Some of the greatest video game mascots of all time have eventually branched out into different genres like RPGs. Mario and Sonic are two big examples, but there are so many others. A mascot RPG is basically a spinoff that takes established characters, often in a crossover context, and reuses them for a grand adventure.
10 RPGs where the world tells the story
These RPGs are masters of feeding you their story, not just through cutscenes, but through powerful environmental narrative.
Sometimes the experiments work out and other times it gets more complicated. The following games will be ranked based on the quality of the RPG, from visuals to mechanics to story. Although at first they could be seen as gimmicks, these games have now become as iconic as anything similar The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim.
Rearrange the cases in the correct US release order.
Start
Rearrange the cases in the correct US release order.
Light (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)
Super Robot Wars Y
Anime Mecha Unite
Super Robot Wars Y is the latest game in the franchise, which started on the Game Boy in 1991. The big gimmick is to combine various anime series into a massive tactical RPG, with flashy animations where fan service takes precedence, and the story acts as an afterthought.
There are various Gundam series such as Mobile Suit Z Gundam, Mobile Fighter G Gundamand Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz. Some non-Gundam franchising includes Macross, Goats Robo, Code Geassand, strangest of all, Godzilla. It might not have a stacked list of the best mecha anime out there in comparison to other entries, but Super Robot Wars Y is at least readily available.
Project X Zone 2
A tactical crossover
Project X Zone 2 is another tactical RPG, combining game franchises from Sega, Bandai Namco and Capcom. Some franchise agreements include Yakuza, Tekken, Mega manand many others. Most units come in pairs, although some solo units can join a pair.
When battles begin, players can create combos almost like a fighting game and try to do the most damage in a certain amount of time. A classic couple includes Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield from Resident Evilfor example. The challenge level is relatively well balanced, but the battles take a long time.
Mega Man Battle Network 3 (Blue/White)
Super Fighting Digital Robot
Mega Man Battle Network 3
- Released
-
June 24, 2003
- ESRB
-
e
- Developer
-
Capcom Production Studio 2
Mega Man Battle Network 3 was the first game to implement one Pokémon-style separation of versions, including a blue and white edition. Although the content differed between the versions, it was more of the same. Lan, a child, was able to send is NetNavi, MegaMan.EXE, into the digital world.
10 Best Anthology RPGs
Perspective changes everything, and these RPGs that feature short and long stories of different characters know it best.
In dungeons, players can encounter monsters and transfer items to a 2D arena where players can choose different attacks from chips, randomly loaded into their deck. This game and the rest of it Mega Man Battle Network game, helped prove it Mega manas a franchise, could work as an RPG.
The world of Final Fantasy
Pokemon hearts
World of Final Fantasy is a crossover Final Fantasy game, but the two original characters, twins Lann and Reynn, look a lot like original characters that would appear in Kingdom Hearts. The two jump into a magical world where everyone Final Fantasy properties are in one place.
It's a turn-based RPG where the twins can capture monsters and either ride them or balance them on their heads in battle. It is essentially one Pokémon clone, but a little more sophisticated than most monster-catching RPGs. The best part is meeting fan favorite characters like Cloud from Final Fantasy 7 or Flash from Final Fantasy 13 and seeing them look absolutely adorable in chibi form.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
XCOM in the Mushroom Kingdom
Mario is one of the greatest mascot characters of all time, so naturally there had to be at least two Mario-based RPGs on the list. Most of his roleplay is turn based, though Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a bit different because it has more in common with XCOM than Final Fantasy.
Mario and his usual crew of friends are joined by Rabbids from Rayman universe, who are big fans of the Mushroom Kingdom, so they dress up as Mario, Luigi, and Peach, just to name a few. Each character gets a different weapon in battle, like Mario has a laser blaster, and taking cover between attacks and movement is important. It is not as difficult as XCOM or most strategy games, thankfully, but it will give players a decent challenge.
South Park: The Stick Of Truth
The boys play EarthBound
The children of South Park first existed as cartoon characters, but through various games they also became more ubiquitous characters in pop culture. South Park: The Stick of Truth was the first RPG and probably the best South Park game. Players got to create their new child character and then follow classics from Cartman to Butters.
7 RPGs that rarely force you into combat
Non-violence is a welcome option in these RPGs that allow you to approach conflicts and enemies in peaceful ways.
In combat there was a time based element to be more effective, and spells were all ridiculous. The best thing about the game was all the references and easter eggs, which made the campaign feel like one big episode that never got old.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Beans, beans, the magical fruit
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga was first released on the GBA, and it was the start of a new Mario-based RPG series. This turn-based RPG focused on Mario and Luigi alone as the only party members, but due to the active gameplay and their charismatic Italian laughs, they still managed to carry an entire game.
In battle, the A button controlled Mario and the B button controlled Luigi. Players can time attacks to do more damage and avoid attacks as all enemies behave differently. Because the battles are always changing, battles rarely get old, and along with the colorful world of Beanbean Kingdom, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga is among the best Mario-based RPGs of all time.
Kingdom Hearts 2
Disney and Final Fantasy Worlds collide
The Kingdom Hearts The series originally began as a Mickey-based action platformer, which later evolved into the original character, Sora, who was joined by Donald and Goofy on the adventure. Kingdom Hearts 2 is technically the third game, continuing the trio's adventures across a universe filled with Disney planets based on movies. The mule, Beauty and the Beastand Throne are three recent examples, but there are some returning films as well, such as Aladdin and The Little Mermaid.
Combat is action-based, with new powers introduced, such as shape-shifting, and there are still plenty of jumping challenges. Although players will be lost when jumping in Kingdom Hearts 2 First, this is still the best game in the series that balances all the crossover features, action and platforming.
Game Over: 6 Video Game Mascots That Are Basically Dead
There was once a large roster of video game mascots to rival Mario and Sonic, but many of them have gone the way of the dinosaur.
