9 Video Game Sidekicks With Their Own Spin-Off Games

Many popular video game characters frequently have supporting figures like sidekicks, partners, or auxiliary helpers who join them in their escapades. As these intellectual properties expand into franchises, it’s common for these secondary characters to receive opportunities to take center stage and showcase their individual stories, separate from the main protagonists.

In popular gaming series, you’ll often find a game where the sidekick becomes the main character, either completely removing or significantly reducing the presence of the primary figure. These games provide an opportunity for the assistants to demonstrate their abilities to lead an adventure and stand firm against adversity.

As a devoted fan, I’ve noticed that some of the spin-off games deviate slightly from the traditional mainline titles, often showcasing the sidekicks in unique roles. When our sidekicks aren’t as physically formidable as their counterparts, it opens up a world of possibilities for the franchise to experiment with fresh gameplay styles. Here are nine intriguing games that allow our beloved sidekicks to carve out their own paths.

9. Daxter

Two-Year Pest Control

In the opening scene of Jak II, Jak and Daxter find themselves thrust through a gateway into the grimy metropolis known as Haven City. Jak gets captured and detained, whereas Daxter manages to escape.

Skipping ahead to two years later, we find Daxter managing to free Jak, yet one might wonder about Daxter’s activities during this period. As it happens, his time was largely spent idling and then taking on pest control jobs.

2006’s game Daxter is a spin-off/prequel that narrates the series of events prior to Daxter saving Jak. After spending some years aimlessly, Daxter accidentally lands in a pest control job, where he gets supplied with gear for handling Metal Bugs.

In his absence of a taller companion, Daxter appears to be significantly weaker and less agile. However, in this particular game, he compensates for that by utilizing a bug swatter and an extermination tank. As the game progresses, you acquire extra attachments for the tank; initially, it only sprays bug spray, but eventually, it can transform into a flamethrower, a jetpack, and a radar.

8. Secret Agent Clank

As Seen On TV

In the world of Ratchet & Clank, both main characters gain considerable popularity among the general public. However, it’s Clank who seems to be more well-known and cherished. Before the storyline of Up Your Arsenal unfolded, Clank even had his own television series titled “Secret Agent Clank”. This program later became the foundation for the 2008 video game with the same name.

In the series and the match, Clank exhibits a 007-esque secret agent persona. He’s equipped with martial arts abilities as well as an assortment of seemingly ordinary gadgets. With these tools at his disposal, he traverses the galaxy, taking down miscreants, to expose a conspiracy that implicates Ratchet in a high-profile heist.

The principal narrative occasionally switches to scenes featuring Ratchet and Captain Qwark. While Ratchet is battling various villains from previous games in prison, Qwark is pursuing Clank, aiming to claim credit for all the happenings and boasting to a biographer.

7. Luigi’s Mansion

A Lesson On Real Estate Scams

Before the year 2000, Luigi, Mario’s brother, didn’t have a well-defined character. Sometimes, he was indistinguishable from his brother, while games like Mario Tennis suggested he could be quite cool and composed. However, it was the 2001 game “Luigi’s Mansion” that solidified Luigi’s character moving forward.

In a debut for the GameCube, Luigi’s Mansion marked the green character’s first standalone journey. Deceived by a fraudulent letter, Luigi ventures into a mansion supposedly won through a scam, only to discover it teeming with spirits and Mario mysteriously absent. Armed with a Poltergust vacuum, he must vanquish ghosts until he can locate his brother and make a swift exit.

In this game, Luigi is tasked with catching ghosts that come in different forms and sizes using his trusty vacuum. However, stronger ghosts require solving puzzles first to make them vulnerable before capture. Compared to typical Mario platformers, it’s a more thought-provoking and relaxed experience, but it offers unique charm.

6. Tails Adventure

Sonic Wasn’t Available

As a die-hard Sonic fan, it’s fascinating to note that while Miles “Tails” Prower has been a staple in the Sonic the Hedgehog series since his debut in Sonic 2, he’s only had two solo escapades so far. These epic journeys were uniquely confined to the Sega Game Gear platform. The first was Tails’ Skypatrol, a thrilling sidescrolling shooter with a simple yet engaging gameplay. Following that, there was Tails Adventure, a more traditional platformer that offered a different kind of challenge.

As a gamer, I’ve found that unlike the high-speed, action-packed mainline Sonic games, Tails Adventure is more about taking things slow and steady. When Sonic’s not around, it seems like Tails prefers to move at his own pace. You navigate through several levels by strategically using bombs to fend off enemies and occasionally employing your tails for a quick flight.

It’s fascinating that this game incorporates certain Metroidvania-style features, such as traversing previously explored areas and discovering items for expanded, smoother navigation. However, there’s a unique constraint – you can carry only a few items into each level. This means if your equipment doesn’t suit the current challenge, you have to journey back to the exit to adjust it.

