Great Games Where Nintendo Collaborated With Other Developers

Key Takeaways

Nintendo IPs innovate through crossovers, allowing for diverse gameplay styles and engaging experiences.
Each collaboration brings unique mechanics and challenges, such as rhythm-based gameplay or tactical strategy elements.
The success of combining popular series showcases the versatility and creativity of Nintendo’s first-party franchises.

As someone who grew up with Nintendo’s iconic characters and has spent countless hours battling it out in various tactical RPGs, I must say that these crossovers are absolute game-changers!

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but marvel at the profound impact Nintendo’s intellectual properties have on the gaming world. From the magical realm of Super Mario, Fire Emblem, The Legend of Zelda, and numerous others, countless fans like myself have been captivated by these vibrant universes. Each console generation sees Nintendo prioritizing their first-party series, whether through groundbreaking games or an array of merchandise that keeps the magic alive.

Nintendo’s commitment to its long-running franchises stems from their stringent quality standards. Occasionally, for the purpose of fostering creativity and maintaining novelty, they grant other reliable developers the freedom to innovate within these franchises. Some games might feature a few costumes or levels inspired by other intellectual properties, while certain Nintendo intellectual properties may fully merge with another series or even adopt another series’ gameplay style.

While Super Smash Bros. falls under this category because Bandai Namco Studios developed the latest versions, we’re choosing to exclude it from focus, instead shining light on other game franchises for a broader perspective.

11 Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Winter Games

Life-Long Rivalry In The Cold

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games represents the second installment in the much-anticipated crossover between two beloved franchises. This game builds upon the initial series, where iconic characters from Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog engage in a variety of winter sports competitions.

The unique feature of this series is that it distinguishes between normal and dream scenarios, with dream sequences making the games more difficult by introducing new challenges. The series also alternates between summer and winter Olympic events, offering a diverse range of activities, making it an excellent choice for a group of players.

10 Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix

The One Mario Rhythm Game

In “Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix,” Mario, along with characters like Wario, Waluigi, and even Bowser, had their chance to shine by dancing their way through obstacles, all set to the beat. Essentially, everyone was demonstrating their moves against our familiar friend, Mario, on a dance floor equipped with a dance pad.

In this edition, the music from various Mario games was creatively remixed for each level, ranging from Donkey Kong and Mario Party tunes to Super Mario Bros and Paper Mario compositions, among others. Additionally, it offers unique mini-games such as Chain Chomp Chase and Whack-a-Goomba to deliver a variety of enjoyable experiences.

9 Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX

Pokemon Team To The Rescue

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX represents an updated edition, merging the Game Boy Advance versions of both Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team. Originally, these games were a unique blend of Game Freak’s beloved Pokemon characters and Spike Chunsoft’s intriguing Mystery Dungeon series. The game mechanics revolve around the core principles of Mystery Dungeon, but with added elements such as Pokemon abilities, moves, and items.

Spike Chunsoft initiated the Mystery Dungeon series with Torneko’s Great Adventure in 1993. The series saw significant success in Japan, particularly with Shiren The Wanderer, though only a limited number of Mystery Dungeon entries were released overseas. Given Pokemon’s widespread popularity, it proved an opportune moment for Mystery Dungeon to pique Western interest through a crossover. This strategy paid off, captivating numerous players eager to delve into the ominous dungeons and rescue Pokemon from impending peril.

8 Pokemon Conquest

Being The Best Conquerer

Pokemon Conquest integrated the popular Pokemon universe with the historical strategy game series, Nobunaga Ambition, which was first introduced in 1983. In this game, players could immerse themselves in feudal Japan as Nobunaga Oda, aiming to bring unity to Japan by conquering various regions of Japan. The battles had diverse objectives, such as defeating the opposing commander or holding off an attack until reinforcements arrived.

In Pokemon Conquest, gameplay is reminiscent of Koei’s originals, enabling players to command a Pokemon army with the objective of capturing the seventeen kingdoms of Ransei. To optimize performance in battles, it’s advisable to select units that complement each other best, highlighting their strengths and exploiting enemies’ weaknesses and resistances. As Pokemon interact and form bonds, they grow stronger, potentially evolving to enhance their stats and abilities for combat.

7 Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes

Alternate Reality Of Three Houses

As a passionate gamer immersed in the world of Fire Emblem, let me tell you that Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is the ultimate blend of Fire Emblem’s rich narrative and the Musou Warriors’ dynamic gameplay. The action-packed warfare feels perfectly tailored to the Fire Emblem universe, offering a thrilling, fast-paced battle experience. Yet, strategy remains crucial as you must carefully assemble your troops to outmaneuver your enemies. Leading my army during battles is not just about winning; it’s about executing critical tasks efficiently and effectively, ensuring I make the most of every second on the battlefield.

As a gamer, I’m thrilled to find that the essence of Fire Emblem: Three Houses has been carried over to its lighter version! Features like classes, adjacency, blacksmithing, items, Hero’s Relics, and more are all present. The game’s extensive dialogue really immerses you in the story, allowing you to make crucial decisions that can shape the destiny of your character.

