History Main / CrossGenerationVideoGame

* ''VideoGame/Battlefield2042'' is set to come out on the eighth-gen Platform/XboxOne and Platform/PlayStation4 and the ninth-gen Platform/XboxSeriesXAndS and Platform/PlayStation5 on the same day.

* ''VideoGame/GranTurismo 7'' was originally developed as a Platform/PlayStation5 exclusive game, but due to the chip shortage, Sony was unable to produce more Playstation 5 systems all times, so Gran Turismo 7 was changed into the cross-generation game for Platform/PlayStation4 and [=PlayStation=] 5.

* ''VideoGame/StreetFighterAlpha'' series were passed to home consoles during the generation of Platform/PlayStation and Platform/SegaDreamcast. However, they made the impossible: Capcom adapted ''Street Fighter Alpha 2'' to the Platform/{{SNES}} in an unexpected move as one of the last games for the console, getting a fluid gameplay with less graphics but accurate as possible for the SNES.

* ''VideoGame/WorldOfTanks'' was given a console release for the Platform/Playstation4, Platform/XBoxOne, and Platform/XBox360. This proved to be a controversial decision, as the programmers insisted on keeping all three versions identical, which meant that the Playstation 4 and [=XBox=] One versions had to run at much lower graphics and with smaller and less-detailed maps to match the limitations of the 360. This was especially bad for the [=PS4=] version, as the [=XBox=] One at least had cross-platform compatibility with the 360 so it got a larger player base in exchange. [=PlayStation=] players simply got a game that was continually losing content without any sort of trade off.

* Pro Evolution Soccer 2 (also known as Winning Eleven 6) was released on PlayStation 2 and Platform/PlayStation 1 (the [=PS1=] version was titled Winning Eleven 2002 in Japan as opposed to Pro Evolution Soccer 2 elsewhere)

This doesn't really happen on PC games, due to both [=PCs=] lacking distinct generations for the most part, and because almost all PC games are designed to scale across hardware to a certain extent thanks to graphics settings. That said, this scalability often aids developers in crafting cross-generation console games, with the last-gen versions using the equivalent of the PC version's low settings, while the next-gen versions can take advantage of the higher settings.

Compare and contrast MovedToTheNextConsole, where a game shifts entirely over to new hardware without releasing on the previous generation. If a game has radically different versions on different generations, then it's a ReformulatedGame instead. Goes hand in hand with the DaddySystem trope, where an older console remains popular and supported even after its successor releases.

* Pro Evolution Soccer 2 (also known as Winning Eleven 6) was released on PlayStation 2 and Platform/PlayStation 1 (the PS1 version was titled Winning Eleven 2002 in Japan as opposed to Pro Evolution Soccer 2 elsewhere)

* Pro Evolution Soccer 2 (also known as Winning Eleven 6) was released on PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 1 (the PS1 version was titled Winning Eleven 2002 in Japan as opposed to Pro Evolution Soccer 2 elsewhere)

* ''VideoGame/SpiderManMilesMorales'' launched simultaneously for UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 and UsefulNotes/PlayStation5. The [=PS5=] version initially offered a choice between ray-tracing and 60 FPS, with a patch adding [[TakeAThirdOption a third "Performance RT" mode]] that features reduced-quality ray tracing at 60 FPS. The Deluxe version also comes with a remastered [=PS5=] version of [[VideoGame/SpiderManPS4 its predecessor]] featuring the same upgrades present in the [=PS5=] version of ''Miles Morales''.
* ''VideoGame/RodeaTheSkySoldier'' is an interesting example. It was originally developed for the Wii, and was completed for that console in 2011. However, despite this, its publisher refused to release it at that time, [[TheShelfOfMovieLanguishment instead sitting on the game until 2015.]] During this game, the UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS released, and the UsefulNotes/WiiU succeeded the UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}, so the publisher decided to commission ports to the former two systems. The 3DS version was developed first, with the graphics being downgraded and the controls being adjusted to utilize the system's touch screen. When it came time to create the Wii U version, the publisher decided to base if off of the 3DS version so that its touchscreen features could use the [=GamePad=]. This meant that the Wii U version, aside from its higher resolution, would look worse than the Wii version, in spite of having much more powerful hardware. When the game finally released, first print runs of the Wii U version included the Wii version as a bonus disc. The game's director, Yuji Naka, expressed his dissatisfaction with the Wii U version, telling people to play the Wii version instead and throw the Wii U disc into a sewage canal.
* ''VideoGame/ScurgeHive'' was released for both the UsefulNotes/GameboyAdvance and the UsefulNotes/NintendoDS.

