411 Games Top 5 03.02.09: Games That Need The Hollywood Treatment

Posted by Todd Vote on 03.02.2009

The top 5 makes a sizzling return to the Games Zone this week. James McGee, Jonny Richardson, Mark Salmela, and Armando Rodriguez join me in discussing the top 5 games that need the Hollywood Treatment.

Welcome to the 411 Top 5 Games Edition. Let's break down the rules of the column. First of all there will be no final list. Points will be given out by me, the host, but only for fun. Picture an episode of 'Who's Line is it Anyway?'. We will give out points just to hold things together. I will name a winner at the end of the column, based on random points given out. Other than that, writers have fun, and readers, be sure to leave your lists in the comments section.

For the first week back I figured we would start with the old favorite, Games that need the movie treatment. These are the games that we think would translate well into a big time Hollywood film production. Well, we think they would translate well provided Hollywood didn't muck them up. Without further ado, lets get this thing started.

First up we have the self-proclaimed, but later confirmed by Mark Salmela, "News Postin' Lady Thrilla", one Mr. James McGee. James, as implicated, posts a lot of the news you see on the front page of this section. James has also done previews and reviews for the site in the past.

James McGee

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Fatal Frame - I'm listing Fatal Frame as my honorable mention, not because it is less deserving of the movie treatment, but because it borrows so much from Japanese horror films in its presentation that it almost plays like a movie anyway.

5. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic - Part of the reason KOTOR was such a success is that it gave fans the old-school Star Wars experience they had been hoping to get from the disappointing prequel films. Bioware's combination of action, intrigue and humor was spot-on with the early entries in the franchise. The only down side is that the story is so dense, it would be hard to squeeze into a single film. But would another, quality trilogy really be such a bad thing?

4.Gun - Average reviews aside; this open-world, Wild West shooter stands out as one of my favorite examples of story-driven game play. The game featured an amazing list of voice actors (chief among them Tom Jane, Lance Henriksen, and Kris Kristoferson)—many of whom could simply segue into roles in a live-action film. The story is simply a good, old-fashioned tale of revenge with just enough over-the-top elements to make it interesting to a modern, jaded film audience.
We have our first points awarded for this week, James, I'm going to give you 50 points for mention of Tom Jane. He was the bomb in 'The Mist'!

3.Psychonauts - This cult-classic had a "Pixar meets Tim Burton" feel anyway, so why not just whip up a computer-animated feature to introduce Tim Schaefer's bizarre world to movie audiences? It would be a challenge to showcase the game's weird locales while still keeping the story manageable, but I'm sure some talented studio out there is up to it. Seeing as how Schaefer's brilliant dialogue could be lifted almost verbatim, a lot of the work is already done, right?


You want a little?

2.Metroid - Okay, so the last time one of Nintendo's signature properties hit the big screen live-action style, we got Super Mario Bros., and I think we all want to forget that. But a platformer with virtually no story doesn't make much sense as a movie. A sci-fi action epic with a kick-ass female heroine searching for her past, now that has potential! Treat it with respect, tie in some of the mythology about Samus' origins from the Prime trilogy, and this one could be huge.

1.Metal Gear Solid - For my list, I tried to stay away from games that are already being kicked around Hollywood, but I just had to make an exception here. MGS is one of the series that pioneered the whole concept of cinematic games, so it simply must get the film treatment at some point. Solid Snake himself, David Hayter, is petitioning to write the screenplay, and I think it would be foolish to not at least give him the chance considering how well he knows the character, and the quality adaptation he did for the first X-Men movie. I've heard Christian Bale as one possibility for the lead, but I've always pictured Thomas Jane as a very *ahem* solid choice for portraying Snake. (Note: I don't have a man-crush on Thomas Jane. Honestly. He just happened to turn up in two of my picks. No, seriously…)
Hmm... More Tom Jane.... Alright, but you only get 20 points this time, because your man crush is obvious.


