The video game crossover genre has been around since the late 1980s and includes everything from Super Smash Bros. to Fortnite. Although this style of game development may feel somewhat modern, now that every studio seems to be jumping on the bandwagon, it can actually be traced back to 1988 with the release of Konami Wai Wai World.
Since then, crossover titles have become increasingly popular, with games like MultiVersus and Funko Fusion as modern examples of character collaboration. However, with the influx of these games in the past decade, one has to wonder if they have lost their appeal.
The Video Game Crossover Holds Infinite Possibilities
There is a singular similarity in all crossover games, which is the intermingling of characters who are not normally featured together. Most of the time, these heroes or villains are owned by the same company, but that is not a requirement.
In fact, games like Fortnite and Call of Duty thrive on licensing agreements with other companies to put different characters on the screen.
Super Smash Bros. and MultiVersus are built entirely on the concept of the crossover, but that is also not a defining feature of the genre. The influence of cosmetic microtransactions has opened up a whole new world of these unexpected interactions, without the need for the entire game to be based on the characters it offers.
The possibilities for crossover games are endless, not only because of the range of intellectual property developers might get their hands on, but also because there’s no limit to gameplay. Fighting games and shooters are typical for the genre, but crossover elements can be found in action-adventure, horror, survival, and even comfort gaming.
Crossovers have become so ingrained in pop culture that audiences have come to expect it from companies. Fans now base their appreciation on the number of cameos or guest appearances in a given work. In larger franchises, it is abnormal to reach the credits of a game or film without being treated to some surprise reveal.
Now, the crossover has become all too expected, and when the thrill is gone and the presumptions begin, that is where dissatisfaction takes hold.
The Excitement of Crossover Games Is Lost in a Lack of Vision
As massive video game companies continue to search for ways to monetize the industry, gamers are often offered a shell of a title with no soul.
If you put all of your favorite characters in the same room, but they have no reason for being there, it can affect the long-term enjoyment of a game. And a crossover title with no meaning or vision feels more like a money grab than a work of art.
Fighting games like Smash Bros., Mortal Kombat, and Street Fighter tend to be incredibly fun in the beginning, but with short campaigns, they lose their edge. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is a recent example of a story that was neglected in favor of a more profitable and crossover-worthy multiplayer mode.
Nevertheless, crossover games are not going anywhere, just like post-credits scenes or celebrity cameos. It would be illogical to think big game companies are going to exchange new players and profits for a rich narrative or years of exciting content.
That’s not to say that crossover games do not have their place and cannot be fun for players. Games like Mortal Kombat 1 have allowed fans to play out scenarios with characters like Omni-Man and Homelander that would have only existed in their dreams. But if you’re wondering why most crossovers aren’t as exciting, it might be the noticeable lack of care.
Video games cannot rely on nostalgia alone, which is a primary concern with the upcoming release of Funko Fusion. Sure it advertises more than 60 characters from 20+ franchises, but will the gameplay and story be enough to keep fans satisfied? Hopefully, Funko has a quality title in store, though fans shouldn’t be blamed for any hesitation.
An Oversaturated Genre Means Even the Quality Crossovers Could Be Missed
While games like Fortnite can continue to reinvent themselves to find success, others have failed under pressure. You cannot replace characters for quality, and this strategy has proven to make reluctant game purchasers.
Funko Fusion might be gold but with an assortment of other games that promised the world and delivered the bare minimum, why would you take the chance on a pre-order before release?
Some of the aforementioned battle arena games have great quality, but grow old rather quickly unless you’re planning to play them competitively or socially. Eventually, you and your friends are going to grow exhausted by the same endless gameplay, meaning you might not go for the sequels or spiritual successors. It could also mean you’re turned away from crossovers in general.
There are pros and cons to crossover games, but sometimes less means more, and there could certainly be less. You can find great games out there, but the genre is overdone, and the industry is in desperate need of original content.
So, if you’ve made it this far and you haven’t been feeling the latest crossover games, then you now have more reason to avoid them. If you’re completely opposed to the idea that crossovers have lost their magic, that’s alright too.
All gamers should get to enjoy the titles they love, made with the greatest amount of care. The increase in predatory monetization and severe layoffs in the industry are concerns that mean talking about quality and encouraging companies to put more value into their employees is more important than ever.
The crossover genre doesn’t have to be a money machine, and it can still be exciting when done well and with purpose.
What do you think about the current state of crossovers? Are there any games you think have hit the mark or completely dropped the ball? Make sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!