** For ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedValhalla'', versions for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/XboxOne, and UsefulNotes/XboxSeriesXAndS were released simultaneously, and on the launch day for the latter console. The UsefulNotes/PlayStation5 version launched a week later to coincide with the launch of that console.
* ''VideoGame/HorizonForbiddenWest'' is launching on both the UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 and UsefulNotes/PlayStation5, after the initial announcement of the game only revealed the latter version's existence. The 2023 expansion "The Burning Shores" however will be exclusive to the [=PlayStation 5=].
* ''VideoGame/GodOfWarRagnarok'' will release on both the UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 and UsefulNotes/PlayStation5 in 2022. This marks the first time a ''God of War'' game was available for more than one system at launch.
* ''VideoGame/RiseOfTheTombRaider'', released on UsefulNotes/XboxOne and UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, was also one of the last games for the UsefulNotes/Xbox360.

* ''VideoGame/GranTurismo 7'' was originally developed as a UsefulNotes/PlayStation5 exclusive game, but due to the chip shortage, Sony was unable to produce more Playstation 5 systems all times, so Gran Turismo 7 was changed into the cross-generation game for UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 and [=PlayStation=] 5.
* ''VideoGame/{{Forza}} Horizon 5'' was released on the UsefulNotes/XboxOne and UsefulNotes/XboxSeriesXAndS.

* ''VideoGame/JoJosBizarreAdventureEyesOfHeaven'' was released for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 and [[UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 4]] in Japan, but [[NoExportForYou only the PS4 version was sold internationally]].
* ''VideoGame/StreetFighterAlpha'' series were passed to home consoles during the generation of Usefulnotes/PlayStation and UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast. However, they made the impossible: Capcom adapted ''Street Fighter Alpha 2'' to the UsefulNotes/{{SNES}} in an unexpected move as one of the last games for the console, getting a fluid gameplay with less graphics but accurate as possible for the SNES.

* ''VideoGame/{{Multiversus}}'' is slated to come out on the eighth-gen UsefulNotes/XboxOne and UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 and the ninth-gen UsefulNotes/XboxSeriesXAndS and UsefulNotes/PlayStation5.
* ''VideoGame/StreetFighter6'' is slated to come out on the eighth-gen UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 and the ninth-gen UsefulNotes/PlayStation5 and UsefulNotes/XboxSeriesXAndS.

* ''VideoGame/FireEmblemWarriors'' launched simultaneously for UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch and UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS, although the latter version only worked on the New 3DS model that features improved hardware over the original.

* ''VideoGame/WolfensteinTheNewOrder'' launched for UsefulNotes/PlayStation3, UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/Xbox360 and UsefulNotes/XboxOne simultaneously.
* ''VideoGame/HaloInfinite'' launched for both UsefulNotes/XboxOne and UsefulNotes/XboxSeriesXAndS.

** ''Call of Duty 3'' released for UsefulNotes/PlayStation2, UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}}, UsefulNotes/Xbox360, UsefulNotes/PlayStation3, and UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}. Notably this makes it the first and only mainline ''Call of Duty'' game to come out on 6th gen consoles.

* ''VideoGame/Battlefield2042'' is set to come out on the eighth-gen UsefulNotes/XboxOne and UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 and the ninth-gen UsefulNotes/XboxSeriesXAndS and UsefulNotes/PlayStation5 on the same day.

