Crossovers in video games went from rare specials to a staple of the modern industry. By merging beloved franchises and characters, they managed to capture wider audiences and fanbases. This phenomenon has evolved significantly over the decades, reflecting the spirit of their respective period in gaming and the changes in gaming culture and tech, like changes in console generations, for example. But how did we get to modern titans like Fortnite and Call of Duty or Rainbow Six doing a crossover with Rick and Morty or Marshmellow, Travis Scott, etc.? Let's explore the history of crossovers and their impact on gaming.
Early Crossovers
The foundation for crossovers in video games was set early on, in the 1990s, with titles such as Battletoads and Double Dragon (1993) paving the way.
This title merged two successful franchises into one arcade beat 'em-up game, paving the way for others to come.
However, it was Super Smash Bros. (1999) that transformed the crossover genre as a whole by uniting characters from various Nintendo series and provided fans with a new avenue for their beloved characters to interact and compete, a model that numerous games would subsequently follow. Super Smash Bros. later on developed into a franchise on its own and became a cult classic with very much active esports scene. As you explore these nostalgic titles, consider trying your luck by using the Horseshoe Online Casino Promo Code which has some great offers for newly registered customers.
The Rise of Crossover Culture
Entering the 2000s, crossovers started picking up steam on various platforms. Titles such as Kingdom Hearts (2002) blended Disney and Final Fantasy characters to engage wide audiences and demonstrate how crossovers allow a very unique story to be told using elements from both IPs equally.
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (2008) placed classic comic book heroes within the bloody fighting franchise, colliding two universes into an intriguing storyline in which the characters were forced to fight against a mutual foe.
The 2010s
The 2010s were the breakout decade for crossovers, driven by both the rise of online gaming and social media. Games like Street Fighter X Tekken (2012) pushed it further by allowing players to pit characters from different fighting game franchises against each other. However, it was Fortnite in 2017 that epitomized the trend for crossovers.
With collaborations as diverse as movies, music, other games (Marvel superheroes, Star Wars), and even real-life celebrities, Fortnite was the epitome of crossovers, with well over 90 different intellectual properties as its collaborations. Some would argue that the format of Battle Royale allows it since there isn’t really an overarching story to follow and that it’s simply for the aesthetics. Even titles which were considered more “serious” for their themes of war and tactics experimented during this period, Call Of Duty offering the role of the announcer to Snoop Dog in CoD Ghosts in 2014, and Nicki Minaj skin later on in CoD Warzone.
The era also saw mobile games embracing crossovers as a way of holding the player's attention. Titles like Persona 5 and Evangelion used aspects of the best animes in their gameplay mechanics to appeal to the fans, proving that crossovers were not exclusive to traditional gaming platforms.
The Modern Era
As we reached the mid-2020s, crossovers became increasingly complex and ambitious.
Games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018) expanded on its predecessor's formula by including a record-breaking number of characters from various franchises, appealing to nostalgia and attracting newcomers to vintage characters.
Meanwhile, smaller-scale games have become more popular thanks to the crossovers with large IP, Dead by Dawn is a great example where the base puts you in the role of a killer chasing a group of 4, while the DLCs offer a variety of classic horror characters like Jason Voorhees, Freddy Cruger, Ghostface etc.
Recent years have shown us that crossovers are no longer limited to gaming alone. Crossovers between video games and Hollywood big-budget films, for instance, have become commonplace, with both sides bolstering their marketing through these tie-ins.
The history of video game crossovers has been marked by creativity but people did eventually become overwhelmed by them.
The initial experiments like Battletoads and Double Dragon over the decades led to today's giants like Fortnite, uniting fans across different franchises. As the industry is still growing, we can only imagine how future developments will shape this aspect of gaming culture, will we get fed up at one point, or is there something that could keep the hype going?