The Alien, Predator, and Aliens vs. Predator franchises have captivated audiences for decades with iconic creature designs and compelling lore. Together, they blend horror and science fiction with action as they explore survival, predation, and the dangers of extraterrestrial encounters.
Whether players are longtime fans or newcomers, the Alien, Predator, and Aliens vs. Predator video games offer plenty of thrilling variants that can keep players on the edge of their seats. Some games bring the scariest moments from the films to life, while others just focus on fun, but all of these titles are worth playing.
1994’s Alien Vs. Predator Was Based On a Scrapped Movie Script
Image via Capcom
Developed by Capcom and released in 1994, Aliens vs. Predator is an arcade beat ’em up that pits hordes of Xenomorphs against battle-hardened cyborg soldiers and a squad of Predators. Unlike later entries, humans and Predators team up against a common enemy: the Xenomorphs.
Aliens vs. Predator features four playable characters, each with a unique moveset, across a variety of colorful stages. Expect plenty of explosions and skull-crunching melee combat while cutting through wave after wave of Xenomorphs. It also supports up to three-player co-op, so nobody’s stuck standing around and watching.
Alien Vs. Predator Was One of the Best Atari Jaguar Games
Image via Atari
Released in 1995, Aliens vs. Predator for the Atari Jaguar was the best-selling game on the ill-fated console. Like many later entries, it lets players choose between a Colonial Marine, a Predator, or an Alien. It was the first Aliens vs. Predator game to use that structure, and it was seen as revolutionary at the time.
Aliens vs. Predator was a showcase for the Jaguar, and it gave fans of the franchises the chance to experience the iconic showdown between aliens and predators. Die-hard fans of the AvP franchise who are curious to see where their favorite series began should definitely give it a playthrough.
1999’s Alien Vs. Predator Was a Dark and Atmospheric FPS
Image via Rebellion
Released in 1999, Aliens vs. Predator is a first-person shooter that takes the concept of the Jaguar game and amps it up to eleven. Its very dark visuals and franchise-accurate sound design stood out right away, but what really set it apart from other FPS games at the time was its focus on a balanced trio of playable factions instead of a single playstyle.
Colonial Marines have to deal with claustrophobic levels and limited resources, which make every encounter with xenomorphs feel tense. Predator gameplay is focused on stealth and precision. As an Alien, speed and aggression turn fights into chaotic rushdowns. It’s a formula that’s since been repeated, but the PC version of Aliens vs. Predator made the concept click.
Alien Vs Predator: Extinction Is a Real-Time Strategy Spin-Off
Image via Zono
Alien vs. Predator: Extinctionis a combat- and unit-management-focused real-time strategy game that puts a fresh spin on the franchise. It features three playable factions: Marines, Predators, and Aliens, each with distinct playstyles and mission goals. Unlike many RTS games of its era, resource management and base building don’t play a major role.Marines, Predators, and Aliens earn resources in completely different ways, so success comes from learning how to play all three of them. Some reviewers criticized the short length and weak enemy AI, but it’s still a fun multiplayer experience, and one that fans of the franchise, RTS games, and even the best strategy RPGs should try.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite Is a Co-Op Focused FPS Game
Image via Cold Iron Studios
Set 23 years after the original films, Aliens: Fireteam Elite is a co-op shooter that puts a different spin on the Alien universe. Instead of leaning into a tense single-player horror setup, it focuses on teamwork, which makes it a fun and welcome change of pace for the series.
Players need to manage resources and coordinate with teammates, all while planning around the constant alien pressure. Classes have distinct abilities and weapons that support different roles, so squads can build toward a specific style. For fans who want a co-op-focused FPS in the Alien universe, Aliens: Fireteam Elite is worth checking out.
Alien 3: The Gun Is a Classic ’90s Arcade Game
Image via Sega
Alien 3: The Gun is an action-packed light-gun rail shooter that drops players into the gritty Alien universe. Set on the prison planet Fiorina 161, it casts players as a lone survivor fighting for their life against hordes of xenomorphs.
With force-feedback gunplay, strong visuals, and a story that sticks close to the franchise’s roots, Alien 3: The Gun stands out as one of the most memorable arcade rail shooters of the 1990s. Its arsenal, including the pulse rifle and blast grenades, gives plenty of tools for surviving the constant onslaught.
2010’s Alien Vs Predator Rebooted the Franchise
Image via Sega
Released in 2010, Alien vs. Predator is a multiplayer-focused first-person shooter that gives the franchise a fresh coat of paint. As usual, it features three playable factions: Marines, Predators, and Aliens. Like earlier entries, each faction has its own abilities and playstyle, from the hard-nosed Colonial Marine to the Predator’s stealth-based combat and the xenomorph’s relentless physicality.
It may not be as groundbreaking as earlier games, but Alien vs. Predator still delivers a satisfying experience for fans of the Alien and Predator universes. Alien vs. Predator also has some of the most grotesque, over-the-top violence in the series, which is saying something.
Alien: Isolation Is One of the Scariest Games Ever Made
Image via Creative Assembly
Alien: Isolation is a critically acclaimed survival horror game that delivers a terrifying, relentlessly atmospheric experience. It puts players in the role of Amanda Ripley, Ellen Ripley’s daughter from the Alien films. Set aboard Sevastopol Station, players must navigate a hostile ship while being hunted by a single, relentless xenomorph.
What sets Alien: Isolation apart is its focus on tension and survival. The AI that drives the xenomorph is incredibly sophisticated, and that makes it both unpredictable and genuinely threatening. It’s one of the scariest horror games ever made, and it’s not for the faint of heart.