History AlternateContinuity / VideoGames

* ''VideoGame/YokaiWatch'' has the games, the anime (and its movies which have an important plot to animated media), and the manga. Notably, some plots from the game and the anime get referenced and renditioned in each other, such as Episodes 25, 47, 77, 88, the first three movies (though loosely in this case), and the Busters T arc, while the two DarkerAndEdgier ''Shadowside'' and ''Forever Friends'' movies and the ''Shadowside'' anime series inspire most of the plot in ''VideoGame/YokaiWatch4'. Likewise, there are special manga volumes which serve as tie-ins for each of the movies.

** The [[Film/SonicTheHedgehog2020 live-action movie]] and [[Film/SonicTheHedgehog22022 its sequel]], which has already been confirmed to have another sequel and a spin-off series.

** In the UK there's the ''Fleetway ComicBook/SonicTheComic'' that ran from 1993-2002 and a collection of stand-alone comic strips which aren't part of that continuity. There's also the novels, a series of {{Gamebooks}} by the same writers but forming their own continuity (which includes an Adaptation Expansion of the second [[Platform/SegaGenesis Mega Drive]] game).

* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' has a confirmed 3 timelines branching from the end of ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Ocarina of Time]]'': one timeline continues from [[spoiler:the future after Link defeats Ganon and returns to his own time, leaving Hyrule with no hero]] (leading to ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker The Wind Waker]]''), one follows [[spoiler:the past after Young Link uses the skills and knowledge he gained as an adult to stop Ganon before he gained power]] (leading to ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask Majora's Mask]]''), and one results from [[spoiler:Link's ''defeat'' during ''Ocarina''[='s=] final battle against Ganon]] (leading to ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast A Link to the Past]]''). Ultimately, the events of ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild Breath of the Wild]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTearsOfTheKingdom Tears of the Kingdom]]'' are in an ambiguous spot in the series' timeline, and in the latter game, even time travel [[StableTimeLoop cannot change the course of history]].

* The ''VideoGame/MetalGear'' series has a few alternate continuities. There are two alternate sequels to the [[VideoGame/MetalGear1 original 8-bit game]]: ''VideoGame/SnakesRevenge'' for NES (which was actually the first sequel released, as Hideo Kojima hadn't planned on making one) and ''VideoGame/MetalGearGhostBabel'' for UsefulNotes/GameBoyColor (simply known as "Metal Gear Solid" outside Japan).

* SNK's ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters'' started off as a MassiveMultiplayerCrossover between several of their game franchises, but took liberties in order to actually let this happen. For example, ''VideoGame/ArtOfFighting'' took place in the late 1970s[[note]]As evidenced by in-game data; Ryo's birth year is 1957, and he's 22 in ''[=AOF2=]''[[/note]], but ''KOF'' shifted the events up 20 years and resorted to BroadStrokes to keep the cast young and active. Likewise, ''VideoGame/FatalFury'' BigBad Geese Howard died in that series, but is still alive in ''KOF''. Eventually, ''KOF'' evolved into its own distinct continuity, especially as more emphasis was placed on the OriginalGeneration characters like Kyo Kusanagi, K', and Ash Crimson. On top of that, ''King of Fighters EX'' for the UsefulNotes/GameboyAdvance and the [=3D=] ''KOF: Maximum Impact'' each exist within their own separate continuities.

** In the UK there's the ''Fleetway ComicBook/SonicTheComic'' that ran from 1993-2002 and a collection of stand-alone comic strips which aren't part of that continuity. There's also the novels, a series of {{Gamebooks}} by the same writers but forming their own continuity (which includes an Adaptation Expansion of the second [[UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis Mega Drive]] game).