* ''VideoGame/WorldOfTanks'' was given a console release for the UsefulNotes/Playstation4, UsefulNotes/XBoxOne, and UsefulNotes/XBox360. This proved to be a controversial decision, as the programmers insisted on keeping all three versions identical, which meant that the Playstation 4 and [=XBox=] One versions had to run at much lower graphics and with smaller and less-detailed maps to match the limitations of the 360. This was especially bad for the [=PS4=] version, as the [=XBox=] One at least had cross-platform compatibility with the 360 so it got a larger player base in exchange. [=PlayStation=] players simply got a game that was continually losing content without any sort of trade off.

* ''VideoGame/BalanWonderworld'' was released simultaneously on the UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/PlayStation5, UsefulNotes/XboxOne, UsefulNotes/XboxSeriesXAndS, and UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch. Given the massively lower computational ability of the last system, its version suffered in terms of performance.
* ''VideoGame/CaptainToadTreasureTracker'' is a weird example in that the original release wasn't one, being released exclusively for the Wii U, but its UpdatedRerelease ''was'', launching simultaneously on UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch and UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS.
* ''VideoGame/RaymanLegends'' was originally developed as a UsefulNotes/WiiU exclusive, and was meant to take full advantage of that console's touchscreen-equipped [=GamePad=] controller, but poor sales of ''VideoGame/ZombiU'' convinced Ubisoft to make it MultiPlatform with releases on UsefulNotes/Xbox360 and UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 as well. This infamously caused the game to be delayed from February to September 2013, which put it right up against ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoV'', contributing to its poor initial sales. Versions for UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 and UsefulNotes/XboxOne followed a few months later in February 2014.
* ''VideoGame/MightyNo9'' launched for 7th generation consoles UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 and UsefulNotes/Xbox360, as well as 8th generation consoles UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/WiiU, and UsefulNotes/XboxOne. In hindsight, this cross-generation development was probably a mistake, as developing the game for so many platforms at once put a lot of strain on the small, crowd-funded development team, contributing to the game's [[ScheduleSlip many delays]] that ironically made the last-gen versions less necessary by the time it finally released.
* ''VideoGame/SackboyABigAdventure'' released simultaneously on UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 and UsefulNotes/PlayStation5.

** ''VideoGame/Sonic3DBlast'' was originally developed solely for the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis, intended as both a triumphant GrandFinale for ''Sonic'' on the console he was created on, and to serve as a companion to the UsefulNotes/{{Sega Saturn}} exclusive ''VideoGame/SonicXTreme''. ''X-Treme'' was meant to be Sonic's big VideoGame3DLeap, while ''3D Blast'' would satisfy fans that hadn't upgraded to the new console yet. However, thanks to an excessively TroubledProduction, Sega ended up cancelling ''X-Treme'', and ordered a Saturn port of ''3D Blast'' to fill the void. The two versions of the game play largely the same, with the Saturn version featuring a few enhancements such as more natural looking backgrounds, weather effects, and 3D special stages.
** ''VideoGame/SonicUnleashed'' is technically two separate games -- the original was released on the UsefulNotes/Xbox360 and UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 while a {{reformulated|Game}} port came out on the less powerful UsefulNotes/{{Wii}} and UsefulNotes/PlayStation2. Barring the [=PS3=] version, all of them were released on the same day (outside Japan).
** ''VideoGame/SonicFrontiers'' was released for every eighth generation console (UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/XboxOne, & UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch) alongside both ninth generation consoles (UsefulNotes/PlayStation5 & UsefulNotes/XboxSeriesXAndS). The latter two versions feature a higher framerate than the others (which target 30fps).
* ''VideoGame/Psychonauts2'' released for the 8th generation UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/XboxOne, the new 9th generation UsefulNotes/XboxSeriesXAndS, but curiously not the UsefulNotes/PlayStation5, likely due to Microsoft purchasing Creator/DoubleFine during the game's production.

