They're right, you know. You think the Super Mario Bros. movie was bad? You should read the novel! (Yes, one exists.)
However, the novelization of the first MK movie was okay; the ending was different with a thin slice of cheese, but it was okay. The novel for the second? Not so much.
To be fair these are novelizations for the anime. I don't care for plugging but I reviewed the Pokemon special (Adventures) manga and have it up on screwattack. It's really well done and suggest every fan to pick up something based more so on the games than just the world of pokemon.
Most game novelizations suck because most are done by authors who can't write, dont know how to adapt the material, or just they're just trying to make a quick buck. If you've ever read any of the Metal Gear Solid novelization you'll know what i mean.
I bought one of these as a child at our school book fair.
In all honesty its probably enjoyable for younger children.
I didn't like it cause I couldn't read.
For the most part, yes I wholeheartedly agree. There are a few that are good, however. Pokemon sucked hardcore, though. Maybe that's just because I hated Ash.
I really enjoyed the expanded universe novels of Halo and Mass Effect... Except for the ones written by William C. Dietz... That guy is like the Uwe Boll of video game book adaptations.
These hardly count. They're adaptations of the anime, which is technically an adaption of the game. Ash Ketchum isn't technically in the video game universe, Red is. (Not the same Red from the manga, IMO.)
Actually, the Japanese Pokemon mangas were kick ass. In "The Electric Tale of Pikachu", Pokemon actually DIED. Ash looked a lot more like his original "Red" design, the fights were more awesome, and we even saw Misty naked. At a hot spring, no less.
Also, Jessie and James are married in this version. Wrap your head around that.
I've read some decent books based on video games, but I really reccomend a little gem called Ready Player One. It's not based on any particular video game, but about a ton of them at once. On another note, the audiobook is read by Will Wheaton, and he does a great job of it.
Not always true, Nintendo actually made books about their video games for a short while. I don't remember all of them, but I do recall one about Mega Man and one about Metal Gear, and they were enjoyable reads when I was a kid.
Those are the Worlds of Power books. I have the Ninja Gaiden one. There were 4 books in total. I wish I got the Mega Man 2 one too, but I didn't start playing those games until 1990.
This section is kind of awkward. I need to write some interesting, but not bore you with my life story. Let's "get down to brass tacks", we all like video games. If you are down to play, feel free to hit me up online on any of my gaming networks. Oh and follow me on twitter for random musings. Besides that I guess the broad strokes include me being married, having an MBA, and owning a dog named Odie!
SGC 2013 to host the Iguana/Acclaim Entertainment 20 Year Reunion!
Developers of games like the original Turok series, Southpark (N64) and NBA Jam will be on hand to tell never before heard stories and chat with you! Click here for more details!
g1 DISCUSSIONS
Tyler Knudsvig
The Pokemon ones suck, but some of the Blizzard ones are really good.
EliteGamerX
They're right, you know. You think the Super Mario Bros. movie was bad? You should read the novel! (Yes, one exists.)
However, the novelization of the first MK movie was okay; the ending was different with a thin slice of cheese, but it was okay. The novel for the second? Not so much.
Morgil
I think the exception to this rule would be with manga. God i love the pokemon manga.
theentertainmentguy
I have 2 of those books
Emeraldsonic101
I learned how to read by playing Pokemon Blue version. This is, like, full circle!
caboose_-1
They're kids books, of course they're going to be terrible.
VanillaGuerrilla
Woah now. Those Pokemon books were the shit.
Hawk Goggles
To be fair these are novelizations for the anime. I don't care for plugging but I reviewed the Pokemon special (Adventures) manga and have it up on screwattack. It's really well done and suggest every fan to pick up something based more so on the games than just the world of pokemon.
solid_snake8403
Most game novelizations suck because most are done by authors who can't write, dont know how to adapt the material, or just they're just trying to make a quick buck. If you've ever read any of the Metal Gear Solid novelization you'll know what i mean.
Stanisloth
I bought one of these as a child at our school book fair. In all honesty its probably enjoyable for younger children. I didn't like it cause I couldn't read.
Knighthaven
For the most part, yes I wholeheartedly agree. There are a few that are good, however. Pokemon sucked hardcore, though. Maybe that's just because I hated Ash.
Firethorn43
Eh, I wouldn't say they are worse than movies. I really want to read ICO: Castle in the Mist and Bioshock: Rapture.
Demon_the_Kid
That's why u should buy an Pokemon manga, not this crap!!
AARST
I really enjoyed the expanded universe novels of Halo and Mass Effect... Except for the ones written by William C. Dietz... That guy is like the Uwe Boll of video game book adaptations.
The Starlight King
Agreed.
apop99
I had so many of these haha
inatspong
These hardly count. They're adaptations of the anime, which is technically an adaption of the game. Ash Ketchum isn't technically in the video game universe, Red is. (Not the same Red from the manga, IMO.)
Whatthefnu
Actually, the Japanese Pokemon mangas were kick ass. In "The Electric Tale of Pikachu", Pokemon actually DIED. Ash looked a lot more like his original "Red" design, the fights were more awesome, and we even saw Misty naked. At a hot spring, no less.
Also, Jessie and James are married in this version. Wrap your head around that.
zgamer007
Well maybe current ones, but I sure loved the Ninja Gaiden novel I got from the Worlds of Power series back in the late 80's.
xeasuperdark
Those Pokemon handbooks were good, at least up until the Ruby/sapphire one, cause that one was wrong in a lot paces...
FLoridian Joshua
Atleast the Pokemon guidebooks were good.
Abominable_Analog
I've read some decent books based on video games, but I really reccomend a little gem called Ready Player One. It's not based on any particular video game, but about a ton of them at once. On another note, the audiobook is read by Will Wheaton, and he does a great job of it.
Chikumo
While most of them are horrible, there are a few good exceptions.
Louzon
Not always true, Nintendo actually made books about their video games for a short while. I don't remember all of them, but I do recall one about Mega Man and one about Metal Gear, and they were enjoyable reads when I was a kid.
zgamer007
Those are the Worlds of Power books. I have the Ninja Gaiden one. There were 4 books in total. I wish I got the Mega Man 2 one too, but I didn't start playing those games until 1990.
TCJJ
That's why you avoid said books like the plague. I don't even count them as proper books. I mean, those Pokemon ones, for example, are utter garbage.
destructorv2
uh uh uh!... the Mario gamebooks are still awesome!
sheepysean13
Oh man, I still have one of those!
Icipall
OMG, Finnish version of Red & Blue gameguide! I have that!
solidmatthew
i dont know about other games but metal gear solid the novelizations kicks ass
darkhyrulelord
Oh geez....please don't remind me!
Sidescroller Def
Very true.