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4[[quoteright:350:[[VideoGame/SoulSeries https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/75b9102eabb6b76ef04cc4f367034017.png]]]]
5[-[[caption-width-right:350:[[Franchise/StarWars "Strong with the Force,]] [[VideoGame/SoulSeries you are. But not]] ''[[VideoGame/SoulSeries that]]'' [[VideoGame/SoulSeries strong."]]]]-]
6
7->'''ComicBook/{{Spawn}}:''' You've been to other dimensions?\
8'''Scorpion:''' Each has had its own Franchise/{{Injustice}}s.\
9'''Spawn:''' Maybe that's why my {{VideoGame/Soul|Series}} still burns.
10-->-- ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11''
11
12A Guest Fighter is a character that doesn't belong in the setting who just shows up in a VideoGame, especially a FightingGame, much like a SpecialGuest on a TV show. It seems like if a fighting game hasn't had a full-blown {{Crossover}}, it has at least had a Guest Fighter or two.
13
14Guest Fighters are quite the {{Base Breaking Character}}s; depending on who you ask, they are either awesome and hilarious because they're [[FishOutOfWater fishes out of water]] bringing all their [[WrongContextMagic superpowers]] and {{continuity nod}}s to the conflict or detracting from the premise of the established fictional universe and/or a cheap cash grab because they're... fishes out of water. That being said, the Guest Fighters ''least'' likely to inflict base breaking are the fishes whose styles and settings are more '''in''' water, such as [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Link]] in ''VideoGame/SoulcaliburII'', [[Franchise/ANightmareOnElmStreet Freddy Krueger]] in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat9'', or ComicBook/{{Spawn}} in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11'' or guests in MassiveMultiplayerCrossover games in which case there is no such thing as a fish out of water. And even then, [[UnpleasableFanbase it's still not a sure bet]].
15
16In nearly all cases, those characters are {{Unexpected Character}}s and have achieved JustHereForGodzilla for fans of their original franchises, so Guest Fighter can be considered a subtrope of those.
17----
18!!Examples:
19
20[[foldercontrol]]
21
22[[folder:Fighting Game]]
23* ''VideoGame/FightersHistory'':
24** The earliest known fighting game with a guest fighter would have to be the first game by Data East, which its final boss is VideoGame/{{Karnov}} from the arcade game of the same name, who also appeared in later titles in the series (and also appeared as an enemy in ''VideoGame/BadDudes'' and ''VideoGame/TrioThePunch''). However, he wasn't playable until the arcade game was ported to the SNES with a cheat code to play as him.
25** In ''Fighter's History Dynamite'' (known in Europe as ''Karnov's Revenge''), another guest fighter appears as an OptionalBoss, which was the Ox from Data East's 1984 ''Karate Champ''.
26** In the Japan-exclusive Super Famicom title in the series, ''Fighter's History: Mizoguchi Kiki Ippatsu!!'', the final boss this time is another guest fighter, Chelnov, from the run 'n' gun arcade game ''VideoGame/AtomicRunner''.
27** Makoto Mizoguchi from this series made two appearances as a guest fighter: the first was in ''VideoGame/SuikoEnbu: Fuu'un Saiki'' (with Liu Yungmie), while the second was in ''[[VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters KOF: Maximum Impact Regulation A]]''.
28* Although both the ''VideoGame/FatalFury'' and ''VideoGame/ArtOfFighting'' franchises take place in the same universe, Ryo Sakazaki from the ''Art of Fighting'' series appearing in ''Fatal Fury Special'' (an update of ''Fatal Fury 2'') as the secret final boss counts.
29** Also, following the story from this chronology, Ryo takes the mantle of Mr. Karate appearing in his 30s and changing his look. This older version of Ryo appears as secret character in the 3D reboot of the first ''Fatal Fury'' (''FF: Wild Ambition''), representing Karate in ''VideoGame/BurikiOne'' (the only known character in a game full of OriginalGeneration characters), as an unlockable character in ''KOF: Maximum Impact 2'' wearing a mask similar to his father Takuma's (apart from using his Another outfit, which takes after his ''Buriki One'' appearance) and in ''VideoGame/NeoGeoBattleColiseum'' representing ''Buriki One'' instead of ''Art of Fighting''.
30** Geese Howard from ''Fatal Fury'' appears as a secret final boss in ''Art of Fighting 2'', though with a different appearance, due to ''Art of Fighting'' being placed chronologically before ''Fatal Fury'', thus making the Geese in ''AOF'' younger.
31** Truly a remarkable example because from one simple guest appearance, the entire ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters'' franchise was given birth (which is like "Guest Fighter: The Game", at least in its original design, as not only did characters from ''Fatal Fury'' and ''Art of Fighting'' appear on the roster but so too did non-fighting game characters from games such as ''VideoGame/PsychoSoldier'' and ''VideoGame/IkariWarriors''). ''[=KoF=]'' in itself has had a few guest fighters (particularly in ''XI'' where characters from fighting games like ''[[VideoGame/FuunSeries Savage Reign]]'' and ''VideoGame/BurikiOne'' got to join the cast). And while it features characters from multiple universes, ''KOF '94'' can be considered the earliest cross-over fighting game.
32** Leaving aside the games that explicitly fold into it, ''The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact 2'' has fun with this trope. [[VideoGame/SamuraiShodown Hanzo Hattori]] and [[VideoGame/MetalSlug Fio]] both show up... and are quite confused (Hanzo wonders what happened to ninjitsu when he meets [[HighlyVisibleNinja Mai]], and Fio mistakes Ralf and Clark for Marco and Tarma, respectively). Its update, ''Regulation A'', also has the aforementioned Mizoguchi, though he's notably the first and only non-SNK character to join the KOF cast.
33** Clark and Ralf make appearances in ''Metal Slug 6'' and ''7'', as well as one or two of their signature moves. Leona is an add-on character in ''Metal Slug XX'', the PSP re-release of ''Metal Slug 7''. Additionally, ''VideoGame/MetalSlugDefense'' has all 3 of them, plus Kyo, Iori, Benimaru, Goro Daimon, Mature, and Vice, as purchasable units.
34** The ''King of Fighters 2000'' has Assist Characters known as strikers to help you out. Some of them are from other SNK games, such as Rocky from ''Robo Army'', Duke Edwards from ''Burning Fight'', and Neo & Geo from ''Quiz Dai Sousa-sen''. (The first two are from {{Beat em Up}}s, but Neo & Geo are from, oddly enough, [[UnExpectedCharacter a quiz game.]])
35** ''The King of Fighters XIV'' has a subversion: The Another World Team is a team seemingly loaded with this trope. Led by [[VideoGame/SamuraiShodown Nakoruru]], its members include two heroines from Pachislot series: Mui Mui and Love Heart. The subversion is that there is a high chance that they're not temporary guests: the BigBad of the game has the power to yank beings from another timeline/dimension into the current dimension, possibly forcing the team to take part in canon as opposed to just being 'bonus' characters.
36*** And predating this game and going straight with the trope, Nakoruru first appeared in the Platform/GameBoy version of ''KOF '95''.
37*** And as of ''XV'', Nakoruru returns to the roster alongside Haohmaru and Darli Dagger as a DLC team, the latter two replacing Mui Mui and Love due to rights issues.
38* ''Franchise/{{Tekken}}'':
39** Manga/{{Gon}} in ''Tekken 3''. While his manga was translated to English, it is ''extremely'' obscure outside Japan, so [[MarthDebutedInSmashBros most people think that he is an original character]].
40** ''VideoGame/Tekken7'' marks the return of guest characters in a big way:
41*** Akuma from ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' crashes the game on a mission to hunt down Heihachi Mishima and Kazuya Mishima. Strangely enough, Akuma appears in the Story Mode [[spoiler:going after Heihachi and Kazuya as part of a debt he owes to Heihachi's late wife after she saved his life,]] implying that he may actually be part of ''Tekken'' canon now.
42*** The first Season Pass DLC character is ''VideoGame/FatalFury''[='s=] BigBad Geese Howard, marking the first time an Creator/{{SNK}} character has appeared in a fighting game with fighters from Bandai Namco's character library (previously, Mai Shiranui and Emile "Lili" de Rochefort came together in the crossover game ''[[Anime/QueensBlade Queen's Gate: Spiral Chaos]]''). And indirectly, this is the first time Akuma and Geese have been in [[VideoGame/SNKvsCapcomSVCChaos the same game]] in 14 years.
43*** The Guest Character train keeps going, with Noctis Lucis Caelum from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV'' joining the roster.
44*** Noctis hit a high level of UnexpectedCharacter for ''Tekken'' but it's still a pretty reasonable choice next to Season 2 DLC headliner Negan from ''Series/TheWalkingDead2010''.
45* The ''VideoGame/{{Soul|Series}}'' series is downright notorious for this:
46** [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Link]], [[Franchise/{{Tekken}} Heihachi]] and ComicBook/{{Spawn}} in ''Soulcalibur II''. The catch is that each of these three are exclusive to a single console ([[Platform/NintendoGameCube GameCube]], Platform/PlayStation2 and Platform/{{Xbox}}, respectively). The HD remake for the Xbox Live Arcade and PSN brings only Heihachi and Spawn back (not Link for obvious reasons), but now both are available across both platforms.
47** [[VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia Lloyd Irving]] in ''Soulcalibur Legends''.
48** [[Franchise/StarWars Darth Vader, Yoda]] and "[[VideoGame/TheForceUnleashed The Apprentice]]" in ''Soulcalibur IV''; the latter is effectively an EarlyBirdCameo. The catch for the first two is each of them are playable from the start exclusively on one console (Vader on Platform/PlayStation3 and Yoda on Platform/Xbox360) and are paid DownloadableContent on the other, making the pair from a technical point of view the first fighting game DLC characters, predating [[VideoGame/BlazBlue Makoto Nanaya]] by almost two years.
49** Kratos from ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'' in ''Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny''.
50** [[VideoGame/AssassinsCreedII Ezio Auditore]] [[VideoGame/AssassinsCreedBrotherhood da Firenze]] in ''VideoGame/SoulcaliburV''.
51** Likewise, ''Soul Calibur V'' has a fighting style based on [[Franchise/{{Tekken}} Devil Jin]]. ''Tekken'''s producer, Katsuhito Harada, appears as a bonus character in Quick Battle mode using this style. In the game, he's known under his Website/{{Twitter}} handle [[https://twitter.com/Harada_TEKKEN?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Harada_TEKKEN]], and wears an outfit resembling Heihachi's gi.
52** [[Franchise/TheWitcher Geralt of Rivia]] in ''VideoGame/SoulcaliburVI''. This is followed by 2B from ''Videogame/NierAutomata'' and Haohmaru from ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown'' as DLC.
53** While not Guest Fighters in the same sense as the others, there are also a number of characters who were created for the series by well-known artists. In this sense, they count as well.
54*** Necrid was designed by ''ComicBook/{{Spawn}}'' creator Creator/ToddMcFarlane for ''Soulcalibur II'', the game which [=McFarlane=] also made a toy line for (the making of which was [[MoneyDearBoy conditional on Necrid's inclusion]]). He was available on all three console versions.
55*** Angol Fear was created by ''Manga/SgtFrog'' creator Mine Yoshizaki. She is a cousin to Angol Mois from that series and made a one-off appearance in chapter 148 of the manga after her debut, making her a genuine retroactive guest.
56*** Ashlotte Maedel was created by Creator/OhGreat.
57*** Kamikirimusi was created by ''Anime/MyHime'' character designer Hirokazu Hisayuki.
58*** Scheherazade was created by ''Anime/RahXephon'' creator Yutaka Izubuchi.
59*** Shura was created by ''Manga/{{Gantz}}'' creator Hiroya Oku.
60** All these guest fighters have background stories and plots that sufficiently explain why they are in the series. However, they are never actually referenced again or even hinted about having existed at any point, and have zero impact within the story. The 5 created characters for ''IV'', including Angol Fear, are an exception as they are actually mentioned as part of the story, with Ashlotte having the strongest connection due to her part in the story for ''V'''s new Astaroth.
61** Creator/{{Ubisoft}}'s WordOfGod on Ezio's presence [[http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-10-21-ezio-confirmed-for-soulcalibur-5 is that]] it is easily explained through the Animus, the decidedly time-spanning but not universe-spanning FramingDevice of the ''Assassin's Creed'' universe. Though at one point the ''Soulcalibur'' community manager noted the fuzziness of Ezio's timeline during the events of ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' (the incarnation used in ''V''), suggested that it was actually time/dimensional travel instead of [[spoiler:''Soul Calibur V'' itself being a video game inside the Animus]]. The latter seems to be backed up by Ezio's official profile, which has him retrieving an item from the Templars that seems to briefly transport him to 1607, this leaving erratic readings in the Animus.
62** And [[Franchise/{{Tekken}} Yoshimitsu]] could be considered one, at least in spirit, given a similar character exists since the first ''Soulcalibur''. While vaguely hinted at first, it was confirmed for ''V'' that this Yoshimitsu is the founder of the group the ''Tekken'' Yoshimitsu forms part of, and the [[LegacyCharacter first in a long line of successors carrying the same name.]]
63** On top of all that, the very first game subverts this trope with the hidden character Han Myong. He actually has a name in-game, and can be unlocked, but the game's MC only ever refers to him as "Guest Fighter" for some reason, even though this was the first time such a character ever existed.
64* ''VideoGame/DeadOrAlive'':
65** Nicole-458, a female Spartan from ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' who appears in ''Dead or Alive 4''. It's worth noting that she has never appeared in ''any actual Halo media'', since she was created specifically for [=DOA4=].
66** Akira Yuki, Sarah Bryant, and Pai Chan from ''VideoGame/VirtuaFighter'' are playable characters in ''VideoGame/DeadOrAlive5''. Jacky Bryant joins up as well in ''[[UpdatedRerelease Dead or Alive 5: Ultimate]]''.
67** In 2016, ''Dead or Alive 5: Last Round'' received Naotora Ii from ''VideoGame/SamuraiWarriors'' and, later in the year, Mai Shiranui from ''The King of Fighters''/''VideoGame/FatalFury'' (quite fittingly[[note]]Let's be honest here, she was pretty much a Dead or Alive character before there was a Dead or Alive[[/note]]).
68** Mai returned in ''VideoGame/DeadOrAlive6'', and brought along fellow ''KOF'' regular Kula Diamond. Mai returning also marks one of the only examples of a guest character making appearances in multiple installments of a fighting game series (and likely the only such example outside of ''Smash Bros'').
69* The Japanese version of ''VideoGame/MarvelSuperHeroesVsStreetFighter'' had [[AscendedFanboy Norimaro]], an original character created by Japanese comedian Noritake Kinashi. He carried around a little satchel full of props as he fought. His super move was to fling every prop in the bag in a giant shotgun-blast of random objects. When he won, he'd pull out a little camera, hold it at arm's length, turn it around, and snap a picture of himself. [[NoExportForYou He was removed from the US version]], although data for him still exists in the game.
70* Akuma appeared in ''VideoGame/XMenChildrenOfTheAtom''. After that there was Anita from ''VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}}'' in ''VideoGame/MarvelSuperHeroes''. Similar to ''The King of Fighters'' example, the use of Capcom-owned characters in their Creator/MarvelComics-licensed fighting games predicated the start of the ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom'' series.
71* Akuma also appeared in the console version of ''VideoGame/{{Cyberbots}}'' as a mecha under the name "Zero Akuma". This characters was very likely inspired by Cyber Akuma, the FinalBoss in ''VideoGame/MarvelSuperHeroesVsStreetFighter''.
72* [[VideoGame/StreetFighterAlpha Sakura]] shows up in the first ''VideoGame/RivalSchools'' game. This is finally paid in kind come season 5 of ''VideoGame/StreetFighterV'' when Akira Kazama was added as DownloadableContent (it should be noted that ''Rival Schools'' exists in the SharedUniverse of ''Street Fighter'', much like ''VideoGame/FinalFight'' and the characters that crossed over from that series).
73* The now-discontinued PC mouse game ''VideoGame/StreetFighterOnlineMouseGeneration'' had several crossover characters from other licenses, namely Wuxia novels by Jin Yong, ''Manga/{{Cyborg 009}}'', Kiminori Wakasugi from ''Manga/DetroitMetalCity'' and the title character from ''Series/SpaceSheriffGavan''.
74* [[VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork MegaMan.EXE]] and [[VideoGame/MegaManZero Zero]] are unlockable fighters in ''VideoGame/OnimushaBladeWarriors''.
75* K-1 fighter-turned-comedian Bobby Ologun appears as the final boss in the Platform/PlayStation2 port of ''[[VideoGame/PowerInstinct Power Instinct Matrimelee]]''. He uses much GratuitousEnglish and has a BeamSpam super called "Bobby Beam".
76* In ''[[VideoGame/DragonBallZBudokaiTenkaichi Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 3]]'', Arale Norimaki from ''Manga/DoctorSlump'' is an unlockable character. Arale ''did'' appear in episodes 55, 56, and 57 of the first ''Manga/DragonBall'' anime series, so when they said they would put ''everyone'' in ''Budokai Tenkaichi 3'', they really meant '''everyone'''. And in an example of Guest ''Stage'', Penguin Village is an unlockable stage.
77* The Japanese version of ''VideoGame/DragonBallZBudokai 2'' had an alternate costume for Frieza, as his son Kuriza from Creator/AkiraToriyama's self-parody manga ''Neko Majin Z''. Neko Majin himself appears as a guest assistant character in the Japanese version of ''Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2'' for the Platform/NintendoDS.
78* ''VideoGame/NarutoShippudenUltimateNinjaStorm2'' allows you to use Lars Alexandersson from ''Franchise/{{Tekken}} 6''. Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment has the rights to both series and ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' author Creator/MasashiKishimoto designed Lars's alternate outfit, so he reappears here with said outfit and redesigned to fit with the art style of the game.
79* As an example of a Guest ''Costume'', ''VideoGame/NarutoShippudenUltimateNinjaStorm3'' had [[Franchise/DragonBall Goku's]] outfit as a DLC costume for Naruto. In return, ''Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z'' has a Sage Naruto costume for Goku.
80* Similar to the ''WWE Smackdown: Just Bring It!'' example, Fred Durst was also featured as an unlockable character in [[TheProblemWithLicensedGames the ill-advised fighting game adaptation]] of ''Film/FightClub''.
81* Similarly, rocker [[Music/BlackFlag Henry Rollins]] has a sizably role in ''[[VideoGame/DefJamSeries Def Jam: Fight for NY]]'', featuring the eponymous rap label's performers. Actors Creator/OmarEpps and Creator/DannyTrejo also make appearances and are playable characters.
82* While not a playable character, [[spoiler:Franchise/DonkeyKong]] is a not-so-secret challenger in the Wii ''VideoGame/PunchOut'' title. He would only appear during the last phase of Career Mode: [[LastStand Mac's Last Stand]]. Win or lose, once you met him, you could fight him any time in Exhibition Mode. But because all opponents at this point are random, you ran the risk of him being {{Permanently Missable|Content}} if you lost the Last Stand before fighting him. And for the [=GameCube=] port of EA's ''Fight Night Round 2'', you can play as Little Mac in his SNES appearance.
83* ''VideoGame/Ready2RumbleBoxing: Round 2'' has hidden boxers including basketball star Shaquille O'Neal, UsefulNotes/{{Bill|Clinton}} & [[UsefulNotes/HillaryRodhamClinton Hillary Clinton]], and Music/MichaelJackson.
84** Could possibly count Rumbleman, who's basically boxing announcer Michael Buffer hopped up on [[Franchise/{{Batman}} Venom]].
85* Ryougi Shiki of ''Literature/TheGardenOfSinners'' in ''VideoGame/MeltyBlood''.
