The intersection of video games with various other media has evolved considerably over the past two decades. This trend has resulted in numerous crossovers, appealing to the shared fanbases of both franchises. It’s a win-win scenario where everyone enjoys their favorites while exploring new dimensions of entertainment.
However, the surge in collaboration has occasionally led to unusual pairings that might leave fans scratching their heads. Some combinations seem less like thoughtful partnerships and more like unexpected decisions that provoke a chuckle or a raised eyebrow.
This article does not intend to judge these crossovers as good or bad; rather, we aim to highlight intriguing collaborations that make you ponder, “Well, that’s certainly a choice!”
10 Aloy from Horizon in Genshin Impact
From Realistic to Anime
One hallmark of the Horizon series is its stunningly realistic graphics, especially regarding its characters. Hence, it’s quite amusing that Aloy, a character rooted in realism, was incorporated into the anime-inspired realm of Genshin Impact. This crossover, which began in 2021 through a collaboration between HoYoVerse and Guerilla Games, adapted Aloy’s design to match Genshin’s artistic style. As a playable character wielding a Cryo element bow, she employs freeze bombs to freeze enemies and uses power cells to enhance her abilities.
Aloy was accessible for a limited time, available for free to players who reached a certain Adventure Rank. While some players continue to enjoy her character today, it’s worth noting that her gameplay balance has remained unchanged since 2022, possibly rendering her less competitive compared to fresh characters.
9 Monsters from Monster Hunter in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Not the Biggest Thing Snake Has Fought
Big Boss has faced many colossal adversaries during his adventures as “The Greatest Soldier in the World, ” with one of the most notable being the modified tank, Shagohod, in Metal Gear Solid 3. However, nothing compares to his battles against the mighty beasts from the Monster Hunter series in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. This crossover introduces iconic creatures like Rathalos and Tigrex, which players can defeat using both lethal and non-lethal methods, true to the essence of Metal Gear.
Additionally, players encounter an original beast called Gear REX, which is a living interpretation of the formidable Metal Gear REX—without the nuclear implications.
8 Ryu and Chun-Li from Street Fighter in Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid
Crimson Hawk and Blue Phoenix
While Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid is not the franchise’s first foray into video games, it stands out for its ambition and competitive focus. To enhance that celebration, the game brought in two legends from the fighting genre: Ryu and Chun-Li, who showcase their martial prowess in specially-designed Power Ranger suits. Ryu takes on the persona of the Crimson Hawk Ranger, while Chun-Li becomes the Blue Phoenix Ranger, adding flair to their signature moves.
Although these characters first appeared in the mobile game Power Rangers: Legacy Wars, the enhanced gameplay in Battle for the Grid makes their inclusion even more exciting, leading to action figures being crafted of both Ryu and Chun-Li’s ranger forms, as well as new figures for Ken and Cammy.
7 Shrek in Tony Hawk’s Underground 2
His Face Pierces Your Soul
Across the series, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games consistently introduced crossovers, showcasing characters from Spider-Man to Darth Maul. Yet, the guest skater in Tony Hawk’s Underground 2 is undoubtedly the most unusual—the beloved ogre, Shrek. Intended to promote his movie sequel, Shrek’s larger-than-life proportions led to some jarring animations that differ greatly from the game’s other skaters.
Shrek’s moveset is entertainingly unique, exemplified by his method of tagging graffiti not with spray paint but with a burp—leaving his logo behind. Additionally, he has a peculiar grind technique called the Waxslide, where he uses a lump of wax pulled from his ear, showcasing his character’s quirky charm.
6 Yoda, Darth Vader, and Starkiller in Soulcalibur 4
A Lightsaber is a Sword, Technically
The Soulcalibur series has long embraced crossover characters, beginning with guest appearances in Soulcalibur 2. This tradition, however, took a surreal turn in Soulcalibur 4, where players could select iconic Star Wars characters—Yoda, Darth Vader, and Starkiller—armed with lightsabers, diverging from the series’ traditional weaponry.
Yoda gained notoriety within competitive circles due to his small stature, making him challenging to hit with conventional horizontal strikes. Meanwhile, Darth Vader and Starkiller brought their formidable Force powers into the mix, emphasizing the fantastical shifts in combat styles present in this particular installment.
5 Dante from DMC in Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne
Demon Hunters
Shin Megami Tensei 3 originally launched in 2003, but its 2004 update, “Maniax, ”introduced a notable addition; Dante from the Devil May Cry series. An Atlus employee’s suggestion led to his inclusion as a devil hunter tasked with defeating demons throughout the game, resulting in several confrontations with the player. Strikingly, he dons his Devil May Cry 2 attire, but thankfully exhibits a more engaging personality than in that title.
Interestingly, later versions replaced Dante with Raidou Kuzunoha XIV, another Shin Megami Tensei protagonist. However, for the game’s HD remaster, a DLC option allows players to restore Dante as a playable character.
4 Danica Patrick in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
Real Racer in a Really Strange World
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed embodies the essence of crossover titles, particularly with characters from diverse franchises. Among these characters is the real-life NASCAR driver Danica Patrick, who lends her likeness to the game. Players can find her racing in the “Danicar, ”designed collaboratively between her and Hot Wheels, prominently featuring their logos along with those of Sega and GoDaddy.
Additionally, Patrick’s character has made an appearance in Archie Comics’ Sonic Universe #45, showing the extent of her crossover’s cultural impact.
3 Balatro in Dave the Diver
Jokers at Sea
The indie hit Dave the Diver has garnered significant attention, resulting in diverse crossover content over the years. While collaborations with titles like Dredge and Godzilla maintain thematic relevance through fishing or farming, the inclusion of Balatro is a bit unexpected. The crossover is light-hearted in nature, as in-game characters become fascinated with an odd card game called “Jimbo’s Game, ” prompting the inclusion of Balatro.
This version of Balatro adapts to the game’s aesthetics, featuring a simplified gameplay style that includes only a few Jokers and no consumable cards. It’s an unexpected yet delightful bonus for fans of both games.
2 Crewmates from Among Us in Vampire Survivors
Somewhat Sus
As another exciting indie title, Vampire Survivors has launched various collaboration efforts with properties such as Castlevania and Contra. These partnerships align well with the game’s horror-adventure aesthetic. However, its inaugural crossover featuring characters from Among Us was a surprise that raised eyebrows.
The Emergency Meeting DLC introduced characters and settings from the beloved social deduction game, contributing nine new character variants, 15 weapons, and eight passive items, despite the inherent peculiarity of this pairing. The crewmates include several amusing twists, ranging from a traditional red character to an imposter donning a top hat and even a floating ghost in a lab coat that adds a humorous touch.
1 Tokyo Ghoul in Dead By Daylight
Required Some Narrative Fine-Tuning
Dead By Daylight has established itself as a staple for horror fans, featuring a wide assortment of classic horror icons alongside original characters. Recently, the game welcomed Ken Kaneki, the protagonist from the horror manga and anime series Tokyo Ghoul, as its newest Killer. While Kaneki embodies a morally ambiguous character, his inclusion as a Killer was puzzling given his nature as a protagonist.
To rectify this inconsistency, Behaviour Interactive collaborated with the Tokyo Ghoul Production Committee to devise a modified backstory that aligns him more fittingly with the game’s premise. Even though his signature hair sets him apart from the other Killers, his new narrative gives him a justified place within this chilling universe.
Leave a Reply