Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Gaming Legacy: Exploring His Iconic Video Game Roles

Arnold Schwarzenegger is an iconic figure in the entertainment industry, known for his larger-than-life presence on the big screen. But his impact goes beyond movies, as he has also left his mark on the world of video games. From his unforgettable portrayal of the relentless T-800 in the Terminator franchise to his involvement in mobile gaming sensations like Mobile Strike, Schwarzenegger’s gaming legacy is one that deserves exploration. In this blog post, we delve into the world of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s video game roles, examining the games that have featured his likeness, voice, and iconic characters. Join us as we take a nostalgic journey through the virtual realm and discover the enduring influence of this action hero in the gaming industry.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Video Games: A Timeline

• Conan: Hall of Volta (1984)

  

  System: Apple II
  Interesting fact: Despite the cover art depicting Arnold Schwarzenegger in his costume from “Conan the Destroyer,” the game “Conan: Hall of Volta” was originally developed as a boomerang-throwing game titled “Visigoth,” with the boomerang still visible in a prototype screenshot on the game box.

• The Running Man (1989)

  

  System: Atari ST
  Interesting fact: The introduction sequence for “The Running Man” was so large that it was given its own disk in the Amiga version of the game.

• Red Heat (1989)

  

  System: Amiga OCS
  Interesting fact: The game’s cinematic widescreen effect that occupies only the middle portion of the screen for gameplay was considered a unique and atmospheric feature in “Red Heat.”

• Total Recall (1990)

  

  System: Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, NES, Amiga, Atari ST
  Interesting fact: Despite mixed reviews on its gameplay and difficulty, the game was particularly noted for its variety in gameplay mechanics, including both platform segments and top-down racing scenes.

• Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

  

  System: Arcade
  Interesting fact: Arcade1Up released an at-home version of the classic arcade game which is available on Amazon.

• The Terminator (1992)

  

  System: NES
  Interesting fact: “Journey to Silius,” an entirely different NES game by Sunsoft, was originally developed as a game based on “The Terminator” but had to be transformed due to the loss of licensing rights during its development.

• Last Action Hero (1993)

  

  Systems: NES, Super NES, Genesis, Game Boy, Game Gear, Amiga, MS-DOS
  Interesting fact: Arnold Schwarzenegger, the star of the film “Last Action Hero”, was also one of the producers for the game series.

• True Lies (1995)

  

  System: Game Boy, Game Gear, Genesis, SNES
  Interesting fact: Due to True Lies’ unorthadox plot, developemnt of the game was nearly canceled due to difficulties with adapting it to a game.

• Terminator 3 (2003)

  

  System: Windows
  Interesting fact: “Terminator 3: War of the Machines” features the likeness and voice of Arnold Schwarzenegger, who reprised his role as the T-850 for the game.

• Mobile Strike (2015)

  

  System: Mobile
  Interesting fact: One of Mobile Strike’s advertisements, featuring plus-sized women in bikinis playing the game, was banned in the United Kingdom by the Advertising Standards Authority in 2017.

• Mortal Kombat 11 (2019)

  

  System: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Stadia, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
  Interesting fact: “Mortal Kombat 11” faced bans in several countries including Indonesia, Japan, China, and Ukraine due to its graphic violence and the presence of Communist symbols.

• Predator: Hunting Grounds (2020)

  

  System: PlayStation 4, Windows
  Interesting fact: For the first time in a Predator game, “Predator: Hunting Grounds” offers the option of playing as a female Yautja.

Conan: Hall of Volta (1984)

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the star of the film “Last Action Hero”, was also one of the producers for the game series.

“Conan: Hall of Volta,” developed by SE Software and published by Datasoft in 1984, is a platform game that centers around the character Conan, created by Robert E. Howard. Originally designed for the Apple II, this game was also ported to various platforms like Commodore 64 and Atari 8-bit family. Though the game was launched coinciding with the debut of the film “Conan the Destroyer,” and featured a box art with Arnold Schwarzenegger donning his costume from the film, it had little relation to the movie. Interestingly, the game was initially conceived as a boomerang-throwing game titled “Visigoth,” and a prototype screenshot on the game box still depicts Conan wielding a boomerang instead of a sword.