86** ''VideoGame/MeltyBlood'''s Sion Eltnam Atlasia (Renamed "Eltnum") for ''VideoGame/UnderNightInBirth''. She was later joined by Akatsuki from ''VideoGame/AkatsukiBlitzkampf''
87** ''Melty Blood: Type Lumina'' features Saber from ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight''. Mash Kyrielight from ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'' would also be added in as a DLC character, with the Count of Monte Cristo and Ushiwakamaru from the same game following her afterwards.
88* ''[[VideoGame/FateUnlimitedCodes Fate/Unlimited Codes]]'' had a guest appearance by the Lancer from [[Literature/FateZero the 4th Grail War]], who is from the same fictional universe but from a different time period than [[VisualNovel/FateStayNight the one covered by the game]].
89* ''VideoGame/ClayFighter 63⅓'':
90** VideoGame/EarthwormJim has appeared as a guest fighter in this game and the PC edition of ''VideoGame/BattleArenaToshinden''. In the former, he has his own moveset and even his own story and stage, but in the latter, he is just a bonus skin for Rungo Iron.
91** Boogerman from [[VideoGame/{{Boogerman}} the game of the same name]] also appeared here, aptly showing a rivalry of sorts with Jim in the story mode.
92* ''Franchise/MortalKombat''
93** ''VideoGame/MortalKombat9'':
94*** [[VideoGame/GodOfWar Kratos]] again in the Platform/PlayStation3 version of the game. Given that ''Mortal Kombat'' is set in a multiverse and has a penchant for gore-tastic fighting, Kratos fits right in.
95*** And [[Franchise/ANightmareOnElmStreet Freddy Krueger]] also appears as a DownloadableContent character.
96** ''VideoGame/MortalKombatX'':
97*** Fellow horror icon [[Franchise/FridayThe13th Jason Voorhees]] appears as a DownloadableContent character. His announcement date was also fitting -- he was announced on a Friday the 13th. A second guest character in the form of ''Franchise/{{Predator}}'' also comes over as DLC.
98*** Two more guest fighters join ''Mortal Kombat X'' through its "Kombat Pack 2": Leatherface from ''Film/TheTexasChainsawMassacre'' and a Xenomorph[[note]]with Tarkatan DNA, courtesy of Baraka[[/note]] from ''Franchise/{{Alien}}''.
99*** Additionally, Jax has a DLC "Carl Weathers" costume based on his appearance as Dillon, Dutch's {{jerkass}} teammate from ''Film/{{Predator}}''.
100** ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11'':
101*** The game teased three guest characters for its first Kombat Pack DLC, the first of which being ComicBook/{{Spawn}} (like Kratos making his second run as a guest fighter in ''MK'' following an appearance in ''Soulcalibur''). Creator/KeithDavid reprised his role from [[WesternAnimation/ToddMcFarlanesSpawn the HBO animated series]].
102*** And as for the other two guest characters? They ended up being ComicBook/TheJoker and the Franchise/{{Terminator}}.
103*** The "Aftermath" expansion adds another guest character: Franchise/RoboCop, with Creator/PeterWeller reprising his role from the first two movies.
104*** Kombat Pack 2 adds another 80's movie icon, namely John Franchise/{{Rambo}} (with Creator/SylvesterStallone once again reprising his role).
105*** There [[WhatCouldHaveBeen were plans]] to include [[Franchise/EvilDead Ash Williams]] as another guest in the game, but [[ScrewedByTheLawyers copyright issues with the ''Evil Dead'' franchise IP prevented it]].
106** ''VideoGame/MortalKombat1'':
107*** The Kombat Pack reveals three not-so-heroic comic book characters as future DLC: [[ComicBook/{{Invincible}} Omni-Man]] (with Creator/JKSimmons reprising his voice role from the ''WesternAnimation/{{Invincible|2021}}'' Creator/PrimeVideo animated series, as well as providing his character's face model), ComicBook/{{Peacemaker}} (with Creator/JohnCena reprising his role from Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse works ''Film/TheSuicideSquad'' and ''Series/{{Peacemaker|2022}}''), and [[ComicBook/TheBoys The Homelander]] (with his appearance based on that of Creator/AntonyStarr's in ''Series/{{The Boys|2019}}'' Prime Video series).
108* ''VideoGame/FightingVipers'':
109** The Japanese Platform/SegaSaturn version had ''Advertising/{{PEPSIMAN}}!'' as a secret playable character. [[NoExportForYou Only in the original Japanese Sega Saturn release, sadly.]] Interestingly, the Arcade version has some unused Guest Fighters that were DummiedOut in the final release, that were likely added as a joke and not meant to be in the full game: [[Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog Sonic, Tails]] and Takashi Iizuka (director of Sonic Team). However, they are still playable thanks to emulation hacking. [[http://www.x-cult.org/games/150/Fighting_Vipers/30/Sonic_The_Hedgehog/ Source]] [[http://www.x-cult.org/games/150/Fighting_Vipers/31/Takashi_Iizuka/ links]]. Sonic being there was the result of a bored programmer, and Creator/YujiNaka saw it and loved the idea, thus ''VideoGame/SonicTheFighters'' was born.
110** ''VideoGame/SonicTheFighters'' originally had Honey the Cat, an original character based on the character of the same name from ''Fighting Vipers''. She was DummiedOut in the original Arcade version of the game and the ''Sonic Gems Collection'' re-release, but she's now available for play in the Platform/PlayStation3 and Xbox 360 digital re-release. Also, in an interesting evolution from excised video game character, she appears a character in the ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics'' series and makes a cameo in the [[ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogIDW IDW Comics]].
111** Here's an obscure one: secret character Del Sol from ''Fighting Vipers 2'' shows up as a guest character in an unreleased Atomiswave fighting game from Sammy called "''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdkIkneQT0c&t=150s Force Five]]''".
112* ''VideoGame/FightersMegamix'', aside from being ''VideoGame/VirtuaFighter 2'' vs. ''Fighting Vipers'', also features many weird and out-of-place characters from other Sega [=AM2=] works, who were added clearly JustForFun. Including [[VideoGame/SonicTheFighters Bean the Dynamite, Bark the Polar Bear]], Akira and Sarah (from ''Virtua Fighter Kids''), Siba (a scrapped character from the first ''Virtua Fighter'') [[VideoGame/VirtuaCop Janet]], VideoGame/RentAHero, [[VideoGame/DaytonaUSA Hornet]] (yep, you can fight as a ''race car''), [[Main/OriginalGeneration Deku, Mr. Meat]] and [[CreatorCameo Palm Tree]] (A 3D version of the palm tree from '' Sega [=AM2=]'s logo!''). Needless to say, as crazy as this game and its roster was, it was great because it was 100% grade A GuiltyPleasure.
113* [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII Cloud, Tifa, Yuffie, Vincent, Zack, and Sephiroth]] (the latter two making their first playable appearances) in ''VideoGame/{{Ehrgeiz}}'', plus the final boss's first form looks suspiciously similar to Red XIII. Incidentally, this was the [[JustHereForGodzilla only reason]] most fans bought the game.
114* ''VideoGame/StreetFighterXTekken'' on Platform/PlayStation3 and Platform/PlayStationVita had '''FIVE''' Guest Fighters.
115** Firstly, there's Cole [=MacGrath=] of ''VideoGame/InFamous''. He's then joined on the same platforms by two cats (Toro and Kuro) that are Sony's mascots in Japan. Plus [[VideoGame/MegaMan1 Bad Box Art Mega Man]], and VideoGame/PacMan riding a [[Franchise/{{Tekken}} Mokujin]] robot. The former three are avaliable from the start of the game, while the later two were released as free DownloadableContent. Needless to say, the five of them are major {{Base Breaking Character}}s.
116** To an extent, Poison counts as this. She was from the ''VideoGame/FinalFight'' video game series, and while she did make an appearance with Hugo in ''Street Fighter III'', she wasn't playable. ''Street Fighter X Tekken'' is the first time she's playable in a ''Street Fighter'' game.
117* ''Vattroller X'' for the Platform/GameBoyAdvance features [[Manga/OnePiece Zoro]], [[Manga/OnmyouTaisenki Kogenta]] and [[Manga/BeetTheVandelBuster Beet]] as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs3P5SPIjUQ secret characters]] who are unlocked by passwords available in Japanese cards of the ''Vattroller X'' manga.
118* ComicBook/SpiderMan was a guest fighter in the Creator/{{Activision}} title ''VideoGame/XMenMutantAcademy 2''.
119* Arm Wrestling (a ''VideoGame/PunchOut'' spinoff) involves this; the third round is against Mask X. But, during the round, pull off the mask and looky here, it's [[spoiler:Bald Bull from ''Punch-Out!!'']] The text also says, "Wow!!! [[spoiler:Bald Bull!!!]]"
120* [[VideoGame/FatalFury Terry Bogard]] and [[VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters Benimaru Nikaido]] in ''VideoGame/XuanDouZhiWang''. The fact that ''XD'' [[SincerestFormOfFlattery clearly takes inspiration from]] ''The King of Fighters'' has not been lost on fans, which is probably the reason Creator/{{SNK}} struck a deal with Tencent to put the two in the game in the first place.
121* [[Franchise/MortalKombat Scorpion]] is part of the cast of ''VideoGame/InjusticeGodsAmongUs'' as DLC. A little unusual, sure, but doubles as a MythologyGag towards ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombatVsDCUniverse Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe]]''.
122* ''VideoGame/Injustice2'' features Sub-Zero and Raiden as DLC fighters. Outside of ''Mortal Kombat'', the Creator/DarkHorseComics character ComicBook/{{Hellboy}} and the Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles also appear as DLC.
123* ''Manga/{{Baoh}}'''s Ikuro Hashizawa in ''VideoGame/JoJosBizarreAdventureAllStarBattle'', but only technically as ''Baoh'' is another manga by ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'' creator Creator/HirohikoAraki.
124* [[VideoGame/VirtuaFighter Akira Yuki]] again in Creator/{{Sega}} and [[LightNovels Dengeki Bunko]]'s 2D MassiveMultiplayerCrossover fighting game ''VideoGame/DengekiBunkoFightingClimax'', acting as a boss character. Pai Chan serves as his AssistCharacter. The console versions get two more with [[VideoGame/ValkyriaChronicles Selvaria Bles]] and her assist character, Alicia Melchiott. On top of that, none of the stages in the game are from any visual novels. Instead, they are from Sega games, such as ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'', ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarOnline2'', ''VideoGame/NightsIntoDreams'', and ''VideoGame/SeventhDragon''.
125* ''VideoGame/DiveKick'' has Johnny Gat of the ''VideoGame/SaintsRow'' series as one of the new characters in the "''Addition Edition''". Shaundi also appears as an assist character in one of Gat's moves. The fencer from ''VideoGame/{{Nidhogg}}'' also arrived in a later update.
126* ''VideoGame/AggressorsOfDarkKombat'' has Kotaro Fuuma from ''VideoGame/WorldHeroes'' making a guest appearance.
127* Alongside its original cast of characters, indie game ''VideoGame/ProjectG'' featured Zero from ''VideoGame/MegaManX'' two years before ''Marvel Vs. Capcom 3'' did.
128* ''VideoGame/KillerInstinct'' (2013) brings in Rash from ''VideoGame/{{Battletoads}}'', the Arbiter from ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'', and General RAAM of ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar''. The Arbiter is a particularly interesting case, because WordOfGod is that he's not any specific [[LegacyCharacter Arbiter]], but a CompositeCharacter made up of various Arbiters.
129* ''VideoGame/NewgroundsRumble'''s second release included Fancy Pants from ''VideoGame/FancyPantsAdventures''. Unlike the other characters in the roster, he's not a Platform/{{Newgrounds}} original.
130* ''WesternAnimation/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandy'' video game included General Skarr as a secret character. While he did appear as a minor character in the series down the line, he was originally from ''Billy & Mandy'''s sister show, ''WesternAnimation/EvilConCarne''.
131* [[http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/games/tko/ Cartoon Network's other fighting game, Titanic Kungfubot Offensive]] has some playable characters from shows that did not originate from CN, which includes WesternAnimation/JohnnyTest, [[WesternAnimation/TotalDrama Duncan, and Chef Hatchet]].
132* Whenever a big crossover fighting game is coming out, you know that someone's gonna make a fake leak. Some of them are [[JustForFun outright jokes]]. [[http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lfto0bLRQo1qbj63mo1_500.jpg Take this "leak"]] of Wrestling/JohnCena in ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3'' for example.
133* For April Fools Day, ''VideoGame/{{Skullgirls}}'' released a prank saying that Zone-Archive's Zone-Tan [[http://www.eventhubs.com/images/2013/apr/02/skullgirls-new-animator-zone-created-new-character-01/ would be a playable DLC character]]. Zone's... *ahem* "fans" would know that her bio and playstyle have references to Zone-Tan's creation and short appearances, such as [[CreatorCameo having a demon slaying mother, welding a size-changing key as a weapon,]] [[CombatTentacles and, of course, having her pet tentacle monster Lemmy help her out in the fight.]]
134* In the PSP rerelease of ''VideoGame/StreetFighterAlpha 3'', ''VideoGame/CapcomFightingEvolution''[='=]s Ingrid was a playable character. Interestingly, Capcom now retroactively considers her a ''Street Fighter'' character with series producer Yoshinori Ono even considering her a possibility as DLC for ''VideoGame/StreetFighterV''. Her appearance in ''VideoGame/ProjectXZone2'' even lists her origin as ''Street Fighter Alpha 3 MAX'' despite that obviously not being her first game.
135* The ''Super Puzzle Fighter'' and ''VideoGame/SuperGemFighter'' games featured SuperDeformed versions of ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' and ''VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}}'' characters. However, both games had one character that wasn't from either series. ''Puzzle Fighter'' had Devilotte from the Giant Mech Fighting Game ''VideoGame/{{Cyberbots}}'' appear as a secret character, while ''Gem Fighter'' had Tessa from ''VideoGame/RedEarth''.
136* ''VideoGame/MischiefMakers''[='=] Marina Liteyears made a playable appearence in the Japan Only ''VideoGame/RakugakiShowtime''. She can even use her trademark shaking abilities after picking up a [[LimitBreak Smiley Ball]].
137* ''VideoGame/NitroplusBlasterzHeroinesInfiniteDuel'' features [[VisualNovel/FateStayNight Saber]] in all of its versions while [[VideoGame/SenranKagura Homura]] and [[VideoGame/ArcanaHeart Heart Aino]] are available as DownloadableContent in the console versions.
138* The fighting game ''VideoGame/PhantomBreaker'' has [[VisualNovel/SteinsGate Kurisu Makise]] and [[VisualNovel/ChaosHead Rimi Sakihata]] as playable characters. Later in the cutesy retro-styled spin-off BeatEmUp ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds'', Kurisu returns as a playable character via [=DLC=]; later in November 17th, 2016, a second [=DLC=] added [[VisualNovel/RoboticsNotes Frau Kojiro]] as a playable character, which can be selected in all modes.
139* You could consider the cast of ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'' in Creator/ArcSystemWorks' MassiveMultiplayerCrossover ''VideoGame/BlazBlueCrossTagBattle'' as Guest Fighters, considering the other [[Franchise/BlazBlue three]] [[VideoGame/Persona4Arena base]] [[VideoGame/UnderNightInBirth series]] are from already existing fighters. As far as DLC goes, though, there's also [[VideoGame/SenranKagura Yumi]], although she at least comes from a video game series (A FanService-laden beat 'em up series, but a video game series nonetheless), not to mention Heart from ''VideoGame/ArcanaHeart'' and Akatsuki and Blitztank from ''VideoGame/AkatsukiBlitzkampf'' being added in as well.
140* ''Gundam Battle Assault 3: Featuring [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED Gundam SEED]]'' focused solely on, well, Gundam SEED unlike the previous games which were crossover games. That said, it also featured the [[Anime/MobileFighterGGundam God and Master Gundams]], [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing Wing Zero]] [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamWingEndlessWaltz Custom]] and [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamWingEndlessWaltz Tallgeese III]] as unlockables.
141* The Creator/{{Nicalis}} developed fighting game ''VideoGame/BladeStrangers'' had Inti Creates' ''VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvolt'' and Yacht Club Games' ''VideoGame/ShovelKnight'' as playable characters.
142* ''Franchise/PowerRangers'':
143** ''VideoGame/PowerRangersLegacyWars'' features ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' characters Ryu, Akuma, M. Bison, Cammy, Guile, and Chun-Li (in their ''VideoGame/StreetFighterV'' incarnations) starting with the May 16, 2018 update.
144** In another crossover with ''Street Fighter'', ''VideoGame/PowerRangersBattleForTheGrid'' features Ryu as the Crimson Hawk Ranger and Chun-Li as the Blue Phoenix Ranger.
145* Under certain conditions, ''Pocket Rumble'' allows you to fight against different indie characters as bosses: [[VideoGame/DiveKick Kick]], [[VideoGame/{{Nidhogg}} Fencer]], VideoGame/{{Dust|AnElysianTail}}, [[VideoGame/IWannaBeTheGuy The Kid]], [[VideoGame/LethalLeague Candyman]], [[VideoGame/JoylancerLegendaryMotorKnight Joy]], [[VideoGame/{{Bleed}} Wyrn]], and VideoGame/{{Ace|sWildManicBrawlingAction}}. [[VideoGame/FantasyStrike Geiger]] from ''Fantasy Strike'' was a stretch goal DLC character on the game's Website/{{Kickstarter}}, but the goal wasn't reached.
146* ''VideoGame/FightingEXLayer'' has [[VideoGame/FatalFury Terry Bogard]] as a playable character.
147** Like the ''Million Arthur'' example below, Arika gets a guest fighter in ''VideoGame/SNKHeroinesTagTeamFrenzy'' with a genderbent version of Skullomania as a trade.
148*** Amusing to note that Skullomania was a guest fighter in another game, ''VideoGame/FighterMaker'' released two decades prior.
149* A two-way street in ''Million Arthur: Arcana Blood'' and ''VideoGame/SNKHeroinesTagTeamFrenzy''. The former receives ''The King of Fighters'' mainstay Iori Yagami as a console-exclusive character and the latter Thief Arthur as DownloadableContent from ''Million Arthur'' (the superseries of ''Million Arthur: Arcana Blood''). ''MA:AB'' also gets three other {{Guest Fighter}}s in addition to Iori for its console and PC release (Yamaneko Arthur from ''[=HanGyaku-Sei Million Arthur=]'', an MMO spinoff of said series, Riesz from ''VideoGame/TrialsOfMana'', and Koume Sakiyama from ''Lord of Vermillion 4'', a digital collectible card game) but Iori is the only guest from a franchise outside Creator/SquareEnix's umbrella.
150* ''VideoGame/TechRomancer'', a fighting game by Capcom, included [[VideoGame/{{Cyberbots}} Jin Saotome]]. Since all characters fight in giant robots, this is one of the few crossover appearances where Jin pilots his HumongousMecha, Blodia.
151* Since ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' and ''VideoGame/FinalFight'' take place in the same universe, characters from the latter appear in the former. This includes Guy, Cody, Rolento, Hugo, Poison, Abigail, Maki, and Lucia.
152* The ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad vs WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'' games had none other than [[Franchise/StreetFighter Ryu]] as the final boss. [[https://web.archive.org/web/20060704151921/http://www.americandadvsfamilyguy.com/ And yes, it was official.]]
153* The ''VideoGame/NickelodeonSuperBrawl'' browser fighting game series featured several characters who aren't owned by the company but appeared in shows that aired on the network. ''2'' features Skipper, Rico, King Julien and Dr. Blowhole from ''WesternAnimation/ThePenguinsOfMadagascar'' while ''3'' has B.O.B. and Sqweep from ''WesternAnimation/MonstersVsAliens2013'', Po and Master Junjie from ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPandaLegendsOfAwesomeness'' and the VideoGame/RavingRabbids from ''WesternAnimation/RabbidsInvasion''. Gold Ranger and Xandred from ''Series/PowerRangersSamurai'' also appeared as playable fighters in the third game, but were removed once the season ended. Characters from ''Series/PowerRangersDinoCharge'' and ''Series/PowerRangersNinjaSteel'' were featured in subsequent games without being removed.
