Top 10 Video Games That Would Make Good TV Shows

From the genius mind of "Max Payne" writer Sam Lake comes "Alan Wake," a game about abest-selling novelist who must find his wife while his book comes to life around him. The Pacific Northwest setting and foreboding mood of the game compliment television perfectly, as we've already seen in the similar "Twin Peaks." It also helps that the game itself is built like atelevision series in that it contains "episodes" and each one ends on a nail-biting cliffhanger. With enough plot twists to satisfy numerous seasons, this could be the next great thriller on TV.

We know what you're thinking. How can a multiplayer game make a good TV show? Well Team Fortress 2’s strength for a good show lies in its meeting the characters trailers. The use of unique and mature humor throughout could also make for some hilarious situations and draw the adult animation crowd, assuming the game keeps its signature art style. It also has a fantastic cast of characters that are likable and instantly quotable, and the lack of story means free reign for creative stories. Plus its been a while since we’ve had an original animated show between two slapstick factions.

Let's just pretend that that the Angelina Jolie movies never happened, as "Tomb Raider" deserves better. Gone now? Lets continue. This show could be a hit even without the gaming audience, mostly due to the character of Lara Croft, a strong, badass action heroine, a character that television is sadly lacking. It would also contain stellar platforming action to get the heart pumping, but perhaps most importantly, each episode would be a self contained adventure to amazing locale’s. If done right, "Tomb Raider" could be a television phenomenon.

I know you never actually see any humans in this game, but hear me out. The first 3D real-time strategy game complete with a kickass story, "Homeworld" is perfect fodder for the science fiction genre, similar to "Battlestar Galactica" in terms of tone and backstory. The game focuses on the Mothership, essentially a large city originally intended to be a symbol of hope, becoming the last refuge for a civilization who’s world was destroyed – sound familiar? The game also never completely focuses on what happens inside the ship, allowing for creative freedom to play with in terms of casting.

One of PlayStation 2's defining series', the "Jak and Daxter" games lend themselves incredibly well to a television series that both children and adults could enjoy. The games are praised for their characters, and seeing them on the small screen with their hilarity and action-packed shenanigans would be sure to bring audiences due to their chemistry and strong personalities. The environments are all fantastic and eye-popping, and the complex lore behind the games would make for thrilling individual stories that would be sure to bring numerous seasons of excitement.

Oh man, if a TV series could get the rights to this name, it would break the internet. Somewhat like 24 but with more sneaking and less yelling, the games follow covert operative Sam Fisher and his team as they foil terrorist plots. The story also takes emotional and dramatic personal turns throughout the games, which would be perfect for television due to its penchant for character drama. With an emphasis on stealth action rather than explosions, the series would also add a unique spin on the genre for television and make for some terrific sequences. Obviously Metal Gear Solid is another contender for this spot, but come on - between the writings of Tom Clancy and Hideo Kojima its obvious who’s characters would translate better onto the TV screen.

Any extra time spent with John Marston is a good time. There is a strange lack of Westerns ontelevision, which is surprising considering the wealth of content that the genre provides, and content is what "Red Dead" would deliver. The game lends itself incredibly well to thetelevision form due to all of the different characters, quests, and stories that John partakes in, not to mention the over-arching storyline regarding his past. It would be incredibly violent and harsh, but also beautiful and expansive, just what a Western deserves to be.

What is called a "toys to life" video game, "Skylanders" has been providing entertainment for children for years now, so it's about time that the franchise expands into another medium. The series would make a perfect Saturday morning cartoon or any other form of children's show, featuring many unique and interesting characters, including everyone's favourite from childhood, Spyro. Like "Pokemon" before it, this franchise could make a terrific pairing of games and TV and become the next big children's extravaganza.
And Honestly its baffling why this series doesn’t have its own TV show, considering how popular it is with kids.

"Mirror's Edge" would make a fantastic TV series with one word: parkour. Parkour is sadly missing from the television pantheon, which is surprising given its sudden surge in popularity. The freestyling would make for some fantastic action sequences, and the story lends itself nicely to an ongoing series, as Faith deals with a multitude of characters, each having their own agenda and story. The bright, futuristic city would also be gorgeous to look at, making this a complete and original package that TV needs.

Before we get your hopes up with our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

"The World Ends With You" (2007)
"Xenoblade Chronicles" (2010)
"Hitman" series (2000-)
"Psychonauts" (2005)
"Crash Bandicoot" series (1996-2010)
"The Wolf Among Us" (2013-14)

You know how these games are so packed with content that you'll basically become a skeleton in your chair before 100% finishing? Just imagine the expanse that the TV show could provide! While "Borderlands" would be awesome due to similarities, "Fallout" has it beat. Not only do the games feature beautiful desolation that would be gorgeous to look at, but the sheer number of characters, situations, stories, action, creatures, and anything else you can name means "Fallout" would have both quality and quantity. It could very well be the TV show we are waiting for.

Do you agree with our list? What video game do you think would make a good TV show? For more hopeful top tens published every day, be sure to subscribe to Watchmojo.com.