In “Conan: Hall of Volta,” players take on the role of Conan to combat the evil Volta in his castle fortress. Armed with 10 boomerang swords, Conan sometimes gets assistance from an “Avian Ally” to take down Volta’s hordes of enemies, including bats, scorpions, giant ants, fire-breathing dragons, and floating eyeballs. The gameplay spans seven unique levels, each with their own challenges, including lava pits, geysers, spike pits, and floating platforms. Additionally, players often have to gather magic gems or keys to progress in the game. Notably, instead of traditional jumping, Conan performs somersaults, and if he falls, he launches into a dive.

The Running Man (1989)

“The Running Man” is a 1989 beat ’em up video game adapted from the 1987 film bearing the same name. The game was developed by Emerald Software and published by Grandslam Entertainments, becoming available on several platforms including Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum. As a player, you step into the shoes of Ben Richards, a former police officer framed for mass murder, who finds himself competing for survival on a television game show, “The Running Man.” The gameplay spans across five levels, each presenting a primary enemy or “stalker” aiming to end Richards’ life. Inter-level puzzles present a challenge but also an opportunity to regain lost energy.

The game was praised for its immersive introduction sequence that used digitized images, providing a glimpse into the backstory of the protagonist, Richards, before his participation in the deadly game show. Each character in the ZX Spectrum version of the game is designed with a minimum of 20 frames, with some using up to 30 frames, a feat achieved through special encoding methods to bypass memory constraints. The game received mixed reviews upon release, with critics praising its innovative intro sequence and sound design, while expressing frustration with the sluggish controls and gameplay.

Red Heat (1989)

“Red Heat” is a 1989 beat ’em up video game inspired by the film of the same name. British studio Special FX developed the game, while Ocean Software handled the publication. The game, available on platforms such as Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum, lets players step into the shoes of Russian Moscow Militia captain Ivan Danko as he squares off against drug kingpin Viktor Rostavili. Gameplay consists of four levels, with an array of enemies and a climactic confrontation against Rostavili in the final stage. The game also features various subgames throughout, each adding a unique objective to the overall experience.

Upon its release, the game received a mixed reception. Critics praised the game’s graphics, with many highlighting the detailed black-and-white design of the ZX Spectrum version. While the gameplay was criticized for being repetitive and the fighting moves were considered limited, the game’s music was generally well-received. The game’s cinematic widescreen effect, which limited gameplay to the middle portion of the screen, was considered unique and added a layer of immersion to the game. However, its re-release received harsher criticism, with several reviewers noting that while the graphics were still impressive, the gameplay fell short in comparison.

Total Recall (1990)

Total Recall, a platform game based on the 1990 film of the same name, was developed and published by Ocean Software in 1990 and 1991 for platforms such as the Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, NES, Amiga, and Atari ST. The game development was initially undertaken by Active Minds for the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 before Ocean Software rebooted the project. There was a significant divergence for the NES version, developed by Interplay and subcontracted by Acclaim Entertainment, resulting in a gameplay experience distinct from the versions on other platforms.

The gameplay comprises platform segments and top-down racing scenes, providing players with a variety of experiences. Players control Douglas Quaid, the film’s protagonist, across the different game segments. The game was met with mixed reviews, with criticism often aimed at its challenging gameplay and perceived lack of originality. However, Total Recall did earn praise for its varied gameplay mechanics and the inclusion of several scenes inspired directly by the film.

Despite the mixed reception, the game has an interesting place in gaming history. The NES version’s significant deviation from the other versions led to its own unique reception, which was generally more negative. Even so, it stood out for attempting to adhere more closely to the original film’s narrative. This commitment to staying true to the film’s story is a testament to the game developers’ efforts to create an immersive experience for players.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

“Terminator 2: Judgment Day” or T2 is a dynamic and intense light gun shooter arcade game that debuted in 1991, based on the iconic film of the same name. Developed by Midway, the game reprises the roles of several characters from the film, thanks to its photorealistic digitized graphics, adding a layer of authenticity to the experience. The storyline of the game is closely aligned with that of the film, placing players in the shoes of the T-800 “terminator” cyborg, sent back in time to protect John Connor from being assassinated by the T-1000 terminator. Offering a robust gaming experience, the game allows up to two players to simultaneously engage in various stages of gameplay set both during the human/machine war in 2029 and John’s childhood in the 1990s.