Next up is one Jonny Richardson, Jonny is a fellow Newbie to the site, but has already contributed some great features. If you haven't yet, I urge you to check out his piece 'Why Being A Hero Never Pays'. It is a very fun read.

Jonny Richardson

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Tekken - Because fighting game movies always work!

5. Final Fantasy VII - Possessing arguably (and it has been argued over and over again…) one of the greatest stories ever told in a video game, it seems only logical to suggest it should be made into a moive. I've demoted it to 5th place on the list because some bright sparks attempted it in 2005, with a CGI effort entitled "Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children". Unfortunately, it was shit. It was one big, boring fight scene from start to finish. What made FFVII such a legendary PS1 title was the story, the depth of the characters and the unique and varied places the narrative took you. Make a movie that reflects that please!

4. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic - When it was released in 2003, KotOR was the game said to have revived the entire Star Wars gaming franchise, and with good reason too. It was a stonkingly good RPG from start to finish. Taking a universe that was familiar to a huge amount of people, and putting a new and original spin on it is just one reason why BioWare managed to create an instant classic. Yet it's because of the storyline, the twists and turns it takes as the narrative progresses truly sets this game apart from others. It's also the reason why KotOR would make a fantastic movie. It's set in a far away galaxy a long long long long looooong time ago; so continuity with the 6 existing Star Wars movies wouldn't be an issue. The characters are interesting and unique. It also offers fans a chance to see how the universe was before the Jedi were classified as an endangered species. It deserves Hollywood attention because Malak makes Vader look like a sissy!
40 points for having the balls to call Vader a sissy. Would you do it to his face?

3. N - For those of you not in the know, N is a wonderful physics driven platforming title, developed by Metanet Software, that shot to fame in 2005. You play through the game as a miniature stick man ninja, who has an unquenchable thirst and lust for gold. Standing in the way of you and untold riches is an army of death robots, all of whom have a hatred for thieves -- especially ninja thieves. Cue hilarious deaths, sickening drops and lightning fast ninja flips! It writes itself, doesn't it?! I envisage this working one of two ways. Either it'll be turned into a series of cartoons with terrible over the top voice acting, or it'll end up as a Hollywood blockbuster, with Jet Li cast as Ninja. The natural evolution of the 'Kung-Fu' movie is to stay ahead of the times. With movies like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, they defied gravity. It's not too much of a stretch then, to imagine defying robots by stealing their gold, is it?
I had originally given Jonny 30 points for this, but the ninja's stole them.

2. Return to Castle Wolfenstein - Horror movies follow a simple, succinct formula: It's got to frightening, fun and more than a little bit silly. Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce to you the PC game has oodles of this, and much more – Return to Castle Wolfenstein. This vastly underrated FPS (which still deserves to be played today, damn you!) was released by ID software in 2001. While the Quake 3 engine is starting to look ridiculously old now, RTCW was a beautifully paced and streamlined FPS, with a wonderfully wacky storyline just screaming to be made into a movie. The real reason it's on this list though, is for its achievement of merging two all time great video game villains – Nazis and…zombies! I'll say it again in case you missed it. NAZI ZOMBIES! Great Scot! This is a goldmine of an idea people – a goldmine.
The Nazi Zombies just dropped 60 points off for you they said something about owing it to you for dinner?


Ready for my close-up Mr. Stone

1. Metal Gear Solid IV - It just had to be didn't it? When you make a video game comprising of a gameplay to cut scene ratio at roughly 10:90, it's always going to be #1 on a list like this. Kojima Productions really went big with the game that won 411manias Best PS3 game, Best Single Player Experience and Best Graphics awards for 2008. It's only logical to assume it'll go one step further and hit the big screen. ‘Nuff said.
What the hell, another 10 points for your shameless site promotion in your number 1


Now we come to Mark *Salms* Salmela. Mark used to write B3yond the Report, but has since become the writer of Games Only a Mother Could Love as well as the 411 resident smart ass. But we do agree on one thing Mortal Kombat > Street Fighter!