* Two versions of the fourth ''VideoGame/{{Ys}}'' game (both of which were outsourced by Creator/{{Falcom}}) were produced concurrently, ''VideoGame/YsIVMaskOfTheSun'' for the UsefulNotes/SuperFamicom (Falcom's previous canonical version) and ''VideoGame/YsIVTheDawnOfYs'' for the UsefulNotes/PCEngine CD. They have the same characters and places but are completely different in terms of plot. Years later, Falcom made an internally developed version of ''Ys IV'' called ''VideoGame/YsMemoriesOfCelceta'', which replaces ''Mask of the Sun'', though it has more in common with that game than ''The Dawn of Ys''.

** It can be argued that the post-UsefulNotes/{{Playstation}} classic era games take place in an AU from the originals, due to several continuity and characterization differences.

* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' has a confirmed 3 timelines branching from the end of ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Ocarina of Time]]'': one timeline continues from [[spoiler:the future after Link defeats Ganon and returns to his own time, leaving Hyrule with no hero]] (leading to ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker The Wind Waker]]''), one follows [[spoiler:the past after Young Link uses the skills and knowledge he gained as an adult to stop Ganon before he gained power]] (leading to ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask Majora's Mask]]''), and one results from [[spoiler:Link's ''defeat'' during ''Ocarina''[='s=] final battle against Ganon]] (leading to ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast A Link to the Past]]''). Ultimately, the events of ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild Breath of the Wild]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTearsOfTheKingdom Tears of the Kingdom]]'' [[InSpiteOfANail will happen]] at the end of all these timelines.

* ''VideoGame/FZero'' has its main continuity with ''F-Zero'', ''F-Zero X'' and ''F-Zero GX''. Its alternate continuities are ''F-Zero: Maximum Velocity'' (which takes place 25 years after the events of the first game) and ''F-Zero: GP Legend'' (which takes place in 2201, as opposed to the 26th century). ''GP Legend'' was received lukewarmly by most fans in the West ''[[TheyChangedItNowItSucks because of the changes]]'' despite being a clear alternate universe.

* ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto'' has three different alternate continuities nicknamed the 2D Era (or Universe), the 3D Era, and the HD Era.

** The HD Era begins with ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIV'' (set and released in 2008) and includes that game's expansions ''[[VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIVTheLostAndDamned The Lost and Damned]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIVTheBalladOfGayTony The Ballad of Gay Tony]]'' (set around the same time as ''GTA IV''), ''[[VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoChinatownWars Chinatown Wars]]'' (set and released in 2009), and ''[[VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoV GTA V]]'' (set and released in 2013), and will continue with ''[[VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoVI GTA VI]]'' (to be set and released in 2025).

** The HD Era begins with ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIV'' (set and released in 2008) and includes that game's expansions ''[[VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIVTheLostAndDamned The Lost and Damned]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIVTheBalladOfGayTony The Ballad of Gay Tony]]'' (set around the same time as ''GTA VI''), ''[[VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoChinatownWars Chinatown Wars]]'' (set and released in 2009), and ''[[VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoV GTA V]]'' (set and released in 2013), and will continue with ''[[VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoVI GTA VI]]'' (to be set and released in 2025).

* ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto'' has three different alternate continuities nicknamed ''The 2D Era'', ''The 3D Era'' and ''The HD Era'' respectively. The 2D Era begins with ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoClassic'' and ends with ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto2''. The 3D Era '''chronogically''' begins with ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoViceCityStories'', goes on to ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoViceCity'', ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoSanAndreas'', ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoLibertyCityStories'', ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoAdvance'' and ends on ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIII''. The HD Era begins with ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIV'' and has so far continued with ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIVTheLostAndDamned'', ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIVTheBalladOfGayTony'', ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoChinatownWars'' and ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoV''.
** ButWaitTheresMore The 2D Era also had ''Grand Theft Auto London 1961'' and ''Grand Theft Auto London 1969'', which are expansion packs to ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoClassic'', making them the two oldest GTA games when it comes to the franchise's general chronology.

