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The video game animated series has established its supremacy over big-screen efforts. Its Castlevania adaptation, Captain Laserhawk, and the upcoming Devil May Cry show prove the format’s effectiveness. Adi Shankar is partially responsible for all three, but that doesn’t mean he’s the only one who can do it. Castlevania is the best showcase the franchise has had in decades, while Laserhawk revitalizes several long-abandoned figures. I want to see more classics of the NES era find new homes in excellent animated series.
Contra
Like Castlevania, Contra is a beloved franchise that attained fame on the NES before putting out a series of likable sequels and several much less impressive outings. WayForward’s upcoming reimagining of the original title is set to reawaken the series next year. Contra: Rogue Corps is its lowest point, at least to date. Contra is a military science fiction franchise in the vein of Aliens or Starship Troopers. Commandos Lance Bean and Bill Rizer wage guerilla warfare against alien invaders. Later outings added details and human enemies. The blood-soaked, action-packed format of the video game animated series would be perfect for this franchise. Imagine all the 80s action movie references they could pack in.
Streets of Rage
2020 saw the long-awaited return of the venerable Streets of Rage franchise. Streets of Rage 4 was the first official entry in 26 years. The original trilogy was one of Sega’s most popular titles, but it was released during the golden era of side-scrolling beat ’em ups. The crowded market made it tough to stand out. Streets of Rage follows a group of cops-turned-vigilantes who fight crime and corrupt CEOs barehanded. The colorful cast of characters and hand-to-hand violence would soar in a video game animated series. There’s also a fantastic opportunity for addressing social issues in Streets of Rage. This franchise spent too long on the shelf. It’s worth mentioning that John Wick creator Derek Kolstad will soon make a movie of the franchise. I’d argue the animated series format is still a better fit.
Spy Hunter
Spy Hunter was a vehicular combat game that took inspiration from James Bond films and premiered in arcades in 1983. It got a reboot in 2001 and another in 2012, though neither became particularly notable. Midway dropped a spinoff subtitled Nowhere to Run in 2006, intending to market it alongside a live-action film. The movie died in development hell. An animated series could flesh out a franchise that some reduce to a knock-off with a great soundtrack. I know there was never much plot to Spy Hunter, but there could be. Netflix’s Castlevania adaptation added a lot to the story. It’s a spy story about a guy with an impossibly useful car. Tons of driving-based action scenes and secretive intrigue could keep a video game animated series compelling. No magic or superpowers are necessary. Just put the hero behind the wheel of the Interceptor.
Golden Axe
Golden Axe is another Sega side-scrolling beat ’em up, just like Streets of Rage. Unlike its streetwise sibling, Golden Axe didn’t receive a revival. Ax Battler, Tyris Flare, and Gilius Thunderhead have been in the bin since the awful reboot in 2008. Sega canceled a prototypal reboot released on Steam for one day, providing a brief glimpse at its tragic state. Golden Axe is a flawless candidate for a video game animated series. It’s a broad, epic fantasy story about a handful of adventurers fighting evil. Sword and sorcery has never been unpopular, but adult-oriented animated series are shockingly rare in the genre. The best example is Netflix’s Castlevania adaptation. Imagine that show with the goth elements swapped out for classic fantasy trappings, and you’ve got a Golden Axe show.
Ninja Gaiden
Impossibly, the 25-year legacy of this beloved franchise spawned only one non-game adaptation. Ninja Ryūkenden was an OVA that was only released in Japan in 1991. Granted, I could find a hundred anime series that feel like Ninja Gaiden. The plot is straightforward enough to fit any example of the genre. This is also the only game series on this list with semi-consistent support over the years. A series of well-received spectacle fighters kept the brand alive long after the action-platformer genre slowed down. Ninja Gaiden is still an unquestionable classic. Ryu Hayabusa’s quest to defeat an evil cult, slay demons, and save his dad through the power of a magic sword is a no-brainer animated series. Adi Shankar could have a field day with Ninja Gaiden.
Adi Shankar’s Castlevania adaptation model was a stroke of subversive genius. It’s such a simple idea, but one that the Hollywood machine was inherently allergic to. I think these video game animated series have the potential to be the default presentation for future adaptations. With Captain Laserhawk, Shankar and his team lend the spotlight to frequently unloved figures like Rayman and Sam Fisher. I want the world to see similar reckonings for Lance Bean, Ax Battler, and Ryu Hayabusa.
