It’s Christmas week so now feels like the right time to have a quick look at some of the games created based on the Die Hard franchise; some are good and some are not-so-good. Let’s take a closer look!
Die Hard (1990-92)
Based on the movie the Die Hard videogame follows the story of the movie where you play as John McClane battling terrorists at Nakatomi Plaza. I remember playing this on my C64 back in the day but it was also released on the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) and various PCs.
Die Hard 2: Die Harder (1992)
Unsurprisingly, Die Hard 2 follows the same story as the movie where you play as McClane trying to free an airport from the clutches of even more terrorists. I have this for my Amiga 500 Mini but it was also released for the Commodore 64, Atari ST and PC.
Die Hard Trilogy (1996)
The Die Hard Trilogy game was a game-changer, combining three unique gameplay styles into one package. The first game was a third-person shooter that follows the events of the first film. The second game was a driving game where you control a taxi through New York City, recreating the famous car chase scene from Die Hard With a Vengeance. The third game was a light gun game based on Die Hard 2: Die Harder, where you blast your way through the airport shootout. Despite its age, the Die Hard Trilogy remains an impressive game and is worth a revisit.
Die Hard Arcade (1996)
Die Hard Arcade was a 3D beat-em-up game, where players controlled John McClane as he fought his way through a high-rise building filled with terrorists. Graphics wise this still holds up and frankly any movie where you can throw a grandfather clock at your enemies has to be worth playing.
Die Hard: Nakatomi Plaza (2002)
Die Hard: Nakatomi Plaza focused entirely on the first movie’s plot. It is a first-person shooter that allows players to control John McClane as he navigates the Nakatomi Plaza building to save hostages and defeat Hans Gruber. Nakatomi Plaza features several references to the movie, such as McClane’s iconic “yippie ki-yay” catchphrase. The game is flawed, with several bugs and poor AI, but it remains an enjoyable experience.
Die Hard: Vendetta (2002)
Die Hard: Vendetta was a first-person shooter that placed players in the shoes of John McClane’s son, Jack. In Vendetta, Jack follows in his father’s footsteps and fights his way through New York City to prevent a terrorist attack. While Vendetta is not the best game on this list, it has solid gameplay mechanics, a decent storyline, and is an enjoyable experience for fans of the Die Hard franchise.
A Good Day to Die Hard (2013)
In 2013 a mobile game was released based on the fifth movie in the franchise where this time you play as Jack McClane (son of John) fighting bad guys in Russia.
Die Hard: Nakatomi Heist (2019)
Die Hard: Nakatomi Heist is a board game that recreates the events of the first movie. In the game, players work together as they play as John McClane and Hans Gruber, trying to complete objectives to either save the hostages or steal the bearer bonds. Die Hard: Nakatomi Heist is an enjoyable cooperative game that does an excellent job of capturing the feel of the first Die Hard movie.
