Every Doctor Who video game, ranked from worst to best

Nobody plays games like the Time Lords. They did invent four-dimensional chess, after all.

1963, when Doctor Who first appeared, was before the creation of the pocket calculator and computer mouse, showcasing how much technological progress humans have made since then.

Since video games gained popularity, the Doctor has been thwarting mischievous characters from the realm of science fiction, all in a pixelated guise.

Occasionally, when the TARDIS doors burst open, you may find yourself on a planet with unstable landscapes, and the Doctor’s forays into the gaming realm have not always been top-notch.

As we bid farewell to the ongoing season of Doctor Who this weekend, it seems only fitting that I delve deeper into the expansive universe of related content, such as these intriguing spin-offs.

14. Doctor Who and the Mines of Terror (1985)

In many exceptional Doctor Who episodes, filming took place in ordinary quarries. The serial “Mines of Terror” maintains this tradition by sending the Sixth Doctor into the depths below ground. Here, the Master is mining Heatonite, a mineral that will aid his quest for universal control.

Apologies, but the digital version of Colin Baker seems to lack the intensity I’d expect from a man eager to thwart the Master’s antics. His actions appear rather casual, like he’s more strolling than sprinting, and leaping with less enthusiasm. The game also has this peculiar habit of reminding me of my demise, which can be embarrassing when it seems I’m constantly meeting my end at the hands… or should I say shell, of an egg.

First introduced on the BBC Micro, Mines of Terror needed a bit of adjustment because it required an additional ROM chip for sufficient memory to play. However, if you’re intrigued by the Doctor’s robotic cat Splinx, it might be worth giving it a try. Russell T Davies can hardly overlook this character anymore. Unfortunately, the game hasn’t held up as well as the Face of Boe over time.

13. Doctor Who: Return to Earth (2010)

It seems like our time in this game is coming to an end rather quickly. This particular adventure belongs to Doctor Who, who made an appearance on the Wii through a partnership between the BBC and Nintendo. Some might argue that this journey was one of his less conventional ones.

In the story “Return to Earth,” the Eleventh Doctor and companion Amy Pond are compelled to explore an abandoned spaceship, the SS Lucy Grey, floating near Jupiter. Their mission involves gathering crystals from communicating street posts (bollards), which they then use to shoot at circles of different colors. Essentially, that’s the gist of their task.

In a twist from the usual, both the Cybermen and Daleks stick to their agreements, yet in this instance, the malevolent force controlling the camera seeks to undermine the Doctor so severely that he ultimately decides to switch off the television.

The advantage of this game is that it debuted with a Wii remote resembling Matt Smith’s sonic screwdriver, potentially considered as the pinnacle of human creativity in design. Regarding the game, it could be likened to a return trip to a familiar store.

12. Doctor Who: Evacuation Earth (2010)

As a gamer, I can’t wait to dive into this puzzle game that seems tailor-made for the Doctor! This Nintendo DS gem was launched alongside Return to Earth, and it’s set way back in time, hundreds of years before our present day. The unique twist? Our planet, home not just to humans but also to the Silurians, is on the brink of being abandoned due to dangerous solar flares that threaten its very existence.

The game, while sharing similarities with Professor Layton’s style, offers less challenging puzzles and lacks a strong connection to Doctor Who – you might find yourself distinguishing between pills or discovering a woman’s favorite fish instead of deciphering complex mysteries. It’s unlikely you would tune into BBC One on a Saturday night to watch Ncuti Gatwa twirling arrows for extended periods. Additionally, the abbreviation DS seems more like ‘Dalek Suppression’, as we seldom encounter the malevolent pepper pots until much later in the story than desired.

Across two screens, vibrant cartoon-style images catch the eye, with dialogue from Oli Smith that’s quite charming, like a cup of tea on a sunny afternoon. Amy is excited to explore the fantastical land of Larkhead Streaked, which turns out to be none other than the picturesque Lake District. However, it’s not the Doctor’s finest work, so it might appeal more to completionists.

11. Doctor Who: The First Adventure (1985)

We’re back to the BBC Micro, and let’s give praise to this game that lives up perfectly to its name. This is where it all started. Just like a TARDIS with an active camouflage system, The First Adventure can transform itself to resemble various elements around it: in this instance, ’80s arcade games such as Space Invaders, Galaxian, and Pac-Man, although none quite match the originals.

