When a series runs dry of creativity and you need something new, there's nothing like a healthy dose of 'crossover gaming' where two worlds are enmeshed to form one solid gaming experience. More often then not, the results are disastrous, but we're here today to talk about those that aren't. Here are 5 of the best crossover games ever made:
Battletoads & Double Dragon: The Ultimate Team Platforms: NES, Sega Mega Drive, SNES Released: 1993
Back in 1993, two of the most awesome sidescrolling beat 'em ups - Rare's Battletoad and Technos Japan's Double Dragon - were fused together to build a roster of few of the most bad-ass side-scrolling veterans who knew how to kick ass in style. The game featured some bad-ass co-op action and was a real challenge, until later versions of it had the difficulty level toned down to suit a wider audience.
 Battletoads & Double Dragon: The Ultimate Team Platforms: NES, Sega Mega Drive, SNES Released: 1993
Back in 1993, two of the most awesome sidescrolling beat 'em ups - Rare's Battletoad and Technos Japan's Double Dragon - were fused together to build a roster of few of the most bad-ass side-scrolling veterans who knew how to kick ass in style. The game featured some bad-ass co-op action and was a real challenge, until later versions of it had the difficulty level toned down to suit a wider audience.
As expected, the storyline didn't make much sense - the Battletoad's archenemy 'the Dark Queen' comes back to Earth years after being defeated. This time she's got a huge-ass spaceship called the Colossus under her command, and it's up to the unlikely alliance of toad and man to foil whatever plans she's made.
Marvel Vs Capcom 2Platforms: Arcade, Dreamcast, PS2, Xbox Released: 2000 Marvel Vs Capcom 2 was the forth installment in the Marvel Vs Capcom series, and was credited for making the franchise more accessible to the masses. Previous games seemed really complicated for all but die-hard fans, but gameplay was toned down quite a bit in this one, which had a great effect on sales, making it a smashing success.  Marvel Vs Capcom 2 Platforms: Arcade, Dreamcast, PS2, Xbox Released: 2000
Marvel Vs Capcom 2 was the forth installment in the Marvel Vs Capcom series, and was credited for making the franchise more accessible to the masses. Previous games seemed really complicated for all but die-hard fans, but gameplay was toned down quite a bit in this one, which had a great effect on sales, making it a smashing success.
Imagine all your favorite Marvel characters in a Street Fighter Alpha Zero-styled game! There were over-the-top combos, amazing super-combos, and some really deep, yet simplified gameplay to make the game really tactical, yet fun. The game's being re-vamped for the Xbox360 (July 29th) and PS3 (August 13th) with a stronger multiplayer online backbone (borrowed from Street Fighter II HD Remix) with better visuals and smoother gameplay. So if you didn't taste the 'win' back in the day, you'll get another chance soon enough!
Mortal Kombat VS DC UniversePlatforms: Xbox360, PS3 Released: 2008 The biggest crossover game of recent times - Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe brought together two worlds with a massive fan following each. Since there was a comic book giant involved, violence levels were understandably mellowed down to suit younger audiences (Fatalities were skimmed down), but the game still played great and added its own flavor to the mix to form an experience different from the old Mortal Kombat games.  Mortal Kombat VS DC Universe Platforms: Xbox360, PS3 Released: 2008
The biggest crossover game of recent times - Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe brought together two worlds with a massive fan following each. Since there was a comic book giant involved, violence levels were understandably mellowed down to suit younger audiences (Fatalities were skimmed down), but the game still played great and added its own flavor to the mix to form an experience different from the old Mortal Kombat games.
The most popular characters were chosen from each franchise to form a huge roster of really powerful characters from both universes. The storyline went a little like this - after Raiden's forces blasted Shao Kahn into the portal and Superman defeated Darkseid, the two were combined and created Dark Kahn, a force that merged the two worlds.
Soulcalibur IVPlatforms: Xbox360, PS3 Released: 2008 Soulcalibur IV's crossover wasn't the traditional type, but the game allowed PS3 owners to play as Darth Vader, Xbox 360 owners as Yoda, and featured another guest star from the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - Apprentice Starkiller.  Soulcalibur IV Platforms: Xbox360, PS3 Released: 2008
Soulcalibur IV's crossover wasn't the traditional type, but the game allowed PS3 owners to play as Darth Vader, Xbox 360 owners as Yoda, and featured another guest star from the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - Apprentice Starkiller.
EAch character used the Force to wreak havoc on the two player battlefield. Darth Vader used his telekinetic powers to slam and choke the opponent, the little green bundle-of-pwn 'Yoda' showed some crazy acrobatics and swordplay, while Apprentice Starkiller used lightening and other dark-side moves to decimate his foes.
Traveller's Tales' Lego seriesPlatforms: Across all platforms Released: 2005 Whether you're a fan of Star Wars, Indiana Jones or Batman, you're bound to love the Lego games developed by Traveller's Tales. These titles have become a hallmark for crossover games, by breaking the bounds of straightforward remakes, and instead adding some really fun and unique gameplay, an enamoring Lego art-style and injecting a healthy dose of witty parody humor that's sure to tickle fans of each of these series. |