Books turn into movies. Movies are turned in to games. Television shows are made onto movies. A book into mini-series. Video game into television shows. This is the nature of our entertainment. Cannibalistic, symbiotic, incestual? That’s a matter of perspective. On the subject of perspectives, these are the five best cartoon based video games  in recent memory.

Phineas and Ferb: Across the Second Dimension – Phineas and Ferb is an action game designed for kids released in 2011. It makes the list because it perfectly represent the new generation of children’s games. Games made for kids by people that seem to care about making the game. That is to say it’s a kids game that doesn’t completely suck. It isn’t a masterpiece of game design, but it is playable by adults making it infinitely better than any kids game I had to play. Phineas and Ferb is also a great choice to base a game on. The imagination and creativity of the the main characters with crazy antics and great supporting characters adds up to an IP that really lends its self to the medium.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations – Released in March of 2012 Naruto is a fighting game based on a fight-centric cartoon. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations is the type of show that is made to become a fighting game. Naruto is one of these awesome video game IPs that come so close to the source material that it looks and almost feels like you’re playing the show. There is another very popular Bandai Namco fighting game out there. These two games always seem to enter the conversation when the other is mentioned. I wonder if any fans will take offense that Naruto made this list and Dragon Ball Z didn’t?

Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion XL - I wanted so badly to put this in the number one spot. We’re discussing the five best video games based on cartoons, right? What could be better than throwing 26 well known and playable Cartoon Network characters into a Smash Bros. clone? That’s the perfect storm to take number one right?

The Simpsons Arcade - The Simpsons Arcade is a side scrolling beat-em-up along the lines of Final Fight, Double Dragon, and Streets of Rage. But if you didn’t already know that I’m not sure why you’re reading this. I (no exaggeration) played The Simpsons four-player arcade cabinet less than a week before this article was written. If I could have every quarter back that I’ve pumped into that game over the years I think I could finish college… having never started. Play as skate-board wielding Bart, jump roping Lisa, vacuum cleaner swinging Marge, or simply charge in fists akimbo as Homer on the families quest to rescue Maggie. The Simpsons Arcade is available now as a downloadable title via both XBLA and PSN and is the best cartoon based video game possibly of all time.

If you’re sitting there thinking to your self  “hey there are only four titles on this list” congratulations, you can count. We thought it would be prudent to leave a spot open because the upcoming ADVENTURE TIME: Hey Ice King! Why’d You steal Our Garbage?!! will undoubtedly deserve a place on this list. Action, adventure, and the Ice King are coming to your Nintendo DS in Fall 2012.

Alex Bauman (88 Posts)

ALEX BAUMAN is COIN-OP TV’s features writer/contributor. Alex is a Seattle area writer who has been covering the games industry since 2008 with three years of contributing for the Examiner.com. Alex has covered numerous events, including regular trips to PAX (Penny Arcade Expo) in Seattle. Husband, father, and life long gamer Alex embraces his unnatural Xbox 360 obsession with vigor; sometimes sacrificing food and/or sleep for that next achievement.