10 Celebrities Featured in Their Own Video Games

What could possibly make gaming better? Celebrity video games! Whether you’re a casual player or a die-hard fan of a particular star, there’s something oddly fascinating about stepping into the digital shoes of your favorite celebrity. Over the years, several famous faces have ventured into the world of gaming—not just as voice actors or characters, but as the central stars of their own games. Some efforts managed to harness their star power in entertaining and innovative ways. Others… well, they hold about as much charm as a pair of manure earrings.

Considering the sheer number of video games released every year, it’s not surprising that some of these titles flew under the radar or were overshadowed by bigger, flashier releases. So let’s hop into the time machine and explore 10 celebrity video games you probably forgot existed—or never knew about in the first place.

1. Shaq Fu (Shaquille O’Neal)

When NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal released Shaq Fu in 1994, fans weren’t expecting the typical sports title. Instead, they got a 2D fighting game where Shaq traveled through a mystical realm to battle evil. Yep, really.

Despite being widely panned upon release—and later labeled one of the worst games of all time—Shaq Fu has gained cult status for its sheer weirdness. It even got a crowdfunded sequel, Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn, in 2018. It’s a prime example of a game that’s so bizarre, it loops around to being enjoyable (in a meme-worthy kind of way).

2. Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker

Pop icon Michael Jackson was already known for pushing creative boundaries in music and film—so why not video games too? Released in 1990, Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker (based on the 1988 film of the same name) saw the King of Pop rescuing kidnapped children while busting out signature dance moves and magic attacks.

The game was surprisingly polished for its time, especially the Sega Genesis version. Jackson himself was deeply involved in its development, even contributing sound effects and creative input. It’s weird, whimsical, and very, very ‘80s.

3. 50 Cent: Bulletproof / 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand

What do you get when you cross hip-hop with third-person shooting? You get 50 Cent: Bulletproof (2005) and its even more outrageous sequel, Blood on the Sand (2009).

The first game put players in the gritty shoes of Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson as he took on New York’s criminal underworld. The sequel took things up a notch, placing him in a fictional Middle Eastern war zone hunting down a diamond-encrusted skull. It’s as ridiculous as it sounds, but Blood on the Sand is genuinely fun, with solid gunplay and co-op action. These games are unapologetically over-the-top—and all the better for it.

4. Kim Kardashian: Hollywood

Kim Kardashian may be known for her socialite status, but her 2014 mobile game Kim Kardashian: Hollywood became an unexpected hit. Players work their way up from E-list to A-list celebrity, attending events, starring in photo shoots, and maintaining their fame.

Though simple in concept, the game was highly addictive and a massive financial success, reportedly earning over $200 million within a few years. Love her or hate her, Kim knows how to turn attention into cash—and her game proves it.

5. Revolution X (Aerosmith)

Before Guitar Hero and Rock Band, there was Revolution X, a 1994 arcade shooter featuring… Aerosmith?

Yes, the legendary rock band starred in this dystopian rail shooter where players used a gun controller to save rock and roll (and the band itself) from a fascist regime. The game was loud, campy, and unapologetically ‘90s. While the premise was utterly bonkers, it attracted a fair share of fans in arcades and later on home consoles.

6. Kanye West’s “Only One” (Canceled)

Although it never saw the light of day, Only One deserves mention for sheer ambition. Kanye West revealed in 2016 that he was developing a video game inspired by his song “Only One,” where players would guide his mother, Donda West, through the gates of heaven.

The concept was heartfelt, and a trailer debuted at E3, but the game reportedly struggled to find backers and was eventually shelved. It’s a fascinating “what could’ve been” in the world of celebrity gaming.

7. Bruce Lee: Quest of the Dragon

Bruce Lee’s legacy has inspired many martial arts games, but 2002’s Quest of the Dragon marked a full-on attempt to place the legend at the heart of his own modern game. Unfortunately, it didn’t go well.

Released on the original Xbox, the game was panned for clunky controls, outdated graphics, and repetitive gameplay. While it was meant to honor Lee’s legacy, it ended up more as a missed opportunity. Still, die-hard fans might find some charm in controlling the martial arts icon.

8. Frankie Muniz’s Agent Cody Banks Game

During the early 2000s, Agent Cody Banks was riding the wave of teen spy flicks—and it only made sense to try extending that universe into gaming. Though there wasn’t an official standalone game solely called Agent Cody Banks, Frankie Muniz’s likeness did appear in Game Boy Advance and PC games based on the films.

While mostly designed for younger audiences, the games were surprisingly well-made for movie tie-ins. Think of them as pint-sized James Bond adventures, complete with gadgets and stealth sequences.

9. Pamela Anderson in Stripperella

Okay, this one’s a bit of a cheat—Stripperella was a TV series first, created by none other than Stan Lee, and voiced by Pamela Anderson. But the show eventually made its way into interactive entertainment, inspiring a series of unofficial and browser-based games in the early 2000s.

While these games never reached mainstream platforms, they circulated widely online during the Flash game era. Featuring Anderson’s likeness and tongue-in-cheek superhero antics, they were a strange mix of parody and fan service that only the early internet could produce.

10. The Rock in SpyHunter: Nowhere to Run

Before Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was a box office powerhouse, he dabbled in video games beyond voice work. In 2006’s SpyHunter: Nowhere to Run, he starred as Alex Decker, a secret agent tasked with stopping a terrorist organization.

The game was originally meant to coincide with a film adaptation that never got made. Without the driving sequences that defined earlier SpyHunter games, Nowhere to Run leaned into third-person action. Johnson’s performance was solid, but the game received lukewarm reviews and faded into obscurity.