154* The Warden from ''VideoGame/ForHonor'' joins the cast of the 2019 ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown'' game as the final character of the second season pass, one of the few examples of a guest character in an SNK game that isn't from their own character library.
155** Gongsun Li from the [[NoExportForYou China-only]] mobile phone game ''VideoGame/HonorOfKings'' was later added as free DLC.
156** Hibiki Takane from SNK's own weapon-based fighting series ''VideoGame/TheLastBlade'' arrives as a Season 3 character. The final character for the same season was Baiken from Creator/ArcSystemWorks' ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'' series.
157* ''[[VideoGame/{{Tobal}} Tobal 2]]'', an obscure Japan-only fighting game from [[Creator/SquareEnix Square]] that's [[DancingBear mostly only notable for holding the still-unbroken record for most characters in a fighting game]], features a [[Franchise/FinalFantasy chocobo]] as a guest fighter, complete with a remix of the chocobo theme as background music.
158* ''VideoGame/GigaBash'', a {{Kaiju}} fighting game, features four Franchise/{{Godzilla}} characters as DLC fighters consisting of Godzilla himself, the original Gigan, Destoroyah, and the Millennium incarnation of Mechagodzilla, as well as Franchise/UltraSeries characters as DLC fighters consisting of Ultraman himself, Alien Baltan, Ultraman Tiga and Camearra.
159* ''VideoGame/DuelsOfFortune'' features a couple guest characters, including Mystery Johnson from ''VideoGame/{{Schwarzerblitz}}'', Ember from ''Hyper Team Recon'' and Shoto Goto from 'Hyperfight'' as an extra costume for Shoto Kanji.
160* ''VideoGame/{{Schwarzerblitz}}'' features Sir Rattlebone from ''VideoGame/DuelsOfFortune'' as a playable guest character. The two indie games shared their characters in a joint crossover event.
161* 2B makes another fighting game appearance in the UpdatedRerelease version of ''VideoGame/GranblueFantasyVersus'', ''Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising'', as DLC.
162
163[[/folder]]
164
165[[folder:Platform Fighters]]
166* In the case of Creator/{{Nintendo}}'s ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series, the series started as a MassiveMultiplayerCrossover featuring their own franchises, but then began to include content from third-party companies with the third installment.
167** Solid Snake from ''VideoGame/MetalGear'' and Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog were the first third-party characters in the series, debuting in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl''. The latter was highly demanded by fans who wanted to see him in a fighting game with Mario (which was why he was added in the game), and the game's website refers to both by the trope name. Solid Snake is a unique case as Creator/HideoKojima originally asked for Snake to be added to ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee''. However, that game was far along in development with no time to add another character, so the developers rainchecked him till ''Brawl''.
168** In ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU'', Sonic makes a return (but not Snake), and VideoGame/{{Mega Man|Classic}} and VideoGame/PacMan were added as new guest characters for the inital release. Post-release, Ryu from ''Franchise/StreetFighter'', Cloud Strife from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'', and VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}} were added as DownloadableContent characters.
169** In ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'' all the above guest fighters have returned, and Simon ''and'' [[MovesetClone Richter]] Belmont from ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' and [[{{Shotoclone}} Ken]] from ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' are added, bumping the amount of third-party characters to 10 and marking the first time in the series that a third party franchise gets more than one playable character. Post-release, DownloadableContent for ''Ultimate'' is mainly from third-party games, with all but one fighter representing a new series: Joker from ''VideoGame/Persona5'', four Heroes from ''VideoGame/DragonQuest''[[note]]Specifically the third, fourth, eighth, and eleventh installments[[/note]], VideoGame/BanjoKazooie, Terry Bogard from ''VideoGame/FatalFury'' and ''Franchise/TheKingOfFighters'', Steve from ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'', Sephiroth as a second fighter from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'', Kazuya Mishima from ''Franchise/{{Tekken}}'', and Sora from ''Franchise/KingdomHearts''.
170** Two of the bosses that can be fought in both Classic and Adventure Modes in ''Ultimate'' are Rathalos of ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' fame and Dracula (''Castlevania'').
171** The above fighters, when in the main game and not DLC, also usually bring along other characters from their franchises as {{Assist Character}}s or other in-game collectibles. Even some other third-party series without fighters have appeared in this capacity:
172*** ''VideoGame/{{Tetris}}'' (two remixes in all installments starting from ''Brawl'' and spirits from ''VideoGame/Tetris99'' in ''Ultimate'')
173*** ''VideoGame/{{Rayman}}'' (trophies in ''for 3DS/Wii U'' and a spirit in ''Ultimate'')
174*** ''VideoGame/BitTrip'' (a [=CommanderVideo=] trophy in ''for 3DS/Wii U'')
175*** ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' (DLC Mii costumes in ''for 3DS/Wii U'' and ''Ultimate'', spirits and Rathalos as both a boss and assist in ''Ultimate'')
176*** ''VideoGame/VirtuaFighter'' (DLC Mii costumes in ''for 3DS/Wii U'' and ''Ultimate'', and Akira as an assist in ''Ultimate'')
177*** ''Franchise/{{Tekken}}'' (a Heihachi DLC Mii costume appeared in ''for 3DS/Wii U'' and ''Ultimate'' even ''before'' Kazuya's release; and [[http://www.sourcegaming.info/2015/06/26/800/ Heihachi was considered for the playable roster]] in the former)
178*** ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'' (a DLC Lloyd Irving Mii costume in ''for 3DS/Wii U'' and ''Ultimate'')
179*** ''VideoGame/TheTowerOfDruaga'' (a DLC Gil Mii costume in ''for 3DS/Wii U'' and ''Ultimate'')
180*** ''VideoGame/{{Bomberman}}'' (assist, spirit, and a DLC Mii costume in ''Ultimate'')
181*** ''VideoGame/ShovelKnight'' (assist and spirits in ''Ultimate'')
182*** ''VideoGame/{{Shantae}}'' (spirits and a DLC Mii costume with an accompanying song in ''Ultimate'')
183*** ''VideoGame/GanbareGoemon'' (a DLC Goemon Mii costume in ''Ultimate'')
184*** ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' (a DLC Sans Mii costume with an accompanying song in ''Ultimate'')
185*** ''VideoGame/DaemonXMachina'' (sprits in ''Ultimate'')
186*** ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'' (spirits in ''Ultimate'')
187*** ''VideoGame/KunioKun'' (spirits in ''Ultimate'')
188*** ''Franchise/AssassinsCreed'' (a DLC Altaïr Mii costume in ''Ultimate'')
189*** ''VideoGame/{{Cuphead}}'' (a DLC Cuphead Mii costume with an accompanying song and spirits in ''Ultimate'')
190*** ''VideoGame/{{Warframe}}'' (spirits in ''Ultimate'')
191*** ''VideoGame/TrialsOfMana'' (spirits in ''Ultimate'')
192*** ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}'' (a DLC Vault Boy costume in ''Ultimate'')
193*** ''VideoGame/OctopathTraveler'' (spirits in ''Ultimate'')
194*** ''VideoGame/NoMoreHeroes'' (spirits and a DLC Travis Touchdown costume in ''Ultimate'')
195*** ''VideoGame/BravelyDefaultII'' (spirits in ''Ultimate'')
196*** ''VideoGame/GhostsNGoblins'' (a DLC Arthur costume and spirit in ''Ultimate'')
197*** ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' (a DLC Dante costume in ''Ultimate'')
198*** ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'' (a DLC Dragonborn costume in ''Ultimate'')
199*** ''Franchise/{{Doom}}'' (a DLC Doom Slayer costume in ''Ultimate'')
200*** ''VideoGame/BatenKaitos Origins'', ''VideoGame/{{Culdcept}} Revolt'', and ''Takt of Magic'' are borderline, as they were developed independently but ''published'' by Nintendo. All three have one or two spirits each in ''Ultimate''.
201*** A few ''VideoGame/RavingRabbids'' Spirits also appear in ''Ultimate'', but only in their crossover forms from ''VideoGame/MarioPlusRabbidsKingdomBattle'' so ''officially'' they're considered first-party ''Mario'' characters and not guests. However, a regular Rabbid headwear for Mii Fighters was added to ''Ultimate'' through DLC.
202*** A number of Creator/BandaiNamco and Creator/{{SNK}} franchises have received some minor representation in songs and stage elements, as well as in Pac-Man's case, having a taunt where he summons sprites of various characters from assorted arcade games of his company.
203* Three VideoGame/RavingRabbids appeared as playable characters with different movesets in ''VideoGame/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesSmashUp'' (one normal, one in ''VideoGame/SplinterCell'' gear, and one in TMNT getup).
204* ''VideoGame/PlayStationAllStarsBattleRoyale'' has several characters that are from third-party games: [[VideoGame/BioShock Big Daddy]] (2K Games), [[Franchise/{{Tekken}} Heihachi Mishima]] (Namco), [[VideoGame/DmCDevilMayCry Dante]] (Capcom), and [[VideoGame/MetalGearRisingRevengeance Raiden]] (Konami) are in the launch roster, and [[VideoGame/DeadSpace Isaac Clarke]] (EA) is in as DownloadableContent.
205* While a huge bulk of [[http://store.steampowered.com/app/407620/Indie_Game_Battle/ Indie Game Battle]]'s roster is from games by Blob Games Studio, there's a lot of characters by other studios, even those whose games aren't released yet. [[{{Vaporware}} (Or ever...)]] [[http://indie-game-battle.wikia.com/wiki/Playable_Characters Out of the massive roster]], some notable inclusions are [[VideoGame/IWannaBeTheGuy The Kid]], VideoGame/{{Pico}}, WebAnimation/{{SaladFingers}}, VideoGame/{{Goat|Simulator}}, [[WebAnimation/MadnessCombat Hank]], VideoGame/{{Dust|AnElysianTail}}, VideoGame/{{McPixel}}, [[VideoGame/{{Lisa}} Brad]], [[VideoGame/RiddleSchool Phil Eggtree]], [[VideoGame/FancyPantsAdventures Fancy Pants]], and VideoGame/{{Duck|Game}}.
206* ''VideoGame/RivalsOfAether'' had [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvGtlx8nMsI Ori and Sein]] from ''VideoGame/OriAndTheBlindForest'' as its first Guest Character. The VideoGame/TowerOfHeaven also appears as a Guest Stage. A later DLC update added VideoGame/ShovelKnight as a playable character. Ragnir from ''VideoGame/{{Brawlhalla}} '' also appears as a skin for Maypul.
207* ''VideoGame/{{Brawlout}}'' features Juan from ''VideoGame/{{Guacamelee}}'', the Drifter from ''VideoGame/HyperLightDrifter'', Yooka and Laylee from ''VideoGame/YookaLaylee'', and Hero from ''VideoGame/DeadCells'' as playable characters.
208* While ''Bounty Battle'' has a large amount of original characters, it features a large amount of guests: [[VideoGame/{{Guacamelee}} Juan]], [[VideoGame/{{Awesomenauts}} Sherriff Lonestar]], [[VideoGame/{{Owlboy}} Otus]], [[VideoGame/MutantMudds Max]], and [[VideoGame/{{Psychonauts}} Raz]], [[http://www.darkscreengames.com/indie-guests-roster amongst others.]]
209* ''VideoGame/{{Brawlhalla}}'' includes VideoGame/{{Rayman}} as a playable character, added on the same day as the release date for the Switch and Xbox One versions. The 3.30 Patch added [[AndYourRewardIsClothes alternate skins]] of [[VideoGame/ShovelKnight Shovel Knight, Black Knight, Plague Knight, King Knight, and Specter Knight, and later The Enchantress in patch 3.38]]. Ranno from ''VideoGame/RivalsOfAether'' also appears as Wu Shang's alternate skin. [[ComicBook/{{Hellboy}} Hellboy, Nimue, Daimio, and Gruagach]] were added on April 10th, 2019, possibly to promote the 2019 ''Film/{{Hellboy|2019}}'' movie. [[WesternAnimation/AdventureTime Finn, Jake, and Princess Bubblegum]] were revealed as playable characters at E3 2019. Later at the beginning of December 2019, [[WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse Stevonnie, Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl]] were added to the cast. August and November of that same year brought in WWE Superstars John Cena, Becky Lynch, Xavier Woods, Asuka, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Roman Reigns, Undertaker and 'Macho Man' Randy Savage whilst Halloween 2020 Summoned [[Series/TheWalkingDead2010 Michonne, Rick and Daryl]] from their Walker-ridden hellscape with Negan and Maggie following suit the next year. Speaking of 2020, [[Franchise/Ben10 Ben Tennyson]] joined his CN brethren on June 10th after [[Franchise/TombRaider Lara Croft]] appeared the February before. Moving into 2021, [[Franchise/KungFuPanda Po, Tigress and familiar foe Tai Lung]] emerge in March and are followed up three months later in June by none other than the [[Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles Ninja Turtles themselves!]]
210* ''Paperbound'' has 6 characters from indie games: Goblin King from ''Tumblestone'', The Locksmith and The Gentleman from ''VideoGame/MonacoWhatsYoursIsMine'', Juan from ''VideoGame/{{Guacamelee}}'', Jonviev from ''Cards and Castles'', and Captain Viridian from ''VideoGame/{{VVVVVV}}''
211* The Switch version of ''VideoGame/{{Towerfall}}'' added Madeline and Badeline from ''VideoGame/{{Celeste}}'' as playable characters.
212* The ''VideoGame/PowerStone''-esque fighter ''VideoGame/CombatCore'' has [[WebAnimation/{{TOME}} Zetto, Kizuna]], and VideoGame/{{Ares|ExtinctionAgenda}} as playable characters.
213* ''Go All Out'' has a large original roster, but also includes guest characters: Raptor from ''Raptor Online'', Cole Black from ''VideoGame/GetEven2017'', Yandere-Chan from ''VideoGame/YandereSimulator'', Teslakid from ''VideoGame/{{Teslagrad}}'', Lord Clonington from ''VideoGame/WorldToTheWest'', Breakbone from [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kayko_and_Kokosh Kayko and Kokosh]], and even Franchise/{{Zorro}}.
214* ''VideoGame/CartoonNetworkPunchTimeExplosion'' features WesternAnimation/{{Captain Planet|and the Planeteers}} as an unlockable character, and he's notable for being the only character who isn't a Creator/CartoonNetwork original - his show having predated the network by two years - although the show ''did'' air as reruns on said channel.
215* ''Mighty Fight Federation'' has [[VideoGame/ToeJamAndEarl ToeJam and Earl]] and VideoGame/YookaLaylee as part of the base roster, with [[VideoGame/BloodstainedRitualOfTheNight Miriam]] being added in as part of an update, and with [[VideoGame/KunioKun Kunio & Riki]] added in as DLC.
216* ''VideoGame/NickelodeonAllStarBrawl'':
217** The ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' characters are an interesting case, as they are not Nickelodeon original characters and the franchise was bought by Viacom in 2009, which led to the Nickelodeon-made ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012'' and ''WesternAnimation/RiseOfTheTeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' series. However, the character incarnations used here are from [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1987 the 1987 series]], which had never aired on Nick (before 2023 when Nickelodeon secured the rights to the TMNT 1987 series), and were specifically chosen because the developers loved and grew up with that series.
218** Franchise/{{Garfield}} is also not a Nickelodeon character but his franchise was bought by Viacom in 2019 and although he has never had a Nickelodeon-made series, his appearance makes nods to the syndicated animated series, ''WesternAnimation/GarfieldAndFriends'', which did air on Nick and other networks.
219* ''VideoGame/MultiVersus'' has UsefulNotes/LeBronJames. Yes, the actual RealLife UsefulNotes/NationalBasketballAssociation player. He appeared in ''Film/SpaceJamANewLegacy'', a Warner Bros. film, which technically makes him a character by Creator/WarnerBrosDiscovery, when depicted as his animated self featured in that movie.
220[[/folder]]
221
222[[folder:Action]]
223* ''VideoGame/ZoneOfTheEnders: the 2nd Runner'' features a guest appearance of ''VideoGame/{{Gradius}}'s'' [[CoolStarship Vic Viper]] as a TransformingMecha.
224* The promotional sample disk version of ''VideoGame/NightsIntoDreams'', Christmas [=NiGHTS=], had a mode where you could play through [[Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog Spring Valley]] as Sonic. Dr. Eggman is also a boss in this version of the game, though he's just a reskinned version of the boss Puffy.
225* ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts3DDreamDropDistance'' had Neku, Shiki, Joshua, Beat, and Rhyme from ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'' show up as plot-relevant [=NPCs=] in Traverse Town, accompanied by brand-new remixes of songs from their game of origin ([[LongSongShortScene though they only play in a few cutscenes]]). This made them the first non-''Final Fantasy'' Square Enix characters to appear in the series.
226** ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsIII'' featured another non-''Final Fantasy'' character in the form of the Schwarzgeist from ''VideoGame/{{Einhander}}'', who appears as a hidden Gummi Ship boss. You can also unlock a Gummi Ship blueprint modeled after the Einhänder itself.
227* ''[[VideoGame/SuperBomberman Super Bomberman R]]'' has a load of DLC characters from Konami and Hudson's libraries: [[VideoGame/{{Gradius}} Vic Viper, an Option]], [[Franchise/{{Castlevania}} Simon Belmont, Dracula, Alucard]], [[Franchise/SilentHill Pyramid Head, a Bubble Head Nurse,]] [[VideoGame/ZoneOfTheEnders Jehuty, Anubis]], [[VideoGame/RumbleRoses Reiko]], [[VideoGame/GanbareGoemon Goemon, Ebisumaru]], [[VisualNovel/TokimekiMemorial Shiori Fujisaki, Ayako Katagiri]], [[VideoGame/PrincessTomatoInTheSaladKingdom Princess Tomato]], [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid Solid Snake, Naked Snake]], [[VideoGame/MetalGearRisingRevengeance Raiden]], [[VideoGame/{{Contra}} Bill, Lance]], [[VideoGame/PopnMusic Mimi, Nyami]], [[VideoGame/BioMiracleBokutteUpa Upa]], [[VideoGame/StarSoldier Caesar]], and Wrestling/XavierWoods. Additionally, the Switch version includes [[VideoGame/{{Parodius}} Tako]] as a pre-order exclusive, the [=PlayStation=] 4 version includes Franchise/RatchetAndClank, an ''VideoGame/ApeEscape'' monkey, and Toro Inoue, the Xbox One version includes [[Franchise/{{Halo}} Master Chief, a Grunt, and the Arbiter]], and the Steam version includes [[VideoGame/Portal2 P-Body and Atlas]].
228* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam: Encounters In Space'' on the Platform/PlayStation2 focused solely on the earlier Universal Century (in other words, the original anime as well as ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam0080WarInThePocket'', ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam0083StardustMemory'' and the side story video game ''[[Franchise/GundamExpandedUniverse Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story: The Blue Destiny]]'') but nonetheless features six AlternateUniverse machines: [[Anime/MobileFighterGGundam the God and Master Gundams]], [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamWingEndlessWaltz Wing Zero Custom and Tallgeese III]] and [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED the Aile Strike and Aegis Gundams]], all complete with appropriate pilots. The Japanese version also featured two suits that, while Universal Century, were not strictly canon to the anime: [[Literature/MobileSuitGundam Char's Rick Dom]] and [[VideoGame/GihrensGreed Casval's Gundam]]. As it happens, all of these suits were DownloadableContent in the Japanese version but since the Western [=PlayStation=] 2 didn't have that, almost all except Shar's Dom and Gundam were made available in-game.
