The Best Terminator Games, Ranked

The Best Terminator Games, Ranked

As a die-hard fan of the Terminator franchise, I’ve been through the fires of Judgment Day more times than I care to remember! The arcade game from Midway was a staple back in the day, with its digitized enemies and addictive shooter gameplay. It’s like stepping into the movie itself, except you get to blast those relentless Terminators!


On August 29, 2024, the new “Terminator: Zero” anime series will debut on Netflix, adding another chapter to the expansive universe of Terminator. Over the years, various TV shows, comics, and video games have been created to offer unique adventures within this popular sci-fi series, catering to fans who love the franchise.

Regrettably, many video games based on the Terminator franchise have been created, with most of them sharing the same pitfalls common in movie-based games, which often gives the impression that Terminator game development is doomed to fail. Nevertheless, there are instances where developers have taken their fate into their own hands and produced games that surpassed the generally low quality standard.

Games not based on the films, such as Skynet, are also considered for this ranking.

6 Terminator: Salvation

Average Clone Of Gears Of War

  • Developed By: Grin
  • Released: May 1, 2009
  • Genre: Third-Person Shooter

On one side, “Terminator: Salvation” is heavily influenced by the “Gears of War” video games that were trending when it came out. It doesn’t offer anything fresh other than swapping out Locust hordes for armies of T-600s and T-800s, and its main character, John Connor, is essentially a substitute for Marcus Fenix. This results in an ordinary third-person action game that follows the most predictable patterns.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say that Gears of War isn’t the worst choice for a Terminator game. Both series share a common ground with post-apocalyptic settings and resistance fighters battling against an oppressive force. It might not be the greatest shooter ever, but for fans of the franchise, Terminator: Salvation is definitely worth giving a shot.

5 RoboCop Versus The Terminator (Sega Genesis)

The Ultimate Crossover Of Cyborgs

  • Developed By: Virgin Games USA
  • Released: May 19, 1994
  • Genre: Action-Adventure Sidescroller

In this game, crossovers are certain to captivate viewers as it pits the iconic figures from two acclaimed ’80s and ’90s sci-fi series, RoboCop and The Terminator, against each other. Regrettably, only RoboCop is available for play, but it still offers a thrilling, action-packed sidescrolling game with plenty of violence that should satisfy fans of both franchises.

Under the comic book series “RoboCop,” titled identically, RoboCop Faces The Terminator is essentially a fan’s imaginative take on the storyline where The Terminators invade Detroit, leading to RoboCop having to combat them, along with other antagonists from the RoboCop universe.

4 Terminator: Dark Fate – Defiance

Fun But Difficult RTS Depiction Of The Future War

  • Developed By: Slitherine Software
  • Released: August 21, 2023
  • Genre: Real-Times Strategy

As a passionate fan, I’d express it like this:

Players who are proficient in challenging real-time strategy games (RTS) should find it relatively easy to adapt to Defiance, but it’s important to note that this game is quite tough for beginners in the RTS genre. In fact, due to its complexity, players may need to repeatedly attempt missions to learn the various strategies required to successfully complete them.

3 Terminator 2: Judgment Day (Arcade)

Just Shoot Everything In The Classic Arcade

  • Developed By: Midway
  • Released: October 31, 1991
  • Genre: Light Gun Shooter

The fundamental elements of many arcade games, including “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” arcade game, are essentially the same as aim and shoot games. However, this doesn’t diminish the enjoyment derived from playing it. Featuring digitized characters for enemy sprites, such as Robert Patrick portraying the iconic T-1000, and a highly addictive gameplay filled with explosions, it’s no surprise that “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” was a popular shooter arcade game.

The iconic “Judgment Day” arcade cabinet is set for a re-release by Arcade1UP, enabling gamers and enthusiasts to bring the thrilling game into their homes, complete with red and blue light guns. This action-packed game can typically be completed within an hour, making it a must-play for any Terminator fanatic.

2 Skynet

Before Skyrim, Bethesda Made Skynet

  • Developed By: Bethesda Softworks
  • Released: November 16, 1996
  • Genre: First-Person Shooter Adventure

During the mid-90s, when almost every first-person shooter was attempting to emulate “Doom”, Skynet stood out as innovative for offering complete camera movement – allowing players to look up, down, and in any direction imaginable. This feature, which has since become the industry standard for shooters, required players to aim using a reticle.

As a passionate fan, I can’t help but marvel at how Skynet was breathed life into by the unexpected masterminds at Bethesda. This game didn’t just deliver pulse-pounding action that authentically portrayed the Future War, but it also offered expansive, quasi-open-world environments to traverse and engage in combat against relentless Terminators as a valiant member of the Resistance. Peppered with nostalgic FMV cutscenes, Bethesda created a Terminator game that, sadly, doesn’t receive the recognition it deserves.

1 Terminator: Resistance

Best Depiction Of The Future War

  • Developed By: Teyon
  • Released: November 15, 2019
  • Genre: First-Person Shooter Adventure

Fans were uncertain about the new game “Terminator: Resistance” due to its development by the team known for creating the poorly received “Rambo” game in the past. However, Teyon demonstrated that everyone needs a starting point as they refined their skills and excelled with “Terminator“, producing a unique first-person shooter that soon gained a devoted fanbase, earning it the title of a cult classic.

In terms of authentic visuals and sounds reminiscent of the original “Terminator” film, as well as effectively portraying the T-800s as a real menace, “Terminator: Resistance” stands out as one of the most compelling representations of the Future War that fans have experienced. This game also draws inspiration from “Skynet,” offering expansive levels to explore and later updates allowing players to assume the role of a Terminator.

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2024-08-28 05:34