This game stands out for its impeccable attention to detail, from the narrative to the gameplay mechanics. Players get to utilize a variety of weapons, from machine guns to missiles and shotgun shells, with the objective of protecting John and Sarah Connor, along with resistance fighters, from Skynet’s onslaught. The game also incorporates a unique scoring system, providing bonus points for various types of enemy destruction and damage inflicted, while penalizing players for human casualties. This system of rewards and penalties contributes to the heightened tension and excitement during the gameplay.

The Terminator (1992)

“The Terminator” is a side-scrolling platform game developed for the NES platform, eventually seeing release in December 1992. Developed by Radical Entertainment and published by Mindscape and Bethesda Softworks, the game’s origin story is as fascinating as its gameplay. Initially, Sunsoft’s game “Journey to Silius” was meant to be a game adaptation of the original 1984 film “The Terminator.” However, licensing rights were lost during development, leading to a significant alteration in graphics, storyline, and even the game’s name.

In “The Terminator” game, players assume the role of Kyle Reese, starting in a future landscape, armed with a gun and grenades, facing off against formidable Terminator foes. The game combines elements of platforming and driving stages, promising an engaging gaming experience. Despite the interesting concept, the game received criticism for its lackluster graphics and audio quality, along with its exceedingly high difficulty level, owing to the absence of continues should the player lose all their lives.

The game unfolds across various levels and locations, starting from the Sewers and Battlefield to navigating through Downtown Los Angeles, LAPD Police Department, and finally The Factory. A range of NPCs and enemies further enhance the gameplay, featuring familiar faces from the film franchise like Sarah Connor and different models of Terminators. The challenging journey, replete with street punks, police dogs, and officers, make for an intense gaming experience that faithfully mirrors the high-stakes tension of “The Terminator” film.

Last Action Hero (1993)

“Last Action Hero” is a video game series based on the 1993 film of the same name. The game series was released across multiple platforms, including NES, Super NES, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, Game Gear, Amiga, and MS-DOS. Developed by multiple studios, including Bits Studios and Teeny Weeny Games, the game takes the form of a side-scrolling beat-’em-up, featuring elements unique to each version. However, none of the versions feature guns or any other weapons, a decision tied to the star of the film, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s perspective on violence.

Interestingly, the gameplay across different platforms varies significantly. While the SNES and Genesis versions of the game impose a strict time limit for players to beat each level, the NES version incorporates a unique element: a stage that portrays Danny Madigan’s “version” of the classic Shakespeare play Hamlet. Furthermore, the MS-DOS version developed by Psygnosis stands out for offering full-motion video cutscenes from the film. However, the planned Sega CD version, which was also supposed to have this feature, was ultimately not released.

True Lies (1995)

“True Lies” is a top-view run and gun video game created in 1995, inspired by the film of the same name released the previous year. Developed by Beam Software and published by Acclaim Entertainment, the game was designed for four different platforms: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), Sega Genesis, Game Gear, and Game Boy. Each version, though having similar play mechanics, differed substantially in their offerings, with the home versions and portable versions each showcasing distinct features.

The gameplay involves the player assuming the role of Harry Tasker, who has the mission of stopping the terrorist plot masterminded by Salim Abu Aziz. The game comprises of nine stages, with each stage requiring the player to fulfill a specific set of objectives before reaching the end. Tasker’s abilities include shooting while keeping his aim steady in one direction, a shoulder roll move for avoiding enemy fire, and using a range of weapons that can be found throughout the game. One distinctive feature of the game is the inclusion of civilians who the player must not harm during shoot-outs, imposing an extra layer of challenge to the gameplay.