In the bustling, vibrant cityscape filled with rocket-ships, you’ll find yourself assisting an ancient Doctor in navigating traffic – he’s over a thousand years old! This time, your task is to reconstruct the Time Key and return it to the heart of the universe, a responsibility that exceeds our comprehension.

The unconventional controls, such as using the colon key for moving upwards, failed to gain popularity; and the lackluster gameplay significantly affects its ranking. However, it does start with an 8-bit rendition of Ron Grainer and Delia Derbyshire’s famous theme song, and there’s enough nostalgic allure to warrant a brief look.

10. Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock (2012)

Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock is classified as a platformer game, similar to how the Weeping Angels are considered peaceful statues or Harold Saxon is viewed as a respected politician. Just like the Doctor, the controls in this game can feel somewhat sluggish, much like Lady Cassandra struggling in strong winds. A significant portion of your playtime will involve moving crates, using pipes as if they were monkey bars, and waiting for River Song to assist you with a boost.

In this 2.5D release for PC, PS3, and PSVita, you’ll find brain-teasing challenges available as well. You can select from easy, medium, or hard puzzles. As we adjusted radio frequencies and spun circular images, it seemed like The Eternity Clock was not just a title but also a guiding principle in the game’s design.

If you’re an avid fan, The Eternity Clock could be an exciting choice, given that it features music by Murray Gold throughout and boasts excellent voice performances from Matt Smith and Alex Kingston.

9. Doctor Who: Top Trumps (2008)

scarcely can a game embody its name as thoroughly as this one does. The title is accurate, and it’d be petty to dispute that this isn’t Doctor Who, and absurd to claim it’s not Top Trumps. There’s not much more than these elements, but it’s an enjoyable nostalgic trip nonetheless.

From seasons 1 and 3 of the revitalized series, these cards showcasing Captain Jack, a Judoon Captain, and The Hoix (if correct), were uniquely drawn; it’s quite peculiar that this was the only game launched at the peak of David Tennant’s New Who era.

In this game, you’ll earn bonuses and special abilities by consecutively winning multiple cards, and you can also enhance your cards’ capabilities through upgrades. While we would have enjoyed a more detailed narrative mode, the experience of learning the strengths of each card mirrors playing with a real deck, which may lead to a somewhat limited gameplay duration.

As I ponder, it strikes me that Harriet Jones’ tall stature seems crucial in this game, standing at a dignified 1.7 meters. Doesn’t she seem quite tall? Also, the Slitheen’s courage rating is disappointingly low at 51, perhaps due to their stomach issues affecting their self-assurance. Is that a positive or a negative? Well, it’s Doctor Who: Top Trumps we’re talking about here!

8. Doctor Who: The Edge of Time / The Edge of Reality (2019 – 2021)

Originating from graduates at the forefront Sony London studio, “The Edge of Time” marked the Doctor’s initial exploration into the realm of Virtual Reality. A subsequent adaptation titled “The Edge of Reality” was released a year later, abandoning the VR aspect and instead introducing fresh levels, while also broadening some existing ones.

As someone deeply immersed in this game designed for full immersion, the settings here are nothing short of captivating. From grungy, chalk-marked walls that tell a story of their own to gleaming spaceship interiors bathed in a warm glow, each scene is a visual feast. However, when it comes to Virtual Reality effects in The Edge of Time, there’s a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, the controls can be tricky, even for tasks as simple as picking up a painting, which occasionally doesn’t respond as expected. But on the other hand, coming face-to-face with the Weeping Angels in a dimly lit cellar is an adrenaline rush that makes you question if your heart is still beating – fortunately, there’s no blinking detection system involved.

As a dedicated fan, I’d say Jodie Whittaker brings an elegant flair to her portrayal of the Thirteenth Doctor, yet sometimes the narrative seems to lack her presence, leaving it yearning for a touch more excitement, like a Plasmavore-infused jolt. If you’re in the mood for some thrilling time travel suspense, “The Edge of Time” is definitely the episode to add to your collection.

7. Doctor Who: Destiny of the Doctors (1997)

In a way we’ve never experienced before, the Doctor has never been accompanied by a ’90s breakbeat dance soundtrack during his adventures, and it’s unlikely we will ever hear such music with him again. The Destiny of the Doctors game for PC was the second release during the show’s hiatus, leaving only Paul McGann’s brief appearance as the dandyish Doctor in an American pilot episode to fill the void until the series returned.

