5 Gaming Crossovers That Shouldn’t Have Worked (But Did)

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Honestly, by 2025, it feels like *everything* is crossing over! We’re seeing Pokemon Happy Meals and even *Animal Crossing* Crocs – it’s wild! But it’s cool to remember that video games have *always* done this kind of thing. Some of the biggest, most beloved franchises actually started as crazy combinations that, if you thought about it logically, shouldn’t have worked at all. But somehow, they totally did, and became huge!

Lots of popular online games, like *Fortnite*, offer temporary collaborations with other brands, letting you unlock costumes and items from shows like *Family Guy* or *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles*. However, some games go much further, blending multiple brands together for a complete gaming experience. This approach has led to some unexpected successes, resulting in some of the strangest – but most surprisingly fun – crossovers the gaming world has ever seen.

5. Pokemon Conquest

Despite being a bit overlooked, *Pokemon Conquest* is a beloved game that uniquely blends two worlds. It’s not just a Pokemon role-playing game with strategy elements – it’s a crossover that combines the fun of training Pokemon with the setting and gameplay of *Nobunaga’s Ambition*. While both games are turn-based, they seem like an unlikely pairing, but the combination actually works incredibly well.

Pokemon Conquest offers a unique twist on the Pokemon formula. Instead of being a trainer, you play as a historical Japanese warrior from the Nobunga’s Ambition series, partnering with Pokemon in strategic battles unlike any other Pokemon game. The game received positive reviews when it was released, and fans are still hoping for a sequel. It’s an unusual combination – blending the serious world of Japanese history with the colorful Pokemon universe – but Pokemon Conquest pulled it off successfully.

4. Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle

One surprisingly successful and unusual gaming collaboration is *Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle*. The game cleverly mixes the world of Nintendo’s Super Mario with the wacky, over-the-top humor of Ubisoft’s Rabbids. Despite seeming like an unlikely pairing, *Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle* was a hit with players, leading to a sequel and the potential for a third game in the series.

These games feature Mario, but instead of his usual friends, he’s joined by Rabbids dressed up as characters from the Mario universe. The game explains this unusual team-up with a strange portal that brings the Rabbids into Mario’s world. With good graphics, fun gameplay, and a blend of classic Mario elements and the Rabbids’ silly humor, this unlikely pairing actually works really well.

3. Marvel vs. Capcom

Fighting games are often great for bringing together different worlds, and the *Marvel vs. Capcom* series is a perfect example. It combines heroes and villains from Marvel comics with popular characters from Capcom’s video games. The gameplay is similar to *Street Fighter*, but lets you see iconic superheroes battle characters from *Street Fighter* and other Capcom franchises – and it’s a lot of fun!

The *Marvel vs. Capcom* series has a long history, starting in arcades and continuing on home consoles. While seeing characters from different universes – like Mega Man battling Spider-Man or Wolverine – might seem odd at first, the games are known for their large character selections and enjoyable fighting systems. The unique ability to call in assisting characters, combined with the surprising appeal of its crossover roster and vibrant graphics, makes for a surprisingly effective and fun experience.

2. Super Smash. Bros

It’s easy to forget now, but *Super Smash Bros.* started as a unique crossover game. It’s amazing to think about bringing characters from so many different games and companies together for one big fight! Even the original game on Nintendo 64 featured a surprising mix, pitting characters like Samus Aran against Mario, Donkey Kong, Link, and Kirby.

Since the first game, the roster of playable characters has grown to include many surprising additions. Newer installments have really opened things up, featuring characters not just from Nintendo, but from other franchises too. Even though it’s odd to see characters like Snake from *Metal Gear Solid* battling Pokémon and classic Nintendo heroes, *Super Smash Bros.* consistently delivers a fun and successful formula.

1. Kingdom Hearts

The idea of mixing Disney characters with those from *Final Fantasy* seemed incredibly strange at first. However, *Kingdom Hearts* surprisingly pulled it off, and did so brilliantly. The combination of characters like Donald, Goofy, and Cloud Strife creates plenty of funny moments, and Square Enix embraces this perfectly. The contrast between serious characters like Cloud or Sephiroth and the lighthearted antics of someone like Donald Duck is what makes it work so well.

The original *Kingdom Hearts* game has grown into a large franchise, with many sequels and spin-offs that create a complex mix of different worlds. As the series has gone on, it’s included even more characters and locations from Disney and *Final Fantasy*. Despite its complicated story and many crossovers, *Kingdom Hearts* remains a prime example of how to successfully combine unrelated gaming franchises.

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2025-09-29 00:40