229* The [[Franchise/{{Terminator}} T-800 Endoskeleton]] appears as a downloadable skin in ''[[VideoGame/{{Deathgarden}} Deathgarden: Bloodharvest]]''.
230[[/folder]]
231
232[[folder:Action-Adventure]]
233* In ''VideoGame/TheCatLady'', you actually get to meet Joe and Ivy from ''VideoGame/Downfall2009''. Similar to the ''Street Fighter''-''Final Fight'' example, both ''Downfall'' and ''The Cat Lady'' share the same universe.
234* ''VideoGame/DeadlyPremonition'' has [[VideoGame/SpyFiction2003 Forrest Kaysen]] from another Creator/Swery65 game appear in it.
235* In the alien invasion game ''Under the Skin'', one of the areas your alien prankster attacks is [[Franchise/ResidentEvil Raccoon City]] and your antagonists in that area include Jill Valentine (specifically, the ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil3Nemesis'' version of her).
236* ''VideoGame/TheWonderful101'' has [[VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}} Bayonetta, Jeanne, and Rodin]] as hidden playable characters.
237* ''VideoGame/RumbleRoses'''s Reiko was[[note]]The past tense is because the servers are shut down[[/note]] a multiplayer skin on ''VideoGame/{{Metal Gear Solid 3|SnakeEater}}: [[UpdatedRerelease Subsistence]]''.
238* In the Nintendo Switch version of ''VideoGame/StarlinkBattleForAtlas'', Fox [=McCloud=] from ''Franchise/StarFox'' is a playable character along with his Arwing.
239* ''ASDAD: All-Stars Dungeons and Diamonds'' is a maze-based diamond collection game. Fittingly, Shovel Knight is a playable character. VideoGame/IttleDew and Winti- the mascot for Grupo Wintek- are also playable.
240* ''VideoGame/{{Uncharted}}'':
241** [[VideoGame/InFamous Zeke, Cole McGrath]] (in both good and evil variations), [[VideoGame/{{Resistance}} Nathan Hale, a Chimera Hybrid]], [[VideoGame/{{Killzone}} Sev and a Helghast Soldier]] are all available as DLC characters for ''VideoGame/Uncharted2AmongThieves''' multiplayer mode.
242** ''VideoGame/Uncharted3DrakesDeception'' has a Capture Trooper from ''VideoGame/Killzone3'' as a DLC multiplayer villain.
243[[/folder]]
244
245[[folder:Beat 'em Up]]
246* In an ironic twist, [[Franchise/StreetFighter Ryu]] is a guest fighter for ''VideoGame/AsurasWrath'', but he also comes with a complete change in gameplay from the main game to be like ''VideoGame/StreetFighterIV'', Gauges and Life bars included.
247** Akuma/Oni and Evil Ryu are also Guest Fighters.
248* VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}} is a Guest Fighter in ''VideoGame/AnarchyReigns'' if you preordered the game or bought the DLC.
249* In the battle against Creator/MattGroening in ''VideoGame/TheSimpsonsGame'', Groening will summon [[WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}} Zoidberg and Bender]] as mooks. Before that, ''[[VideoGame/TheSimpsons The Simpsons Arcade]]'' had the ''ComicStrip/LifeInHell'' bunnies gang up on you in Krustyland if you weren't careful.
250* Paul Phoenix and Marshall Law from ''Franchise/{{Tekken}}'' appear in ''VideoGame/UrbanReign'' as playable characters.
251* ''VideoGame/RiverCityRansomUnderground'' has [[VideoGame/DoubleDragon Abobo]] and Me from ''Dad 'n Me'' as secret bosses and playable characters. Me was included because his creator, Dan Paladin, was a backer for the game's Website/{{Kickstarter}}.
252* ''[[VideoGame/StreetsOfFury Streets of Fury Ex]]'' has streamers WebVideo/{{Benzaie}}, LetsPlay/BobLennon, Yamato, and Mr. Quaraté as Guest Fighters. Later on, WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic was added as well.
253* ''VideoGame/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesShreddersRevenge'': The Dimension Shellshock DLC makes Usagi of ''ComicBook/UsagiYojimbo'' (despite its frequent crossovers with ''TMNT'', the property is wholly owned by creator Stan Sakai) into a fully playable character.
254* ''VideoGame/{{Tunche}}'' features special guest [[VideoGame/AHatInTime Hat Kid]] as a playable character, slightly clashing with the "Amazon Jungle" theme.
255[[/folder]]
256
257[[folder:Card Game]]
258* A few ''[[VideoGame/SoulSeries Soul Calibur]]'' character cards were available for a limited time in ''VideoGame/OutcastOdyssey''.
259[[/folder]]
260
261[[folder:Dating Sim]]
262* While they're not technically fighters due to the game being a DatingSim, ''VideoGame/NamcoHigh'' includes three characters from ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'' (Jane Crocker, Terezi Pyrope, and Davesprite) due to the author being a major part of the development. All three are referred to as "weird exchange students" in the character info.
263* ''VideoGame/CrushCrush'' developers Red Panda Studio [[https://yanderedev.wordpress.com/2016/10/25/yandere-chan-guest-stars-in-crush-crush/ got permission from YandereDev]] to include [[VideoGame/YandereSimulator Yandere-Chan]] as a girl you can date in their game. You even fill the role as her Senpai.
264** Later updates added Internet Explorer [[labelnote:Note]] [[AdaptationNameChange Renamed]] Explora in the game due to copyright[[/labelnote]] from ''Webcomic/IMadeAComicAboutInternetExplorer'' and Mallory from another Sad Panda Studios game ''Cabin Fever'' as dateable girls.
265* Modeus from ''VideoGame/{{Helltaker}}'' was added as a playable character to ''[[VisualNovel/MonsterProm Monster Prom 2: Monster Camp]]'' in the Halloween 2021 update.
266[[/folder]]
267
268[[folder:First/Third-Person Shooter]]
269* A stylistic reimagining of ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'''s Pyro was added to the retail version of ''VideoGame/KillingFloor'' for those who had both the game and ''Team Fortress 2'' during the Twisted Christmas event. [[FridgeLogic What a 1960s mercenary is doing in a second millennium Zombie-clone outbreak in London is anyone's guess.]]
270* Due to being released by Creator/LucasArts, [[Franchise/StarWars Han Solo]] and Franchise/IndianaJones skins are available to any character (even the girl) in the first ''VideoGame/{{Mercenaries}}'' game.
271* ''VideoGame/UnrealChampionship2TheLiandriConflict'' has [[Franchise/MortalKombat Raiden]] as a playable character and Shao Kahn as an announcer.
272** Scorpion, Sub-Zero and Noob Saibot are also playable in the arcade shooter ''The Grid''.
273* Scorpion’s definitely Mortal Kombat’s version of {{Wolverine|Publicity}} - he’s playable in ''VideoGame/PsiOpsTheMindgateConspiracy'' as well.
274* A fair amount of DLC characters in ''VideoGame/Payday2'' are characters from films or games added in as part of a cross-promotional campaign. So far, there's Film/JohnWick, "Jacket" of ''VideoGame/HotlineMiami'', Bodhi of ''Film/PointBreak2015'', Jimmy from ''Film/HardcoreHenry'', Tony Montana from ''Film/{{Scarface|1983}}'' and Ethan and Hila Klein of ''Webvideo/{{h3h3 Productions}}''.
275* [[Franchise/{{Halloween}} Michael Myers]] and Film/{{Predator}} are special items known as Field Orders in ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyGhosts''. They can only be played as in the Fog and Ruins maps, respectively.
276* ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyModernWarfare2019'' doesn't include guest characters in a traditional sense, but by including outfits based on [[Film/TheTexasChainsawMassacre Leatherface]] and [[Franchise/{{Saw}} Billy the Puppet]], it opened the door for later games to include guests of their own:
277** ''[[VideoGame/CallOfDutyBlackOpsColdWar Black Ops Cold War]]'' added [[Franchise/{{Rambo}} John Rambo]] and [[Film/DieHard John McClane]] as part of its 80's Action Heroes event, alongside [[Film/{{Scream}} Ghostface]] for the Halloween event, and skins inspired by ''ComicBook/JudgeDredd'' and ''Film/DonnieDarko''.
278** ''[[VideoGame/CallOfDutyVanguard Vanguard]]'' added skins inspired by ''Manga/AttackOnTitan'', as well as the [[Film/TheTerminator T-800]], [[Film/Terminator2JudgmentDay T-1000]] and Music/SnoopDogg. Don't ask.
279** And then ''[[VideoGame/CallOfDutyModernWarfareII Modern Warfare II]]'' went ballistic with the collaborations. In order of appearance, and take a deep breath: [[UsefulNotes/TheWorldCup Lionel Messi, Paul Pogba, Neymar Jr]], [[Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles the Shredder]], [[UsefulNotes/NationalBasketballAssociation Kevin Durant]], pro ''COD'' players Nickmercs and [=TimtheTatman=], [[Series/TheBoys2019 Homelander, Starlight, Black Noir]], Snoop Dogg again, Music/NickiMinaj, 21 Savage, [[Franchise/TombRaider Lara Croft]], ComicBook/{{Spawn}}, [[Manga/{{Hellsing}} Alucard]], [[Franchise/EvilDead Ash Williams]], [[Franchise/MastersOfTheUniverse Skeletor]], [[VideoGame/{{Diablo}} Lilith, Inarius]], and a Sardaukar trooper from ''Film/Dune2021''.
280*** All of these carry over to ''[[VideoGame/CallOfDutyModernWarfareIII Modern Warfare III]]'', with new additions including [[Film/Dune2021 Paul Atredies]], [[Film/DunePartTwo Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen]], [[Series/TheBoys2019 A-Train, Firecracker]], [[Series/TheWalkingDead2010 Rick Grimes and Michonne]].
281* ''VideoGame/CannonSpike'' is a game that had more Guests than original characters. [[Franchise/StreetFighter Cammy, Charlie,]] [[Characters/{{Darkstalkers}} Baby Bonnie Hood,]] VideoGame/{{Mega Man|Classic}} and [[VideoGame/GhostsNGoblins Arthur]] basically band together with some OriginalGeneration characters and shoot shit up.
282* ''VideoGame/QuakeIIIArena'' features VideoGame/{{Doom}}guy as a selectable player model, complete with sounds. Its sequel ''VideoGame/QuakeChampions'' not only features the Doom Slayer, Doomguy's modern counterpart, but also features [[VideoGame/{{Wolfenstein}} B.J. Blazkowicz]] as a playable character.
283* In May 2018, ''VideoGame/{{Fortnite}}'' had the 'Infinity Gauntlet Limited Time Mashup'. The [[Film/AvengersInfinityWar Infinity Gauntlet]] would spawn on the map randomly and allow the player to play as ComicBook/{{Thanos}} to completely destroy their rivals. Similarly, other crossovers also happened as well.
284** To advertise ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', ''Fortnite'' added ComicBook/CaptainAmerica's shield, [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Thor]]'s ax, and ComicBook/IronMan's gauntlets as weapons.
285* ''[[VideoGame/GearsOfWar Gears 5]]'' features a playable guest appearance of [[Franchise/{{Terminator}} the T-800 and Sarah Connor]].
286* ''VideoGame/LostPlanet 2'' has [[Franchise/ResidentEvil Albert Wesker]] and [[VideoGame/DeadRising Frank West]] playable in all versions of the game, plus [[VideoGame/GearsOfWar Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago]] in the Xbox 360 version. If you have ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil5'' or ''Dead Rising'' save data, you can unlock Wesker and Frank right away.
287[[/folder]]
288
289[[folder:Free-to-Play]]
290* The ''Franchise/HowToTrainYourDragon'' game ''VideoGame/DragonsRiseOfBerk'' features [[Franchise/{{Shrek}} Dragon and the Dronkeys]] as bonus obtainable dragons.
291* Mine Turtle from the ''WebAnimation/{{asdfmovie}}'' series was featured in ''VideoGame/MonsterLegends'' for a limited time.
292* ''State of Survival'' had [[Series/TheWalkingDead2010 Daryl Dixon]] and [[ComicBook/{{Batman}} the Joker]] join the heroes of the settlement in this zombie city builder game.
293* [[Characters/MortalKombatJohnnyCage Johnny Cage]] of ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' fame made a guest appearance in the Creator/NetherrealmStudios-produced ''WWE Immortals'' mobile game. A halfway example of this could also be seen with Xavier Woods assuming the persona of [[Characters/MortalKombatRaiden Raiden]].
294[[/folder]]
295
296[[folder:Gacha Game]]
297* ''VideoGame/AFKArena'' has a faction dedicated to these: the Dimensionals, who wound up [[TrappedInAnotherWorld stuck in Esperia]] due to [[GreaterScopeVillain Annih]] messing with the fabric of the universe, and have a canonical common goal in finding a way to get home. So far, these include: [[Myth/KingArthur Arthur]], Myth/{{Merlin}}, [[VideoGame/SamuraiShodown Nakoruru, Ukyo]], [[Franchise/AssassinsCreed Ezio Auditore]], [[Anime/Overlord2012 Ainz Ooal Gown, Albedo]], [[VideoGame/Persona5 Joker, Makoto]], the VideoGame/PrinceOfPersia, Creator/LeonardoDaVinci, and [[Literature/JourneyToTheWest Wu Kong]][[note]]who's considered a Celestial rather than a Dimensional due to his PhysicalGod status[[/note]]. [[WebVideo/{{Markiplier}} Markiplier and Chica]] were also spotted in Esperia for a while, though they stayed in the Noble Tavern as {{Non Player Character}}s, and the Nian[[note]]Referred to as "Burning Brute"[[/note]] from Chinese mythology is a non-playable boss.
298* ''VideoGame/DragaliaLost'' had a few guest fighters attainable through limited banners or as welfare units.
299** The first instance of guest fighters occurred with a crossover event with ''VideoGame/FireEmblemHeroes'' which added Alfonse, Marth, Veronica, and Fjorm. A year later, more ''Fire Emblem'' characters were added as part of a second crossover event with the game. Said characters being Sharena, Peony, Tiki, and Chrom. Alfonse and Sharena could be acquired for free in their respective events while the rest had to be summoned.
300** [[VideoGame/MegaManClassic Mega Man]] was added as a welfare unit for the crossover event "Mega Man: Chaos Protocol".
301** When an event for ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' happened three existing adventurers got special Monster Hunter themed alts. Not only that, but Fatalis and two versions of Rathalos were added as playable dragons.
302** Pecorine from ''VideoGame/PrincessConnectReDive'' was added to the game as permanent addition to the summon pool, making her the first of any guest in the game to game such a treatment.
303** The ''[[VideoGame/Persona5Strikers Caged Desire]]'' event brought the Phantom Thieves Joker, Mona, Panther and Sophie with it and tweaked the UI elements to go with it; Sophie was a welfare unit while the others had to be summoned.
304* ''VideoGame/DragonballZDokkanBattle'' has [[Manga/OnePiece Doflamingo]] as a special card.
305* ''Fist of the North Star: Legends Revive'' had characters from ''VideoGame/VirtuaFighter'', ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' and ''Anime/BakiTheGrappler'' in addition to Sonic himself, of all people, altogether appear as part of crossover events.
306* ''VideoGame/HonkaiImpact3rd'' added Asuka Shikinami Langley from ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' as a limited-time recruitable character during the "New Century" event in Version 4.5.
307** Version 4.9, titled "Outworld Quest", featured a crossover with sister game ''VideoGame/GenshinImpact'' and added Fischl as a permanently obtainable unit, while Keqing was playable in certain event missions.
308* ''VideoGame/MagiaRecordPuellaMagiMadokaMagicaSideStory'' had a crossover event with ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'', where players could unlock Nanoha, Hayate, and Fate. Another event allowed players to collect the cast of ''Literature/{{Bakemonogatari}}'', reimagined as Puella Magi.
309* ''VideoGame/PunishingGrayRaven'' had 2B, 9S, and A2 from ''VideoGame/NierAutomata'' be recruitable for a limited window during the ''Untold Naraka'' event.
310[[/folder]]
311
312[[folder:Hack and Slash]]
313* ''VideoGame/WarriorsOrochi 3'' has five guest fighters: [[VideoGame/BladestormTheHundredYearsWar Joan of Arc]], [[VideoGame/WarriorsLegendsOfTroy Achilles]], [[VideoGame/TrinitySoulsOfZillOll Nemea]], [[VideoGame/NinjaGaiden Ryu Hayabusa]], and [[VideoGame/DeadOrAlive Ayane]]. The [[UpdatedRerelease Ultimate]] version introduces [[VideoGame/NinjaGaiden Rachel, Momiji]], [[VideoGame/DeadOrAlive Kasumi]], [[VideoGame/SoulSeries Sophitia]] and [[VideoGame/AtelierRoronaTheAlchemistOfArland Sterkenburg Cranach]].
314* ''VideoGame/Bayonetta2'' and the Nintendo ports of ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'' have special costumes that replace the original sound effects.
315** The [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mushroom Kingdom Princess]] and [[VideoGame/SuperMarioLand Sarasaland Princess]] costumes replace Halos with Gold Coins, and Bayonetta can summon Bowser instead of Madama Butterfly to attack when using Wicked Weaves. She'll even have a cute Mario or Luigi plush doll attached to her hip. Bayonetta can also use the Chain Chomp as a weapon, while donning a Mario Costume.
316** The [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Hero of Hyrule]] costume replaces Halos with Rupees and the sounds effects with SFX from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'', Hideki Kamiya's favorite Legend of Zelda game. The [[CoolSword Shuraba]] will be replaced with the Master Sword, and can allow her to damage flaming enemies without taking damage. The Hylian Shield on her wrist will also allow her to parry attacks.
317** The [[Franchise/{{Metroid}} Galactic Bounty Hunter]] costume will have Bayonetta use the Arm Cannon for gun attacks. When she uses Panther Within, she uses Samus's Morph Ball mode, and double jumping makes her use the Screw Attack.'
318** Finally, only in ''Bayonetta 2'' the [[Franchise/StarFox Star Mercenary]] gives off ''VideoGame/StarFox64'' sound effects, and replaces Love is Blue with mini Arwings that shoot lasers. If you wear this costume in Chapter 16: Sovereign Power, you'll control an Arwing instead of a jet, and can fire Smart Bombs.
319** If Jeanne wears these costumes, her sound effects will be from the game's first entries: ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaI'', ''VideoGame/Metroid1'', and ''VideoGame/StarFox1''.
320* Befitting of a fanservicy series, [[VideoGame/DeadOrAlive Ayane]], [[Manga/IkkiTousen Sousaku, Kan-u and Ryofu]] appear in ''[[VideoGame/SenranKagura Senran Kagura: Estival Versus]]''. ''Peach Beach Splash'' ups the ante by adding [[VideoGame/DeadOrAlive Marie Rose, Honoka]], [[Manga/IkkiTousen Ryomo]], [[Anime/SuperSonico Sonico]], [[VideoGame/ValkyrieDriveBhikkhuni Rinka and Ranka]], and [[VideoGame/{{Neptunia}} Neptune]].
321* ''Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars'' is a game that brings the ''VideoGame/SenranKagura'' and ''VideoGame/{{Neptunia}}'' franchises [[{{Crossover}} together]]. However, it also features Goh from the ''VideoGame/{{Shinobido}}'' series, albeit a [[GenderBender gender-swapped]] version of him.
322[[/folder]]
323
324[[folder:Maze Game]]
325* ''VideoGame/PacMan''
326** While ''VideoGame/MsPacManMazeMadness'' primarily features different ''Pac-Man'' characters in its multiplayer mode, Pooka from the ''VideoGame/DigDug'' series can be unlocked as a secret character.
