Video games that became TV shows

Some of our favourite video games were too big to be confined to a mere PC or console. They were destined for greater things – they were destined for the world of television!

Some of the shows were good, other not so much, but they were watched by the masses anyway. Here is a list of some of the more notable video game to TV conversions.

Super Mario Bros. Super Show!

First Aired in September 1989, the Super Mario Bros. Super Show was everything you expected from a Mario-themed adventure. The show started off as a live-action series, with Mario and Luigi living in Brooklyn, USA.

The show then progressed into a cartoon feature, and hosted famous characters from other Nintendo games.Super Mario Bros. Super Show aired 65 episodes in total, 52 of which were Mario related, and 13 which featured Zelda.

The Legend of Zelda Show

Every Friday on the Super Mario Bros. Super Show an episode was dedicated to characters from The Legend of Zelda. The plot followed the relationship between Link and Princess Zelda as they defended Hyrule from an evil wizard named Ganon.

The show was based on the first game, but borrowed elements from Zelda II: The Adventure of Link.

Earthworm Jim

Earthworm Jim’s stint on TV began in 1995, lasted 25 episodes, and had our favourite worm in a space suit doing the usual array of superhero deeds.

Each episode involved a different villain trying to steal Earthworm Jim’s space suit, and threw in the classic humour we had come to expect from the invertebrate. It was sad to see him go.

Pokémon

Most children spent their afternoons watching Ash and Pikachu while listeneingto the “Gotta catch ’em all” theme song, and it is no surprise that Pokémon is the most popular video game to TV show adaptation on the list.

Starting in 1997, the TV show has produced 700 episodes (and spawned 16 movies), and re-runs are still showing today.

Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog, the fastest blue hedgehog in the world, ever, made his TV début in 1993. The show was called, you guessed it, Sonic the Hedgehog, and ran 26 episodes over 2 seasons.

Following the original Sonic show, The Adventures of Sonic was born, which went on to last for 65 episodes.

Megaman

“Super fighting robot, Megaman.” Yes, the blue robot wonder had his own show, which mostly featured him destroying other robots and fighting various bosses. The show was produced by Capcom and first aired in 1994. Megaman lasted two seasons, and there was a third in the works which was cancelled due to budget constraints.

Megaman featured most of the game’s characters in every episode, including the likes of Rush, Dr Wily, Wood Man, Cut Man, Ice Man, and Heat Man. Anyone want to put Megaman season 3 on Kickstarter?