5 Amazing Licensed Games from the 2000s You Forgot About

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Video games based on existing franchises – like books, movies, and TV shows – used to be extremely common. In the 2000s, almost every big movie release had a corresponding video game. While popular franchises like Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings still get new games, we don’t see as many tie-in games based on every movie and show anymore. This is probably a good thing, as many of those older games weren’t very well-made.

Despite many licensed games being poorly made, some from the 2000s were surprisingly good. They successfully turned their source material – movies or TV shows – into enjoyable video games, even for people unfamiliar with the original franchise. If you haven’t thought about these tie-in games in a while, you might be surprised by how much fun they still are, and it could be worth revisiting them.

5) Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2002)

Surprisingly, several Buffy the Vampire Slayer games came out in the 2000s. The show was popular, and its focus on fighting vampires seemed perfect for a video game. However, not all of them were well-made. The 2002 Xbox game Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a notable success, getting the formula right.

As a huge Buffy fan, I always loved how this game really got what made the show so special. It wasn’t just a loose adaptation – it felt true to the source material, and they even brought back a lot of the original actors to voice their characters! Plus, the action was actually really fun. It’s a shame it didn’t get the wider release it deserved, being stuck only on the Xbox. It could have been huge!

4) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

New Harry Potter games are still being released, but in my opinion, none of them compare to this older title. It really captured the spirit of the books – more so than the movies – and created a world you could get lost in. Plus, the puzzles and battles were genuinely difficult, sometimes frustratingly so! I almost threw my Game Boy Color a few times!

The game Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was released on many different systems, and each version had slight differences. For those of us who loved the books, it was a really fun way to experience the second story. Sadly, the quality of the Harry Potter video games declined over time, and some of the later games are considered to be among the worst ever made. Thankfully, we’ll always have the memorable gnome-tossing mini-game!

3) Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance (2001)

Before Baldur’s Gate 3, another D&D game set in Baldur’s Gate helped introduce many console players – including me – to the world of D&D. It was the first D&D game based on the popular role-playing game to appear on consoles, having previously been exclusive to PCs. Because of this, it featured simpler, action-focused gameplay while still allowing players to experience the D&D universe.

For many, playing this game with a friend on the same couch is a cherished childhood memory. Though only two games were ever released in the series, it’s been somewhat overlooked with the rise of newer Dungeons & Dragons games. However, it did a fantastic job of making the complicated world of D&D accessible to a wider audience, and it’s actually what sparked my passion for tabletop role-playing games.

2) Spider-Man 2 (2004)

This game is popular on social media again, proving it hasn’t been forgotten! Spider-Man 2 came out at the same time as the Tobey Maguire movie, and Maguire actually voiced Spider-Man in the game, which adds to how enjoyable it is.

Though released with the second Spider-Man movie, the game’s story introduces characters like Rhino and Mysterio. Gameplay involves swinging through the city, completing tasks like rescuing balloons, stopping crimes, and even delivering pizza. The side missions and web-slinging felt perfect, making it a truly enjoyable experience. While the more recent Spider-Man games by Insomniac are fantastic, I’ll always have a soft spot for this classic from the PlayStation 2 era.

1) King Kong (2005)

Despite its long and awkward name, Peter Jackson’s King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie is actually a really well-made game. Peter Jackson was directly involved in its creation, and the game even features voice actors from the film. Players get to experience the story from two perspectives, controlling both Jack Driscoll and King Kong as they struggle to survive on Skull Island.

While the game didn’t work well on portable devices, the console version received excellent reviews from both critics and players. It features impressive cutscenes, a captivating world to explore, and fun, fast-paced combat. Many gamers believe this game, based on a popular movie, was surprisingly innovative for its time. King Kong demonstrated how a game adaptation of a film or TV show could be done right, especially when many similar games were simply made to profit from a well-known brand.

What are some of your favorite video games based on popular franchises from the 2000s? Share your picks in the comments and discuss them with other fans on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-07 21:13