Video game adaptations span far more than just TV. From Mario to Tomb Raider, so many of our favorite franchises have hit the silver screen — to middling results. For so long, video game movies have been seen as a bit of a curse. No matter where you look, there’s a Hollywood adaptation that seems to have lost the plot of a game series you grew up on.
Recently, however, it seems we’re at a turning point. The Fallout and Last of Us shows are great examples, but we’ve also seen an animated take on Castlevania, a gorgeous League of Legends side story in the form of Arcane, a Cyberpunk anime, and so much more. The world of gaming continues to expand, and the quality of these adaptations is only improving. Let’s discuss.
– David Silbert, Editor
The Punished Podcast Episode 21
MP3 Download | Spotify | Apple Podcasts
Note: This episode contains swearing and sexual references.
Timestamps
- 0:00 – Introductions
- 7:15 – Adaptations: What Makes Them Work?
- 16:32 – Devil May Cry Deep Dive
- 25:50 – Why Video Game Adaptations Are Difficult to Get Right
- 34:22 – What Do “Good” Adaptations Look Like and Why
- 56:30 – Mediums: TV and Film
- 1:16:00 – Mediums: Board Games, Music, Books, and More
- 1:27:40 – Adaptations We Hope To See
- 1:30:18 – Outro: Best Adaptations We Recommend + What We’re Watching + Playing
Music Credits
- Opening Theme Song for Season 1 of Fallout (2024) on Amazon, composed by Ramin Djawadi
- Trailer for Netflix’s Devil May Cry (2025) anime, which featured Papa Roach’s “Last Resort,” with composition by Power Glove
- Mega Ran’s “Cloud Strife feat. ConSoul” (2021) from Black Materia: The Remake Album, featuring music composed by Masashi Hamauzu and Mitsuto Suzuki from Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020)
Related Reading:
- A Live-Action Legend of Zelda Movie Is a Tall Task
- The LEGO Game Boy Is the Latest Great Video Game Set (Plus 4 Other Recs)
- How Do We Feel About The Last of Us Season 2 So Far?
- The Last of Us Thinks Its Audience Is Dumb. It’s Right.
- Anime: The Old, the New, and the Best
- One Piece Netflix Live Action Review (Q&A)
- Pokémon Concierge Review: A Wonderful Little Delight
A video game outlet that blends quality words with inclusive voices. For business inquiries and review requests, reach us at press [at] punishedbacklog [dot] com.
Donovan is a lifelong gamer with a love for fast-paced, single-player action games—especially Devil May Cry, Metroidvanias, indies, and action RPGs. He’s also an “advanced scrub” at fighting games and will play just about anything fun. Donovan is passionate about seeing more diverse characters and creators in the industry—or at least better hair options for Black people. With over a decade in journalism, he joined The Punished Backlog in 2023 to write more about what he loves. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @dono_harrell.
Vaughn Hunt is writer who has loved video games since he picked up a controller. His parents wouldn't let him buy swords as a child (he wanted the real ones) so he started writing, reading, and playing video games about them. A historian at heart, you'll often find him deep into a rabbit hole of culture, comics, or music.
Sam has been playing video games since his earliest years and has been writing about them since 2016. He’s a big fan of Nintendo games and complaining about The Last of Us Part II. You either agree wholeheartedly with his opinions or despise them. There is no in between.
A lifelong New Yorker, Sam views gaming as far more than a silly little pastime, and hopes though critical analysis and in-depth reviews to better understand the medium's artistic merit.
Twitter: @sam_martinelli.
David is the founder of The Punished Backlog. He has a problem finishing games he starts.
Just beat: Donkey Kong Bananza.
Working on: Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Can't wait for: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
Follow David on Twitter at @David_Silbert to keep up to date with all things The Punished Backlog.
Gary is a jack-of-all-trades video game enthusiast based in Boston, MA. A semi-professional fighting game player, even less professional Apex Legends player, and even less professional adult, he spends most of his time poking at strange indie gems and reading about the need for more diverse voices in gaming criticism. He invites anyone to recommend anything he's missed in the gaming world via Twitter or BlueSky, where he can found under the username @grtnpwrfl. When he isn't spending his time playing games, Gary is an avid New England Patriots fan and frequent hiker.
