10 Video Games Based On Real Life Stories

2. Guerrilla War (Guevara)

Guerrilla War Guevara
SNK

In the English language version of SNK's Guerilla War, a pair of unnamed rebel commandos make it their personal mission to liberate a non-specific Caribbean island from the clutches of an obviously evil but similarly unknown despot. The politics of their plot are never mentioned; it's just two well-to-do chaps trying their best to bring peace to a long-suffering population.

In Japan, the story's somewhat different. There's no subtly behind the original title Guevara, as players take on the role of legendary revolutionary of the same name Che, shooting his way through Cuba's moist forests on a one-man campaign to bring down capitalist authoritarian Fulgencio Batista. If a second person picks up the pad, they assume the role of none other than Fidel Castro.

Fearing anti-communist sentiment in the west, SNK removed all traces of Che and Castro from the game - and with it, all the intrigue.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.