This game is quite intriguing and showcases that no one has yet figured out the perfect way for the Doctor to be the protagonist in a video game. In Destiny of the Doctors, Studio Fish chose a first-person shooter design similar to Quake, but instead of traditional shooting, they eliminated it. Interestingly, though, you can theoretically destroy Autons’ heads by tuning a radio to BBC Radio 1.

There’s enough time for us to play this game. The simple graphics give a truly chilling experience as you venture into the dimly lit TARDIS interior. It’s filled with fantastic voiceovers by various Doctor Who actors like Tom Baker and Sylvester McCoy. You’ll even encounter moving video clips of Anthony Ainley’s Master winking at you on the subway, which might be what we’ve all needed in our lives.

6. Doctor Who: The Adventure Games (2010-2011)

In simple terms, The Adventure Games were a breakthrough in the digital realm within the Doctor Who universe. They were designed as interactive stories and were written by skilled writers such as Phil Ford, who collaborated on “The Waters of Mars,” and James Moran, who later created Apple TV’s series, Severance.

Although the narratives are captivating, transporting you from a dystopian London to an underwater base, the gameplay leaves something to be desired, with stealth sections that seem slightly off, making Amy appear reluctant to follow closely. There’s also the usual basic puzzle elements, such as matching shapes to unlock coded doors. Interestingly, for a Doctor Who game, the voice acting can be inconsistent at times – it sometimes sounds like different recordings of Matt Smith have been combined.

Without a doubt, the most recent episode stands out as the finest – it transports the TARDIS crew to Jacobean London at night during the Gunpowder Plot era. This captivating backdrop is delightful, as both Guy Fawkes and the Sontarans live up to their expectations, and a much broader setting than the previous four episodes is provided – the numerous non-player characters with voices add to the atmosphere, making it reminiscent of the ensemble casts in the Doctor’s most memorable television mysteries.

5. Doctor Who: Dalek Attack (1992)

When Russell T Davies’ imagination was just a glimmer, fans eagerly waiting for a taste of Gallifrey had to content themselves with Dalek Attack on their PC. Fortunately, this pixel-art side-scrolling game offered plenty of excitement, from comic book-style panels to battling two-headed dragons in the sewers, making it an enjoyable experience.

During a brief pause from his peaceful lifestyle, the Sonic Screwdriver transforms into a makeshift submachine gun, providing an exciting change yet seeming unusual for The Doctor. His adventure across multiple continents includes visiting famous tourist destinations like Paris, Tokyo, and Skaro. Initially, you’ll control Sylvester McCoy’s Seventh Doctor, but the option to choose between Tom Baker and Patrick Troughton is available too. In addition, a two-player mode lets you play with Ace or the Brigadier, making this game a perfect fit for dedicated Classic Who fans.

Experiencing the Fourth Doctor’s daring escapades, leaping from London Underground signs and hurling grenades at Daleks is undeniably thrilling. However, it’s hard not to wonder why the Daleks aren’t the ones doing the attacking. Intriguingly, isn’t there a game out there where you assume the role of a Dalek? Maybe a benevolent one. BBC, let’s discuss this idea.

4. Doctor Who: The Lonely Assassins (2021)

Although we initially decided to exclude mobile games, The Lonely Assassins is one such game that tells its story solely through a mobile device. However, since it’s also available on Nintendo Switch and PC platforms, we’re making an exception for this particular title.

The idea of The Lonely Assassins is intriguing. In this game, you, as the player, find yourself with Larry Nightingale’s phone, a man known as the fellow from the video store in the beloved episode Blink. As you navigate through the phone’s features, such as checking an order from a department store or accessing surveillance cameras, you’ll unravel the puzzle of why Larry vanished.

Opting for a more conversational approach to selecting messages for shady individuals may not be an adrenaline-pumping experience, but it provides amusing moments – some parts even made us chuckle, such as an account about a chicken parmesan salad mishap. The Doctor’s character often serves as an interstellar detective, and The Lonely Assassins fills that need quite nicely, offering a satisfying sense of progression as you unravel the intricate plot. It’s definitely unique and worth giving it a try.

