5 video games that would make great TV shows

August 16, 2026 - 04:06

We are living in an age where video games are getting some fantastic adaptations. We finished Fallout season 2 some time ago and are waiting for the next season, but that has only made us hungry for more. The success of shows like The Last of Us and Arcane has proven that studios are finally willing to spend real money and respect the source material. That opens the door for a lot of other games that have been sitting on the shelf, waiting for their moment. Here are five that would translate perfectly to television.

First up is Red Dead Redemption 2. The game already plays like a prestige western drama, with a slow burn story about loyalty, betrayal, and the end of an era. A series could stretch out the gang's final months, giving each character their own arc. The world is rich enough to support multiple seasons without running out of material.

Next is Disco Elysium. This one is a bit weird, but that is exactly why it would work. It is a detective story set in a crumbling city, but the real mystery is the protagonist's own mind. The dialogue is sharp, philosophical, and often hilarious. A show could capture that tone with the right writer, and it would stand out from everything else on television.

Then there is Control. The game is full of surreal government buildings, shifting hallways, and objects that mess with reality. It has a strong female lead, a creepy atmosphere, and a mystery that unfolds slowly. A TV version could play like a mix of The X-Files and a psychological thriller, with each episode uncovering a new layer of the Federal Bureau of Control.

Another strong pick is Horizon Zero Dawn. The story of a young woman in a world overrun by robotic dinosaurs is already cinematic. The backstory, about how the old world fell, is heartbreaking and would make for incredible flashback episodes. The visuals alone would be enough to draw viewers in, but the emotional core would keep them watching.

Finally, we have Mass Effect. This one is a bigger challenge because of the choices players make, but a show could focus on a fixed story, like the first game's main plot. The galaxy is full of alien races, political tension, and ancient threats. With a solid budget, it could be the next great space opera, something we have not really had since Battlestar Galactica ended.