With infamously terrible titles such as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (Atari 2600), Superman 64, Batman: Dark Tomorrow, and Aliens: Colonial Marines, it's not surprising that the term "licensed game" typically has a negative connotation within the gaming industry. Since many corporate executives have seen games as just another "toy" to generate revenue for a brand, developers often aren't given the time and money necessary to create a decent product.
But, there're also many incredible licensed games that prove that these titles can be more than simply cash-grab tie-ins. As the industry continues to grow, some games, like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, even increase the popularity of certain brands.
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
Since the early 2000s, the construction toy brand LEGO has had many games that mix their own brand with other licensed media. One of these games is the 2010 action-adventure title LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4, which follows the plot of the first four Harry Potter books and movies. Similar to other LEGO games, players control LEGO Harry Potter action figures as they explore a Wizarding World modeled after LEGO pieces, solve puzzles, and find various collectibles.
Unlike other LEGO games, players are able to learn multiple spells and potions, which can be used to solve puzzles and access new areas. Along with other titles such as LEGO Star Wars, LEGO Indiana Jones, LEGO Batman, and LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, the LEGO games are beloved for their unique aesthetics and creative gameplay elements.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
Created by Monolith Productions, who are best known for the Blood, No One Lives Forever, and F.E.A.R. franchises, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is a 2014 award-winning action adventure game that takes place within an alternate non-canonical continuity in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth setting. After his wife and son are ritually sacrificed by the Black Hand of Sauron, the main character, a Gondorian Ranger named Talion, is revived by fusing with an amnesiac wraith.
This wraith is eventually revealed to be the Elf Lord Celebrimbor, whose wife and child were also killed by Sauron. To avenge their families, the two set out on a journey to defeat the Black Hand. The game is best known for the Nemesis System, which allows NPCs to and react to the actions of the player.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2
While most licensed games have a bad reputation, the one area that has always done well is the sports licensed games. One major example of this is the Tony Hawk's skateboarding series, which was one of the best-selling game franchises of the early 2000s. Even all these years later, however, the 2000 PS1 installment Tony Hawk's Pro Skating 2 is considered not only one of the best in the series, but one of the best games of all time.
Set within 3D urban environments, players control skateboarders as they attempt tricks, accomplish objectives, and collect objects. Along with titles like FIFA Soccer 10, Madden NFL 2003, and WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain, sports games have a long history of being some of the best licensed titles.
Telltale's The Walking Dead Series
Based on The Walking Dead comic book series, Telltale's The Walking Dead is an episodic graphic adventure series that lasted four main seasons between 2012 and 2019. Taking place in an apocalyptic version of America overrun by a pandemic that turns people into zombie-like creatures known as "walkers," the game follows a young girl named Clementine as she meets various characters and tries to survive.
After her guardian during the first season, Lee Everett, tragically dies, she is left on her own and adopts a young boy named AJ, which fuels the plot of the later seasons. With other Telltale franchises such as The Wolf Among Us, the company is largely responsible for the resurgence in popularity of adventure games.
Marvel's Spider-Man
Created by Insomniac Games, which is also known for creating the Spyro the Dragon and Ratchet & Clank franchises, Marvel's Spider-Man is a 2018 award-winning PS4 action-adventure game that is based on the Spider-Man multimedia franchise. Taking elements from the comics and its various adaptations, the game's mainline original plot follows the titular superhero Spider-Man as he tries to stop Mister Negative and other villains from using a bioweapon called Devil's Breath.
Because of the game's interesting plot, excellent characterization, satisfying combat, and fluid web-swinging, Marvel's Spider-Man is considered one of the best superhero games ever made. Out of all the other Spider-Man titles, this is the first game to rise above the beloved 2000 PS1 Spider-Man, which was created by Neversoft who also created the Tony Hawk's series.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Although CD Projekt Red didn't quite meet expectations with the licensed title Cyberpunk 2077, their previous major title, the 2015 action RPG The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, is often considered one of the greatest games ever made. Based on the fantasy novel series The Witcher written by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, the game follows the titular Witcher, Geralt of Rivia, as he searches for his adopted daughter, Ciri, who is running from the Wild Hunt.
Besides having gorgeous graphics that still hold up years later, the game has an incredibly in-depth world filled with characters that feel alive and choices that matter. Depending on the player's actions, side-plots can end in numerous ways, and the main plot has several endings.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Created by Canadian game developer BioWare, who is also known for other WRPG/CRPG franchises such as Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect, and Dragon Age, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a 2003 RPG that takes place 4,000 years before the Star Wars movies. The game follows a customized amnesiac protagonist who must explore the galaxy, gather allies, and defeat Darth Malak.
Considered one of the greatest games ever made, the game is known for its detailed world, excellent soundtrack, and shocking twist. Also, depending on the player's actions and choices, they'll end up either on the side of the Jedi or the Sith, which affects the ending.
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
Speaking of BioWare, another critically acclaimed and award-winning licensed WRPG from them is the 2000 PC game Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn. Set within the official D&D campaign setting called the Forgotten Realms and directly after the events of the original 1998 Baldur's Gate, this installment continues the quest of the customized protagonist, the mage Gorion's ward, as they try to defeat an evil wizard named Irenicus.
As the player explores the country of Amn and fights enemies in real-time from an isometric view, they can also recruit multiple party , but only five can be in the party at a time. The Baldur's Gate series is just one of many great licensed D&D titles, which includes Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines, Icewind Dale, and Planescape: Torment.
Batman: Arkham City
While there've been many excellent licensed comic-book superhero games such as the Injustice, X-Men Legends, and Marvel vs. Capcom franchises, the Batman: Arkham series is possibly one of the most influential franchises in gaming history, and the 2011 action-adventure title Batman: Arkham City is arguably the peak example. Based on the Batman comics mythos, this second installment follows Batman after he is incarcerated within the super-prison Arkham City.
Written by Paul Dini, who also created the beloved Batman: The Animated Series, the impactful story centers around Batman traversing the large prison in order to save himself and the rest of Gotham from Joker's infected blood. This game's revolutionary combat system has since been used in many other superhero and non-superhero games.
GoldenEye 007
Another licensed game that's also historically significant is the 1997 award-winning N64 first-person shooter GoldenEye 007, which is based on the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye. Developed by Rare, who are also known for franchises such as Donkey Kong, Banjo-Kazooie, Perfect Dark, and Battletoads, the game follows Bond as he attempts to stop a weaponized satellite known as GoldenEye.
Besides the single-player mode that largely follows the film's plot, the game is known for having a multiplayer deathmatch mode. Also, the game pioneered the modern first-person shooter and showed that the genre could thrive on consoles.