327** ''VideoGame/PacMan256'' features an unlockable skin based on ''VideoGame/CrossyRoad'', and if the game is played using the skin, the player controls a chicken instead of Pac-Man himself. The multiplayer mode in the game's console versions also features the chicken as one of the playable character options.
328[[/folder]]
329
330[[folder:Minigame Game]]
331* ''VideoGame/WarioWareDIY'' used to have microgames based on ''VideoGame/{{Shantae}}'', ''VideoGame/WorldOfGoo'', ''VideoGame/SuperMeatBoy'', ''VideoGame/BitTrip'', ''VideoGame/SwimIkachan'', ''VideoGame/MaxAndTheMagicMarker'', ''VideoGame/TokiTori'', ''VideoGame/JettRocket'', ''VideoGame/AndYetItMoves'', and ''VideoGame/ChronosTwin'' that could be downloaded through Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, but they are now unobtainable due to the servers being shut down.
332[[/folder]]
333
334[[folder:MMORPG]]
335* The Cartoon Network MMORPG ''VideoGame/FusionFall'' has representation from almost every major Cartoon Network show from the 90s until 2009. [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg There's also]] appearances from Johnny Test and Dukey from ''WesternAnimation/JohnnyTest'', which was a Canadian show created for Teletoon, Agent K9 from the movie ''[[Film/CatsAndDogs Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore]]''[[note]]Simply put, it was ProductPlacement[[/note]], and TOM, the host of ''Creator/{{Toonami}}'', which was canceled at the time. Costumes based on ''WesternAnimation/LegendOfTheGuardiansTheOwlsOfGahoole'' were also featured when the movie was released.
336* In ''VideoGame/GranblueFantasy'', you can recruit many from other franchises to fight alongside you. Such as:
337** [[Franchise/StreetFighter Ryu, Chun-Li, Rashid, Karin,]]
338** [[Literature/{{Slayers}} Lina, Naga,]]
339** [[VideoGame/RageOfBahamut Amira, Cerberus, Albert, Vania, Forte,]]
340** [[VideoGame/SakuraWars Sakura, Erica, Gemini]],
341** [[VideoGame/TheIdolmasterCinderellaGirls Rin, Uzuki, Mio, Kirari, Brynhildr/Ranko]],
342** [[Anime/FutariWaPrettyCure Cure Black and Cure White]],
343** [[VideoGame/TalesOfDestiny Stahn Aileron]], [[VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss Tear Grants]], [[VideoGame/TalesOfXillia Milla Maxwell and Elize Lutus]]...
344** [[VideoGame/SamuraiShodown Haohmaru and Nakoruru, with Shiro Tokisada Amakusa as an NPC]].
345* ''VideoGame/LostSaga'' has a boatload of guest characters: Ragna, Jin/[[PaletteSwap Noel]], Rachael, Hakumen, Platinum, and Hazama from ''VideoGame/BlazBlue'', Sol and May/[[PaletteSwap Johnny]] from ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'', Haohmaru, Nakoruru, and Galford from ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown'', and Kyo, Iori, and [[VideoGame/FatalFury Mai]] from ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters''. The can only be bought with in-game currency, and typically have stronger equipment.
346* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' has [[VideoGame/MonsterHunter Rathalos]] as a special {{Superboss}}.
347* ''VideoGame/{{Onmyoji|2016}}'' had a few guests from ''Manga/NuraRiseOfTheYokaiClan'', ''Anime/{{Mononoke}}'', ''Manga/HozukisCoolheadedness'', and ''Manga/InuYasha''. However, these characters were available for a limited time.
348[[/folder]]
349
350[[folder:MOBA]]
351* ''MOBA Legends'' has [[Film/ChildsPlay Chucky]], Film/{{Kong|SkullIsland}}, and Franchise/RoboCop as playable characters.
352* ''VideoGame/{{Smite}}'':
353** [[WebAnimation/{{RWBY}} Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and Yang Xiao Long]] are skins for Thanatos, Freya, Amaterasu, and Terra, respectively, all in their outfits introduced in Volume Seven of the show, with Ruby having her classic Volumes 1-3 attire as a Prestige Track.
354** [[WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender Aang, Zuko,]] and [[WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra Korra]] are skins for Merlin, Susano, and Skadi, with Aang and Korra's Prestige Tracks being their Avatar States and Zuko's being his Blue Spirit outfit. Azula and Iroh were later added as skins for Pele and Bacchus.
355** [[Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo]] are skins for Osiris, Sun Wukong, Loki, and Mercury, with Prestige Tracks based on their [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1987 1987]] designs. Splinter, Shredder, and Krang were later added as skins for Haichiman, Ravana, and Xiang Tian.
356** [[Series/StrangerThings Eleven, Chief Hopper, the Demogorgon, and the Mind Flayer]] are skins for Scylla, Apollo, Bakasura, and Sylvanus. Eleven and Hopper have Prestige Tracks based on Season Three of the show.
357** [[Franchise/{{Transformers}} Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Starscream]] are skins for Geb, Ra, and Jing Wei, with Prestige Tracks based on the [[WesternAnimation/TheTransformers G1 cartoon]].
358** [[WesternAnimation/RockosModernLife Rocko]], WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom, WesternAnimation/InvaderZim, [[WesternAnimation/MyLifeAsATeenageRobot Jenny Wakeman]] and [[WesternAnimation/RenAndStimpy Powdered Toast Man]] are skins for Danzaburou, Janus, Cupid, Freya and Gilgamesh.
359* In ''VideoGame/HonorOfKings'', way before Gongsun Li guested in ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown'' above, the MOBA roster has already received SNK guests in form of [[VideoGame/FatalFury Mai Shiranui]], [[VideoGame/SamuraiShodown Haohmaru (only as a skin for Miyamoto Musashi), Ukyo Tachibana, Nakoruru and Charlotte Christine Colde]].
360** In the internationalized version, ''VideoGame/ArenaOfValor'', the guests instead come from Franchise/DCComics, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash and The Joker. There's also one more guest from an Indonesian franchise: Literature/WiroSableng. Those are the playable heroes, there are also guest ''skins'' on existing heroes, featuring ComicBook/HarleyQuinn, [[Literature/SwordArtOnline Kirito, Asuna]], [[Manga/{{Bleach}} Ichigo Kurosaki, Byakuya Kuchiki, Toshiro Hitsugaya]], [[Manga/{{Ultraman}} Shinjiro Hayata/Ultraman, Dan Moroboshi/Seven]], [[Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba Tanjiro Kamado, Nezuko Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma, and Inosuke Hashibira.]]
361[[/folder]]
362
363[[folder:Party Game]]
364* [[http://store.steampowered.com/app/323850/Move_or_Die/ Move or Die]] added characters from ''WesternAnimation/RickAndMorty'' as free DLC characters.
365* ''VideoGame/FallGuysUltimateKnockout'' has a few outfits based on characters from different franchises, which include: [[VideoGame/HalfLife Alyx Vance, Gordon Freeman]], [[VideoGame/HotlineMiami Jacket]], [[VideoGame/TeamFortress2 The Scout]], [[VideoGame/EnterTheGungeon Bulletkin]], [[VideoGame/{{Portal}} Chell]], [[VideoGame/Portal2 P-Body]], VideoGame/GatoRoboto, VideoGame/{{GRIS}}, VideoGame/MyFriendPedro, [[VideoGame/TheMessenger2018 The Messenger]], [[VideoGame/DeathsDoor Crow]], [[Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog Sonic the Hedgehog, Knuckles, Super Sonic, Tails, Dr. Eggman]], Franchise/{{Godzilla}}, [[Film/GodzillaVsDestoroyah Godzilla 1995]], [[Film/GodzillaVsMechagodzilla Mechagodzilla]], [[Film/GhidorahTheThreeHeadedMonster King Ghidorah]], Film/{{Mothra}}, [[VideoGame/UntitledGooseGame The Goose, The Groundskeeper, The Wimp]], [[Franchise/{{Doom}} Cyberdemon, Cacodemon, Doom Slayer]], [[VideoGame/DoomEternal Doomicorn]], [[VideoGame/{{Cuphead}} Cuphead, Mugman, Ms. Chalice]], [[VideoGame/AmongUs Eggscellent, Young Sprout, Bein Cheesy]], VideoGame/ShovelKnight, [[Film/{{Tron}} Sark, Tron]], [[Film/TronLegacy Quorra, Rinzler]], VideoGame/{{Bomberman}}, [[VideoGame/NierAutomata 2B]], [[VideoGame/{{Spelunky}} Guy Spelunky]], [[VideoGame/Spelunky2 Ana Spelunky]], Franchise/RatchetAndClank, [[WesternAnimation/TheJungleBook1967 Baloo, King Louie, Mowgli, Shere Khan]], [[VideoGame/KenaBridgeOfSpirits Kena, Rot]], [[VideoGame/SuperMonkeyBall AiAI]], [[VideoGame/DeadCells The Prisoner]], [[VideoGame/GhostOfTsushima Jin Sakai]], [[VideoGame/LittleBigPlanet Sackboy]], [[VideoGame/HorizonZeroDawn Aloy]], [[WesternAnimation/TheNightmareBeforeChristmas Jack Skellington, Sally, Santa Jack, The Mayor]], [[VideoGame/{{Bugsnax}} Filbo Fiddlepie]], [[VideoGame/AstrosPlayroom Astro, ASTRO BOT T-Rex]], [[Franchise/AssassinsCreed Ezio]], [[VideoGame/AssassinsCreedValhalla Odin the All-Father, Eivor the Wolf-Kissed]], [[Franchise/{{Halo}} Master Chief, Grunt, Brute Chieftain]], Series/ElChapulinColorado, [[Webcomic/PusheenTheCat Pusheen, Super Pusheenicorn, Sloth, Pusheenosaurus]], [[Wrestling/{{WWE}} Asuka, Xavier Woods, Undertaker]], [[VideoGame/FatalFury Mai Shiranui, Terry Bogard]], [[Franchise/{{Alien}} Xenomorph, Ellen Ripley]], [[Franchise/StarTrek Spock, Hugh's Borg Mask, Worf, Uhura]], [[VideoGame/Destiny2 Hunter, Titan, Warlock, Ghost Shell]], Music/HatsuneMiku, VideoGame/ToejamAndEarl, [[Franchise/{{Ghostbusters}} Ghostbuster, Gozer, Slimer]], [[Series/DoctorWho Dalek, Fourth Doctor, Thirteenth Doctor, Fourteenth Doctor, Cyberman, Tenth Doctor]], [[Franchise/MastersOfTheUniverse He-Man, Battlecat, Orko, Skeletor, Teela]], [[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Dovah-bean, Alduin]], [[Franchise/UltraSeries Ultraman]], [[WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants SpongeBob, Mr. Krabs, Patrick, Sandy, Squidward]], [[Franchise/StreetFighter Ryu, Akuma, Cammy, Chun Li, Guile]], [[VideoGame/GearsOfWar Marcus Fenix, Kait Diaz, General RAAM]], [[Literature/HowTheGrinchStoleChristmas The Grinch]], [[WesternAnimation/{{Encanto}} Mirabel Madrigal, Luisa Madrigal, Bruno Madrigal]], [[ComicBook/{{Invincible}} Invincible, Atom Eve, Omni-Man]], Franchise/HelloKitty, Franchise/{{Doraemon}}, [[Franchise/{{TombRaider}} Lara Croft]], [[VideoGame/DeathStranding Sam Porter Bridges]], [[VideoGame/PacMan Pac-Man, Inky]], [[VideoGame/YookaLaylee Yooka, Laylee]], [[Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, Michaelangelo]], [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesMutantMayhem April O'Neil, Splinter, Superfly]], [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV Fat Chocobo, Goobbue, Alisaie, Alphinaud, Namazu, White Mage, Dragoon]], [[Franchise/ToyStory Woody and Buzz Lightyear]].
366[[/folder]]
367
368[[folder:Platformer]]
369* ''[[VideoGame/MegaManClassic Mega Man Universe]]'' [[{{Vaporware}} would have had]] [[Franchise/StreetFighter Ryu]] as one of the playable characters. [[VideoGame/GhostsNGoblins Arthur]] also shows up in the cinematic teaser trailer.
370* ''VideoGame/LegoAdaptationGame'':
371** Franchise/IndianaJones can be unlocked in ''VideoGame/LegoStarWars: The Complete Saga'' by viewing a trailer for ''LEGO Indiana Jones''. Likewise, [[Franchise/StarWars Han Solo]] is unlockable in ''VideoGame/LegoIndianaJones'' (both cases doubling as an ActorAllusion).
372** Creator/AdamWest, Creator/KevinSmith, and [[WesternAnimation/DuckDodgers Green Loontern]] are unlockable characters in ''VideoGame/LegoBatman 3'', with Adam West doubling as the "In Peril" character for the game and the narrator of the bonus mission.
373** In ''VideoGame/LegoTheIncredibles'', several characters from other Creator/{{Pixar}} movies are playable, which include [[Franchise/ToyStory Woody]], [[WesternAnimation/ABugsLife Flik]], [[WesternAnimation/MonstersInc Sulley]], [[WesternAnimation/FindingNemo Dory]], [[Franchise/{{Cars}} Lightning McQueen]], [[WesternAnimation/{{Ratatouille}} Linguini]], WesternAnimation/WallE, [[WesternAnimation/{{Up}} Russell]], [[WesternAnimation/{{Brave}} Merida]], [[WesternAnimation/InsideOut Bing Bong]], [[WesternAnimation/TheGoodDinosaur Spot]], [[WesternAnimation/{{Coco}} Miguel]], and even [[WesternAnimation/LuxoJr Junior the Lamp]].
374* [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry Dante]] pops up as an unlockable player character in the [=PS2=] version of ''VideoGame/ViewtifulJoe''.
375* The Baz from ''WebVideo/TwoBestFriendsPlay'' appears as a fighter in ''VideoGame/DiveKick'' and an optional boss in ''VideoGame/ShovelKnight''. The Platform/PlayStation4 and Platform/XboxOne versions of the game features [[VideoGame/GodOfWar Kratos]] and the ''VideoGame/{{Battletoads}}'' as bosses.
376* ''VideoGame/{{Skylanders}}'':
377** Franchise/DonkeyKong and [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Bowser]] are playable in the Wii U version of ''Skylanders: [=SuperChargers=]'' and the Wii and Nintendo 3DS-exclusive spin-off ''Skylanders: [=SuperChargers=] Racing''. Their figures function as Skylander figures in the games and can also double as Toys/{{amiibo}}.
378** ''Skylanders: Imaginators'' introduces the ability to play as VideoGame/CrashBandicoot and Dr. Neo Cortex. Unlike Donkey Kong and Bowser, their figures are compatible with all versions of the game.
379* ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'':
380** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioMaker'':
381*** Nearly every character with an Toys/{{amiibo}} figure is playable in the game as a Mystery Mushroom costume (only available in the original ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros1'' style). This means the entire vanilla roster of ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU''[[note]]the only featured Smash characters not from the base game are [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Mewtwo]] and [[VideoGame/Mother3 Lucas]][[/note]], the squid kids and a squid from ''Franchise/{{Splatoon}}'', the titular character from ''VideoGame/ChibiRobo'', and almost every major NPC from the ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing'' series. Additionally, [[UsefulNotes/{{Swapnote}} Nikki]], [[Franchise/StarFox Slippy, Peppy,]] an [[VideoGame/StarFoxZero Arwing]], [[VideoGame/BigBrainAcademy Dr. Lobe,]] [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask Tingle]], the [[VideoGame/WiiFit Wii Balance Board]] from ''Wii Fit'', [[VideoGame/WarioWare Ashley]], and [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTriForceHeroes Totem Link]] are unlockable costumes despite not having amiibo.
382*** [[Series/RetroGameMaster Shinya Arino]] is also a Mystery Mushroom costume, unlocked by clearing a course made by him.
383*** Necky, the mascot of the Japanese website [[http://www.famitsu.com/ Famitsu]] and a GLA Mercedes Benz are unlocked by completing the "Yoshi is Awesome" and the "Mercedes-Benz Jump'n'Drive" events.
384*** Later updates and events would add obscure Nintendo characters like [[VideoGame/EarthBound1994 Master Belch]], [[VideoGame/JamWithTheBand Barbara the Bat, Yu Ayasaki,]] [[VisualNovel/FamicomDetectiveClub Ayumi Tachibana]], Donbe and Hikari from ''Shin Onigashima'', [[VideoGame/StreetPassMiiPlaza Iris Archwell]], [[VideoGame/{{Pushmo}} Mallo]], [[VideoGame/CluCluLand Bubbles]], and [[VideoGame/BrainAge Dr. Kawashima]], along with [[UnexpectedCharacter completely left-field characters]] like [[Manga/{{Nisekoi}} Chitoge Kirisaki]], the members of Music/BabyMetal, [[Franchise/HelloKitty Kitty White, My Melody,]] and WesternAnimation/ShaunTheSheep.
385** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioMaker2'': The 2.0 update adds a power-up exclusive to the ''[=SMB1=]'' style that turns the player into [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Link]] (with a slightly modified version of his appearance from [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaI his first game]]). And unlike the first ''SMM'', where transforming into any character through the Mystery Mushroom didn't give the player abilities related to that character, turning into Link in this game gives the player his abilities such as using the Master Sword, his bow and arrow, etc.
386* Creator/{{Toonami}}'s TOM made an appearance in ''VideoGame/Sly2BandOfThieves'', basically acting like a reskinned Alarm Clock.
387* One of the playable characters in ''VideoGame/TheAngryVideoGameNerdAdventures'' is the Bullshit Man, the star of a different webshow made by Creator/JamesRolfe called ''[[WebVideo/YouKnowWhatsBullshit You Know What's Bullshit?]]''
388* ''VideoGame/TheyBleedPixels''[='=] bonus worlds are based on ''Seraph'', ''exp. magazine'', and ''VideoGame/SissysMagicalPonycornAdventure''. They were actually made by the original creators themselves.
389* The ''Franchise/{{Kirby}}'' series' reoccurring bosses Lololo & Lalala were actually [[VideoGame/AdventuresOfLolo stars of their own series]] before they fought against the pink puffball.
390* ''VideoGame/{{Runbow}}'' has ''19'' playable characters from other franchises: VideoGame/ShovelKnight, [[VideoGame/SteamWorldDig Rusty]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEuUgJpFi9Y Swift from Sportsball]], [[VideoGame/{{Guacamelee}} Juan, Tostada,]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ts9MN0FbEls Scram Kitty]], [[VideoGame/BitTrip CommanderVideo, Commandergirl Video,]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzeo8AAd5tg Xeodrifter]] [[VideoGame/MutantMudds Max]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICq0rgCdAag Princess from Chariot]], [[VideoGame/HyperLightDrifter Drifter]], [[VideoGame/{{Teslagrad}} Teslamancer]], [[VideoGame/TheFall2014 A.R.I.D.]], [[VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvolt Gunvolt]], [[UnexpectedCharacter and even]] [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/UsefulNotes/Unity Unity-Chan!]] DownloadableContent later added [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A1wOTP3Eu8 Lilac]] from ''VideoGame/FreedomPlanet'' and VideoGame/{{Shantae}} from the series of the same name.
391* ''[[https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=645778199 Guppy's Quest]]'' has many guest characters from indie games, including VideoGame/{{Pico}}, WebAnimation/RootAndDigby, WebAnimation/SaladFingers, [[http://cc-sh.wikia.com/wiki/Shady Shady]], [[VideoGame/IWannaBeTheGuy The Kid]], [[VideoGame/{{VVVVVV}} Captain Viridian]], [[http://store.steampowered.com/app/299460/Woodle_Tree_Adventures/ Woodle Tree]], and [[VideoGame/{{Eversion}} Zee Tee]].