* ''VideoGame/Persona5'' was originally developed for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation3, but due to ScheduleSlip pushing its release date well into the life-cycle of the UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, it launched for both systems simultaneously. The [=PS4=] version offers modest but noticable improvements such as a higher resolution of 1080p compared to the [=PS3=] version's 720p, and a more stable framerate with less screen tearing.
** The Xbox version of ''[[UpdatedRerelease Persona 5 Royal]]'' is coming out simultaneously for UsefulNotes/XboxOne and UsefulNotes/XboxSeriesXAndS.
* ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'' launched for UsefulNotes/PlayStation3, UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/Xbox360 and UsefulNotes/XboxOne simultaneously, with the cross-generation development being a notable contributor to the game's TroubledProduction.

** ''VideoGame/TalesOfZestiria'' and ''VideoGame/TalesOfBerseria'' both came out for both UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 and [[UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 4]], though the [=PS3=] version of the latter [[NoExportForYou only released in Japan]].
** ''VideoGame/TalesOfArise'' was originally planned for the UsefulNotes/XboxOne and UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 in its original announcement back in 2019. Since then versions for the ninth-gen UsefulNotes/XboxSeriesXAndS and UsefulNotes/PlayStation5 were also added, with all versions released on September 2021. The ninth-gen versions offer the ability to either target 4K resolution or 60 FPS gameplay with variable resolution.
* ''VideoGame/ScarletNexus'' released on the eighth-gen UsefulNotes/XboxOne and UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 and the ninth-gen UsefulNotes/XboxSeriesXAndS and UsefulNotes/PlayStation5 the same day. The eighth-gen aim to target a 1080p resolution at 30 FPS while the ninth-gen has a target of 4k resolution at 60 FPS.
* ''VideoGame/StrangerOfParadiseFinalFantasyOrigin'' came out on March 18, 2022, for both eighth-gen (UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 and UsefulNotes/XboxOne) and ninth-gen (UsefulNotes/PlayStation5 and UsefulNotes/XboxSeriesX) consoles. In an interesting twist, its initial two demos were exclusive to the [=PS5=] before its third was released for all systems.

* ''VideoGame/{{FIFA}} 14'' launched on not 2 but ''3'' generations of hardware, being one of the last games for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2, a 6th generation console, while also coming out on the 7th and the then-new 8th generation consoles.

* ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilVillage'' is the first cross-generation release for the ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'' series, releasing on the eighth-gen UsefulNotes/XboxOne and UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 and the ninth-gen UsefulNotes/XboxSeriesXAndS and UsefulNotes/PlayStation5. The ninth-gen versions, naturally, takes advantage of the consoles support for ray-tracing.

* ''VideoGame/SniperEliteIII'' released around the time of the end of the Seventh Generation of Consoles and beginning of the Eighth in mid-2014, and as a result released for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation3, UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/Xbox360, and UsefulNotes/XboxOne as well as UsefulNotes/MicrosoftWindows.
* ''Sneak King'', along with two other games ''Pocket Bike Racers'' and ''Big Bumpin''' were 3 games that were developed as part of a promotional deal between Burger King and Microsoft and sold at the former's restaurants for $4 each. The games ran on both the original Xbox and Xbox 360, but instead of just being regular Xbox games that run under backward compatibility on the 360, they included native versions for each console on the same disc, and were curiously the only games to be released in this format.

** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'' was originally developed on UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube, but development delays led to the decision to release it on the UsefulNotes/{{Wii}} as well. In North America, the Wii version actually came out almost a month earlier than the [=GameCube=] version, though other regions got both versions closer together. The Wii version mirrors ''the entire game'' left-to-right, to account for the Wii's control scheme (most of the world is right-handed, while Link is traditionally left-handed). The HD remake for the UsefulNotes/WiiU was based on the [=GameCube=] version, with the Hero Mode being inspired by the Wii version.
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'': Originally developed for the Wii U, it ended up not being finished until Nintendo was ready to release their next console, the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, which prompted Nintendo to make it a dual release on both systems. The Switch version renders at a higher resolution, and features a more stable frame rate and higher quality audio.