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

“Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines” is a video game adaptation of the film of the same title, with elements of hand-to-hand combat in the third-person perspective. Developed by Black Ops Entertainment and published by Atari in 2003, it was available on various platforms including PlayStation 2, Xbox, Game Boy Advance, and mobile phones. The game followed the basic story of the film and cast the player in the role of the T-850, who combats enemy cyborgs or drones across different levels with various weapons. The Game Boy Advance version offered a unique third-person perspective and allowed for multiplayer games via the GBA Game Link Cable.

Despite its ambitious scope and the blockbuster movie license, the game was met with criticism. The PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions received “generally unfavorable reviews” with criticism focusing on the graphics, fighting levels, and poor artificial intelligence. Critics also pointed out that the game appeared rushed through development and lacked compelling gameplay dynamics. On a brighter note, the Game Boy Advance version fared better, with critics acknowledging it as the best “Terminator 3” game at the time.

Mobile Strike (2015)

“Mobile Strike” is a freemium massively multiplayer online strategy game that was developed and published by Machine Zone, now known as MZ, in 2015. The game is renowned for its extensive marketing campaigns, especially those featuring actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as a commander. However, despite achieving high revenue and becoming one of the top-grossing apps in 2015 and 2016, “Mobile Strike” received criticism from reviewers for its excessive microtransactions and misrepresented mechanics. While the game managed to make a significant impact in the mobile gaming market, its gameplay was often categorized as “busywork” and was not well-received.

Mortal Kombat 11 (2019)

“Mortal Kombat 11”, developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, continues the legendary fighting game franchise as its eleventh main installment. Released worldwide on April 23, 2019, across multiple platforms, it served as a sequel to Mortal Kombat X (2015). The game was lauded for its engaging gameplay, enhanced story, superior graphics, and improved netcode. However, it faced criticism for the inclusion of microtransactions and its focus on grinding. The game was expanded upon with “Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath” on May 26, 2020, introducing new characters, stages, and fatalities. An updated version titled “Mortal Kombat 11: Ultimate,” comprising all available downloadable content, was launched on November 17, 2020.

“Mortal Kombat 11” maintains the series’ signature 2.5D fighting style, while adding new gameplay elements like Fatal Blows and Krushing Blows for increased strategic depth. The game also introduces a Kustom Variation feature, allowing for extensive character customization similar to the Gear system in NetherRealm Studios’ previous title, “Injustice 2.” Players can personalize their characters’ appearance without affecting their abilities, paving the way for independent creation of custom move lists. The game’s rich content, coupled with its customizable character system, offers a deeply immersive and personalized experience for fans of the franchise.

Predator: Hunting Grounds (2020)

“Predator: Hunting Grounds” is an engaging multiplayer video game set in the universe of the famed Predator franchise. Developed by IllFonic and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment for PlayStation 4 and Windows, this game sees the return of Arnold Schwarzenegger as Alan “Dutch” Schafer, Alice Braga as Isabelle, and Jake Busey as Sean Keyes from their respective Predator roles. Set in various remote jungles, the game features asymmetrical gameplay where a team of four elite operatives, known as “Fireteam Voodoo,” undertakes a variety of paramilitary missions while being pursued by a single Predator. Released on April 24, 2020, the game offers players an immersive experience in the dangerous Predator universe, combining tactical gameplay with thrilling hunt-or-be-hunted dynamics.

The gameplay of “Predator: Hunting Grounds” consists of various objectives for Fireteam Voodoo, including neutralizing computer-controlled NPC enemies, sabotaging their shipments, and retrieving important VIP targets. The game’s maps offer multiple tactical opportunities, allowing the Fireteam to strategize and collaborate effectively to reach their objectives. Simultaneously, another player assumes control of the Predator, aiming to eliminate the entire special forces team. Should the human players succeed in killing the Predator, their operation will transition to guarding the body against hostiles for the Other Worldly Life Forms Program (OWLF). The game also introduces a “Field Lockers” loot crate system, unlocking various character and weapon customization options during gameplay.

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