Video games offer a truly remarkable escape from reality, guiding players into magnificent worlds to explore and lose themselves in. Another medium that does this well is cartoons, specifically Saturday morning cartoons. These weekend cartoons have covered many different genres, styles, and stories. There is a great link between many video games and cartoons, namely, the visuals. Many games, both AAA and indie, often look like they could be a Saturday morning cartoon.From colorful characters, vibrant worlds, lighthearted stories, and a playful tone, Saturday morning cartoons, while diverse, generally do a great job at getting their respective fans excited week to week. The following video games would fit perfectly as a Saturday morning cartoon, mostly down to their cartoon-like and vibrant visuals and graphics.
8 Super Mario Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey is easily one of the very best 3d platforming games, and not just as a Mario title. While any Mario title could easily be made into a Saturday morning cartoony, it's Super Mario Odyssey that would truly take the cake as it fleshed out a massive world brimming with unique and quirky locations.
The incredibly familiar trope of Mario needing to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser is still alive and kicking in Odyssey, it's the worlds and characters that could make it a great Saturday morning cartoon. Imagine each episode taking place in a new world with the likes of New Donk City or Cap Kingdom taking center stage. Plus, Cappy is just a downright adorable character.
7 The Adventure Pals
For anyone that has seen The Adventure Pals in action, it's clear this game screams to be made into a Saturday morning cartoon. For the unfamiliar, The Adventure Pals stars a brave young lad who, along with his pet rock (Mr. Rock) and crazy tongue twirling giraffe (Sparkles), must save his dad from the clutches of the evil Mr. B.
If that setup alone doesn't entice fans of cartoons then it's hard to know what will. Adding to the zaniness is that Mr. B wants to turn old people into hot dogs, because, reasons. This highly enjoyable platforming game is equal parts charming and action-packed and would make for a great cartoon to enjoy on a Saturday morning with a sugary bowl of cereal.
6 Rayman Legends
Rayman Legends is a super polished platforming game that centers around speed, precision, and keeping up with the musical beats. Starring Rayman, Globox, the Teensies, and a host of other wacky characters, Rayman Legends sees the player explore a magical fantasy land filled with devious traps and challenging stages.
It's pretty easy to see Rayman Legends being turned into a Saturday morning cartoon, and not just because of the gorgeous art style. The characters and worlds in this game are filled with detail and charm. Plus, Rayman Legends is all about friendship and adventure, something many cartoons feature in spades.
5 Poi
Poi is an underrated and highly overlooked 3d platformer that plays out a bit like Super Mario 64. This polished indie game deserves a lot more love than it receives, mostly down to its two brave young protagonists, fun and responsive platformer, and stellar music that always manages to get players ready for adventure.
Poi sees the player help an aging adventurer finish his mission across a colorful Milky Way galaxy. The sense of playfulness and brevity here is impeccable and could easily translate into a short weekend cartoon.
4 Child Of Light
Another game on this list that features the gorgeous hand-painted Ubisoft art that is featured in Rayman Legends, amongst others, is Child of Light. Child of Light is a somber and emotional adventure RPG starring Aurora, a princess from late 19th century Austria who must journey through the harrowing dreamscape world of Lemuria to save her father, the king, from the Queen of Night.
Child of Light is unique in that it plays out as a Metroidvania mixed with nuanced turn-based battles. This fantasy game might lean into the emotional side of a narrative, however, its art, memorable characters, and enchanting world could easily make for a great Saturday morning cartoon.
3 Kirby's Epic Yarn
Kirby's Epic Yarn doesn't seem to receive the attention it so badly deserves, especially given the nature of its yarn and crafting-like visuals and gameplay elements. This game tasks Kirby to explore some stunning locations that are all made up of yarn, buttons, stitching, and plenty of other crafting macguffins.
This is a pure and simple Kirby game through and through featuring a lighthearted story filled with friendship, kindness, and adventure. The whole yarn-like element alone could make for a cartoon that stands tall above many others, mostly because it's such an aesthetically pleasing change from traditional cartoons.
2 Pumpkin Jack
For a bit of a darker, Halloween-themed, Tim Burton-esque cartoon, Pumpkin Jack could fit the bill. The titular Pumpkin Jack is tasked by the devil to stop a powerful wizard. This twisted and often spooky tale eschews traditional good versus evil cartoon prompts in that Pumpkin Jack is actually fighting on the side of evil.
Despite a somewhat darker and moodier premise and setup, this 3d action platformer provides plenty of moments of brevity, humor, and Halloween shenanigans that wouldn't feel out of place in something like The Nightmare Before Christmas. Perhaps, Pumpkin Jack could be turned into a seasonal Halloween cartoon.
1 Yoku's Island Express
For fans of colorful Metroidvanias, look no further than Yoku's Island Express. This charming island-themed Metroidvania stars Yoku, a humble dung beetle who finds himself awash on a tropical island paradise with his mission being quite clear; to deliver mail to the local residents.
Okay, yes, this premise is very silly, but it makes for an utterly unique narrative premise that ensures players are always guided across the island in an enjoyable fashion. The twist this game throws at players is that it plays out like a pinball game. Yoku can roll his ball around in typical movement fashion, however, it's the moments where the game switches to a pinball area that truly makes it stand above similar Metroidvanias. Its lighthearted and enticing world and characters could make for a great weekend cartoon.