3. Doctor Who and the Warlord (1985)

Stepping back through the temporal vortex once more, let me take you to the year 1985 – a time when Doctor Who and the Warlord graced our ears not on screens, but on two sides of a trusty cassette tape. This was an era where stories were spun primarily in words, a genre that’s quite scarce these days, known as an all-text adventure.

In the 1980s, this game was advertised as a tool for learning computer skills within the BBC Computer Literacy Project. However, it’s uncertain whether continuously typing ‘GO WEST’ could be considered a marketable skill in other contexts.

In a turn of events, you find yourself stirring after a fierce conflict on the planet Quantain. Your initial mission: traverse a radioactive wasteland in search of a sonic lance – and from that point forward, the journey remains as unpredictable as ever.

Graham Williams skillfully steers the narrative with vividly constructed language, creating scenes shrouded in ‘smoke-filled haze’ and ‘battlefield landscapes scarred by conflict’. Here, ‘space troopers, limping from their wounds’, pass by seemingly oblivious to their surroundings. The visuals are left entirely to one’s creative imagination.

In certain aspects, the game appears to be rather old – specifically, “Doctor Who and the Warlord” can be quite harsh, as it metes out immediate death for seemingly insignificant actions such as collecting coins.

Certainly, a text-based game might not stimulate your adrenaline rush – that’s why the Daleks don’t exclaim ‘EXTRAPOLATE’. However, this is an adventure crafted with immense heart and intellect, and it’s worth placing it among the best.

A text game might not get your blood pumping like a visual one – that’s why the Daleks don’t yell ‘EXTRAPOLATE’. But this game is filled with warmth and humor, making it worthy of high acclaim.

2. Doctor Who: The Runaway (2019-2020)

In “The Runaway,” the Thirteenth Doctor embarked on another Virtual Reality adventure, and it’s our preferred one from the two, despite its brevity. Among all the games listed, “The Runaway” stands out as the most visually stunning: the art direction is exceptional, and the smoothness of the Doctor’s movements, as she deftly navigates the TARDIS like a whirlwind of energy, is truly impressive.

Indeed, this narrative centers around a character named Volta, who’s essentially a whirling bundle of energy and happens to be a teenage being from another planet. Volta is both endearing, due to their whistling nature, and somewhat anxious. The concerning aspect about Volta is that they can transform into a black hole when under pressure. To alleviate this stress, the Doctor conducts a calming meditation session for them. What follows is an exhilarating journey as we help Volta reconnect with their family.

One perspective could be that some people might think a game lasting under 20 minutes resembles more of a tech demo. However, The Runaway was crafted with genuine care and artistic flair – it achieves what it intended. Similarly to The Edge of Time, this game seems to serve as a blueprint for future Doctor Who video games, and we eagerly anticipate a longer tale with such exquisite style.

1. Doctor Who: LEGO Dimensions (2015)

Whether or not the Tenth Doctor using his regeneration energy on a severed limb counts as one of his regenerations is a topic that’s often discussed. If we consider the act of transferring his life force as utilizing a regeneration, then yes, it would have been used up. However, understanding the intricacies of Time Lord regeneration can indeed get quite complex.

The discussion continues regarding the Doctor’s video games, specifically LEGO Dimensions. This isn’t your typical game; instead, it’s a ‘toy-to-life’ initiative where additional themed content becomes accessible through real-life LEGO sets. If this Doctor Who game is merely an expansion, would we consider it separately?

As a devoted fan, I must say that everything feels like it’s been crafted from LEGO bricks – there’s an abundance of plastic here, enough to fill a Cyberman’s scrapyard, but none of that dims the joy this vibrant tribute brings to Doctor Who history. Better yet, you can hop on a LEGO K9 and let his laser-equipped snout do the talking against interstellar troublemakers. I’m convinced that’s exactly what gaming was designed for!

Beyond enjoyable gameplay, you’ll also encounter Peter Capaldi reciting phrases such as ‘Davros: not just a troublesome penny but a crazy one’, which seems as if it could have been penned by none other than Shakespeare (during his time battling the Carrionites).

One issue with this item is that it’s challenging to find these days, except through a reliable LEGO vendor. However, if you manage to obtain Doctor Who: LEGO Dimensions, it’s definitely worth it. Currently, it serves as the definitive Doctor Who game.

2025-05-31 11:06