392* While you have to [[DefeatMeansPlayable beat them in their secret boss fight first,]] [[VideoGame/ShovelKnight Plague Knight]], [[VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys Chica]], [[VideoGame/MeatBoy Dr. Fetus]], [[Videogame/OneThousandAndOneSpikes Aban Hawkins]], and [[VideoGame/CaveStory Balrog]] appear as playable characters in Free Mode of ''VideoGame/CreepyCastle''.
393* ''Joggernauts''' guest joggers are [[VideoGame/WestOfLoathing Cowpokes]] and [[VideoGame/BitTrip Commander Video]]
394* ''VideoGame/SuperMonkeyBall'':
395** The [[VideoGameRemake HD remake]] of ''Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz'' includes Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog (in his classic design) as an unlockable character.
396** ''Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania'' includes Sonic once again, but it also includes Tails (in his classic design as well), Beat from ''VideoGame/JetSetRadio'', and Kiryu from ''VideoGame/LikeADragon''. Later DLC for the game includes Morgana from ''VideoGame/Persona5'', Franchise/HelloKitty, Suezo from ''VideoGame/MonsterRancher'', and three Sega consoles (the Platform/GameGear, the Platform/SegaSaturn, and the Platform/SegaDreamcast).
397* If you collect all 30 Golden Skulls, you can unlock [[VideoGame/CaveStory Curly Brace]] in ''VideoGame/OneThousandAndOneSpikes''.
398* ''[[VideoGame/UmiharaKawase Umihara Kawase Fresh!]]'' has two of these, each with their own story: [[VideoGame/FantasticNightDreamsCotton Cotton]] (wearing an outfit similar to Kawase's) and [[VideoGame/CaveStory Curly Brace]].
399* ''VideoGame/ApeEscape2'': The Space Can, Submarine Lookalike, and AAA Jellyfish from the Japan-only [=PlayStation=] 2 game ''VideoGame/SpaceFishermen'' appear as rare enemies, with the Enemy Album phrases for the first two noting that they [[BreakingTheFourthWall came to the wrong game]].
400[[/folder]]
401
402[[folder:Puzzle Game]]
403* In the MobilePhoneGame ''Game of Dice'', guests have included ''Characters/TheKingOfFighters'' characters Athena Asamiya, Iori Yagami, Kyo Kusanagi, and Mai Shiranui, South Korean actor Lee Kwang-Soo, Music/GangnamStyle Music/{{PSY}}, and Creator/{{Sanrio}} characters Cinnamoroll, Franchise/HelloKitty, Kero Kero Keroppi, My Melody, and Pom Pom Purin.
404* ''KASIORI'', a sweets-themed puzzle game by Creator/{{Success}}, has [[VideoGame/FantasticNightDreamsCotton Cotton]] as a playable character.
405* ''VideoGame/PuzzleAndDragons'' has featured characters from ''VideoGame/AngryBirds'', ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'', ''Franchise/TheDCU'', ''Anime/DragonBallZ'', ''VideoGame/DragonsDogma'', ''VideoGame/ClashOfClans'', ''Crystal Defenders'', ''VideoGame/FinalFantasy'', ''Emil Chronicle Online'', ''Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar'', ''GROOVE COASTER'', '' Gunma no Yabou'', ''Franchise/HelloKitty'', ''Manga/HunterXHunter'', ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'', ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'', ''Princess Punt'', ''[[VideoGame/RagnarokOdyssey Ragnarok Odyssey ACE]]'', ''VideoGame/RagnarokOnline'', ''Manga/SaintSeiya'', ''VideoGame/TaikoNoTatsujin'', and many, many more and counting.
406* In the Wii U ''[[VideoGame/{{Scribblenauts}} Scribblenauts Unlimited]]'' you could summon characters and items from the Mario and Zelda series. They have their own voices and have special reactions to certain items. (For example, if you summon a go-kart, Toad will run towards it and hop on!)
407** The Japanese release of the original ''Scribblenauts'' featured various Konami characters for the player to summon, these being [[VideoGame/MetalGear Old Snake, Solid Snake, Big Boss,]] [[Franchise/{{Castlevania}} Alucard,]] [[VideoGame/GanbareGoemon Goemon, Ebisumaru,]] [[VideoGame/LivePowerfulProBaseball Power Pro-kun,]] [[VideoGame/PopNMusic Mimi, Nyami,]] [[VideoGame/{{Gradius}} Vic Viper,]] [[VisualNovel/TokimekiMemorial Shiori Fujisaki]] and [[VideoGame/LovePlus Manaka Takane]]. These were also kept on the Japanese version of ''Super'', with the exception of the ''Metal Gear'' characters (likely because their names contain adjectives) and, strangely, Ebisumaru.
408** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH2-TGUlwu4 Nyan Cat]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J---aiyznGQ Keyboard Cat]] were also characters you could summon in ''Unlimited''. However, Warner Bros was sued because both cats' use were unauthorized. [[http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/09/keyboard-cat-nyan-cat-win-warner-bros-lawsuit.html The lawsuit was later worked out. Nyan Cat and Keyboard Cat will make future appearances in the series, but the creators will be paid.]]
409* ''VideoGame/OhSirTheInsultSimulator'' features Lo Wang of ''VideoGame/ShadowWarrior'', VideoGame/SeriousSam, and [[VideoGame/Postal2 The Postal Dude]].
410* Nicalis ''VideoGame/SuperGemFighter'' clone ''VideoGame/CrystalCrisis'' featured characters from non-Niclais works such as Anime/AstroBoy, Manga/BlackJack, President Thompson and a Zombie from 8bits Fanatics' ''The Tempura of the Dead'', Akuji from ''Akuji the Demon'', and, perhaps most unexpected, ComicBook/JohnnyTurbo, the mascot for the Plarform/TurboDuo.
411* ''Project QT'' has White Horn Unicorn ''Attack on Moe'' available for a limited time. Likewise, Erica from ''Project QT'' also appeared in ''Attack on Moe'' during said period of time.
412** Another ''Project QT'' collab had [[VideoGame/YandereSimulator Yandere-Chan and Info-Chan]] available for a limited time.
413* ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyo'':
414** The mobile game ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyoQuest'' has had many, ''many'' crossover characters over its lifetime, both with [[CompanyCrossReferences other Sega properties]] and completely unrelated ones. Some of the featured series include ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' (including [[Film/SonicTheHedgehog2020 the movie]]), ''VideoGame/SakuraWars'' (both the original and ''VideoGame/SakuraWars2019''), ''VideoGame/{{Shenmue}}'', ''VideoGame/SpaceChannel5'', ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'', ''Music/{{Vocaloid}}'', ''VideoGame/ChainChronicle'', ''VideoGame/LivePowerfulProBaseball'', ''Franchise/{{Bleach}}'', ''Manga/CardcaptorSakura'', ''Manga/CaseClosed'', ''Manga/DoctorSlump'', ''Manga/GeGeGeNoKitaro'', ''Manga/{{Gintama}}'', ''Manga/{{Haikyuu}}'', ''Franchise/LupinIII'', ''Franchise/NeonGenesisEvangelion'', ''Anime/OjamajoDoremi'', ''Anime/OsomatsuSan'', ''Franchise/SailorMoon'', ''Manga/SaintSeiya'', Creator/{{Sanrio}}, and ''Anime/YesPrettyCure5''.
415** Doubles as a {{Company Cross Reference|s}}, given that both series are made by [[Creator/SonicTeam the same company]], but the first post-release update for ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyoTetris2'' added in Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog as a playable character, complete with new artwork and voice clips.
416* ''VideoGame/PetalCrash'' has quite a good few of them, half of them being Kickstarter backer contributions. They are The Baz (courtesy of the people behind ''WebVideo/TwoBestFriendsPlay''), Libbie the Cyber Oryx (originally intended to be the mascot of the open-source [=LibreOffice=] as part of a contest before being released into the public domain), Mimi (specifically made for the game), Arlet (from ''VideoGame/GrappleForceRena'' and unlike the others has his own character slot when unlocked), Nova the Squirrel (from the homebrew NES title of the same name) and Milla Basset (from ''VideoGame/FreedomPlanet'').
417[[/folder]]
418
419[[folder:Racing Game]]
420* ''[[VideoGame/SegaSuperstars Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing]] [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg with]] VideoGame/BanjoKazooie'' for the Platform/Xbox360. The other versions of the game are merely ''Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing''; [[http://seganerds.thekartel.com/blog/2010/02/22/exclusive_qa_with_sonic_and_sega_all-star_racings_producers Mario was considered for the Wii version]], but [[WhatCouldHaveBeen alas]] existed the [[VideoGame/MarioAndSonicAtTheOlympicGames Olympic Games]], uhhh, games... The sequel has Danica Patrick, a real-life UsefulNotes/{{NASCAR}} and ex-[=IndyCar=] driver, and Ralph from Disney's ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'', along with [[http://www.tssznews.com/2012/11/14/first-image-of-tf2-character-in-asr-transformed-uncovered/ members of the RED team]] from ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' exclusive to the Steam version of the game. Other Steam-exclusive characters include a VideoGame/FootballManager, General Winter from ''VideoGame/CompanyOfHeroes 2'', Willemus from ''VideoGame/TotalWarRomeII'', and [[LetsPlay/SimonLane one of the members of]] the LetsPlay/{{Yogscast}} (the last one is DLC, released for charity).
421* Miis and Xbox Live Avatars have been playable in the ''Sonic and All-Stars'' racing games since the start.
422* ''VideoGame/TestDrive 5'' for the [=PlayStation=] had the Music/FearFactory (one of the bands who supplied the music) wagon.
423* VideoGame/{{Klonoa}} in ''Moto GP''.
424* ''VideoGame/MarioKart'':
425** The arcade ''VideoGame/MarioKart'' games (by Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment) have Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Blinky, Mametchi (a Tamagotchi), and Don (from ''VideoGame/TaikoNoTatsujin''); this is notable for being the first crossover between the Namco and Bandai halves of the merged Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment company.
426** Meanwhile, ''VideoGame/MarioKartDS'' offers R.O.B., and beginning in ''VideoGame/MarioKartWii'' you can play as your Mii. DLC for ''[[VideoGame/MarioKart8 8]]'' adds more crossover characters; Link of ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' fame and the Villager (both male and female, given their separate slots in ''Deluxe'') and Isabelle from ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing''. Its UpdatedRerelease ''Deluxe'' also added [[Franchise/{{Splatoon}} Inkling Boy and Girl]].
427** The Blue Falcon from ''VideoGame/FZero'' made its Mario Kart debut in ''Mario Kart Wii'', and was a DLC kart in ''Mario Kart 8''.
428** The Mii is a secret character in ''Mario Kart Wii'', ''7'', and ''8''. Wuhu Loop and Maka Wuhu from Wii Sports Resort are also tracks in the game.
429** A [[CoolCar Mercedes-Benz GLA]] was actually DLC in [=MK8=], making it the first time a real car is in the Mario Kart series.
430** ''Mario Kart 8'''s DLC stages include [[VideoGame/FZero Mute City, Big Blue]], VideoGame/AnimalCrossing, [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Hyrule Circuit]], and [[VideoGame/{{Excite}} Excitebike Arena]], each with little references to their original series.
431** The notoriously difficult Rainbow Road race track makes an appearance in ''VideoGame/FZeroX''.
432* ''VideoGame/PacManWorldRally'' has [[VideoGame/KatamariDamacy the Prince of All Cosmos]], [[VideoGame/DigDug a Pooka and a Fygar]]; the PSP version also has the exclusive characters of VideoGame/{{Mappy}} and VideoGame/MrDriller.
433* In the ''VideoGame/{{Excite}}'' series, Boulder from ''Excite Truck'' was a guest racer in ''Excitebots''.
434* The fan-favorite Hornet car re-appears in ''VideoGame/DaytonaUSA 2'', alongside ''USA 2'''s new cars. It's identical to the way it performed in the first game: same build, same speed, same ''camera angles'', and it can pull off [[ObviousRulePatch 4-1-4 shifting]]! Hornet is also available as DLC for the [=PlayStation=] Vita version of ''VideoGame/RidgeRacer'', '94 blocky look and all.
435* The Virtua Formula in the Platform/SegaGenesis port of ''VideoGame/{{OutRun}}ners'', only accessible through a code [[GameBreaker but is the fastest and grippiest of all the selectable cars in the game.]]
436* ''VideoGame/ChocoboRacing'' had Aya Brae from ''VideoGame/ParasiteEve'' and Jack from ''VideoGame/The3DBattlesOfWorldRunner'' appear as secret characters.
437* ''VideoGame/DiddyKongRacing'''s case is actually a subversion. It's the first time VideoGame/{{Banjo|Kazooie}} or VideoGame/{{Conker|sBadFurDay}} made an appearance in a video game[[note]]DKR was released in 1997, ''Banjo-Kazooie'' was released in 1998, and ''Conker's Pocket Tales'' was released in 1999[[/note]]. However, they were owned by Rare, which was later bought by Microsoft. Banjo and Conker did not appear in the UpdatedRerelease ''Diddy Kong Racing DS'', but [[VideoGame/BanjoKazooie Tiptup]] did. He also made his first appearance in ''Diddy Kong Racing'' but became a minor character in the ''Banjo'' series. His status as a minor character is probably the reason he stayed on the roster.
438* Atari Karts' entire roster is original- except Bentley Bear who was from ''VideoGame/{{Crystal Castles|1983}}''.
439* ''VideoGame/PowerDrift'' has hidden bonus tracks in which the player controls guest vehicles from Creator/{{Sega}}'s previous deluxe arcade racers: the ''VideoGame/HangOn'' bike and the ''VideoGame/AfterBurner'' jet.
440* The ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' spinoff series ''VideoGame/SonicRiders'' had guest characters in the first two games. [=NiGHTS=] was in both games, along with Ulala and Aiai in ''Riders'' and Amigo and Billy Hatcher in ''VideoGame/SonicRidersZeroGravity''. All three installments of the series feature Extreme Gears based on ''VideoGame/CrazyTaxi'' and ''VideoGame/HangOn'', and the first game features an Extreme Gear modeled after [[VideoGame/FantasyZone Opa-Opa]].
441* The Game Boy Advance version of ''VideoGame/CrashNitroKart'' had Franchise/{{Spyro|TheDragon}} appear as a secret character.
442* Likewise, ''VideoGame/CrashTeamRacingNitroFueled'' not only brings Spyro back, but also adds in Hunter and Gnasty Gnorc as well.
443* The arcade racer ''Super Bikes 2'' features the ''Franchise/{{Terminator}}'' bike and ''Film/{{Tron}}'' Light-cycle among its bikes. Not only that, the T-800 and a ''Tron'' character are among the riders.
444* In addition to the ''Franchise/{{Madagascar}}'' characters you'd expect, ''VideoGame/MadagascarKartz'' also features fellow Creator/DreamworksAnimation characters Franchise/{{Shrek}} and [[WesternAnimation/MonstersVsAliens B.O.B.]] as unlockable racers.
445* As the name suggests, ''VideoGame/SuperIndieKarts'' is a crossover racing game focused on characters from indie games. However, VideoGame/ToejamAndEarl [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvDHP5GLqNE were included as special guests]].
446* Jack Frost and Black Frost of ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' appears as hidden boarders in ''[[VideoGame/SnowboardKids SBK: Snowboard Kids]]''.
447* ''VideoGame/{{Forza}} Horizon 3'' and ''4'' include fictional vehicles from other video games. These include the [[Franchise/{{Halo}} Warthog]], [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV Quartz Regalia]], and [[VideoGame/Cyberpunk2077 Quadra V-Tech]][[note]]''Horizon 4'' only[[/note]].
448* A variation for a {{Defictionaliz|ation}}ed car: GT by Citröen from ''VideoGame/GranTurismo'' series appeared in ''VideoGame/{{Asphalt}}'' games (since ''8''), ''VideoGame/TheCrew2'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheCrewMotorfest Motorfest]]''.
449* ''VideoGame/KartRiderDrift'' features Lucid and Pink Bean from ''VideoGame/MapleStory'' as playable drivers.
450[[/folder]]
451
452[[folder:Rhythm Game]]
453* In a Rhythm Game example example: the song "Just [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario]]", by "Creator/{{Ubisoft}} meets Creator/{{Nintendo}}", in the Wii version of ''VideoGame/JustDance 3''. The in-game dancer is even dressed in a Mario costume.
454** ''VideoGame/JustDance 2015'' has ''Let It Go'' from ''WesternAnimation/{{Frozen|2013}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Tetris}}'' appear as songs. ''Let It Go'' has Elsa and Anna appear as the dancers, while the Tetris dancers are dressed up as Tetriminos. ("Tetris Blocks")
455* Music/{{Vocaloid}} GUMI appears in ''VideoGame/PopnMusic'' as an opponent character in the songs that she sings, but unlike 99% of other characters, she is [[NonPlayerCharacter not playable]].
456* ''VideoGame/Persona4DancingAllNight'' had [[Music/{{Vocaloid}} Hatsune Miku]]. ''[[VideoGame/HatsuneMikuProjectDiva Project Diva]]'' was developed by Dingo, who assisted in ''Dancing All Night''[='=]s development.
457* ''VideoGame/TaikoNoTatsujin: Don to Katsu no Jikuu Daibouken'' features a number of unlikely guest characters in Adventure Mode, including [[Franchise/{{Kirby}} Kirby and King Dedede]], [[VideoGame/YokaiWatch Jibanyan]], [[VideoGame/MonsterHunter the Felynes]], [[VisualNovel/AceAttorney Phoenix Wright]], [[Franchise/TouhouProject Reimu, Marisa, and Sakuya]], [[Anime/KamisamaMinaraiHimitsuNoCocotama Rakitama]], [[VideoGame/PuzzleAndDragons Tamazo]] and even [[Manga/AssassinationClassroom Koro-sensei]]. [[Manga/TheDisastrousLifeOfSaikiK Kusuo Saiki]] appears as a DLC character.
458* The second ''VideoGame/OsuTatakaeOuendan'' game features the VideoGame/EliteBeatAgents as unlockable characters.
459* In ''VideoGame/RhythmHeaven Megamix'', your reward for clearing all the challenge levels is a pair of extra challenges featuring characters from the ''VideoGame/WarioWare'' series.
460* [[VideoGame/SuperMeatBoy Meat Boy]] is a recurring character in the ''VideoGame/BitTrip'' series, appearing as a background character in ''RUNNER,'' ''[=Runner2=]'', and ''FLUX'', and as a powerup in ''FATE.''
461** The "Good Friends" DLC pack for ''[=Runner2=]'' adds [[VideoGame/SuperMeatBoy Dr. Fetus,]] [[VideoGame/{{Machinarium}} Josef,]] [[VideoGame/CaveStory Quote,]] [[VideoGame/{{Psychonauts}} Raz,]] and [[VideoGame/{{Spelunky}} Spelunky Guy]] as playable characters. The Steam version includes [[VideoGame/Portal2 ATLAS]] as well.
462** ''[=Runner3=]'' lets you play as [[VideoGame/WoahDave Dave]], VideoGame/ShovelKnight, and [[VideoGame/BrutalLegend Eddie Riggs]].
463* ''VideoGame/CytusII'' has Music/HatsuneMiku (who was TemporaryOnlineContent, and no longer available) and WebAnimation/KizunaAi as purchasable characters, each adding some of their songs as well as a story that integrates them into the world of ''Cytus''.
464* ''VideoGame/FridayNightFunkin'' features a few guest fighters, usually well-known characters hailing from Platform/{{Newgrounds}}. [[WebAnimation/SpookyMonth Skid and Pump]] were introduced for the Week 2 Halloween update, VideoGame/{{Pico}} was put in the game for the Week 3 update and [[WebAnimation/{{Tankmen}} Tankman]], Newgrounds' mascot, appears in Week 7.
