Is Black Mirror: Bandersnatch a video game?

Is it?

You make choices that affect the storyline, you can die, respawn, etc

What about Playtest?

If stuff like Night Trap and Heavy Rain and Telltale games are, then I don't see why not

i think it's more useful to look at these different types of interactive fiction in the context of their chosen medium.

bandersnatch has more similarities to a YA CYOA than any less 'gamey' game genres we're accustomed to anyway. it's heavy on superficial choice and novelty, and it doesn't use these in any interesting way.

Bandersnatch has a "good end" though, where your game gets five stars. I think it qualifies enough in the game category.

bandersnatch's good end might be the first example of a critically acclaimed piece of traditional media having a conclusion so basic a revelation that videogames written under the same context have to assume the player already understands it

usually games heavily inspired by other media are the ones with simple themes presented as inspired!