If you want to play the game behind a movie, begin with the franchise’s first release—not automatically the newest game or the film’s exact plot. Super Mario Bros. is the clearest classic starting point for platforming, while Mortal Kombat 1 is the most straightforward modern option because it is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. For Pokémon, Tomb Raider, Resident Evil and Sonic, the movie generally draws from an established game universe rather than retelling one complete campaign.
This guide identifies each original game or series, explains the gameplay you will actually get, separates direct adaptations from looser franchise uses, and shows how to find a legal edition without assuming that an old console or a particular regional storefront is still available.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Mortal Kombat 1 - Nintendo Switch | $28.34 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Mortal Kombat X - Xbox One | $17.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Mortal Kombat 11 - Xbox One | $21.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection - Day 1 Edition - Nintendo Switch | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
![Mortal Kombat Trilogy (Greatest Hits) - (PS1) PlayStation 1 [Pre-Owned]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41wQQXpn4BL._SL160_.jpg)
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Mortal Kombat Trilogy (Greatest Hits) - (PS1) PlayStation 1 [Pre-Owned] | $48.79 | Buy on Amazon |
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What “the original game” means for a movie adaptation
“What game was the movie based on?” has several possible answers. A film can adapt one named game, borrow a character from a long-running series, combine ideas from multiple entries, or use a game world as its source while telling a new story. Treating all four cases as identical leads to the most common shopping mistake: buying a recent sequel and expecting to replay the movie.
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- Direct game adaptation: the film is presented as an interpretation of a particular game’s characters, setting or events.
- Franchise adaptation: the film uses a series’ identity, characters or premise without reproducing one campaign from start to finish.
- Shared universe: the movie and games occupy recognizable continuity territory, but neither is a scene-by-scene version of the other.
- Later companion game: a newer release may be the easiest legal way to experience the franchise, yet it is not the original game that established it.
The six examples below include all of these relationships. Platform games such as Mario and Sonic are built around repeated attempts and mastery. Fighting games such as Mortal Kombat are match-based rather than story-campaign recreations. Tomb Raider is action-adventure, Resident Evil is survival horror, and Pokémon is creature-collecting role-playing. The genre determines what “playing the movie” feels like more than the film’s plot does.
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- A New Universe - Discover a new beginning, as crafted by the Keeper of Time and protector of Earthrealm, Fire God Liu Kang.
- Origins Reimagined - Familiar characters return with all new intertwined histories, interacting in brand new ways.
- New Kameo Fighters - Choose from a unique roster of Kameo fighting partners to assist you in battle.
- Immersive Story Campaign - Fight through a brand new story featuring your favorite Mortal Kombat characters like you’ve never seen them before.
- The Ultimate Fighting Franchise Returns - The Fight for Earthrealm is upon us. This is Mortal Kombat.
Quick comparison: origin, genre and present-day route
| Franchise | Original game or starting point | Core gameplay category | Relationship to the films | Practical way to start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo platform game featuring Mario or Luigi | Platforming | The game establishes Mario’s identity and world; a film is not a substitute for its levels. | Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System, or documented Virtual Console editions for Wii, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS where legally available. |
| Mortal Kombat | 1992 fighting game | Fighting | The films use the game’s fighters and tournament mythology; matches are not a replay of a film script. | Mortal Kombat 1 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Steam or the Epic Games Store. |
| Pokémon | Nintendo-published video game beginning in 1996 | Creature-collecting role-playing | Pokémon Detective Pikachu uses the franchise rather than adapting one mainline campaign. | Identify the first game in the particular Pokémon line you want; current editions and regional availability must be checked with the relevant official retailer. |
| Tomb Raider | 1996 series created by Core Design | Action-adventure | The films draw on Lara Croft and the exploration premise; they do not automatically reproduce one game’s sequence of levels. | Choose the earliest legally sold edition or an official re-release of the specific Tomb Raider era you want. |
| Resident Evil | Capcom’s 1996 game, originally titled Biohazard in Japan | Survival horror | The six-film series uses the horror setting and mythology while telling its own story. | Look for the first game or an official version of that entry; edition names and storefronts differ by region. |
| Sonic the Hedgehog | Sega platform-game franchise | Platforming | The films use Sonic as a character from a platform-game series rather than adapting one single level-by-level campaign. | Start with the earliest Sonic release available through an official current or legacy collection. |
“Not stated” platform cells are intentional: availability for these older series changes by country, hardware generation and licensing arrangement. A store listing is the final authority for your region, edition, age rating and language options.