465[[/folder]]
466
467[[folder:Roguelike]]
468* ''VideoGame/AbomiNation'' features {{Mons}} from other Creator/DANGENEntertainment games:
469** The Seedling, Psicorp, Abomihoney, and Belestoss enemies from ''VideoGame/BugFablesTheEverlastingSapling'' were added to the game as free DLC in June 2022, including a few new variants designed just for this game.
470** Quaverpole, Tomatee, Aubergee, Zasp, and Melog from ''VideoGame/DiscCreatures'' were added to the game in its final content update (May 2023).
471* ''VideoGame/AbsentedAgeSquarebound'':
472** Astrake (in Silvana's body) from ''VideoGame/RealityMinds'' and Iris from ''VideoGame/SoaringMachinariae'' can be used in Arcade mode.
473** In the postgame infinite dungeon, Parking Lot Depths, the player can summon an ally, Scale, who comes from ''Craft the Mapcrafter: Gathering Magic Words''.
474* ''VideoGame/CryptOfTheNecroDancer'' has skins of characters from ''VideoGame/ShirenTheWanderer'' and ''Franchise/{{Danganronpa}}''.
475[[/folder]]
476
477[[folder:Role-Playing Game]]
478* ''VideoGame/BraveFrontier'' features characters from ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters'', ''VideoGame/PhantomOfTheKill'', and ''VideoGame/TalesOfLink''.
479* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyBraveExvius'', in addition to characters from throughout the ''VideoGame/FinalFantasy'' games, characters appear from ''VideoGame/BraveFrontier'', ''VideoGame/DragonQuestMonsters'', ''Roleplay/ImperialSaga'', ''[[VideoGame/MonsterHunter Monster Hunter Explore]]'', ''VideoGame/NierAutomata'', and ''VideoGame/RomancingSaGa3''. Randi, Primm, and Popoi from ''VideoGame/SecretOfMana'' and pop singer Music/ArianaGrande are also playable.
480* ''VideoGame/GenshinImpact'' added Aloy from ''VideoGame/{{Horizon}}'' as a playable character in update 2.1 for owners of the [=PS4/PS5=] version of the game, then for other systems in 2.2.
481* ''Infinity Dungeon Evolution'' has [[TheCameo cameos]] from ''Buff Knight'', ''[=Dungeon999F=]'', and other {{Mobile Phone Game}}s.
482* ''Lord of Vermilion'' features characters from ''Franchise/{{Drakengard}}'' and ''VideoGame/ValkyrieProfile''. ''Lord of Vermilion II'' features characters from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'', ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'', ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXI'', ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'', ''VideoGame/LordOfArcana'', ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'', ''VideoGame/RomancingSaGa2'', ''VideoGame/RomancingSaGa3'', ''VideoGame/SecretOfMana'', and ''[[VideoGame/ValkyrieProfile Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth]]''. ''Lord of Vermilion Re:2'' features characters from ''Franchise/BlackRockShooter'', ''Franchise/BlazBlue'', ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'', ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters'', ''VideoGame/Persona3'', ''VideoGame/Persona4'' and ''Franchise/TouhouProject''.
483* ''Lost Crusade'' has the appearance of characters from ''[[VideoGame/LordOfArcana Lord of Vermillion III]]''.
484* ''VideoGame/PhantomOfTheKill'' features the appearance of characters from ''Brave Frontier''.
485* ''Soul Hunters'' has the appearance of Ezio from ''Franchise/AssassinsCreed'', Rayman from ''VideoGame/{{Rayman}}'', The Prince from ''[[Franchise/PrinceOfPersia The Prince of Persia]]'' and Franchise/{{Batman}}.
486* A rare MassiveMultiplayerCrossover version: ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsAlpha 3'' (by Banpresto) featured Temjin, Fei-Yen the Knight, and Apharmd the Hatter, three mechs from Sega's ''VideoGame/VirtualOn'' series.
487** ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsK'' has brought them back again, this time incorporating the ''VideoGame/VirtualOn'' storyline into the game. Which essentially makes them {{canon immigrant}}s.
488* ''VideoGame/RondoOfSwords'' features other Creator/{{Success}} characters: Izuna and Shino from ''VideoGame/IzunaLegendOfTheUnemployedNinja'' and Cotton from ''VideoGame/FantasticNightDreamsCotton''. They are [[GameBreaker ridiculously broken]].
489* While not unique characters, Haseo and Ovan have costumes in ''[[Franchise/DotHack .hack Link]]'' belonging to characters from ''VideoGame/TalesOfGraces''. They are the only characters in the game to do so.
490* WhatCouldHaveBeen example: the developers of the Wii port of ''VideoGame/MarvelUltimateAlliance'' considered putting [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Link]] and [[Franchise/{{Metroid}} Samus]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwElEsHkk_A as]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opkOtApoqqI characters]].
491* Dante of ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' fame appears as a boss in ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIIINocturne''. And with a little effort, he can be added to your party's ranks. Later versions would replace him with [[VideoGame/RaidouKuzunohaVsTheSoullessArmy Raidou Kuzunoha]].
492* [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII Cloud]] is a secret character in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics''. Aerith makes a cameo appearance, but isn't playable. The PSP version adds [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII Balthier]] and [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyTacticsA2 Luso]], who are technically from the same universe as ''Tactics'', but from a different time period.
493* ''VideoGame/CodeNameSteam'' lets you play as characters from ''Franchise/FireEmblem'' if you scan their respective amiibo on the 3DS's touch screen.
494* Lightning from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'' had made an appearance in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' through random events and she would help players fight ''Final Fantasy XIII'' themed monsters. Completing the event would earn players gear and hairstyles based on Lightning's game.
495* ''[[VideoGame/ProjectXZone Project X Zone 2]]'', being a MassiveMultiplayerCrossover of Capcom, Namco Bandai, and Sega franchises, has a couple guest characters from Nintendo: Fiora from ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles1'' and Chrom and Lucina from ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening''. Also, [[VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles1 Metal Face]] appears as a boss and Risen are enemies.
496* In ''VideoGame/DigimonWorldReDigitize'', you can battle against Lili and Sebastian from ''Franchise/{{Tekken}}''. Her Digimon is a slug-like Numemon named Catherine, who's [[http://wikimon.net/Catherine_(Re:Digitize) evolution line]] is a total Ugly Duckling story. It transforms from a slug, to a literal ''piece of crap'', to a giant teddy bear, until it finally evolves into [[HotAsHell Lilithmon]]. Sebastian on the other hand has a [[HolyHandGrenade Seraphimon]], who frequently butts heads with Catherine when she's fully evolved. And then there's the fact that you can fight Lili when she's in a pink Monzaemon costume...
497* ''VideoGame/YokaiWatch'' has [[VideoGame/TaikonoTatsujin Don-Chan]] as a befriendable Yo-kai in the second and third games. In the third game, there are [[VideoGame/FinalFantasy a Moogle variant of Jibanyan and Jibanyan riding a Chocobo]] as befriendable Yo-kai as well.
498* ''VideoGame/{{Indivisible}}'' includes appearances from Creator/LabZeroGames[='s=] own Annie from the ''VideoGame/{{Skullgirls}}'' universe as well as ''VideoGame/{{Shantae}}'', ''VideoGame/ShovelKnight'', Juan from ''VideoGame/{{Guacamelee}}'', and ''VideoGame/{{Transistor}}''. Or rather, [[WhatCouldHaveBeen it was going to, until issues within Lab Zero cut those plans short]].
499* One of ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddysWorld'''s secret bosses is none other than [[spoiler:"Chipper's Revenge", an evil robot version of the protagonist of Scott Cawthon's ''VideoGame/ChipperAndSonsLumberCo'' series. These kid-friendly games were heavily criticized, and that criticism influenced Cawthon to create ''Five Nights at Freddy's''. Chipper's lines after defeating him references this.]]
500--> [[spoiler:'''Chipper's Revenge''']]: [[spoiler:''"My world was lush and beautiful, full of strange and colorful creatures! But no, that wasn't enough for you. You wanted to be scared. You wanted to feel dread. And what happened to me? What happened to us? Obscurity..."'']]
501** A later update to the game also added Coffee from ''VideoGame/TheDesolateHope'' as a secret party member.
502* In ''VideoGame/MegadimensionNeptuniaVII'', God Eater-chan is a personification of ''VideoGame/GodEater'', Nitroplus-chan is a personification of Creator/{{Nitroplus}}, and Million Arthur-chan is a personification of ''Kaku-San-Sei Million Arthur''.
503* 16-bit versions of [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII Cloud and Tifa]] replace Locke and Celes in ''VideoGame/ReturnOfTheDarkSorcerer''.
504* ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterStories'' includes [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Epona]] as a recruitable [[HorseOfADifferentColor Monstie]].
505* ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterWorld'':
506** The v.5 update introduced the [[VideoGame/FinalFantasy Behemoth]] in its ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' incarnation as a huntable monster, a first for the franchise.
507** Armor sets of [[Franchise/StreetFighter Ryu and Sakura]], [[VideoGame/HorizonZeroDawn Aloy]], [[VideoGame/AssassinsCreedOrigins Bayek]], and VideoGame/{{Mega Man|Classic}} (for the Palico) are available as DLC. Unlike the [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry Dante]] armor set, these change your character's appearance and voice to match that of the character.
508** [[Franchise/TheWitcher Geralt]] appears as a playable character in a DLC quest line, bringing ''The Witcher'' mechanics with him. A Leshen appears as a huntable monster in the same quest, and by completing his hunt (and the [[NintendoHard much harder]] Ancient Leshen hunt) the player can unlock armor that turns their character into Geralt or Ciri.
509** ''Iceborne'', the expansion for ''World'', adds in an event for ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil2 Remake'' that gives the player layered armor to turn them into Leon Kennedy or Claire Redfield -- and turns the Handler into [[ImplacableMan Mr. X]].
510* ''Monster Hunter Frontier G'' has costumes of [[Franchise/FateSeries Saber, Archer and Rin Tohsaka]] that come with their own unique weapons.
511** Kaiji Itō and Mikoko Sakazaki from ''Manga/{{Kaiji}}'' were playable in a promotional event, with events and minigames inspired by the series included.
512* [[VideoGame/SkiesOfArcadia Vyse, Aika, and Fina]] appear as two playable soldiers and a medic in ''VideoGame/ValkyriaChronicles''.
513** Like the original, ''VideoGame/ValkyriaChroniclesII'' has Emilia Percival from ''[[VideoGame/PhantasyStarUniverse Phantasy Star Portable 2]]'' as a bonus Armored Tech unit.
514** Like the previous two, ''VideoGame/ValkyriaChroniclesIII'' has [[VideoGame/SkiesOfArcadia Vyse, Aika, and Fina]] from the first game, and Nagisa from ''[[VideoGame/PhantasyStarUniverse Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity]]''.
515* ''Queen's Gate: Spiral Chaos'', an ecchi redesign of the ''Anime/QueensBlade'' series, has had a girl from pretty much every major fighting game featured as a playable character. This includes [[Franchise/{{Tekken}} Lili]], [[VideoGame/FatalFury Mai,]] [[VideoGame/SamuraiShodown Mina, Cham Cham, Iroha,]] [[VideoGame/GuiltyGear Dizzy,]] [[VideoGame/BlazBlue Noel,]] [[VideoGame/DeadOrAlive Kasumi]], [[VideoGame/SoulSeries Ivy, Taki, and Phyrra.]] The only girl not from a fighting game is VideoGame/WonderMomo.
516* There's a special dungeon in ''VideoGame/DiabloIII'' where you can fight [[VideoGame/TheLastOfUs Clickers, Stalkers and Bloaters.]]
517* Within ''VideoGame/GirlsFrontline'', you can get special "T-Dolls" to join your party: [[VideoGame/BlazBlue Noel Vermillion]], [[VideoGame/GuiltyGear Elphelt Valentine]], and a large assortment of girls from ''Collapse Acadamy 2''[[note]]the predecessor to ''VideoGame/HonkaiImpact3rd''[[/note]], ''VisualNovel/VA11HALLA'' and ''VideoGame/{{DJMAX}}''.
518* ''VideoGame/EpicSeven''
519** For a limited time, [[VideoGame/GuiltyGear Sol Badguy, Baiken, Dizzy and I-no]] were playable characters.
520** ''Taiko No Tatsujin V Version'' guests appear to help deliver "death blows": [[VideoGame/RidgeRacer Reiko Nagase, Kamata SYNCI, Saul, Gordon,]] [[VideoGame/FreedomWars Propa, the Propaganda Girls,]] [[Music/{{Vocaloid}} GUMI, IA,]] [[VideoGame/AceCombat ASF-X Shinden II]], [[VideoGame/{{Ys}} Adol Christin,]] [[VideoGame/TrailsSeries Rean Schwarzer]], [[Franchise/{{Tekken}} Kazuya, Lili,]] [[VideoGame/TalesOfZestiria Mormin,]] [[Manga/AssassinationClassroom Koro-sensei,]] [[VideoGame/TheIdolmaster Uzuki Shimamura, Rin Shibuya, Mio Honda, 765Pro Allstars,]] [[VideoGame/GodEater Julius, Ciel,]] and even the Music/WagakkiBand, Wrestling/KazuchikaOkada, and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachiko_Kobayashi Sachiko Kobayashi]]. Kobayashi herself also appears as a boss.
521* ''Dengeki Bunko: Crossing Void'' had [[Music/{{Vocaloid}} Hatsune Miku, Kagimin Rin and Len, and Megurine Luka]] as both playable and assist characters.
522* ''VideoGame/GrandSummoners'', as a Gatcha game, has had many crossovers that had units playable for a limited time, including ''Anime/KillLaKill'', ''Literature/ThatTimeIGotReincarnatedAsASlime'', ''Literature/GoblinSlayer'', ''Literature/TheRisingOfTheShieldHero'', and ''Manga/YuYuHakusho''.
523* ''Union League'' is another mobile RPG that has has collabs with ''Literature/KonoSuba'', ''Manga/TheSevenDeadlySins'', ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'', ''Music/{{Vocaloid}}'', ''Manga/FairyTail'', ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'', ''Manga/YuYuHakusho'', ''Literature/ThatTimeIGotReincarnatedAsASlime'', ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', and ''Anime/FateStayNightUnlimitedBladeWorks''.
524* ''Manga/AttackOnTitan'' characters were unlockable during the summer of 2020 in ''[[Manga/TheSevenDeadlySins The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross]]''.
525* Each game in the ''VideoGame/VenusBlood'' series is usually standalone, but fundraising for the ''International'' editions let contributors nominate and vote on which characters from other entries get to appear as recruitable characters, such as Freyja from ''[[VideoGame/VenusBloodFrontier -Frontier-]]'' appearing in ''[[VideoGame/VenusBloodGaia -Gaia-]]''.
526* ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2'':
527** [[VideoGame/{{Xenosaga}} KOS-MOS]] appears as an optional recruitable rare blade. Prepare to spend hundreds of core crystals trying to get her.
528** As of 1.4.0 update, T-elos appears as a recruitable blade. She can be obtained in NewGamePlus.
529** Shulk and Fiora from the first game, and Elma from ''VideoGame/XenobladeChroniclesX'' also appear as recruitable blades.
530[[/folder]]
531
532[[folder:Sandbox]]
533* ''VideoGame/RetroCityRampage'' features [[VideoGame/BitTrip CommanderVideo]], VideoGame/MeatBoy, [[https://www.destructoid.com/ Mr. Destructoid]] and [[VideoGame/{{Minecraft}} Minecraft's Steve]] as secret characters.
534[[/folder]]
535
536[[folder:Shoot 'em Up]]
537* ''VideoGame/ArmedPoliceBatrider'' has guest appearances from what the AttractMode calls "Raizing All-Stars"--five ''VideoGame/MahouDaisakusen'' charactes and two ''VideoGame/BattleGaregga'' characters (each with two ships to their name).
538* ''VideoGame/{{Gunbird}} 2'' featured [[VideoGame/SengokuAce Aine]] and [[VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}} Morrigan]] as hidden characters (the latter being only in the Platform/SegaDreamcast version, which was published by Creator/{{Capcom}}).
539* In ''VideoGame/BlueWishResurrection Plus'', Eden's Edge[[spoiler:/Eve]] is available for play. In the creator, X.X's next game, ''Eden's Aegis'', [[spoiler:Eve and Ridmie]] from ''Eden's Edge'' and ''Green Wind'' respectively are available for play if certain conditions are met.
540* In the MobilePhoneGame ''[[VideoGame/{{Galaga}} Galaga Wars]]'', ships from ''VideoGame/{{Galaxian}}'', ''[[VideoGame/{{Starblade}} StarBlade]]'', and ''VideoGame/{{Xevious}}'' are available.
541* Paul Phoenix and Heihachi Mishima of ''Franchise/{{Tekken}}'' in ''[=Xevious 3D/G=]'', of all things.
542* ''VideoGame/DangunFeveron'' has the cat from Creator/{{Cave}}'s PuzzleGame ''Uo Poko'' as a hidden ship.
543* In all the ''VideoGame/RaidenFighters'' games, the ship roster includes several guest fighters, including the player ships from ''VideoGame/{{Raiden}} II'' (HomingLasers included) and ''Viper Phase 1'' and Miclus, Seibu Kaihatsu's infrequently-seen mascot character.
544* ''VideoGame/{{Tyrian}} 2000'' has the Pretzel Pete Truck from the unreleased game ''Pretzel Pete'' as a secret ship used in Super Arcade Mode.
545* ''VideoGame/{{Darius}}Burst: Chronicle Saviours'' adds several ships from other shmup titles as DLC:
546** The Taito pack adds the Inter Gray from ''VideoGame/NightStriker'', the Black Fly from ''VideoGame/MetalBlack'' and the X-LAY from ''VideoGame/RayForce''.
547** The Sega pack adds the TRY-Z from ''VideoGame/GalaxyForce'', the Harrier from ''VideoGame/SpaceHarrier'' and the Opa-Opa from ''VideoGame/FantasyZone''.
548** The CAVE pack adds the Delta Sword from ''VideoGame/DoDonPachi Resurrection'', Windia from ''VideoGame/{{Deathsmiles}}'' and the Tiger Schwert from ''VideoGame/{{Ketsui}}''
549** The Eighting pack adds the Wild Snail from ''VideoGame/BattleGaregga'', the Swordfish from ''VideoGame/{{Soukyugurentai}}'' and Miyamoto the Samurai Dragon from ''VideoGame/SorcerStriker''.
550** The Capcom pack adds the Tanikura Saber from ''VideoGame/VarthOperationThunderstorm'', the Mobilesuit from ''VideoGame/HyperDyneSideArms'' and the Gambler from ''VideoGame/{{Progear}}''.
551* The unfunded indie game [[https://www.ulule.com/komodo-crunchtime/ ''Komodo Crunchtime'']] was going to have Skullomania from ''VideoGame/StreetFighterEX'' as a playable character.
552* ''[[VideoGame/{{SUGURI}} Acceleration of Suguri]]'' features QP from ''VideoGame/QPShooting'', another ShootEmUp series made by the [[Creator/OrangeJuice same developer]], and Sora from the then-upcoming game ''VideoGame/{{SORA}}'' as Guest Fighters. In QP's case however, her game never made it to the west, making her into another [[MarthDebutedInSmashBros trope]].
553* The Steam version of ''VideoGame/TroubleWitches'' has Natta de Cotton from ''VideoGame/FantasticNightDreamsCotton'' as a DLC character. Notably, selecting her will carry over certain mechanics from her own game, such as replacing the game's soundtrack with that of ''Cotton'''s, and going through a bonus "Tea Time" round after every stage.