** The ''[[Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean Pirates]]'' playset takes in a continuity with trace elements of the second and third movies.
* Due to copyright ownership issues, ''[[VideoGame/StarControl Star Control: Origins]]'' is set in a different continuity from ''Star Control'' and ''Star Control II: The Ur-Quan Masters'' (well, and ''Star Control 3'', whose canonicity is disputed). The basic elements are there, and there are numerous references to ''Star Control II'' (the most popular in the series), including hints that both continuities might exist in alternate worlds. Notably, they also take place in different times. ''Star Control II'' starts in 2155, while ''Origins'' starts in 2088.

* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' has a confirmed 3 timelines branching from the end of ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Ocarina of Time]]'': one timeline continues from [[spoiler:the future after Link defeats Ganon and returns to his own time, leaving Hyrule with no hero]] (leading to ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker The Wind Waker]]''), one follows [[spoiler:the past after Young Link uses the skills and knowledge he gained as an adult to stop Ganon before he gained power]] (leading to ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask Majora's Mask]]''), and one results from [[spoiler:Link's ''defeat'' during ''Ocarina''[='s=] final battle against Ganon]] (leading to ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast A Link to the Past]]''). Ultimately, the events of ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild Breath of Wild]]'' [[InSpiteOfANail will happen]] at the end of all these timelines.

** ''Videogame/RaymanOrigins'' and its sequel ''Videogame/RaymanLegends'', which combine elements of the first two universes (the tv series is still out of luck) as an attempt at CanonWelding. ''Origins'' was originally supposed to be a prequel, however the story and setting end up contradicting earlier games, for example by changing charcters like the Magician into a Teensie. In effect this ends up being a fourth continuity.

** Then there is the ''VideoGame/Rayman2TheGreatEscape'' universe that serves as the setting for all subsequent games (''VideoGame/RaymanM'', ''[[VideoGame/Rayman3HoodlumHavoc Rayman 3]]'') and including the first three ''VideoGame/RavingRabbids'' games, a slightly more realistic fantasy realm. There are no ties to the universe or storyline from the first game and Rayman is now the only limbless character, which is explicityl noted to make him stand out in the backstory.[[note]]A cameo by the General from ''VideoGame/TonicTrouble'' suggests that ''Tonic Trouble'' takes place in this universe too. ''Tonic Trouble'' takes place on a surreal version of Earth where everyone has Floating Limbs, which flatly contradicts the slightly more realistic version of Earth we see in the ''Rabbids'' spin-off games, so let's keep things from getting too complicated and keep that out of the discussion, shall we?[[/note]]

** Then there is the ''VideoGame/Rayman2TheGreatEscape'' universe that serves as the setting for all subsequent games (''VideoGame/RaymanM'', ''[[VideoGame/Rayman3HoodlumHavoc Rayman 3]]'') and including the first three ''VideoGame/RavingRabbids'' games, a slightly more realistic fantasy realm. There are no ties to the universe or storyline from the first game and Rayman is now the only limbless character, which is explicityl noted to make him stand out in the backstory.[[note]]A cameo by the General from ''VideoGame/TonicTrouble'' suggests that ''Tonic Trouble'' takes place in this universe too. ''Tonic Trouble'' takes place on a surreal version of Earth where everyone has Raymanian Limbs, which flatly contradicts the slightly more realistic version of Earth we see in the ''Rabbids'' spin-off games, so let's keep things from getting too complicated and keep that out of the discussion, shall we?[[/note]]

* ''VideoGame/JeffWaynesWarOfTheWorlds'' differs from [[Literature/TheWarOfTheWorlds the book]] and the [[Music/JeffWaynesMusicalVersionOfTheWarOfTheWorlds rock opera]] that inspired it by taking place in an alternate universe where the humans aren't quite so outmatched, and the Martians remembered to take their flu shots.

* ''Video/Game'': The story of the PSA is completely different to ''VideoGame/ClubPenguin'', with BigBad of the original game Herbert P. Bear not even receiving a mention. The order that parties take place, minigames are developed and buildings are opened is also totally different.

