Mad Max wasn't just a good movie — Mad Max was the kind of film that advanced its genre. If Alien redefined science fiction and Indiana Jones helped to redefine adventure, then Mad Max redefined post-apocalypse.
It wasn't all about hellfire and brimstone anymore — there were irradiated wastelands and the scum of humanity scouring the earth. The threat wasn't so much supernatural as it was based in humanity itself. The film introduced the idea that being vaporized in a nuclear holocaust wasn't the worst fate one could suffer.
Mad Max didn't just influence film — it had an impact on video games as well. While it may have taken a bit longer for those elements to show through, games have been looking to Mad Max as an inspiration for years. If a game takes place in a post-apocalyptic setting, chances are that at least a few Mad Max motifs will make an appearance.
There may not be much in the way of official Mad Max-style gaming, but there are plenty of choices for those who wish to wander the wastelands. In honor of the franchise's upcoming return to theaters (and gaming later in the year), we've chosen the best games inspired by Mad Max:
Twisted Metal
Release date: Nov. 5, 1995
If you want to play Mad Max before the official game hits this September, go ahead and pick up any one of the Fallout titles. They may be a bit slower and more methodical than traditional action games, but anyone who wants to wander a deadly irradiated wasteland needs to play through the Fallout series. Fallout 3 is typically considered the best in the series, and it's not all that expensive on Steam — it's the perfect game to play before Mad Max hits theaters.
When it was first released, Mad Max shifted what people thought post-apocalyptic stories could be. It wasn't just movies, either — it's obvious that Mad Max helped reshape the genre across all mediums, and these five games are just the tip of the iceberg. With any luck, the new Mad Max game will live up to the standards set by these titles. Judging by the game's debut footage, that probably won't be an issue.
Mad Max: Fury Road is set to hit theaters on May 15. The Mad Max game will be released on Sep. 1.
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