Summary
AsMission: Impossible - The Final Reckoningputs an end to one of the most iconic action and espionage series of all time, fans may be wondering if there are games out there that allow players to become members of the Impossible Mission Force or, asEthan Hunthimself. Despite theMission: Impossiblefranchise’s TV and cinematic longevity, there are very few games that players can try to live out their spy fantasy in gaming form.
Unfortunately, there hasn’t been aMission: Impossiblegame on console or PC since 2003. Despite the lack of choice, there have been some good games to play forMission: Impossiblefans, ranging from classic games on 8-bit machines to theSplinter Cellclones. This list includes the bestMission: Impossiblegames that fans of the movies and TV shows enjoyed.
7Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation
A Visually Impressive But Repetitive Mobile Game
Based on the film of the same name,Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nationwas a game exclusively for Android and iOS, but has since been shut down. As mobile movie tie-ins go, it was a visually impressive game, but it was let down by repetitive mechanics and very little depth as a shooter.
Players use the touch screen mechanics to shoot enemies from cover before moving into the next cover. Additionally, there was a PvP mode centered around building a headquarters and competing with others online, which was fun while it lasted. However, due to the free-to-play nature ofMission: Impossible - Rogue Nationplayed heavily into the encouragement of spending real money on weapons and upgrades for the player’s HQ.
6Mission: Impossible 3
A Fun Side-Scrolling Mobile Action Game
Mission: Impossible 3is based on theJ.J. Abrams-directed movieof the same name. It’s a mobile-only game developed by Gameloft that puts players in the shoes of Ethan Hunt, who is tasked with recovering missing biological weapons. It’s a side-scrolling action game that takes Hunt across the world in action-packed levels.
It’s similar toFlashback,the iconic 1992 classic cinematic action platformer. While it may not be as genre-defining as its influences,Mission: Impossible 3was still a competent and decent action game that looked good a the time.Mission: Impossible 3is considered abandonware, but it can still be played with a bit of J2ME know-how.
5Mission: Impossible Game Boy Color
A Limited But Decent Stealth Game
Mission: Impossiblefor the Game Boy Color is based on the first film in the series and was developed by Rebellion Developments, the same team behind theSniper Eliteseries. There is potential in the gameplay that the studio would later refine with their WW2 stealth series, the isometric gameplay focuses more on stealth, espionage, and gadgets over action.
As a movie tie-in, it’s better than expected, but compared to the far superiorMetal Gear: Ghost Babelon the same platform,Mission: Impossibledidn’t win any new fans. Nevertheless, there remains enjoyment in infiltrating enemy bases as a spy, and using a Game Boy Color as a gadget is an intriguing gimmick.
4Mission: Impossible (1991)
A Solid Point-And-Click Adventure Game
In the early 90s, Konami was involved with twoMission: Impossiblegames based on the 1980s revival series. The first was a top-down action adventure game developed by Konami themselves, and the second was a point-and-click adventure from Distinctive Software, which Konami published. Point-and-click adventure games were extremely popular on PCs during the 1980s and 1990s, with classic titles likeKing’s Quest bySierra EntertainmentandMonkey Islandby LucasArts.
It truly lives up to its impossible mission title, as the gameplay is challenging in real time, and determining the next step can often be difficult to understand. It’s still very satisfying using gadgets to solve puzzles, unlock doors, as well as slip by enemies unnoticed.
3Mission: Impossible (1990)
A Classic Game That Captures The Essence Of Espionage
Mission: Impossiblefor the NES is based on the revival of the 1980s TV series, which centers around Jim Phelps returning from retirement to seek revenge on the assassin who killed his protégé. In thefirstMission: Impossiblemovie, the IMF leader, Phelps, was portrayed by Jon Voight.Mission: Impossibleis a far more advanced espionage game than its age and platform suggest. There is a surprising amount of non-linear freedom in many of its missions, as players get to explore cities, infiltrate multi-layered enemy bases, speak to civilians, agents, and locate enemy agents.
Mission: Impossiblefeatures three different characters with unique abilities, weapons, and gadgets. Some of the missions even include randomly generated clues, providing a different espionage experience, again, another feature that was extremely advanced for its time. The gameplay can be too challenging at times, but worth persevering, and the cinematic boat chase and skiing scenes add to one of the best games in theMission: Impossiblefranchise.
Mission: Impossible - Operation Surmais a stealth action game with a story set between the second and thirdMission: Impossiblemovies. The gameplay elements and button mapping are nearly identical totheSplinter Cellseries. While it doesn’t quite reach those heights in visual or mechanical aspects, it remains a solidMission: Impossiblegame.
It does a good job of incorporating gadgets like scanners and the iconic masks to disguise Ethan’s face when infiltrating bases. It includes some hand-to-hand combat with slow-motion reminiscent ofMission: Impossible 2. However, the shooting mechanics are somewhat clunky, and the camera can be at odds with Ethan’s positioning. While it does lack some originality,Mission: Impossible Surmais a decent stealth game with some good cinematic moments, and that’s all one needs for a game like this.
After the success ofGoldeneyeon the N46, there was a lot of hope that theMission: Impossiblegame based on the first film would replicate its success. While it never came close toGoldeneye,it did dare to be something different by focusing more on espionage and planning instead of action.Mission: Impossiblehad a troubled development, which likely played into its lack of polish, but it features large open areas, and players must use disguises and stealth to complete missions.
Mission: Impossiblehas laid much of the groundwork fortheHitmanseries, particularly in its implementation of disguises and espionage mechanics. While the controls can feel clunky and awkward, the game effectively captures the essence of a cinematic spy thriller more than other titles in the franchise.
