Movie Adaptations That Affected The Games

As a long-time enthusiast of video games and animated movies that often intertwine with them, I find it fascinating to delve into the intricate connections between these two mediums. The examples presented here are a testament to the creative synergy that can occur when storytelling transcends its original boundaries, enriching both the game and the animation worlds in the process.

Movie versions of video games are frequently seen as mere money-making ventures with no originality, relying solely on their source material. Yet, it’s not always the case; some movie adaptations actually shape the storylines of video games themselves.

In some cases, movies might have a stronger emphasis on storytelling compared to video games, where gameplay often takes precedence over narrative. Yet, as video games grow in complexity, they sometimes incorporate aspects from movie plots into their stories and mythology. These games have a tendency to adopt elements that mirror earlier films.

5. Mortal Kombat

Altered Kano’s Ethnicity

Trevor Goddard, a British actor, sadly died at the age of forty. He gained fame for his role in the movie “Mortal Kombat” (1995), which has since become a cult favorite among fans of the game it was adapted from. Games like “Mortal Kombat 11” have paid tribute to the film by creating DLC skin packs, featuring actors from the original movie, and even Cary Hiroyuki-Tagawa reprising his role as Shang Tsung in the game itself. This homage was also made in “Mortal Kombat 1”.

In a significant twist of events, it was Goddard’s portrayal that significantly shaped Kano’s character. Initially, Kano was depicted as a white American orphan in Tokyo, who was eventually deported, as mentioned in the SNES manual for Mortal Kombat. However, Goddard’s convincing Australian performance of the cyborg character resonated with audiences, causing Kano to be reimagined as an Australian. As Mortal Kombat expanded its voice acting, Kano’s unique brand of trash-talk reflected his Australian heritage. This was further cemented in other adaptations, such as the 2021 Mortal Kombat movie, where he was played by Australian actor Josh Lawson. Without Goddard’s impactful performance, Kano might have been portrayed very differently than we know him today.

In a broader perspective, elements from the movie like Raiden acting as a guide for warriors from Earthrealm, the romantic relationship between Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade, among other factors, found their way into subsequent editions of the franchise.

4. Super Mario

Surname Reveal (And Possibly A Lasting Romance)

The 1993 “Super Mario Bros.” film offered an unusual and distinctive interpretation of the game series. It was one of the pioneers in suggesting that Luigi and Daisy (or the movie version of her) were a couple, although she had previously served as his caddy in the “NES Open Tournament Golf” game, which came out a few years before. Later games featuring Daisy often imply that she and Luigi are also a couple. For instance, in “Mario Kart Wii,” her circuit shows statues of her and Luigi dancing, suggesting affectionate undertones between them. However, their relationship hasn’t been as firmly established as Mario and Peach’s due to Daisy not being a prominent character in most games outside the main series cast.

A less-obvious factor affecting the games could be the last names of the characters, which are rarely mentioned within the games themselves. The creators of the film suggested that their surname “Mario Brothers” was inspired by their actual family name, rather than just a given name. However, this was contradicted by the original creators, Shigeru Miyamoto, who stated in an article for Game Informer that the brothers do not have family names; instead, they only have given names. This discrepancy seems to stem from decisions made during the film’s production.

It seems that he previously used different names, but at the Super Mario Bros 30th Anniversary Festival, he declared those as his real names. Since games don’t require last names for any practical reasons, this is just interesting trivia. However, since they are collectively referred to as the Mario Brothers in all their appearances, it could be reasonable to consider it as their actual surname instead.

3. Street Fighter

The Roots of Alpha

1994 saw the release of two films based on the popular “Street Fighter” series, specifically adapting the hit game “Street Fighter 2”. One of these movies, titled simply “Street Fighter“, featured Jean-Claude Van Damme in the lead role. Some believe he may have influenced the character Abel from “Street Fighter 4”. However, this movie strayed far from the original source material and hasn’t been referenced much in subsequent games. Interestingly, a fighting game adaptation of the film was produced under the name “Street Fighter: The Movie“.

Another adaption was a movie titled “Street Fighter 2: The Animated Movie“. Notable voice actors, many using aliases, were featured in this film. Among them was Bryan Cranston, before his fame, who voiced the character Fei Long. This game holds a significant place in the lore of the “Street Fighter” series, not necessarily due to its faithful representation but rather its extensive borrowing from it. It has been pointed out as an inspiration for the “Alpha” series, a collection of three games set between the first and second installments of “Street Fighter“.

Certain aspects are purely aesthetic, like Bison’s muscular physique being characteristic of this particular version of the character. However, some elements impact the storyline, such as Guile and Chun-Li’s professional collaboration, Ryu’s signature red headband being a token from Ken, and so on. In essence, the Alpha Trilogy was heavily inspired by Street Fighter 2: The Animated Movie, an influence that has left a lasting mark on the series as a whole.

2. Pokemon

Making Waves Across Adaptations

Most Pokemon movies are usually based on the Pokemon anime, where characters are borrowed to tell a separate story. Since they are technically two steps removed from the original games, it’s surprising to consider them as the origin for Pokémon that would be considered part of the series canon.

Takeshi Shudō, the lead writer for the anime series and credited author of its initial films, conceived and initiated the creation of a new Pokémon for the second movie, “The Power of One.” This new Pokémon was initially called “Pokémon X” and symbolized waves. The final product became Lugia, who eventually appeared as a legendary “box” Pokémon on the cover of “Pokémon Silver.” Shudō was said to be taken aback when it was included in the games, thinking that it would only appear in the movie.

Unintentionally, this kicked off a pattern where the films began highlighting Pokémon that hadn’t been included in the games yet. Later on, characters like Lucario and Zoroark made their debut in the anime movies ahead of their games’ release dates.

1. Fatal Fury

A Half Brother for Geese

In the game “Fatal Fury 2,” Wolfgang Krauser Von Stroheim is portrayed as the ultimate adversary. Similar to other SNK bosses, he’s infamously known for his overwhelming strength. Unlike typical villains, however, he is often depicted as a noble antagonist who seeks personal growth rather than power. He occasionally acknowledges and praises formidable opponents. His surname suggests he hails from a prominent German family with aristocratic roots. Throughout the “Fatal Fury” series, his versatile arsenal of powerful attacks makes him a challenging foe. He has also been featured in the “King of Fighters” franchise, debuting in the ’96 installment, thus qualifying for the ’98: Ultimate Match and various spin-offs.

Krauser’s most captivating traits stem from his connection to Geese Howard, the primary villain in the Fatal Fury series. This link wasn’t solidified until Fatal Fury: The New Battle, a TV movie adaptation. In this story, Krauser is revealed as Geese’s younger half-brother. Their father, Rudolph, abandoned Geese and their mother to marry into the Stroheim family. Prior to these events, Geese had tried, unsuccessfully, to kill Rudolph. As a teenager, Krauser ended up killing Rudolph himself, thus claiming leadership of the family. These details were incorporated into games like Fatal Fury Special and Real Bout Fatal Fury Special, laying the groundwork for a lifelong rivalry between these two final boss characters.

In the game King of Fighters ’96, Geese Howard would team up with Krauser. Whilst Geese employs his brother as a means to test the might of Orochi, Krauser appears unfazed, viewing this alliance as a chance to engage in battles against numerous powerful adversaries.

2024-12-28 10:34