554* ''[[VideoGame/FantasticNightDreamsCotton Superlative Night Dreams: Cotton Rock 'n' Roll]]'' has four of these to choose from: Saiva Ria from ''VideoGame/{{Psyvariar}}'', Fine from ''Starfighter Sanvein'', Luffie from ''Doki Doki Poyacchio'' and Kawase from ''VideoGame/UmiharaKawase''.
555* ''[[VideoGame/SenkoNoRonde Senko no Ronde 2]]'' features the Valken from ''VideoGame/AssaultSuitsValken'' and Temjin from ''VideoGame/VirtualOn'' as [=DLC=] guest fighters.
556* ''VideoGame/AceCombat6FiresOfLiberation'' had DLC planes based on the girls from VideoGame/TheIdolmaster. The trend was continued in ''VideoGame/AceCombatAssaultHorizon'' and ''VideoGame/AceCombatInfinity''.
557* ''Alice Gear Aegis'' had [[VideoGame/DeadOrAlive Kasumi and Marie Rose]] as playable for a limited time. The event also came with Dead or Alive costumes the other characters could wear.
558* ''VideoGame/{{Xevious}} [=3D/G=]'' featured a cheat code that would replace the players' ships with [[Franchise/{{Tekken}} Heihachi Mishima and Paul Phoenix]].
559[[/folder]]
560
561[[folder:Simulation]]
562* ''VideoGame/TheSims4'': The ''Snowy Escape'' expansion introduced Kaori Nishidake, the teenage Japanese GenkiGirl from the ''VideoGame/{{SSX}}'' series of snowboarding games, as a resident of the new town of Mt. Komorebi, in keeping with the pack's focus on winter activities (including a ski resort) and Japanese aesthetics.
563[[/folder]]
564
565[[folder:Sports Game]]
566* ''[[VideoGame/TrackAndField New International Track & Field]]'' is a sports game for the Platform/NintendoDS. The characters are big-headed and SuperDeformed, and overall it has a kiddie aesthetic. It was also published by Creator/{{Konami}}, who thought it a good idea to put a bunch of their characters in it. These vary from the fitting, such as the mascot of their ''Pro Baseball'' series with similar styling, to the somewhat out there but not terrible weird, like [[Franchise/{{Castlevania}} Simon Belmont]] and [[VideoGame/RocketKnightAdventures Sparkster]], to completely family-'''un'''friendly characters like [[Franchise/SilentHill Pyramid Head]] and [[VideoGame/RumbleRoses Evil Rose]].
567* The [=GameCube=] version of ''NBA Street 3'' has [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario, Luigi and Peach]] as playable characters to make up for the console's lack of online play. Plus, all versions of the game have Music/BeastieBoys as a secret team.
568** ''SSX on Tour'' also had the trio (Cube only, obviously.)
569** ''SSX 3'' also had Stretch, one of the characters from ''NBA Street'', as a secret character, as well as all the characters from the previous games.
570*** And in that same game, the secret character Churchill debuted as a ''VideoGame/QuakeIIIArena'' '''custom skin'''. Yes, it's true!
571*** Stretch's inclusion in ''SSX 3'' mirrors SSX riders Zoe and Moby's status as unlockable characters in the original ''NBA Street'', along with Tracey from ''Sled Storm''. Also in that game? R&B group Music/ThreeLW.
572*** Also Zoe and Psymon were playable in Sled Storm.
573* Also notorious for this: the ''[[VideoGame/TonyHawksProSkater Tony Hawk's]]'' series had some weird [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Hawk%27s#Guest_characters guest skaters]]. Some are from Activision's game catalog (the ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' guy, ''VideoGame/GuitarHero'' characters), others licensed by the company (ComicBook/SpiderMan, ComicBook/{{Wolverine}}, Franchise/{{Shrek}}), and musicians as well ([[Music/GreenDay Billie Joe Armstrong]], [[Music/Blink182 Travis Barker]], [[Music/BeastieBoys MCA]]). The rest are there just for fun, fictional ([[Film/ThePhantomMenace Darth Maul]] and [[Film/AttackOfTheClones Jango Fett]]; [[Music/IronMaiden Eddie]]; {{Bigfoot|SasquatchAndYeti}}) or not (Creator/BenjaminFranklin?!).
574** ''Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5'' featured the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from the [[ComicBook/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesIDW IDW comic series]] and [[Music/{{OFWGKTA}} Tyler, the Creator]] as DLC characters.
575* ''VideoGame/KellySlatersProSurfer'' had Tony Hawk as a bonus surfer. Kelly Slater was previously a bonus skater in ''Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3''.
576* Similarly, ''Mario Hoops 3-on-3'' featured a White Mage, Black Mage, Ninja, Moogle, and Cactuar from ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'', due to Creator/SquareEnix being the developer. ''VideoGame/MarioSportsMix'' featured the same guest characters, plus Slime from ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'', and added Behemoth as a boss.
577* ''VideoGame/NBAJam'' featured anyone and everyone from the designers to President UsefulNotes/BillClinton as hidden characters.
578** Of particular note is that the NBA ''asked'' Midway to ''remove'' Raiden, Scorpion, Sub-Zero and Reptile of ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' fame from later revisions of ''NBA Jam Tournament Edition'' because they were not at ease with ''MK'' being RatedMForMoney. You read that right.
579** Then again, a notable guest in Creator/ElectronicArts' installment is Isaac Clarke from ''Franchise/DeadSpace''. Apparently, either NBA has issues with characters from fighting games and yet has no problem featuring a character who gets graphically chopped up by necromorphs or the times have changed on the subject of video game violence since the ''Mortal Kombat'' controversy.
580** They seemed to change their minds on this early, as Raiden and Shinnok are playable in ''NFL Blitz''. Scorpion and Sub-Zero also made appearances in ''MLB Sluggers'', but that was made by a different company.
581* ''Virtua Striker 3'' and ''2002'' has a Franchise/{{Sonic|TheHedgehog}} team consisting of the hedgehog and his friends. Creator/YujiNaka is also an announcer and coach of Sonic's team.
582* ''[[VideoGame/NHLHockey NHL 12]]'' features an All-Legend Team, made up of NHL greats like Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Gordie Howe, Ray Bourque, among others. You can even put them on your favourite teams, presenting interesting situations all around.
583* [[VideoGame/JakAndDaxter Jak, Daxter]], [[Franchise/RatchetAndClank Ratchet, Clank]], [[VideoGame/GodOfWar Kratos]], [[VideoGame/LittleBigPlanet Sackboy]], [[VideoGame/GravityRush Kat]], and Toro have all made appearances in some of the later ''VideoGame/HotShotsGolf'' games.
584** [[VideoGame/TwistedMetal Needles "Sweet Tooth" Kane]], [[VideoGame/MediEvil Sir Daniel Fortesque]], and VideoGame/{{Gex}} appear as unlockable characters in the American and European releases of ''Hot Shots Golf 2''.
585** In ''Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip'', you can play as one of the Helghast from ''VideoGame/{{Killzone}}'' (and recruit another as an umpire), but you have to [[DefeatMeansPlayable beat them first]].
586* The ''WesternAnimation/SurfsUp'' video game featured Elliot from ''WesternAnimation/OpenSeason'' as a SecretCharacter.
587* ''EA Sports UFC'' had Creator/BruceLee as a SecretCharacter. The sequel, ''EA Sports UFC 2'', made Joe Rogan a hidden character (unlockable by using the KonamiCode on the title screen) while bumping Bruce Lee to DownloadableContent status in addition to offering Mike Tyson as DLC as well.
588** Back in THQ's days, they put Shaquille O'Neal in as a fighter in ''UFC Undisputed 2010''. We must assume his fighting style was listed as VideoGame/ShaqFu.
589* ''Pro Baseball Famista 2011'' for the Nintendo 3DS includes various Namco characters as guest players, including Siegfried from the ''VideoGame/SoulSeries'', Nina and Heihachi from ''Franchise/{{Tekken}}'', Haruka, Miki, and Chihaya from ''VideoGame/TheIdolmaster'', the title character of ''VideoGame/{{Klonoa}}'', and - perhaps the strangest of all - the XFA-27 ''fighter jet'' from ''VideoGame/AceCombat''.
590* In the [=GameCube=] version of ''Fight Night Round 2'', [[VideoGame/PunchOut Little Mac]], as he appears in ''Super Punch-Out!!'' is a playable character, allowing him to go up against real life boxing greats like UsefulNotes/MuhammadAli.
591* The Slash and Bust versions of [[VideoGame/SamuraiShodown Haohmaru and Nakoruru]] are playable in ''Freestyle 2: Street Basketball''.
592* ''Shironeko Tennis'' has had characters from ''Literature/ReZero'', ''Literature/ACertainMagicalIndex'', ''Manga/YuYuHakusho'', ''Manga/{{Gintama}}'', ''Manga/ThePrinceOfTennis'', ''Manga/SgtFrog'', ''VideoGame/YokaiWatch'', ''Music/{{Vocaloid}}'', ''WebAnimation/KizunaAI'', ''Manga/PopTeamEpic'', ''Manga/KOn'', and ''Manga/AttackOnTitan'' - but only for a limited time. It is a [[AllegedlyFreeGame gacha game]], after all.
593[[/folder]]
594
595[[folder:Stealth-Based Game]]
596* Among the original students that wander the school in ''VideoGame/YandereSimulator'', there's Pippi, the mascot of the rhythm game ''VideoGame/{{Osu}}''. She even plays ''osu!'' in the game. However, just because she's from another series doesn't mean she's immune to the wrath of the school's local {{Yandere}} ([[VideoGameCrueltyPotential i.e. you]])...
597[[/folder]]
598
599[[folder:Strategy Game]]
600* ''The Battle Cats'' has featured characters from ''Annihilation City'', ''Dragon League A''/''Dragon League X'', ''Dragon Poker'', ''Merc Storia'', ''Princess Punt Sweets''/''Princess Punt 2'', ''Survive! Mola Mola!'', ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'', ''Million Arthur'', ''Mr.Ninja!! Fever'', ''Metal Slug Defense'', and ''Yakuza Apocalypse''.
601* One mission in ''VideoGame/{{Warcraft}} III'' is infamous for having a [[VideoGame/{{Starcraft}} Hydralisk]] you can add to your forces. The character models for Terran Marines and Zerglings are also available.
602* Interestingly, ''VideoGame/PlagueInc'', a game about killing humanity with diseases, got its first official Guest Fighter in the form of the Simian Flu from ''Film/DawnOfThePlanetOfTheApes'', which was a result of a partnership with 20th Century Fox.
603* ''[[VideoGame/ToySoldiers Toy Soldiers: War Chest]]'' features Duke and Cobra Commander from ''Franchise/GIJoe'', Ezio Auditore da Firenze from ''Franchise/AssassinsCreed'' and He-Man from ''Franchise/MastersOfTheUniverse''.
604* ''VideoGame/EvilGenius2'' has the Pyro from ''Videogame/TeamFortress2'' as a free DLC Henchman with the "Pyro Pack" DLC. Better yet, you can decide whether to recruit a RED Pyro or BLU Pyro (with the one you don't recruit becoming an enemy).
605[[/folder]]
606
607[[folder:Survival Horror]]
608* A few ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'' titles have a habit of including playable characters in their minigames that are not involved in the main story.
609** The Extreme Battle mode in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil2'' features [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil Chris Redfield]].
610** The Mercenaries mode in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil4'' features [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil2 Hunk]].
611** Mercenaries Return in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil5'' features [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil Barry Burton and Rebecca Chambers]].
612* An update to ''VideoGame/ZombieArmyTrilogy'' added the 8 characters from ''VideoGame/Left4Dead'' and ''Left 4 Dead 2'' as playable characters. This was relatively simple to do, as ''Zombie Army'' does not have voice acting, so all they had to do was get the license rights then plug the character models into their engine.
613* The specimen in ''VideoGame/SpookysJumpScareMansion'' are all {{Homage}}s and {{exp|y}}ies of various horror tropes and creatures. With the exception of White Face, the main villain of ''VideoGame/{{Imscared}}'' and Lisa from ''VideoGame/{{PT}}''.
614* ''Videogame/DeadByDaylight'' has had quite a bit, as a lot of famous horror movie slashers and protagonists have been added as Killers and Survivors:
615** In 2016, they added [[Franchise/{{Halloween}} Michael Myers and Laurie Strode]].
616** In 2017, [[Film/TheTexasChainsawMassacre Leatherface]], [[Franchise/ANightmareOnElmStreet Freddy Krueger and Quentin Smith]] were introduced. [[VideoGame/Left4Dead Bill Overbeck]] was also added as free DLC on the Steam version, but wouldn't be added to the console versions of the game until 2019.
617** In 2018, [[Franchise/{{Saw}} Amanda Young and David Tapp]] joined the roster.
618** In 2019, [[Franchise/EvilDead Ash Williams]], [[Film/{{Scream}} The Ghostface]], [[Franchise/StrangerThings The Demogorgon, Nancy Wheeler and Steve Harrington]] were all added.
619** In 2020, [[Franchise/SilentHill Cheryl Mason and Pyramid Head]] were added too.
620** In 2021, [[Franchise/ResidentEvil The Nemesis, Jill Valentine, and Leon S. Kennedy]] are part of the game. Later that year, [[Franchise/{{Hellraiser}} Pinhead]] would be added too.
621** In 2022, [[Literature/TheRing Yoichi Asakawa and Sadako]] were added, then ''Resident Evil'' became the first franchise to gain additional representatives with Albert Wesker, Ada Wong and Rebecca Chambers.
622** In 2023, Creator/NicolasCage was announced as a Survivor. No, not a character ''played'' by Nicolas Cage; it's Nicolas Cage AsHimself pulled into the realm of the Entity. [[Film/{{Alien}} Ellen Ripley and the Xenomorph]] were added shortly afterwards, and then followed by [[Franchise/ChildsPlay Chucky]].
623** In 2024, VideoGame/AlanWake was brought into the Fog.
624* ''VideoGame/DyingLight'' introduced [[VideoGame/Left4Dead Bill Overbeck]] as a new free DLC outfit in a ''VideoGame/Left4Dead2'' crossover event in October 2020.
625* ''VideoGame/FatalFrameMaidenOfBlackWater'' has an unlockable side story starring Ayane from ''VideoGame/DeadOrAlive''. As expected of a horror game, {{Ninja}} Ayane is BroughtDownToNormal when her deadly skills prove ineffective against ghosts that are already dead. Fortunately, she gains a magical set of tattoos and magical flashlight to help her against the ghosts.
626* Similar to ''Dead by Daylight'', the ''VideoGame/DarkDeception'' multiplayer spin-off game, ''Dark Deception: Monsters and Mortals'' has characters and levels from other horror games:
627** [[VideoGame/{{Monstrum}} Prisoner Borisov, The Brute, and The Fiend]] appear as playable characters, with the Hisa Maru Cargo Ship as its level.
628** [[Franchise/SilentHill Cheryl]] pops up as a playable character in this game as well, alongside fellow Mortal Cybil Bennett. Robbie the Rabbit and the Nurse appear as Monsters, while Pyramid Head is a Boss Monster. Silent Hill is their home stage.
629** For ''VideoGame/YandereSimulator'' representatives, Ayano Aishi appears as a Monster. At the same time, Info-Chan, Taro Yamada and his sister Hanako appear as Mortals. Fun Girl is this DLC's Boss Monster, Akademi High is the DLC's level, and the Police appear as unplayable hazards.
630** Youtubers Dawko, [=SuperHorrorBro=], 8-Bit Ryan, and LetsPlay/CoryxKenshin appear as DLC characters.
631* [[Franchise/{{Castlevania}} Alucard and Leon Belmont]] appear as free DLC characters in ''VideoGame/{{OBAKEIDORO}}''.
632[[/folder]]
633
634[[folder:Wrestling Game]]
635* VideoGame/{{Turok}} was [[WhatCouldHaveBeen meant to be]] an unlockable character in ''WWF War Zone,'' but was DummiedOut for unknown reasons. He's still accessible via [[VideoGame/GameShark cheat device]], though.
636* Music/LimpBizkit frontman Fred Durst is a playable character in both the [=PS2=] ''[[Wrestling/{{WWE}} WWF]] Smackdown: Just Bring It!'' and the Xbox's concurrent ''WWF RAW''. Rumor has it, this was one of the conditions for allowing the developers to use the song "Rollin'", which was Wrestling/TheUndertaker's entrance theme at the time, in the game.
637** The later WWE games feature hidden "legends"; in other words, popular wrestlers from WWE's past.
638** ''WWE [=SmackDown=] vs. Raw 2011'' also features Wrestling/RobVanDam, who hadn't been in WWE for a couple of years prior to the game beginning development and, indeed, signed with Wrestling/{{TNA}} shortly after its release. He's listed as a "Free Agent", not as a Legend (the only other characters so designated are the Red and Green demonstration models, Paul Bearer, and the Undertaker's druid). Apparently, the dev team were just really big RVD fans and wanted to use him in the game very badly.
639** ''WWE '12'' featured the returns of Wrestling/BrockLesnar (a few months shy of his outright return in 2012) and Wrestling/EddieGuerrero. As an aside, custom wrestlers could also have their listed hometown set as [[VideoGame/SaintsRow Stilwater]].
640** ''WWE '13'' featured Mike Tyson.
641** ''WWE 2K15'' features Wrestling/{{Sting}}, the first wrestler to be featured in the game despite never actually having wrestled for WWE until shortly after the game's release.
642** ''WWE 2K16'' features not one, but ''two'' versions of [[Franchise/{{Terminator}} the Terminator]].
643[[/folder]]
644
645[[folder:Vehicular Combat]]
646* ''VideoGame/TwistedMetal''
647** Music/RobZombie shows up as a driver in ''Twisted Metal 4''.
648** A Warhawk from the [[VideoGame/{{Warhawk}} the game of the same name]] is the FinalBoss in ''Twisted Metal: Black''. Serves also as a CallBack, as the original ''Warhawk'' was developed by the same team that did the first two ''Twisted Metal'' games and ''Black''.
649* While not "characters" per se, ''VideoGame/RocketLeague'' features a few "guest cars": first is the [=PS4=]-exclusive Sweet Tooth from ''VideoGame/TwistedMetal'', and DLC later added the [=DeLorean=] from ''Franchise/BackToTheFuture'', [[Film/TheBatman2022 a]] [[Film/Batman1989 handful]] [[Film/TheDarkKnight of]] [[Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice Batmobiles]], a ''Film/JurassicWorld'' Jeep, some ''[[Film/TheFastAndTheFurious Fast]] [[Film/TwoFastTwoFurious and]] [[Film/TheFateOfTheFurious Furious]]'' cars, some ''Toys/HotWheels'' cars, the [[Film/Ghostbusters1984 Ecto-1]], [[Series/KnightRider KITT]], the Battle Bus from ''VideoGame/{{Fortnite}}'', a handful of UsefulNotes/{{NASCAR}} and UsefulNotes/FormulaOne cars and several real-life {{Cool Car}}s. The Xbox One version has a variation of the Warthog from ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' and the Armadillo from ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar'' join the roster. The Nintendo Switch version meanwhile has cars based on ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' and ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}''.
650* Beyond Games' ''Motor Mayhem'' included three characters from ''Ultra Vortek'': Volcana, Grok, and Buzzsaw.
651* ''VideoGame/JakX'' had Ratchet from ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank'' as an unlock using an OldSaveBonus from either ''VideoGame/RatchetDeadlocked'' or ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2016'' depending on the console[[note]]on the [=PlayStation=] 2 for ''Deadlocked'', and the [=PlayStation=] 4 for the 2016 game[[/note]].
652[[/folder]]
653
654[[folder:Visual Novel]]
655* In ''VisualNovel/VA11HALLA'', you can trigger the appearance of three guest characters from ''VideoGame/ReadOnlyMemories'' by serving a secret drink to specific characters at certain points of the game.
656[[/folder]]

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