Whether they soar or stumble, crossovers never fail to deliver something intriguing, inviting you to witness franchise favorites clash, unite, or both. The beauty of crossovers lies in their ability to connect dots we never thought could be connected. These unlikely unions have become the breeding ground for fascinating experiments, offering a mixed bag of pleasant surprises and occasional disappointments.
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Now, it’s no secret that franchises have always vied for dominance, each one striving to outdo the other in terms of innovation, gameplay, and fan loyalty. But sometimes, underneath everybody’s noses and amid the fierce rivalries, the lines blur and the unthinkable becomes reality.
12Nicktoons MLB (2011)
Enter Nicktoons MLB, where many ofNickelodeon’scharacters teamed up with real-life Major League Baseball stars. This funky amalgamation of cartoon heroes and professional athletes came out of nowhere and baffled just about everyone. Who could’ve guessed thatSpongeBobwould one day share the field with A-Rod?
In company with titles likeNBAStreet V3, it stands as one of the few games to fuse cartoon universes with real-world sports. While it probably wasn’t on anybody’s wish list, it offered plenty of goofy appeal as you combined animated antics with the thrill of America’s favorite pastime.
11Assassin’s Creed: Origins + Final Fantasy 15 (2018)
In a twist that left plenty of fans wide-eyed, a secret nod was unearthed inAssassin’s Creed Origins’Gift From the Gods quest. Oddly enough, this convergence paid homage toFinal Fantasy 15, a franchise thought to be worlds apart. This tip of the hat united two powerhouse development teams with vastly different gameplay experiences, proving their shared admiration.
Solve the featured puzzle and you’ll be rewarded with a cameo from Ardyn and Bahamut. You’ll also get to use the Ziedrich Shield, the Ultima Blade and the Kweh Mount in-game, which would basically make you an assassin riding a camel-like chocobo.
10Super Smash Bros. (1999)
In a time when video game characters were mostly confined to their own worlds, never to mingle or clash with one another,Super Smash Bros.was considered inconceivable. In fact, it was never going to feature a motley crew ofNintendocharacters at all, with the earliest known prototype for the game being calledDragon King: The Fighting Game.
After a change of heart, developers brought together characters from completely different franchises, blowing everyone’s mind when it debuted on theNintendo 64. Even today, Smash continues to stun fans with new additions to their roster in each iteration.
9Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright (2012)
Puzzle-solving and courtroom drama collided when these two popularNintendo DSfranchises merged, leaving fans stunned. Released in 2012, this collaboration combined the intricate mysteries of theProfessor Laytonseries with the courtroom drama and legal prowess of thePhoenix Wright: Ace Attorneyseries.
Players witnessed the unexpected meeting of the titular characters, Professor Hershel Layton, and Phoenix Wright, as they navigated a world filled with puzzles, investigations, and intense courtroom battles. Despite distinct gameplay mechanics, art styles, and storytelling approaches, this crossover managed to delight fans of both franchises.
8Lego Dimensions (2015)
As ifLegowasn’t already the ultimate collaborator, they took it up a notch with a move so meta, nobody saw it coming. In Dimensions, they went ahead and created a multiverse for pretty much their entire roster of Lego adaptations in media to date.
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With expansions packs for popular adaptations from the past like Ninjago, Harry Potter, and many, many more, if there was, or could be a Lego set made for it, it was probably in this game. The lighthearted gameplay primarily revolved around endless gags and embarking on the most unlikely of cameo-filled adventures.
7Poker Night at the Inventory (2010)
No one could have thought that poker would be the glue to bring together characters from different franchises. Poker Night at the Inventory did just that, featuring iconic characters like Max from Sam & Max, Strong Bad from Homestar Runner, and even the Heavy fromTeam Fortress 2.
Serving as the successor toTelltale’sinitial release, Telltale Texas Hold’em, this version brought together distinct art styles, humor, and personalities, resulting in hilarious and memorable moments as players engaged in witty banter while trying to outwit their opponents at the poker table.
6Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (2008)
The crossover that pitted the gory ruthlessness ofMortal Kombatcharacters against the usually restrained nature of superheroes fromDCwas a collision of worlds that few could have predicted.
This collaboration brought together characters like Liu Kang, The Flash,Batman, and Scorpion, forging an extraordinary fusion of ferocious combat tactics and extraordinary powers. The mash-up itself seemed improbable, as it combined Mortal Kombat’s gritty universe with the virtuous ethos of superheroes. The crossover sparked debates and excitement among fans, leaving an indelible mark on the fighting genre.
5Project X Zone (2012)
Capcom,SEGA, andBandai Namcocame together in 2012 to create the tactical role-playing game we now know as Project X Zone. The unlikely blending of diverse gameplay systems, art designs, and brand identities made Project X Zone a crossover that fans never anticipated but thoroughly enjoyed.
This crossover brought characters from various franchises, includingStreet Fighter,Resident Evil,Tekken, andVirtua Fighterto battle common enemies. Much of the allure came from the fact that you could form alliances between characters from different games, creating strategic and outlandish combinations simultaneously.
4X-Men vs Street Fighter (1996)
In the early 90s, Capcom was busy developing side-scrollers and beat em’ ups forMarvel. After releasing X-Men: Children of the Atom - which was modeled after the mechanics of Street Fighter 2 - fans were itching for a collaboration but were doubtful they’d ever get one. To their amazement, the two iconic universes finally came together in X-Men vs Street Fighter.
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This crossover title allowed players to pit popular characters from theX-Menseries against the renowned Street Fighter roster. It is regarded as the first true crossover between both franchises as it set the precedent for the rest of theMarvel vs. Capcomtitles.
3PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale (2012)
Taking a page from Super Smash Bros.,Sonycaught everybody off guard when they introduced PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale. The roster included characters that seemingly had no business interacting with each other. Familiar faces likeKratos,Nathan Drake, and even the Big Daddies fromBioShockwere some to name a few.
This platform fighter allowed you and your friends to unleash special moves and iconic abilities. While it may have been viewed as a response to the success of other crossover brawlers, PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale stood on its own with its unique combo ofPlayStation’sdiverse lineup.
