Some gaming crossovers make you wonder what on earth their creators were thinking. All you can do is sit back, scratch your head, and question why no one mooted the idea when it first came up. Others have a way of working, even when they seem strange and at odds with one another on paper. It’s those latter attempts we’re going to focus on in this article. So, without further ado, here are four unusual gaming crossovers that actually work.
You didn’t think we were only going to focus on video games here, did you? If so, you’re in for a surprise, because the first crossover worthy of inclusion is this marriage between slots and bingo. Today, there are numerous Slingo games out there, with dozens of different takes on the original. While they’re primarily slot-based, players also have to keep an eye on their numbers, creating double the excitement and – potentially – double the prizes. Bringing together the best elements of both games, Slingo is slightly unconventional but entertaining and unique.
At Co-Optimus, we’ve long been fans of the Super Smash Bros. series. Arguably the most famous video game crossover ever realized, it blends two favorite franchises to create something wonderful. Designed to bring two of Nintendo’s most famous characters face-to-face, it managed to differentiate itself from its progenitors and become a massive hit in its own right. While the series has never made any real missteps, there’s one title that stands head and shoulders above the rest, and that’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The perfect example of what a crossover can achieve when it works, it's fully deserving of every iota of popularity it’s enjoyed.
There’s no denying the popularity of the Final Fantasy franchise - it’s everyone’s favorite and has glowing reviews. The brilliant minds behind it also happen to be big lovers of cameos, and we’ve seen lots of characters from previous installments pop up in later games. While familiar faces from the franchise itself are common, though, they’re not the only ones who’ve appeared. Characters from several unrelated series have been featured too. Probably the most notable crossover is when the worlds of Final Fantasy and Nier: Automata were blended. This was done so cleverly that the storyline managed to tie into the plots of both games in an organic and meaningful way.
This was another good one. By the ninth game in the Mortal Kombat series, we were starting to see cameo characters appear, and this peaked by game 11. It featured a host of familiar faces, primarily borrowed from 80s action movies, including Rambo, Robocop, the Joker, and the Terminator. Their inclusion was cleverly integrated into the game’s customization options, which gave players a choice of weapons, outfits, and moves to make them fit more perfectly with the game’s overall feel and aesthetic.
Tell us, which of these gaming crossovers were you most impressed by?
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