A Brief Look at Bands in Video Games

Posted by Jacob Lopez on 07.08.2008

About a week ago, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith made its way to store shelves. What are some of the past games that featured some of our favorite bands? Take a look back as we touch on everything from Kriss Kross to the Spice Girls in my look back at band focused games.

Well, here it is in no particular order, because this is not another top ten list. Classic games that either starred one particular band, or were focused on them completely. Let me know if I missed any significant ones!



Aerosmith:

Guitar Hero: Aerosmith:

The most recent of the games that revolves around a particular band, and the reason I decided to put together this column.




Revolution X:

After the success of the T2 arcade game, Midway decided to give us even more on-rails machinegun action.

So here's how it goes, Aerosmith is kidnapped and it is up to you to save them.


(Note: the console versions were published by Acclaim and developed by Rage)

Spice Girls
Spice World (the game)

Yes, it happened.



Kriss Kross, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, C&C Music Factory and INXS

A series of games that allowed you to make your own music videos with said late 80's early 90's stars. Part of a series of games on the SEGA CD that used grainy, digitized video of the music groups. They look like ass by today's standards, but back then, I thought this was the shit.


Kriss Kross:


Marky Mark:


INXS:


C&C Music Factory:


Journey

Journey the Escape




Journey (arcade):
This game actually featured the band members faces digitized into it.



GWAR

Beavis and Butthead the Video Game:

Beavis and Butthead, two of the greatest characters of the 90's, score some GWAR tickets, their neighbor's lawnmower chops them to bits, and the duo must glovebat their way through Highland in search of the peices.






Rob Zombie

Twisted Metal 4:

While the third Twisted Metal game featured Mr. Zombie's music in the soundtrack, this one also made him a playable character.




Snoop Dogg

True Crime: Streets of LA

The game that let you play as Snoop D-O double G!




Wu-Tang Clan

Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style:

Back then, Wu-Tang was so badass, they even had a game.





50 Cent

50 Cent: Bullet Proof:

Well, someone out there liked it right...uh guys?




Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

Digitized versions of Micheal's hits, rescuing kids (think what you will of that one, I'm not here to talk shit about the guy) and Bubbles the Chimp!

Genesis: This level was based on the Smooth Criminal segment of his short feature/video:


Arcade: This one was actually pretty rad back then, you walked around and kicked these dudes' asses while Professor X flew around and dropped stuff on you. Then Michael would turn into that badass scary robot and shot lazers.


Space Channel 5:

Reminds me of the Scream Video with his sister Janet.



Runners up:

Green Jelly in Maximum Carnage: These guys weren't in the game, a reworked version of their song "Carnage Rules" was worked into the intro credits:





Nine Inch Nails in Quake: NIN in Quake's soundtrack was a big deal back then, and the game rocked!



Bella Morte in Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines I had to give a shout-out to the Bella boys, good friends, great music, and their promotional posters are scattered throughout the game (this song was in the game's soundtrack):






Well, I hope I kept you readers entertained for at least a few. Time to get back to work!