Mark Salmela

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

House of the Dead - …Oh wait…

5 points for slamming Uwe Boll.

5.) Target Terror - Oh hell yes! This could be the biggest action blockbuster of the 21st century! A solid R rating, tons of blood, guns, mayhem, and maybe even nudity *who am I kidding of course NUDITY!* set in the Target Terror universe would make for the bloodiest and funniest movie of all time. If you thought The Rock holding a BFG in Doom looked awesome, just wait until you see the guy from Target Terror make hookers explode with his trusty automatic grenade launcher! Estimated body count in Target Terror: The Movie: 32,562.
We all know that random numbers rule, so I am giving 36 1/2 points for Marks use of a random number


4.) Half-Life 2 - I love pretty much everything about the Half-Life universe. Whether the movie is based on Half-Life 2 or Half-Life 2 plus episodes 1 – 3 doesn't matter. Hell it can also include parts of Portal if it wants. Everything Valve makes is pure gold, and I'd love to see the Free Man make his transition onto the big screen.
And with that Mark becomes the first to lose points in the new format. How can you have Half Life 2 without first making Half Life 1. I'm taking back that half a point sir.

3.) Alice - First off, let me say that I am absolutely thrilled that EA has announced a sequel to Alice coming later this year to consoles and PC. Alice was an amazing game when it was first released for PC back at the turn of the century, and I believe that a sequel has just as much potential to kick ass today *especially with the upgrade to HD graphics*. But the original concept of Alice would also work as a movie, and let me just say that there is still the potential of Alice actually being made into a movie, so this nightmare may become a reality. Alice takes a very dark and twisted take on the world of Wonderland, something that was strongly teased in the two books. Given an R rating and a director who knows what they're doing Alice's journey to the corrupted Wonderland would make for a wonderful movie.


Link seems ready for his chance at becoming a leading man.

2.) The Legend of Zelda - I am the furthest thing from a Zelda fan, but even I must admit that Link's journeys to save Hyrule would make the perfect transition onto the big screen. Last year IGN released a fake trailer for a Legend of Zelda movie for its April Fool's Day prank, and I still think the trailer was pretty cool. As long as Nintendo lets the movie obtain at least a PG-13 rating with large amounts of action to compliment the story than a Legend of Zelda movie would definitely kick ass in my opinion.

1.) Metal Gear Solid - Could there seriously be anything else in the number one slot? Metal Gear Solid is begging to be made into a movie. With Metal Gear's amazing storyline, awesome yet quirky characters, and stealth espionage action Metal Gear Solid the movie would kick ass as long as the script is written by someone who understands Metal Gear *such as David Hayter*.


Next is Armando Rodriguez. When it comes to 411mania.com, Armando is like a baby Larry Csonka. You can pretty much find his presence in just about every zone on this site. He most recently reviewed the PSN title 'Savage Moon' for the site.

Armando Rodriguez

5. Splatterhouse - I know what you are thinking: isn't that like Friday the 13th? Well yes, sort of. But here we have a character that could be the "good" version of Jason, but just as brutal. The original game's story (which I feel is the one better suited for a movie adaptation) has two psychology students, Rick Taylor and Jennifer Wills, entering a mysterious mansion for a school project when they are attacked by unseen enemies and Rick is knocked out. When he wakes up, Jennifer is nowhere to be seen and a mask clings to Rick's face, the mask that turns him into a Jason Vorhees-like individual with superhuman strength and he tries to rescue Jennifer from the many monsters and other creatures that inhabit the mansion. Of course, he later discovers that the entire house is alive and seeks a way to destroy it. How's that for a Monster House? If they make it as violent and scary as the game, it would be an instant classic!
45 points for numerous mentions of Jason Voorhees. He's my hero! Wait..should I be admitting that?

4. Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy - The game focuses on Nick Scryer, a man with psychic powers like Telekinesis and Pyrokinesis, who infiltrates a terrorist organization called The Movement. The Movement also has psychic-powered agents with extraordinary powers and as the game progresses we discover ties with the government and much more that I won't spoil here. Suffice it to say that it could provide for an awesome movie full of special effects and chaotic gunplay. Hell, movies like Push and Wanted have looked at video games for inspiration, well, here is one that they should be looking at!
Another 10 points just because I agree totally on this being made.

3.Metal Gear Solid Series - It would be too hard to make a movie about part 4 without the rest of the series. The plot in each game is solid enough (no pun intended) to carry a movie (haters would argue that MGS is more movie than game) and the characters and their complex relationships are amazing. I would find it hard to cast Snake (a young Kurt Russell would have been awesome) and the gang, but I would pay hard-earned cash to see them on the big screen.

2. The Legend of Zelda - I want a Zelda movie, but one without live actors, maybe with super cool graphics like those in the Final Fantasy movies. Every game in the series has a similar premise, but the story of Twilight Princess is the best in my opinion, and the one better suited to a movie. Oh and one more thing: Please, no squeaky, annoying voices!

1. FEAR - FEAR is awesome! The End.
Oh wait, you mean I need to write more? Ok, I will. FEAR combines the action of a typical summer blockbuster with the scares of a Halloween movie. I think the first game would make a fantastic movie. Imagine a scene where there is a big shootout, bullets flying everywhere, you know, the works. When everything finally settles down and the main character takes a deep breath, he turns around to see Alma surrounded by freaky fire! Damn, now I really want them to make a FEAR movie.

Great, now for shits and giggles, here is my list of games primed for the Hollywood treatment.

5. FEAR - After just finishing FEAR 2: Project Origin (Check back on the site for my review coming soon), I have to agree with Armando, this would translate into a great movie. You have huge explosions, spooky ass monsters, and a hot chick that can suddenly get ugly. What else is there for a movie to offer?



4. Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy - Nick Scryer would be a bad ass addition to the pantheon of Hollywood action heroes. The movie would almost have to be rated R just to feature the brain drain head pop that was so awesome in the game. I could see, believe it or not, Justin Timberlake stepping in as Scryer. Odd choice? Definitely, but after Alpha Dog, and Southland Tales, I think he could handle it.


Someone make this dude a movie before he kills us all.

3. Metal Gear Solid - I've never been a fan of the series, but as mentioned above, if there is a game ready to be made into a feature film, it's got to be this one that has 85% cut scenes to 15% gameplay. Alright, that was a little snippy. Admitted my experience with the series is limited, but back when Salms did a retrospective on the series, I had a chance to catch up on the story a bit. It would be a great series of films.

2. Advent Rising - Ah, what could have been. Majesco's Advent Rising was the start of a great story, unfortunately gameplay and a promise of an unfounded Million Dollar giveaway probably put the kabosh on this proposed trilogy really before it got a fair chance. But a story where Humans were once the greatest beings in the universe until a race known as Seekers wipes them out, and that is just the explanation of how we got to Earth? Sounds like a Sci-fi movie waiting to happen.

1. Indigo Prophecy - Indogo Prophecy. If you haven't played it, do so. You can find it on the Xbox Originals page on the XBL dashboard. A sort of coming apocolypse story with a unique twist.


Now to announce the winner...
Coming in 4th place we have Mark Salmela with 41 points.
In 3rd place, with a total of 55 points Armando Rodriguez.
James checks into second place with 70 points. That second mention of Tom Jane really hurt him here.
and this weeks winner of a grand prize of absolutely nothing is....
Jonny Richardson with a total of 110 points.

Sorry, Jonny no time for an acceptance speech.

Thats it for this week kids. Hope you enjoyed the return of 411 Games Top 5. Got an idea for the top 5? Want to share your list? You can do that below in the comments section. Who knows.. Next week's subject could very well be your suggestion. We'll see you next week. One more thing. This column is in desperate need of a logo. Anyone interested in creating one? If you are shoot me an email, as we could sure use one. You'll of course, get credit in the column for your creation.

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