5. Diddy Kong Racing

Needed A Stronger IP To Carry It

Sometimes in the wild world of gaming, a unique game can unexpectedly get tangled up in an established franchise’s web, aiming to surf on its popularity wave. This is exactly what happened with my 1997 favorite, Diddy Kong Racing, which initially had no connection to the charismatic character it now shares a name with.

Initially, Timber the Tiger was the main character in the game, but before the holiday season, Rare requested Nintendo to incorporate Diddy Kong into the storyline and make him more prominent. This is why the game features only minor references to the Donkey Kong franchise, as Diddy Kong and Krunch the Kremling were not originally intended to be part of it.

Regardless of whether Diddy Kong Racing is actually Diddy’s game, it remains an outstanding go-kart racer in its own right. Furthermore, it holds significant importance as a crucial part of Rare’s game development history. To put it simply, Diddy Kong Racing was the stage where characters like Conker and Banjo made their debut.

4. Half-Life: Alyx

It Ain’t Half-Life 3, But…

After the debut of Half-Life 2: Episode 2 in 2007, fans were left in suspense for 13 grueling years, eager to learn the fate of Gordon, Alyx, and the Resistance following that game’s conclusion. However, it wasn’t until 2020 that these questions remained unanswered. Instead, we were presented with a prequel story focusing on Alyx, titled Half-Life: Alyx.

In Half-Life: Alyx, the story unfolds prior to Half-Life 2, where Gordon is yet to return from his ethereal state. The Combine has established their dominion over Earth, leaving humanity in a precarious position. A chance encounter with City 17’s law enforcement results in Alyx Vance and Eli Vance being apprehended. However, it is only Alyx who manages to break free from custody.

Instead of Half-Life as you know it, this game is a VR experience. Using Alyx’s Gravity Gloves, you can interact with the environment in unique ways to solve physics puzzles. However, don’t forget about the conventional weapons for handling Headcrab Zombies and Combine soldiers.

3. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

Jumping Doesn’t Solve Everything

Since the advent of Super Mario Bros, Mario has received different levels of aid from the Mushroom Kingdom’s Toad community. However, starting with Super Mario Galaxy, the Toad Squad started playing a more significant role in his escapades, exploring locations and uncovering stars. Captain Toad, the head of this squad and eventually the helper who would star in his own game, is the standout leader among them.

Starting from the Captain Toad stages in Super Mario 3D World, Captain Toad got his own game titled Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker in 2014. In this game, the affable Captain Toad and Toadette set out on an adventure together. However, a colossal bird swoops down and kidnaps Toadette, leaving the Captain no choice but to embark on a mission to rescue her.

In the style of Super Mario 3D World, Captain Toad’s sizeable backpack prevents him from jumping. Consequently, this game emphasizes problem-solving, enabling players to adjust the large, block-like stages to aid movement and discovery.

The game primarily highlights the capabilities of the Wii U GamePad, with levels incorporating its touchscreen, microphone, and gyro sensor. Additionally, it has been adapted for the Nintendo Switch as well.

2. Yoshi’s Story

Shouldn’t It Be “Yoshis’ Story?”

It appears that Mario has a long-standing arrangement with all Yoshi creatures. If he requires assistance during an adventure and they’re free, they’ll lend a hand. However, it’s worth noting that the Yoshis also have their own activities, and according to what we see in Yoshi’s Story, they seemed to have even more responsibilities when Bowser was young.

In this game, a baby version of Bowser snatches the Yoshis’ Super Happy Tree and turns their island into a pop-up book. Unfortunately, all the adult Yoshis are unable to act, but six little Yoshis bravely continue, promising to retrieve what was stolen from them by Bowser.

In their abilities, the little Yoshis resemble those we saw in Yoshi’s Island, as they can throw eggs and perform flutter jumps. However, completing a level isn’t just about moving from left to right; you must also consume the scattered fruit to fully fill up the game border. Moreover, if a Yoshi receives excessive damage, Kamek will carry them off, effectively removing them from the game.

1. Mega Man Zero

The Ponytail Lives On

In the initial release of Mega Man X, Maverick Hunter Zero made his debut appearance and continued to feature prominently across the series. Although Mega Man X was often the central character in these games, Zero had chances to be playable in many subsequent installments. However, in Mega Man Zero, it was Zero who took center stage without sharing limelight with X.

One hundred years have passed since all Mega Man X games, placing us in the timeline for Mega Man Zero. In this new era, Zero awakens from a deep slumber to discover a world dominated by an X who appears to be unhinged. Equipped with his Buster and Z-Saber, Zero’s long, golden hair streaming behind him, embarks on a journey to dismantle the soldiers of this oppressive regime and uncover the truth about what transpired during his long rest.

Mega Man Zero can be considered as a blend between the classic side-scrolling style of Mega Man games and the Metroidvania genre. Unlike traditional Mega Man games where levels are standalone, in this game, you’ll need to return to previously explored areas multiple times as you acquire new abilities that unlock additional missions. The series grew with three sequels, eventually becoming a distinctive part of the Mega Man franchise.

2025-04-10 16:40