Many forms of media find their way into becoming a board game adaptation, but video games always seem to be a winner. Massive games like the Witcher and Elden Ring have had some very successful adaptations in recent years, and even indie gems like Dead Cells and Slay the Spire have found new audiences in their new physical forms.
Today I'd like to show some love for some of my favourite video games that I believe would make great board games for anyone's collection.
Bushido Blade
There’s been a surge of fighting game adaptations on Kickstarter recently, including titans of the genre like Tekken and even Mortal Kombat. But one I’d love to see tabled is Bushido Blade from the OG PlayStation.
Picture this: A 1vs1 card battler where the objective is to block your opponent's moves using each character's unique action deck and counter with one significant hit ending the round. It could be a more unforgiving and challenging version of the rock, paper, scissors style of gameplay that the Tekken adaptation has implemented.
You could even include the original game's honour system too - if you choose to fight honourably then you might win, but incur a penalty.
Until Dawn
A game that could make a great addition to the growing horror game genre would be Supermassive Games breakout hit Until Dawn.
In my head, this could work in almost a cross between Final Girl and Zombicide. You begin with a map and a “choose your own adventure” style book, where each decision sends you to a different page, creating branching paths. The overall evil entity, locations, and items can be randomized, making each playthrough unique. There could also be multiple monster decks for slashers, classic monsters, or any other evil you can imagine, as well as randomized item decks tailored to your locations.
You could even add into the mix a hidden role mechanic, where one player could have a secret to keep hidden from the rest of the team.
The more I think about this one, the more I wonder why it’s not already been done.
The Escapists
Another game that could borrow elements from the Zombicide mechanics is The Escapists. By using different variants of map tiles, players could face multiple prisons to escape from, each with a randomized scenario deck featuring events like roll call that are drawn after every round of turns. Players have until the scenario deck runs out to escape, using their turns to move, scavenge, craft, and perform actions such as removing vent covers.
Like Zombicide, after every round of turns, you’ll move each NPC (prison officer or prisoner) closer, and if an officer gets to your space, you perform a search of your inventory. If you have contraband, you discard your inventory and move to the holding cell.
You could have multiple methods for escape, and you could implement some heavy strategic elements like random ruckus cards which move all officers to a specific cell or location.
Everyone needs a great co-op game, and The Escapists could especially appeal to collectors, thanks to its numerous licensed spin-offs and potential for multiple editions. 
Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
The Tenchu series was a fan favourite back in the old PlayStation days, and became the inspiration for the same teams later game Sekiro. However, I think this could work great as an Unmatched style game where you have different maps (although it would need to be a bit larger I think) consisting of trying to hunt your opponent down, but both of your locations are kept secret.
The assassin moves across the map searching for items like smoke bombs and ninja stars, which can extend the range of attacks or provide a quick escape. If the assassin enters the target’s space, the target has the chance to eliminate the assassin - something that can only be avoided by using a smoke bomb to make a swift getaway. The assassin can also call out an adjacent location to check if the target is there. If the target is present in the named spot, combat begins, with the assassin taking the first shot.
Attack decks can be built during the game by discovering powered attacks at various locations or from a vendor deck. Players might also have the option to purchase a special assassination card for an instant kill.
I think this could make a great big box game with loads of replayability.
KKND: Krossfire
Way back in 1999, I spent an entire summer school holiday playing a cool little game called KKND: Krossfire. Sitting somewhere between the old Warcraft strategy games and Command & Conquer, it combined farming, base building, commanding units and unique factions to create a slightly different spin on the RTS (Real Time Strategy) genre.
There’s plenty of Warcraft, C&C and StarCraft style board games, but I’m not 100% sure if any have combined the Eurogame twist on the genre that KKND did back in the day (I’ve not played a lot of this style of board games just to clarify).
I see this as a blend of Dune: Imperium and Risk - capturing and farming locations, building bases with miniatures, and going to war for territory across different factions, which, if memory serves, were Farming Robots, Mutants, and Human Survivors.
To make a board game adaptation unique, you could introduce mechanics like forming alliances with other players for resources, a co-op mode against an AI enemy force, or a fog-of-war system where each player manages their own base board while map tiles are randomly revealed as you explore, gradually building out the world.
Whilst this may not be the most original idea on the list, I think you could do so much with this concept and make an absolutely epic big box game for my collection.
So, do you agree with my list, or do you have some suggestions for other adaptations that I may have missed? Please feel free to let us know, and don’t forget to make sure you check out the Zatu store for all of your gaming needs!
