5 of the best TV shows based on video games including Castlevania

From Arcane to Castlevania, here are 5 of the best TV shows based on video games.

There have been many video game adaptations, from films to novels to television series.

It has been a particularly good year for the genre with the release of The Last of Us and Netflix’s new series Castlevania: Nocturne, so here are 5 of the best TV shows based on video games.

The Last of Us (2023)

Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal in The Last of Us. Image: HBO

The already cinematic story of The Last of Us received a well-deserved – and faithful – adaptation earlier this year. Following Pedro Pascal as Joel with Bella Ramsey playing Ellie, a young girl he has been tasked with transporting across the country amid a zombie apocalypse, the show was able to please both fans of the games and an entirely new audience.

Arcane (2021)

Based on the League of Legends video game franchise, Arcane is rated 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Based on League of Legends, an online battle arena game with a legion of dedicated fans, Arcane has been hailed as a masterpiece – and rightly so. With stunning animation, Arcane focuses on two sisters whose paths diverge as they become swept away by politics and rival factions. It’s excellent escapism even if you don’t care about the game, plus Scottish actress Katie Leung voices Caitlyn, one of the series' main characters.

Castlevania (2017)

Castlevania is available to stream on Netflix. Image: Netflix

When Castlevania was released in 2017 it paved the way for most of the series on this list. The horror fantasy show spanned four seasons before prompting the release of follow up, Castlevania: Nocturne. Based on the action-adventure game series of the same name, the show follows a vampire hunter fighting to save a city from Dracula himself.

The Witcher (2019)

The Witcher, based on the popular book series and video games, is available to stream on Netflix. Image: Netflix

The Witcher may have began as a book series, however following the release of the first game in 2007 the franchise took on a life of its own. The TV series sees Henry Cavill starring as Geralt of Rivia – soon to be replaced with Liam Hemsworth – a monster hunter questing for hire and hurtling toward his destiny.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022)

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners follows a street kid as he attempts to survive a new technology based world that has become besotted with body modification.

While the Cyberpunk 2077 game didn’t get off the smoothest of starts it has been able to redeem itself with updates, expansions and TV series, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, which helped cement the world of Night City as one worth engaging with. Currently sitting with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, the visual style and slick story about the corrupt city was the perfect balm to those let down by Cyberpunk’s initial bumps.