By expanding beyond just one country, the show gains a much wider reach for both the talent participating and those who watch.
#3: “Wipeout” (2008-14)
Given the fascination with Japanese game shows, it was only a matter of time before a North American version of one of them came to fruition. Such is the case with “Wipeout”, and the various iterations of it, including the British “Total Wipeout”. Players go through increasingly difficult obstacles over the course of four rounds. From jumping off giant red balls to ducking mechanical punches, contestants take a literal beating trying to make their way to the end. It may be a competition show, but the real entertainment here comes from the hilarious commentary-- and the epic fails!
#2: “Takeshi’s Castle” (1986-90)
If you’ve seen this show, or the American re-dub, then you probably noticed a striking similarity to “Wipeout”. They’re so similar, in fact, that the Japanese broadcaster of “Takeshi’s Castle” filed a lawsuit against ABC for copyright infringement. On the air for only four years, this Japanese game show certainly gave their contestants a good run for their money, sometimes literally. Players would run from giant rolling balls, scale walls, and generally do their best to stay afloat, also sometimes literally. The final showdown saw contestants using lasers, water pistols, and paper rings in an effort to “seize” Count Takeshi’s castle. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Splatalot!” (2011-13) Medieval-themed Obstacle Course, Anyone? “Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge” (2016-17) Looks Suspiciously Like Army Bootcamp... “Kinniku Banzuke” (1995-2002) Endurance Put to the Test!
#1: “Ninja Warrior” Franchise
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When the cable channel G4 started running episodes of the Japanese sports entertainment special “Sasuke”, they had no idea what was to come. “American Ninja Warrior”, its spinoffs, and other international versions have seen a ginormous rise in popularity over the years. The first “American Ninja Challenge” started off as a means for people from the U.S. to qualify for the Japanese show. But as the franchise’s following grew from its debut in 2009, it quickly became its own thing. Over the course of a season, contestants go through various qualifier courses to get to the finals. The last course is so difficult that only three contestants have ever beat it! Now, that’s what we call an obstacle.
