1. For the fun of it: SUPER MARIO BROS. (1993)
Directed by Annabel Jankel and Rocky Morton
Nintendo’s iconic red and green overalled brothers, Mario and Luigi, hit the big screen in 1993 with a live-action, adventure-filled movie. When two plumbers from Brooklyn, Mario (Bob Hoskins) and Luigi (John Leguizamo), find themselves caught up with the mafia, Luigi’s romantic interest, a secret princess, is kidnapped. Mario and Luigi travel to another dimension to save her but end up in a universe of dinosaurs and evil authority. The two plumbers must put their wits together to save the world.
2. For the fighter: MORTAL KOMBAT (1995)
Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson
First introduced as a video game in 1992, Mortal Kombat is notorious for its graphic violence and distinct killing. However, with a mild plot and toned-down violence, the film follows three of Earth’s heroes chosen by the god of thunder to represent humanity in another realm known as Outworld. The mission: fight to the death. The fate of earth depends on them. The Mortal Kombat film is a feat for martial arts enthusiasts, with graphics that, for its time, captivate the imagination.
3. For the adventurer: LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER (2001)
Directed by Simon West
Angelina Jolie suits up as adventure-seeker and archeologist Lara Croft in the first film adaptation of the 1996 game, Tomb Raider. Guided by her father’s spirit, Lara Croft takes off in a plight to find two halves of the Triangle of Light. This power source can manipulate time and potentially bring back her father. The adventure wouldn’t be complete without a race to find the triangle before someone else does. Not to mention plenty of fight sequences, guns, and explosive entrances. Though somewhat sexualized in the video game, Lara Croft remains a pioneer for women characters in the video game world.
4. For the fearless: RESIDENT EVIL (2003)
Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson
In the film that made Milla Jovovich the iconic apocalyptic woman, no one is immune. After a mutating virus is released in a top-secret lab, infecting everyone inside, a tactical team’s job is to contain the virus before it escapes and infects the outside world. However, the group is overwhelmed by zombies, deadly obstacles, and interactions with an unsettling red hologram. Resident Evil progresses with a level-style plot. When you think it can’t get worse, just wait. Something is always around the corner.
5. For the fast-paced: NEED FOR SPEED (2014)
Directed by Scott Waugh
Based on the 1994 game, the film version of Need for Speed is an adrenaline-pumping, heart-rushing spectacle of car stunts. Like the game, the film puts the audience in the driver’s seat. Over 100 cars were used, including seven custom-built Mustangs, with every stunt filmed live without CGI. The story follows mechanic and former racecar driver Tobey Marshall (Aaron Paul) after being wrongly convicted for the death of a friend in an illegal street race. The plot takes viewers on Tobey’s quest for justice as he races to redeem what’s important to him.
