South Park is one of the long-running shows on TV. The series has a dedicated fan base that has only grown since its inception in 1997. Despite the show’s success, the video game adaptions have garnered mixed reviews and questionable choices. We’re breaking down each South Park game chronologically and reviewing how the series found its path in the video game market.
South Park (1998)
The first game in the South Park video game franchise might confuse some players and fans of the show. The game is a first-person shooter with players battling against turkeys, cows, aliens, and more. Weapons include snowballs, dodgeballs, and toy guns. The premise is vague, with an evil force invading the town, and it’s up to Stan, Kyle, Kenny, and Cartman to defend it.
Upon release, it was met with negative reviews that criticized the graphics and voice acting. Although some enjoyed the multiplayer battles it offered, with a few platforms offering an online mode, it was generally disregarded. South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker also expressed their hatred for the game. While there was a version being created for the GameBoy Color, it was ultimately canceled.
South Park: Chef’s Luv Shack (1999)
Despite the negative feedback South Park (1998) received, the same studio, Acclaim Entertainment, developed a sequel. However, the game was no longer a first-person shooter but a game show hosted by Chef, with mini games interspersed. Players control Kenny, Kyle, Stan, and Cartman as they answered South Park–related questions. The game could be played with up to four players with a minigame to play every three questions.
Its reviews didn’t score much better than before, with people criticizing the lack of questions but acknowledging it as “fun with friends.”
South Park Rally (2000)
South Park Rally is the final game developed by Acclaim Entertainment. The genre changes and the series takes on kart racing. Arcade, Championship, and Multiplayer were the three game modes players could choose from. The game has 27 playable characters and encourages interaction between players during races to make things more wild and fun. Despite their best efforts, the game, once again, received poor reviews from fans and critics. Also, creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker disregarded the studio years later, criticizing the three games they made under their license.
South Park Let’s Go Tower Defense Play! (2009)
South Park Let’s Go Tower Defense Play! was developed by Microsoft Game Studios and adds a spin to the tower defense genre. Instead of players building defense and buildings, they control characters from the show to defeat wave after wave. The overall reception was positive; fans and critics admired its humor, story, and multiplayer functions. It is also worth noting that this was the first South Park game released after the Acclaim Entertainment trilogy. Players were given a much-needed refreshing South Park game.
As with any South Park game, there was controversy surrounding its release. The game removed clips and features that made fun of Japanese people for the release in Japan. It also had its name altered after first being pitched as South Park: Suck My Balls.
South Park: Tenorman’s Revenge (2012)
South Park: Tenorman’s Revenge was developed by Other Ocean Interactive and is based on the South Park episode Scott Tenorman Must Die. The game is a platforming game that can be played with up to four players, each controlling one of the boys. It received mixed reviews at launch and remains relatively forgotten. Fans of the series and games don’t know the game exists despite The Stick of Truth releasing only two years later.
The game follows the boys after Scott Tenorman steals Cartman’s hard drive. Not wanting to lose their progress on video games, the boys chase him through a portal to the year 2546. From there, they go on a long journey to recover the hard drive and defeat Scott Tenorman.
South Park: The Stick of Truth (2014)
South Park: The Stick of Truth ushered in a new age for South Park games by being the first game in the series to be highly acclaimed and popular. The game is a third-person RPG based on a fantasy adventure featured in the show. Players get to customize their own character as they are the new kid in town who gets swept up in the middle of a war. There are four classes to choose from, each with its own unique abilities and weapons. The game was developed to look exactly like the television show, which received praise from fans.
The combat is turn-based, with players controlling their character along with others. These supporting characters can be swapped out during battle. Upon its release, it received very positive reviews as critics claimed with was the most faithful adaption ever created. It sold over 5 million copies and made the development of a sequel possible. Series creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker worked closely on the game, which added to its charm, as it feels like a genuine South Park product.
South Park: The Fractured but Whole (2017)
After the critical and commercial success of The Stick of Truth, fans waited eagerly for a sequel. The Fractured but Whole follows in the footsteps of its predecessor by using character themes from the TV show. Instead of the boys playing and dressing in medieval fantasy, they are now superheroes. The wardrobe and plot are inspired by the shows Coon and Friends episodes. The gameplay mechanics are altered for a more engaging combat system. Instead of a classic turn-based system, players now move around the battlefield and have more characters to control. While fans differ on which game was better, The Fractured but Whole received very positive reviews and is considered an amazing sequel.
Like the previous game, players make and customize their own characters and can choose their superpowers which change throughout the game. While no RPG game currently follows The Fractured but Whole or The Stick of Truth’s style, fans are desperately asking for more.
South Park: Phone Destroyer (2017)
South Park: Phone Destroyer is a freemium card game developed by Ubisoft RedLynx. The game is made for mobile devices and features characters from the show battling against one another. Each card and character has its own unique powers, similar to games like Clash Royale. The game also features an online PvP mode where players battle their cards against each other. It received its final update and card in June 2022 but is still available to play. There are three different endings for players to achieve, each based on whether the player spent real money on the game. A nod to their episode titled “Freemium Isn’t Free.”
South Park: Snow Day! (2024)
While only a little is known at the moment about South Park: Snow Day! we do know that it is a 3D multiplayer game about snowball fights. It appears to be similar to the 1998 game in what appears to be a dig at the developers. The game is highly anticipated among fans after the RPG-style games were so well-received.