** The long-running ''[[ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics Archie Sonic comic book]]'' was originally based on the ''[=SatAM=]'' cartoon and later diverged into its own continuity. It has been going from 1993 to 2016, including various DayInTheLimelight spinoffs such as ''Knuckles the Echidna'' and ''Sonic Universe''.
** The recent [[ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogIDW IDW Sonic comics]], despite using ''Sonic Forces'' as a starting point, are also within their own separate continuity, with game events already having happened (albeit possibly in a different way).

*** The game’s setting of the very early 1890s is conspicuously right before the familiar characters would come onto the scene. Albus Dumbledore was born in 1882 and would have started school in 1893. Gellert Grindelwald would have been born roughly the year after and Aberforth and Ariana later on in the decade. In canon, this would have actually been right around the time she was attacked by the Muggle boys. The only canon character who was an adult at this time who appears is Phineas Nigellus Black who’s only ever appeared in canon via his portraits. The game forgoes the other established academics of this era such as Armando Dippett and Bathilda Bagshot for original characters.

** We have four separate cartoon series: The comedy and slapstick based ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehog'', the more dramatic ''[[WesternAnimation/SonicTheHedgehogSatAM Sonic SatAM]]'', ''WesternAnimation/SonicUnderground'', and ''WesternAnimation/SonicBoom'' the latter of which also has two tie-in [[VideoGame/SonicBoom video games]] and a tie-in comic book.

* Creator/{{SNK}}[=/=]Playmore has released a bunch of [[NoExportForYou Japan only]] cellphone games- many of them [[DatingSim Dating Sims]] or [[RaisingSim Raising Sims]] that feature alternate versions of characters from its vast Fighting Game library. The Alternate Continuity is especially accented for example, in the games that take place in modern times but have characters from ''[[VideoGame/SamuraiShodown Samurai Spirits]]'' show up- quite often as the male protagonist's potential romantic interest. Or in the case of [[NinjaMaid Iroha]] for one Raising Sim, as a plain old human version that you strive to make the damned best maid in the world.

* ''LightNovel/SwordArtOnline'' has an Alternate Continuity videogame series started with ''Sword Art Online Infinity Moment'' made by Banpresto. The game starts off with [[spoiler: Kirito killing Heathcliff, however the game still doesn't get cleared unlike how it was in the series proper due to strange glitching in the system, and thus the players must climb up to floor 76 and beyond]]. It later received an UpdatedReRelease in ''Sword Art Online Hollow Fragment'', which added on several more story elements, and the sequels, ''Lost Song'' and ''Hollow Realization'', take place after the events of ''Hollow Fragment''. Many of the differences include [[spoiler:Leafa and Sinon being dragged into SAO thanks to the glitches, Sugo (aka Oberon) taking over as the BigBad of Aincrad, two new heroines named Philia and Strea joining the main gang, the ''Alfheim'' arc changing thanks to Sugo going to jail early, a whole new VRMMO called Sword Art Origin coming out, and Yuuki Konno ''[[SparedByTheAdaptation not]]'' dying like in canon]].

** Then, ''another'' reboot was attempted with ''VideoGame/{{Skylanders}}: Spyro's Adventure'', which introduces as many protagonists the players [[GottaCatchThemAll can manage to get]].

** The long-running ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehog'' ''Creator/ArchieComics'' which was originally based on the ''[=SatAM=]'' cartoon and later diverged into its own continuity. It has been going since 1993, including various DayInTheLimelight spinoffs such as ''Knuckles the Echidna'' and ''Sonic Universe''.

** ''[[WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles The Incredibles]]'' playset is set in a Metroville where Syndrome did ''not'' kidnap Jack-Jack and simply sent more of his robots on the city.

* In 2017, Creator/WarnerBrothers created a subsidiary of its interactive entertainment called Portkey Games dedicated to making games set in the ''Franchise/HarryPotter'' franchise. However both WB and Portkey’s official stance is that the games are only “inspired by” the universe and should not be considered canon. These games include: ''VideoGame/HarryPotterHogwartsMystery'', ''VideoGame/HarryPotterWizardsUnite'', and ''VideoGame/HogwartsLegacy''.