Start with the closest playable source: Super Mario Bros.
What the original game is
Super Mario Bros. is the foundational platform game for Mario’s game identity. Nintendo describes running and jumping as Mario or Luigi through caves and castles, down pipes and across platforms, then facing Bowser to rescue Princess Peach. It supports one or two players in alternating play, so two people share the game by taking turns rather than controlling characters simultaneously.
The game’s appeal is mechanical rather than cinematic. You read a level, commit to a jump, learn from a mistake and try again. That loop is the essential experience to seek if a movie made you curious about why Mario became a game icon.
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How to play it now
- Check whether you want original hardware or emulation. Nintendo documents the game as included with Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System. This is the simplest dedicated route if you already own that system and it is legally sold in your market.
- Check legacy digital editions. Nintendo also documents Wii, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console versions. Those systems and storefronts are no longer uniformly supported, so confirm that you can redownload or purchase the title in your country before buying used hardware.
- Verify the exact listing. Confirm that the product is the original Super Mario Bros., not a later sequel, remake, compilation or movie tie-in. Check the included language, controller requirements and whether the seller is authorized.
- Use the original control style. A directional pad and two primary action buttons reproduce the timing the levels were designed around. Modern controllers can work, but button placement and input latency may feel different.
The BFI places Sonic in the same platform-game lineage and describes the repeated “try, fail, and try again” process as a route to mastery. That description also explains why the original Mario game can feel demanding even when its rules are simple.
Why the movie and game feel different
A film can turn Mario’s setting and characters into a continuous adventure, but the original game is a sequence of compact obstacle courses. There is no expectation that every cinematic event has a matching level. Play it for movement, enemy patterns, secrets and route learning—not for a verbatim recreation of a movie plot.
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- Featuring Klassics such as Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Raiden and Kano, as well as new characters such as Cassie Cage, Kotal Kahn, Ferra-Torr and D'Vorah, the roster will include fan favorites where both good and evil must battle it out.
- Mortal Kombat X offers three different versions for each playable character, all of which have their own fighting style, special moves, abilities and strategies.
- A deep story mode continues up to 25 years after the events of 2011's Mortal Kombat and advances the dark tale - introducing new characters such as Cassie Cage, daughter of fan favorites Sonya Blade and Johnny Cage.
- Mortal Kombat X introduces the next evolution of fighting with the return of X-ray and Finishing Moves that showcase brutal battles like never before with enhanced graphics and animations.
Use Mortal Kombat 1 for a current multi-platform fighting route
Where Mortal Kombat began
Mortal Kombat began as a 1992 video game. Its core format is a fighting game: you select a combatant, learn attacks and defensive timing, and fight a series of matches. The theatrical films draw on recognizable fighters, rivalries and tournament mythology, but a match-based game does not map one-to-one onto a film’s scenes.
Current platforms for Mortal Kombat 1
Warner Bros. Games lists Mortal Kombat 1 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. This is a later entry, not the 1992 original, but it is the clearest current starting point when you need a game that runs on modern hardware.
| Platform | What to verify before purchase |
|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 | Regional store listing, edition name, download size and any required online account features. |
| Xbox Series X|S | Whether the listing is for the Series generation and which content is included in that edition. |
| Nintendo Switch | Performance expectations, storage space and whether the listing is the Switch edition rather than a different console version. |
| PC | Steam or Epic Games Store system requirements, graphics hardware, storage and controller support. |
What Kameo Fighters change
Mortal Kombat 1 adds Kameo Fighters. Warner Bros. Games describes them as a separate roster of support characters that assist during matches. You therefore choose a primary fighter and pair that choice with a Kameo assistant, creating a team-like layer that did not define the 1992 starting point.
- Choose the platform you already use, rather than buying a second copy solely to follow a film’s continuity.
- Read the edition description carefully; character packs and other add-ons can vary.
- Start with the tutorial or practice mode to learn the primary fighter’s normal attacks, special moves, blocking and Kameo timing.
- Play the story mode if you want cinematic context, then use local or online matches to experience the series’ central combat loop.
Because platform listings, downloadable content and age ratings can change, check the live regional storefront immediately before purchase. Do not infer the rating or included characters from a listing in another country.
