12 Movie Video Games Turning 30 this Year – Horror Geek Life

Ghostbusters II Game movie video games — Ghostbusters II / Activision

The year was 1989. Video games were household activities, and game companies jumped on the chance to give players familiar titles to sink their teeth into. The year is notable for many major game releases based on popular ’80s movies. Let’s look back at 12 titles turning 30 this year!

1Friday the 13th

Initially released for: NES
Published by: LJN

Although some may assume this Friday the 13th title was Jason’s first venture into video games, it was actually the slasher’s second appearance. The first being Friday the 13th: The Computer Game, which released 3 years prior. However, this was undoubtedly Jason’s most popular game until Gun Media’s 2017 title.

Players take on the role of a counselor and try to defeat Jason while saving others. Don’t let the bright, simplistic graphics fool you, though. The game is notoriously tough to beat without pulling your hair out.

2A Nightmare on Elm Street (NES)

Initially released for: NES
Published by: LJN

Speaking of NES slasher games that make you wanna pull your hair out, A Nightmare on Elm Street was also released in 1989 (for Europe, 1990 for North America). Although the original game concept would have players capture and kill teenagers while playing Freddy Krueger, that was abandoned. Instead, players take in the role of teens searching for Freddy bones to burn while trying to stay awake and defeat the Springwood Slasher himself. The game is notable for featuring the “Sleep Meter,” which shows how close the teens are to Dream World.

Although memorable, we are far past due for a new NOES game, perhaps finally letting us take on the role of Freddy himself.

3Batman

Initially released for: Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, MSX, ZX Spectrum
Published by: Ocean Software

Although it may not be as well known today as the NES and Game Boy title released by Sunsoft in 1990 (1989 for Japan’s Nintendo Famicom), Batman was highly successful upon release and even named Game of the Year. As the third franchise game to release from Ocean Software since 1986, Batman takes place across five side-scrolling levels, letting players explore Gotham while taking advantage of various Bat-gadgets and the Batmobile. One of the sillier aspects, perhaps, was the health meter, which saw the Caped Crusader turn into Joker as his health ran down.

4Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Initially released for: NES
Published by: LJN

As with the 1988 film, the Who Framed Roger Rabbit game was set in 1947 Los Angeles and stars detective Eddie Valiant and cartoon bunny Roger Rabbit. Playing as Valiant with Roger trailing behind, the duo explore Hollywood and Toontown and go head-to-head with the evil Judge Doom.

While the game itself isn’t exactly as fun as the film, the best part of its release was the real-life 1-800 number people could call and hear a recording from Jessica Rabbit herself.

Fun fact: The 1-800 number was later changed into a phone sex hotline for some time, although that no longer seems to be the case. Not that we tried…

5Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure

Initially released for: DOS, Amiga, Atari ST, Mac OS
Published by: Lucasfilm Games

Released the same summer as the film, Lucasfilm Games’ Last Crusade was initially released for DOS, Amiga, Atari ST, and Mac OS. As noted in the title, it is a graphic adventure game which utilized Lucasfilm Games’ signature SCUMM engine (first used for 1987’s Maniac Mansion). Thanks to the innovative point system, fans enjoyed having multiple ways to end the game, and it proved to be an overall hit.

Graphic Adventure wasn’t the only Last Crusade game in 1989, as Tiertex Design Studios’ Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Action Game was also released.

Related Article: 7 Video Games Every Mystery Lover Should Play

6Back to the Future

Initially released for: NES
Published by: LJN

Released four years after the film of the same name, Back to the Future for NES has players navigate through 1955 in an attempt to save Marty from disappearing from history. In addition to the single-player campagin, there are also minigames, one which has Marty dodge kisses from his mom. Yikes.

Despite having excellent source material to pull from, the game doesn’t fully relate to the film and got mostly negative reactions. Bummer.

Related Article: Top 10 Spookiest Horror Games on the NES

7007: Licence to Kill

Initially released for: DOS
Published by: Domark

Despite several Bond games getting released before 1989’s Licence to Kill, this was perhaps the best game in the series up to that point. Players take on six top-down levels offering adventures from sky, land, and water, which all stick pretty closely to film scenes. Although an NES version was in development, it was never completed, but did release for Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, BBC Micro, Commodore 64, MSX, ZX Spectrum, and Sega Master System.

Related Article: The 25th James Bond Film Gets Title: ‘No Time To Die’

8Die Hard

Initially released for: DOS
Published by: Activision

Although clunky at times, this Die Hard game was lauded by some critics upon release for its innovative PC animation and 3D point of view. As with the 1988 film, John McClane faces off against the ruthless Hans Gruber as he plans to escape a deadly heist while also trying to save his wife and the day. Yippee Ki Yay!

9Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure

Initially released for: Commodore 64, Amiga, MS-DOS platforms
Published by: Capstone

This graphic adventure game features Bill and Ted as they travel through time and meet historical figures so they can ace their history report. Not doing so in time will result in the player failing the report and the game. Unfortunately, this premise translates much better as a film than a graphic adventure game, with the latter being a bit of a snooze-fest.

Game company LJN released an NES title in 1991, which continued the film’s story.

10Ghostbusters II

Initially released for: DOS, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum
Published by: Activision (except the MSX version, published by MCM Software S.A)

As with the film, the Ghostbusters must use their ghost-fighting gear and battle it out against Vigo the Carpathian, who seeks to inhabit the body of baby Oscar. Control the team through three stages before the final showdown at Dana’s art museum. Considering the game was completed in just three months and is noted for its short gameplay lasting just over an hour, this was most likely a bit of a cash grab, but still offers some fun for fans regardless.

11Willow

Initially released for: NES
Published by: Capcom

Those familiar with Legend of Zelda-style games will instantly see a comparison in the look and gameplay for Willow, which allows players to take on the role of Willow Ufgood. Willow combines RPG elements with magic spells, dungeon exploration, and battles. Even if you aren’t a fan of the 1988 film of the same name, Zelda fans will still feel right at home.

Willow for NES wasn’t the only title released by Capcom in 1989 for the film. The company also released an arcade game, which is unrelated to this title.

Related Article: Mad for Madmartigan: ‘Willow’ 30 Years Later

12The Untouchables

Initially released for: ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, MSX, Amiga, DOS
Published by: Ocean Software

This 2D side-scrolling game lets you play prohibition agent Eliot Ness as he chases down notorious Mafia boss Al Capone and his gang. There are six scenes that include alleyway shootouts, raids, weapon-finding, and the epic courthouse roof finale. It was commended for being a worthy video game companion for the film.

The Untouchables was later ported to NES with another release for SNES under the same title, although the SNES version was based on 1960’s TV series.

Which 1989 movie video game was your favorite? Be sure to let us know in comments below or on social media!