Shrek is one of the most iconic animated movie franchises to exist. It’s a hit with children and adults alike and is a very popular meme that very few are unfamiliar with. When something becomes a household name, it’s obvious that video game adaptions are the inevitable next step.
If you count the educational spin-offs, there are over 3 dozen Shrek games as of today. All of which have been released on various platforms and many of those versions are different to each other despite sharing the same name.
However, not all that glitters is gold. Some Shrek games are very fun to play, while others are frustrating and bland. Naturally, it takes too long to go through every game to know which ones are worth your time.
So, we’re here to save your time with our list for the best Shrek games for every platform, such as PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, and more. Let’s jump right into it!
Table of Contents
Best Shrek Games for Every Platform
The two most recent Shrek games were released in 2013 and 2015 respectively, and both were for smartphones only. The last major game in the franchise was released in 2011, which was released on the major consoles of its generation.
Thus, a lot of the games are quite old and unfortunately there’s nothing for the PS4 or PS5 generation of consoles. However, you can still play them on PC and recent Xbox consoles through backwards compatibility.
1. Shrek 2
Shrek 2 is easily the best game in the franchise for several reasons.
It features multiple playable characters, all of which come with unique abilities and animation. You can take your team throughout many different levels and all of them are faithfully designed with the movie in mind. And yes, there is co-op so up to 4 friends can play the adventure together!
Whether it’s the swamp that you’re traveling through or kingdoms, all of it feels different to each other. There’s platforming, fighting, and a bunch of mini-games that keep the experience fresh. And of course, the storyline is intact too although it features extra dialogue and scenes thanks to its longer length. Honestly, the humor is pretty funny at times too.
The game is split into three versions, such as the main console release (Xbox, PS2, NGC), and the handheld demakes for GBA and cell phones. Interestingly, some critics think that the GBA version of Shrek 2 is better than the primary one – which is a 2D platformer.
Available On: PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, GBA, OS X, Mobile (J2ME)
2. Shrek SuperSlam
Normally, random brawling-themed spin-off video games of licensed IPs are soulless cash grabs. But things turned out differently for Shrek SuperSlam, which is like a mixture of Super Smash Bros. and the Power Stone games.
You can choose from a large list of playable characters and there are many arenas to fight in. Once a fight starts, you must use every tool at your disposal to make sure that you are the superior combatant. Whether you play this game with a friend or against the CPU, it’s a pretty fun experience.
There’s not too much extra content, but there are a few short story cutscenes and you can try the Challenge Mode for more replay value. The game is from 2005, so don’t expect to see characters that were introduced later on – which is the only downside here.
Notably, the handheld versions of Shrek SuperSlam are worse than the console counterpart.
Available On: PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Nintendo DS, GBA
3. Shrek Forever After
Shrek Forever After is considered a better movie than its prequel. Ironically enough, the same applies to the Shrek games too because everyone likes the fourth more.
It’s the best-looking game in the series from a graphical standpoint, which gives it an edge over all the rest. And it carries on the tradition of featuring co-op, which makes it a fun time for family and friends too.
The gameplay is a bit on the repetitive side, but it does feature some puzzles that keep things mixed up a little. So, if you want to have one last Shrek adventure – this is the way to go. Though you should keep in mind that it does feel like a game that kids would enjoy more.
Interestingly, the Nintendo DS version of the game is considered far superior compared to everything else. And the worst one happens to be the iOS port, unsurprisingly.
Available On: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, iOS, Mobile (J2ME)
4. Shrek: Hassle at the Castle
Shrek: Hassle at the Castle is one of the best Shrek games and it’s the only one that properly follows the plot of the first movie. For some reason, it’s only available on the GBA. Not a single platform else, not even on other handheld hardware.
It’s a 2D-platformer and features Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey as playable characters. The level design is good, the abilities are fun to use, and every character has a bobble head which is hilarious to see. It even has a catchy soundtrack to go along with everything.
If you have a GBA or don’t mind using emulators, this is definitely a fun way to experience the first movie again. And it’s one of the best Shrek games without a doubt – just look at its uncharacteristically high Metacritic score.
Available On: GBA
5. Puss in Boots
Puss in Boots started off as a supporting character in the Shrek movies, but eventually spun-off into his own thing. And eventually, he ended up having his own video game too. Somehow, it’s one of the best Shrek games in the franchise.
It has great graphics, fun combat, and interesting level design which is very fun to traverse through. And one notable thing about the game is that all versions utilize motion controls, mainly for things like the swordplay.
For the Xbox 360, we have great use of the Kinect. For the PlayStation 3 version, we have the PS Move – though it is optional for those who lack this peripheral. The Wii version, of course, uses the Wii Mote. And lastly, the Nintendo DS version is a rhythm-based action game which uses the touch controls as a substitute for the lack of motion controls.
All in all, this game is a bit of a gimmick but one that is very fun. Try to stick with the console versions and you’ll have a fun new way of experiencing the Puss in Boots movie again. Only this time, as one of the best Shrek games that you can get your hands on.
Available On: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS
6. Shrek Smash n’ Crash Racing
If you have a multi-million franchise filled with marketable characters, then it’s time for a cart racing game. Shrek Smash n’ Crash Racing is nothing unique and offers a basic experience, but it’s in no way a dull game. There are many racers to choose from and different racetracks have enough variation to remain fresh.
What makes this game particularly fun is that racers don’t just have differently colored carts. Instead, their means of transportation are unique. For example, Donkey rides a literal dragon and Shrek rides a weird ogre-ish swamp creature.
If you love Shrek and have a few friends who can hop onto the ride with you – then this is one of the most fun Shrek games without a doubt. Keep in mind that the handheld ports are worse than the console ones.
Available On: PlayStation 2, GameCube, PSP, GBA, Nintendo DS
That’s it for our ranking for the best Shrek games that you can get your hands on today. We hope that you found the perfect fit for yourself and are having a blast!
If you don’t want to play old Shrek games – don’t worry. Most modern-day games with a character creator will let you become Shrek anyways.