Pokémon: play the franchise, not a Detective Pikachu campaign
Where Pokémon started
Pokémon originated as a Nintendo-published video game in 1996. Its recognizable category is creature-collecting role-playing: you explore, obtain creatures, build a team and make turn-based decisions around abilities, types and progression. That structure is fundamentally different from a linear film adventure.
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- The all new custom character variations give you unprecedented control to customize the fighters and make them your own
- The new graphics engine showcasing every skull shattering, eye popping moment, brings you so close to the fight you can feel it
- And featuring a roster of new and returning Klassic Fighters, Mortal Kombat's best in class cinematic story mode continues the epic saga over 25 years in the making
How the movie relationship works
The Entertainment Software Association’s 2020 report records that Pokémon Detective Pikachu earned $433 million worldwide. The film is best understood as a franchise-level adaptation, not a direct retelling of one mainline Pokémon campaign. It uses familiar creatures and the Pokémon concept while presenting its own characters, mystery and setting.
Choosing a game
- Decide whether you want the earliest Pokémon experience or a later entry with modern conveniences. “Original” means the 1996 beginning of the game franchise, not necessarily the newest release available in a shop.
- Identify the exact line or edition before buying. Pokémon titles can share creatures and terminology while differing in regions, mechanics and story.
- Use an official regional retailer or licensed physical seller. The available hardware, language and digital options are not identical in every country.
- Expect a longer progression loop than the film: exploration, team building, battles and optional collection are central activities.
If your goal is to understand Pikachu as a film character, the game will provide the broader franchise rules rather than the movie’s detective narrative. That difference is a feature of the adaptation, not a missing level.
Tomb Raider: Lara Croft across several game eras
The original series
Tomb Raider began in 1996 as a series created by Core Design. Its action-adventure format combines traversal, environmental puzzles, platforming and combat around Lara Croft’s expeditions. The ESA’s 2020 report counts 18 games and records worldwide grosses of $275 million for the 2001 film and $156 million for its 2003 sequel.
Why there is no single “movie game” answer
The films draw on Lara’s identity, archaeological adventures and danger-filled locations, but the existence of many games makes the phrase “the original” ambiguous. The first 1996 release is the historical starting point; a later reboot belongs to a different era of Lara’s characterization and mechanics.
A practical selection method
- Choose the Lara you want: the 1996-era starting point, a later continuation, or a reboot-era interpretation.
- Read the product title for the year and edition. A remaster, remake, collection and sequel can all appear under similar search terms.
- Confirm that the release is officially licensed and runs on your hardware. Current platform support is not established uniformly across every Tomb Raider entry.
- Expect exploration and puzzle solving to occupy as much time as combat. A film’s action scenes represent only part of the game’s design.
Playing the first game is valuable for historical context, while choosing a later re-release may be more convenient. Those are separate decisions; convenience does not make a later game the original.
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- Multiple Iconic Editions: Experience the legendary origins of Mortal Kombat with the iconic arcade classics along with well loved home versions for Super NES and Sega Genesis. Dive deeper with rare and fan-favorite releases across Game Boy, Game Gear, Sega 32X, Game Boy Advance and more.
- Interactive Documentary: Deep behind-the-scenes content chronicles the history of the franchise, featuring exclusive new interviews with original MK developers Ed Boon, John Tobias, Dan Forden, John Vogel, and dozens more.
- Online Play: Engage in online battles enhanced by rollback netcode— engineered to preserve the precision of every attack, even with players across vast distances.
- The Full Story: Detailed character histories and timelines trace the epic narrative of Earthrealm, Outworld, and Edenia through the arcade era.
- No More Secrets: At the touch of a button, unlock all secret characters, change game settings, and access the buried developer menus to play the games your way.
Resident Evil: the 1996 survival-horror foundation
Original title and genre
Resident Evil began as Capcom’s 1996 game, originally titled Biohazard in Japan. It established the survival-horror category associated with constrained resources, dangerous encounters, exploration and tension. The game’s pacing is deliberately different from an action film: deciding when to fight, evade or conserve supplies matters as much as aiming.
How the films relate to the games
The ESA’s 2020 report says the 2002 movie launched a six-film series with $1.23 billion in combined worldwide box office. That figure describes the films collectively, not sales of a particular game. The movies use Resident Evil’s horror setting and mythology, but they tell their own stories rather than serving as a direct replay of one campaign.
Finding the right starting edition
- Search for the first Resident Evil game or an official edition explicitly based on that entry.