6 Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition

Celebration Of Legend Of Zelda

In the Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition, the world of The Legend of Zelda was merged into Koei’s Musou Warriors universe. This spin-off series is distinct from the main franchise, representing Koei Tecmo’s interpretation of a troubled Hyrule. The game draws upon numerous characters from across the series, including original characters such as Cia and Lana. Gameplay follows the style of Musou Warriors games, allowing characters to unleash special moves and magic to defeat hordes of enemies. Each character can select their preferred weapons, with options like Link and Lana having multiple choices.

The initial version offered numerous downloadable content (DLC) for several years, which featured costumes and levels influenced by various Zelda games such as Majora’s Mask and Wind Waker. The ultimate edition contained every DLC pack, making it a rich and extensive release for gamers to delve into.

5 Cadence of Hyrule

Heart-Pounding Quest Of Hyrule

Cadence of Hyrule represents an independent venture that merges the realm of Hyrule into a thrilling, pulse-pounding escapade. This is a 2D interpretation of the classic Legend of Zelda, featuring gameplay reminiscent of Brace Yourself Games’ Crypt of the Necrodancer. The initial indie title was a roguelike rhythm adventure set deep within the enigmatic crypt, where the story culminated in the main character being cursed to dance according to her heartbeat, which had been stolen. To break this curse and reclaim her heart, she must embark on a journey guided by the beat of her own heart.

In the game called “Cadence of Hyrule,” the predicament mirrors its story as all of Hyrule is under a curse, affecting even characters like Link and Zelda. This situation compels them to join forces with Cadence, the main character, in an attempt to break the musical spell over the land of Hyrule. The game’s soundtrack features more than 20 tracks from “The Legend of Zelda” series remixed for the game, some of which are sung by the Shopkeeper from “Crypt of the Necrodancer.

4 Hyrule Warriors Age of Calamity

Personalized Past Of Breath Of The Wild

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but express my excitement over how Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity served as a vital installment, shedding light on the catastrophic event known as The Great Calamity, hinted at in Breath of the Wild. Immersing myself into the Musou-style Warriors gameplay allowed me to embody Link, the hero who battled countless monsters tirelessly to either thwart or attempt to halt The Great Calamity.

Koei Tecmo skillfully wove the event into the game that showcased each character’s abilities during combat before the impending disaster. Each character has a distinct fighting style and relic usage, enabling them to tackle masses of opponents effectively. Moreover, the battles in this game are broader and more varied than those in Hyrule Warriors, and each character gets their moment to shine with captivating dialogue. For instance, Link shows more character development when interacting with Zelda and her champions. Additionally, it provides a unique opportunity for players to control a canonical Zelda character.

3 FE Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore

Duet Of Fire Emblem and Shin Megami Tensei

The game, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore, fuses the cherished worlds of Fire Emblem and Shin Megami Tensei in an engaging musical crossover. In collaboration with Nintendo and Atlus, they crafted a distinctive role-playing game set within the Japanese landscape, offering players an extraordinary adventure.

Adventurers traverse through two distinct worlds to vanquish the menacing illusions using spells and assaults. Gameplay closely resembles that of Shin Megami Tensei, particularly in terms of exploration and combat. Knowing an enemy’s vulnerabilities and resistances, such as Zio, Bufu, Agi, among others, is crucial for gaining an edge in battles.

The game equally emphasizes interaction and camaraderie. Building rapport among team members is crucial for harmonious coordination of attacks, akin to the strategy in Fire Emblem. Teamwork results in powerful duo and synchronized assaults, earning applause from the spectators during combat.

2 Pokken Tournament DX

Pokemon X Tekken

In an intriguing blend, Pokkén Tournament DX fused Game Freak’s beloved Pokemon universe with Bandai Namco’s classic fighting system, Tekken. This fusion resulted in a distinctive fighting game that caters to both beginners and seasoned players, offering a welcoming experience for newcomers while maintaining an engaging challenge for veterans.

Each Pokemon is categorized into several types: power, normal, speed, and skill. The gameplay styles vary from well-rounded characters like Pikachu, to offensive, high-risk playstyles such as Blaziken, or the cunning Gengar. It’s also one of the few Nintendo games that received competitive developer support, which in turn fostered a thriving tournament scene for a while.

1 Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle

Super Mario Rabbids Xcom

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle was the initial game released for the Nintendo Switch, featuring an unexpected blend of characters. Mario and his companions team up with the Rabbids from Ubisoft to restore tranquility in the Mushroom Kingdom, which has been disrupted. Along this adventure, you’ll encounter amusing conversations, costumes, and the signature zaniness that the Rabbids are known for.

In contrast to other Mario games, this one stands out with its strategic gameplay. Instead of the usual platforming, Mario now has to plan his movements and attack enemies in a way reminiscent of the XCOM series. Each character can carry both primary and secondary weapons that offer various effects such as burn, freeze, poison, and more. Characters also have unique abilities, like Mario’s high jumps or Rabbid Luigi’s vampiric dash attack. It’s an ideal choice for those looking for a humorous, engaging strategy game that has expanded with DLC and even spawned a sequel set in space.

2024-09-27 10:06