You may like the idea of Marshawn Lynch being featured in Call of Duty: Black Ops 3, or Nathan Fillion reprising his role as Gunnery Sergeant Edward Buck in Halo 5: Guardians. You may be surprised to learn that celebrity appearances in video games is nothing new to the video game industry, it's just becoming more common with AAA titles.
Celebrities have been making their way into video games since the early 90's. I thought I would look back at some of the most memorable transitions from our world to virtual with a top 10 list, which you can see in the gallery below.
10 Best Celebrity Apperances in Video Games
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50 Cent in 50 Cent: Bulletproof (2005)
You know that you've succeeded at achieving stardom when you get your own video game named after you. In 2005 rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson starred as himself in a third-person shooter for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Xbox. It wasn't considered a strong showing, although for rap fans it was notable for its cast including 50 Cent colleagues Eminem, Dr. Dre, and DJ Whoo Kid. Four years later its sequel 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand was considered a much better game. -
Bruce Willis in Apocalypse (1998)
Bruce Willis' role in Apocalypse was one of the very first times that a film star had found his or her way into a video game. Apocalypse was an Activision published PlayStation title that released in 1998, and received relatively positive reception. In the game Willis would destroy bad guys using an array of weapons in 3D multidirectional shooter gameplay, something he does best. While in 2015 its blocky graphics make Willis look like a dork, back then it was a joy to see him perform just a couple years after "Die Hard with a Vengeance". -
Drew Carey in The Sims: House Party (2001)
If you're going to throw a house party, who better to invite than actor and comedian Drew Carey? Okay, so he wouldn't be the first person I'd invite, but nonetheless he was featured in the House Party expansion for The Sims. He would appear at your home after you threw a successful party lasting more than 135 minutes, and he would walk around greeting everyone. No interactions were available, and those who saw him would talk about him for hours. They must have been some serious "Whose Line is it Anyway" fans. -
Gary Coleman in Postal 2 (2003)
This is not the sort of appearance you want on your record. Gary Coleman didn't just briefly show himself in one of the most controversial games of all-time, he was a major story character. His initial appearance has him autographing a book he just released in Paradise Mall. Weird and violent things happen, and he ends up killing attackers with an assault rifle and hand grenades before appearing in the hospital. He even managed to score a role in the latest expansion for the game titled Paradise Lost. In 2010 Coleman passed away due to head trauma. Rest in peace. -
Kevin Spacey in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)
This is the celebrity appearance that has attracted the most attention, and for good reason. Kevin Spacey's integration in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare's story was outstanding. The character looked like him, behaved like him, and for all intents and purposes was him thanks to the advanced technology used to cast him in the game. If Marshawn Lynch's role in Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 is anything similar, we're in for a treat. -
Mike Tyson in Mike Tyson\'s Punch-Out!! (1987)
Unlike many gameth on thith lith Mike Tython Punth Out wath actualy really good. He wath a tough opponent, capable of knocking your lith out. You better wath yourthelf in the ring. -
Michael Jackson in Michael Jackson\'s Moonwalker (1990)
Hee-hee! Releasing at the height of Michael Jackson's popularity, Michael Jackson's Moonwalker was a decent game that kicked off the 90's. Michael Jackson would dance around throwing magic at enemies, shouting iconic phrases in the process in this beat 'em up. A lot of people bought it because it had Michael Jackson's name on it, but few would ever call it a memorable experience. -
Phil Collins in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (2006)
Phil Collins was in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, and even featured in its trailer. He played a role in the narrative as a musician who got tangled in some dangerous mafia affairs. It wasn't a particularly resounding performance, but fans of Collins appreciated his entry in the multi-million dollar franchise. -
Shaquille O\'Neal in Shaq-Fu (1994)
Shaquille O'Neal was approached by Electronic Arts back in the early 90's to star in a fighting game. Considering Shaq's popularity and a powerful publisher behind it, you'd think that it would have been a smash hit. Sadly, it was a complete mess with awkward controls and a poor presentation. Interestingly enough, I've owned this game since 1994 and remember thinking it wasn't a very good game back when all I played was bad games (outside of Sonic the Hedgehog). There's a sequel in the works called Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn, and expectations aren't so high for it. -
Snoop Dogg in True Crime: Streets of LA (2003)
Snoop D.o.double G was available in True Crime: Streets of LA, nam sayin'? He was unlocked by collecting dem Dogg Bones around L.A. He even had his own mini-game, cause that's how California rolls. Forreal.