- Distinguish an original release, remake, remaster and sequel. A remake may preserve the premise while changing maps, controls, presentation and pacing.
- Check the regional store page for age rating, language, controller support and platform compatibility.
- Plan for inventory management and exploration. If you want the game’s defining tension, avoid treating it as a pure run-and-gun action title.
There is no single universally available modern edition documented for every region in the supplied platform information. Verify the current legal route where you live instead of relying on an old listing or an imported disc with uncertain compatibility.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Sonic the Hedgehog: platforming built on repeated mastery
The game identity
Sonic the Hedgehog is a Sega platform-game franchise. Its central play pattern is movement through side-scrolling stages, learning routes, managing momentum and retrying after mistakes. The BFI explains that Sonic followed Mario’s platforming foundations while retaining the repeated “try, fail, and try again” mastery loop common to platform games.
The BFI also quotes Shigeru Miyamoto’s 2010 explanation of Mario’s setting: “We had a setting [in Super Mario Bros] that was underground, so I just decided Mario is a plumber.” The observation illustrates how a game’s design premise can shape a character’s identity before any film adaptation exists.
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- 32 playable characters plus hidden characters, over 30 original moves and fatality attacks, new brutality moves, new power gauge
- Players: 1-2
- Controller: Gamepad, Joystick
How to start legally
- Look for the earliest Sonic release available through an official current storefront or licensed legacy collection.
- Check whether the package contains the original game, a compilation, a remake or a later sequel.
- Use a controller that gives you reliable directional input; acceleration and momentum are central to the platforming feel.
- Expect the game to reward route learning and repeated attempts rather than cinematic dialogue or a movie-accurate plot.
The films may introduce viewers to Sonic’s personality, but the original game is where the speed, level design and retry loop come from. A later collection can be the most practical access point while still preserving the early games’ structure.
How to verify a legal, playable edition before you buy
Older games are affected by delisted stores, regional licensing, used-hardware prices and multiple editions. Use this checklist for any franchise in the table.
- Confirm the title and year: record the original release year and distinguish it from a sequel, remake or film tie-in.
- Confirm the platform: match the product listing to your console model or PC operating system. “Xbox” or “PlayStation” without a generation can be insufficient.
- Confirm the region: prices, languages, age ratings, downloadable content and storefront access can differ by country.
- Confirm the edition: identify whether you are buying a base game, remaster, remake, collection or bundle.
- Confirm the controls: older platform and horror games can feel substantially different with modern controller layouts.
- Confirm the seller: use an official store, licensed publisher release or reputable physical retailer; avoid unauthorized downloads.
- Confirm preservation limits: a legacy version may require discontinued hardware, a compatible disc drive or a previously purchased account license.
Which route should you choose?
Choose Super Mario Bros. when you want the historical original
Pick Mario if your priority is the classic platform-game foundation, short stages, precise jumping and alternating two-player play. The Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System route is the clearest documented dedicated-hardware option; Wii, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console versions are documented legacy alternatives, subject to current access.
Choose Mortal Kombat 1 when you need modern hardware support
Pick Mortal Kombat 1 if you want a currently listed release across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC. It gives you modern presentation, story content, competitive matches and the Kameo Fighter support system, while the original 1992 game remains the historical starting point.
Choose a first-series entry when franchise history matters
For Pokémon, Tomb Raider, Resident Evil or Sonic, begin with the earliest legally accessible game if your aim is to understand how the franchise started. Choose a later remake, collection or sequel only when you prefer modern controls, graphics or hardware convenience—and label that choice accurately in your expectations.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying the newest game and calling it the original: a current release may be the easiest entry, but its mechanics and continuity can differ substantially.
- Expecting a scene-by-scene movie replay: Pokémon Detective Pikachu, the Tomb Raider films and the Resident Evil films use franchise material without reproducing one complete campaign.
- Assuming every old listing still works: storefront shutdowns and regional delistings can make a documented version unavailable to new buyers.
- Ignoring edition differences: remakes and remasters can change maps, controls, difficulty and story presentation while retaining the same basic title.
- Using an imported copy without checking compatibility: language, video standards, account regions and downloadable content can vary.
- Assuming film age ratings apply to games: check the current rating for the exact game edition and your country.
The reliable approach is to identify the franchise’s first game, decide whether you want historical authenticity or modern convenience, and then verify the exact legal edition offered for your hardware and region.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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