When it comes to choosing a favorite superpower, shapeshifting stands out as my top pick. This versatile ability encompasses a range of powers including strength, speed, disguise, and even the ability to fly—all encapsulated in a fascinating, albeit sometimes unsettling, package. Shapeshifting has been a compelling theme in both retro and contemporary video games, frequently utilized by cunning villains and sometimes serving as an engaging gameplay mechanic.
In various games, shapeshifting can function as a core mechanic or merely an exciting plot device. Whether it empowers a character with new abilities or presents players with thrilling scenarios—like becoming a colossal monster or robot—its presence invariably adds depth to the gaming experience.
For this discussion, I will focus specifically on full-body transformations, setting aside the concept of acquiring new powers through different costumes—a topic worthy of its own conversation.
9 Altered Beast
Why Be A Beast When You Can Be A Buff Beast?
| Developer | Team Shinobi |
|---|---|
| Platforms | Arcade, Sega Genesis |
| Release Date | June 1988 |
Many people dream of harnessing shapeshifting powers, often envisioning themselves as animal-human hybrids. This fantasy might explain the popularity of werewolves, as they embody the strength of beasts while retaining a bipedal form. Although this transformation is unattainable in reality, players can experience it in the iconic Sega arcade game, Altered Beast.
In Altered Beast, players assume the role of a resurrected Roman Centurion who gains muscle power-ups by defeating evil creatures. Upon acquiring three power-ups, you can morph into a hybrid of a man and a mythical beast, each with distinct abilities—a quirky twist that reflects Zeus’s legendary penchant for transformation.
Your transformation varies with each level, beginning with a werewolf and progressing to forms like weretiger, werebear, and eventually, a weredragon, all of which can unleash energy projectiles and lightning bolts. This wide array of transformations adds an exciting layer to gameplay.
8 Yoshi’s Island
All Aboard The Yoshi-Copter
In the whimsical world of Yoshi’s Island, character transformations sometimes follow conventional rules and at other times delve into fantastical themes, such as living in a storybook or being knitted from yarn. This eclecticism makes the transformation mechanics feel seamless and enjoyable.
Throughout the game, Yoshi and Baby Mario encounter special morphing bubbles, which cause Yoshi to transform into a variety of amusing forms such as a helicopter, mole, train, car, and submarine. Each transformation includes a charming animation with triumphant music, reminiscent of nostalgic 90s cartoons, making the experience all the more delightful.
7 Shantae
Do A Little Dance
Genies in folklore often possess shapeshifting capabilities, and this theme is embraced in the indie game Shantae, where the titular half-genie can undergo various transformations. The gameplay mechanic involves Shantae performing dance moves to trigger her metamorphoses, akin to the musical elements in a Zelda title.
Shantae can transform into a wall-climbing monkey, an elephant that demolishes barriers, a spider adept at scaling cliffs, and a high-flying harpy. She can even unlock a special dance to morph into one of Risky Boots’ minions, wielding a combination of the other forms’ abilities.
6 Kirby’s Epic Yarn
The Power Of Crocheting
As one of the most adorable characters in gaming, Kirby is well-known for his ability to change forms. While many of his Copy Abilities have historically allowed for full transformations, Kirby’s Epic Yarn introduces a more unique approach to shapeshifting.
In this game, players encounter Metamortexes, small orbs that allow Kirby to morph into various imagination-sparking shapes. Although these transformations are temporary, they significantly enhance the gameplay experience. Kirby can turn into a dolphin, fire truck, digging machine, rocket, and even a giant Tankbot, providing diverse and entertaining gameplay mechanics during co-op sessions.
5 Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga
We’ve All Got A Little Demon In Us
Unlike typical entries in the Shin Megami Tensei series, where players command demons as allies, Digital Devil Saga uniquely positions party members as the demons themselves. This setup allows characters afflicted with the Atma virus to shift effortlessly between their human form and demonic avatars during battles.
Engaging in combat as these avatars not only grants access to powerful magical attacks but also enables members to devour weakened foes, enhancing their strength. Alternatively, players can revert to their human forms in battle for strategic support, although this comes at the cost of increased vulnerability.
In Digital Devil Saga 2, battling during peak Solar Noise can result in characters entering a Berserk state, offering heightened prowess at the expense of accuracy and increased damage taken—adding another layer of strategy to the mechanics.
4 Mega Man ZX Advent
Beat ‘Em, Be ‘Em
The Mega Man franchise has long featured the ability to absorb defeated foes’ powers, with earlier titles featuring techniques like MegaMerging. However, Mega Man ZX Advent introduces a new level of transformation known as A-Trans.
This ability allows characters Grey and Ashe to completely assume the forms of defeated bosses, gaining access to their full range of abilities. This mechanic proves invaluable for both combat strategy and navigation within the game’s environment—though players must be cautious as some forms may be too large to fit through certain areas.
The incorporation of Model A’s ability draws a clever link to the character Axl from the Mega Man X series, creating a nostalgic connection for seasoned players while adding depth to the storyline.
3 Nobody Saves The World
From Nobody To Everybody
In fantasy fiction, shapeshifting magic is often presented as a risky endeavor fraught with potential pitfalls. However, in Nobody Saves the World, players experience the opposite—a joyful romp into transformation after the protagonist discovers a magic wand that grants shapeshifting abilities.
The gameplay allows the player to shift into a variety of forms, from practical magic users and warriors to whimsical creatures like slugs and bodybuilders. Each transformation is unique and supports exploration and combat, making the adventure engaging and diverse.
As players progress, they can creatively combine abilities from one transformation to enhance another, leading to unexpected and exciting gameplay combinations, such as adding fire-breathing capabilities to a turtle form.
2 The Legend Of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Needlessly Creepy, But Helpful
Shapeshifting often comes with a touch of the grotesque, and The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask exemplifies this through unsettling transformations. Link can acquire special masks that allow him to assume the forms of others, but the process entails some rather creepy cutscenes—including Link’s alarming facial transformation.
The first mask gained is that of the Deku Scrub, a form Link transitions into after being cursed by Skull Kid. Throughout his journey, he acquires additional masks that let him embody Gorons, Zoras, and eventually, the legendary Fierce Deity mask, crucial for the final confrontation in the game.
1 Prototype
Multiple Flavors Of Shapeshifting
Shapeshifting can manifest in diverse forms, and while much of what has been discussed relates to magical transformations, Prototype takes a more biology-based approach, resulting in a grittier experience. As a host of the Blacklight virus, protagonist Alex Mercer can manipulate his body in extraordinary ways, turning limbs into weapons like blades and whips.
Additionally, Mercer has the unique ability to absorb the forms of other human beings, disguising himself effectively while still retaining his combat abilities. This leads to both strategic advantages in evading enemies and some hilariously mundane scenarios, such as when Mercer assumes the shape of an unsuspecting civilian.
Leave a Reply