The summer season brings with it heat, blockbuster movies, and, too often, lousy game tie-ins. For every Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, there are 10 examples like Superman Returns or The Fantastic Four. These games seek to grab "automatic" audiences looking to elongate their film-going experience, but often forgo necessities such as polished graphics or enticing game play.

For the most part, this trend extends into a very specific genre of games: the sports movie tie-in. The few that we've seen (Rocky, Fight Club, etc.) often earn poor reviews consistent with other movie related games. This leads to the question, "which sports movies would make good video games?" More importantly, the question then becomes "what would it take to make these sports movies into good video games?" Here are a few answers to those questions:

Major League: Could the humor of this movie translate to a game? First, this game would need a baseball engine slightly more realistic than, say, The Bigs, but not as sim as your traditional annual baseball game. Give each of the wacky characters on your roster a special skill that could be activated, with limitations, as needed: Willie "Mays" Hayes' super speed, Jake Taylor's surprise bunt, The Wild Thing's intimidating--but uncontrollable--pitch, etc. However, they would also each have a passive weakness: Pedro Cerano can't hit breaking balls, Roger Dorn can't (won't) field tough plays, The Wild Thing's uncontrollable--but intimidating--pitch. Your success in a season mode wouldn't be tied only to wins and losses, but also attendance. Throw in limited roster control (the conniving owner makes the calls), upgradable players, degrading equipment, and events from the movie to keep the season interesting. If season 1 progresses like the movie, seasons thereafter could be even more challenging, with new crazy players being forced onto the team (I'm ignoring--purposefully--the events of Major League II). Of course all of this would be set to the familiar calls of Bob Uecker doing commentary. A similar formula could be applied to films like Caddyshack, Slap Shot, Bad News Bears, Any Given Sunday, The Mighty Ducks, and Bull Durham.

Victory: This 1981 film featured Michael Caine, Sylvester Stallone, and a host of international soccer players (including Pele) as WWII POWs, trying to defeats the Nazis in a propaganda tournament while planning an escape. To translate into a quality game, its sense of drama and teamwork need to remain intact. Cut scenes or film clips could relay the story, while on-field action serves as the core of the game. In between games, the escape plot could heighten the drama, utilizing some stealth gameplay. The quality of these components would determine the overall quality of the game, but the diverse elements of the story could make for some exciting and memorable action (think FIFA plus The Great Escape)

Jerry Maguire: I'm not sure how well Romantic Dramedy translates to a video game, so let's put the focus on the role of the sports agent. Imagine a simulation that puts you in charge of negotiating salary, maintaining team-player relations, and making the tough calls regarding a player's future. This could be a straight PC text sim, or a console game similar to Head Coach; the important thing is to make it a fully customized experience. Maybe you have a set of ethics that you follow. Perhaps you are a renegade who's known as a "show me the money!" type. Your developing personality would affect your dealings with teams and players. With enough time, money, and experience, you could be allowed to start your own agency and hire/fire agents as they meet your needs. Jerry could be your mentor (a little cliche') or a rival operating in the same world--a world where Rod Tidwell and Frank Cushman are potential clinets.

Ken Burn's Baseball: This documentary captures the emotional and historical impact of baseball since its inception in the mid-1800s. As a fan of the old Microleague Baseball games, I would love to see classic players, moments, and games brought to life on modern consoles. This game's primary mode would be a chronological tour of baseball history. A clip from the film could introduce each game, which is then played out with real players, uniforms, and stadiums (a licensing nightmare, I'm sure). Games could have goals as simple as "win this Game 7" to the more specific "hit #715 with Hank Aaron in this game." Once you've succeeded in matching or rewriting history, you progress to the next pivotal baseball moment. As a reward for winning, you unlock the teams involved for exhibition play. If disc space allows, throw in a dream team creator and a customizable franchise mode, and you have every baseball fan's ultimate dream.

It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World/ Rat Race: Both of these films could serve as an inspiration, rather than a direct influence, for a madcap mission-based racing game across the United States. Provide a wild bunch of playable characters with unique vehicles and methods for travel, each trying to reach an ultimate end point or prize. Branching levels could offer zany ways of travel with inherent advantages/disadvantages. Random events and weather effects could play a part in all of this. Imagine you come to a point where you have the choice of a railroad handcar, hot air balloon, or swamp boat. The handcar has the most direct route to the next level, but involves you tirelessly alternating triggers (or thumbsticks). The hot air balloon involves no manual dexterity, except that you must accommodate for wind and rain. The boat is unaffected by your ability to mash buttons or the weather, but its route is through a twisty marsh with many obstacles. Single player could feature a fleshed out story with cartoon cut scenes; online would allow options of small races to marathon multi-state treks. (If this sounds enjoyable, check out an abandonware game called Dr. Drago, a similar, albeit turn-based boardgame, affair.)

 Possible? Always.

 As always, film licenses are only part of the equation. To work, each of these games needs to be polished, deep, and, most of all, enjoyable. Having the rights to a movie might make a game initially appealing, but it's quality gameplay that will keep us coming back.

 Which sports films do you think are ripe for translation to consoles?