** ''VideoGame/LikeADragonIshin'' released in February 2014 for both the UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 and UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, serving as a launch title for the Japanese release of the latter system. The remake ([[RemadeForTheExport which was the first time it was brought to the West]]) was released for both eighth and ninth gen systems in February 2023.

* ''VideoGame/{{Yakuza}}'':
** ''VideoGame/RyuGaGotokuIshin'' released in February 2014 for both the UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 and UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, serving as a launch title for the Japanese release of the latter system. The remake will be released for both eighth and ninth gen systems in early 2023.
** ''VideoGame/Yakuza0'' and ''[[VideoGame/Yakuza1 Yakuza Kiwami]]'' were each released for both the [=PS3=] and [=PS4=] in 2015 and 2016 respectively. However, given that the former system was at the very end of its lifespan at the time, only the [=PS4=] versions were localized - by the time of their worldwide release in 2017, the [=PS3=] had just died out.
** ''VideoGame/YakuzaLikeADragon'' is an interesting variation. Upon its initial Japanese release on January 16, 2020, it was a [=PS4=] exclusive. But, when it launched worldwide nearly 10 months later, its localization not only came to [=PS4=], but the Xbox One and the ninth-gen Xbox Series X as well, being a launch title for the latter. Then, a Japanese release of the Xbox versions followed in January 2021, with the [=PS5=] version launching in all regions two months later in March. In other words, it received a current-gen, cross-gen, and next-gen release on three separate occasions.

** ''VideoGame/Sonic3DBlast'' was originally developed solely for the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis, intended as both a triumphant GrandFinale for ''Sonic'' on the console he was created on, and to serve as a companion to the UsefulNotes/{{Sega Saturn}} exclusive ''VideoGame/SonicXTreme''. ''X-Treme'' was meant to be Sonic's big VideoGame3DLeap, while ''3D Blast'' would satisfy fans that hadn't upgraded to the new console yet. However, Sega ended up cancelling ''X-Treme'' due to its excessively TroubledProduction, and attempted to fill the void with a Saturn port of ''3D Blast. The two versions of the game play largely the same, with the Saturn version featuring a few enhancements such as more natural looking backgrounds, weather effects, and 3D special stages.

This doesn't really happen on PC games, due to both [=PCs=] lacking distinct generations for the most part, and because almost all PC games are designed to scale across hardware to a certain extent thanks to graphics settings. That said, game developers often take advantage of this scalability when creating crossgeneration console games, with the last-gen versions using the equivalent of the PC version's low settings, while the next-gen versions can take advantage of the higher settings.

* ''VideoGame/GranTurismo 7'' was originally developed as a UsefulNotes/Playstation5 exclusive game, but due to the chip shortage, Sony was unable to produce more Playstation 5 systems all times, so Gran Turismo 7 was changed into the cross-generation game for UsefulNotes/Playstation4 and Playstation 5.

* ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreed'':

* ''VideoGame/HorizonForbiddenWest'' is launching on both the UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 and UsefulNotes/PlayStation5, after the initial announcement of the game only revealed the latter version's existence.

** ''VideoGame/SonicUnleashed'' is technically two separate games -- the original game was released on the UsefulNotes/Xbox360 and UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 while a {{reformulated|Game}} port came out on the less powerful UsefulNotes/{{Wii}} and UsefulNotes/PlayStation2. Barring the [=PS3=] version, all of them were released on the same day (outside Japan).
** ''VideoGame/SonicFrontiers'' was released for every eighth generation console (UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/XboxOne, & UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch) alongside both ninth generation consoles (UsefulNotes/PlayStation5 & UsefulNotes/XboxSeriesXAndS). The latter two versions allow for a higher framerate than the former (which target 30fps).