Conceived by Sydney Newman and Verity Lambert, "Doctor Who" changed the landscape of television forever following its 1963 debut. Dalek-mania swept the nation, police phone boxes were forever associated with time-travel, and kids everywhere in Britain ran around with their sonic screwdrivers. Though the series was cancelled in 1989, it saw a magnificent 2005 revival by Russel T. Davies. So, it seems fitting that he would return to the series just in time for its 60th birthday.
While the Doctor has been seen in countless tie-in media, there's yet to be an official game that captured the feeling of their timey-wimey exploits. From the ZX Spectrum to the Oculus, every title starring the interstellar traveler has underwhelmed.
Though the Doctor has been underrepresented in the world of gaming, there have been plenty of games that incorporate time-travelling and creative sci-fi concepts. With the upcoming 60th anniversary, it seems like the perfect time to take a look at the gaming titles that capture the fun and imagination in the long-running BBC series.
'Lego Dimensions' let players be the Doctor
Each of the doctors from William Hartnel to Peter Capaldi are fully playable and even incorporate archival voice clips from the show. The interior of the Tardis and the background music even change to accompany the specific incarnation. On the Doctor Who free-roaming area, players can take missions from the likes of Missy and Captain Jack Harkness.
'Day of the Tentacle' was a quirky time-travelling graphic adventure
The sequel to "Maniac Mansion," "Day of the Tentacle" incorporated a wonderful art direction that evoked the classic "Looney Tunes" Cartoons. Players controlled three college students who travelled in time to stop the evil ambitions of a mutated purple tentacle. Puzzles take full advantage of the time-twisting premise with very creative brain teasers.
'Earthbound' is peculiar, fun and kind
Creator Shigesato Itoi described the "Mother" series as "peculiar, fun and kind." Each game puts players in control of several characters who encounter strange creatures and embark on quirky sci-fi journeys. While the first title was translated into English by Nintendo of America, it didn't see an official release until the Wii U. The second game made its way to Western territories as "Earthbound." Sadly, the third entry has been relegated to Japan despite fervent fan demand.
'Undertale' is the triumph of pacifism over cynicism
Craig Ferguson once called "Doctor Who" "the triumph of intellect and romance over brute force and cynicism." Toby Fox's "Undertale" captures that ethos perfectly. Players will come across several odd and interesting creatures with their own distinct personalities. From here, they're given an option to either dispatch their foes lethally, or like the Doctor, appeal to their better angels and spare them.
'Chrono Trigger' let players travel in space and time
Square's SNES RPG pushed the limits of the hardware and incorporated a plot that was bolstered by a diverse cast and an intriguing time-travelling premise. Eventually, players get their own Tardis in the form of the The Epoch. The final part of the game allows players to explore the world at their leisure to utilize their time-travelling abilities.
