Line #10 Main/MascotRPG


1	[[quoteright:300:[[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsCoded https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kh_coded.png]]]]
2	[[caption-width-right:300:All the Creator/{{Disney}} mascots in one RolePlayingGame.]]
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4	A Mascot RPG is a RolePlayingGame that brings together pre-established characters or mascots in a spin-off of a video game franchise, typically of another genre (such as a PlatformGame or FirstPersonShooter). When it involves characters or mascots from multiple franchises or properties, it doubles as a MassiveMultiplayerCrossover. It's essentially the level-grinding, stats-oriented, and often turn-based SisterTrope to the MascotFighter and MascotRacer genres. These games often provide unique opportunities for game developers to give depth to their characters or worlds that cannot be as easily conveyed in mediums or genres that have more visual storytelling. A spin-off Mascot RPG will usually take a few gameplay elements from its parent franchise; for example, ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG'' and other Mario roleplaying games feature ActionCommands that are similar to the platforming elements in the Franchise/{{Mario}} main series, while ''VideoGame/GhostReconShadowWars'' is an RPG that makes having cover and elevation key gameplay mechanics like its FirstPersonShooter parent series.
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6	Regardless if it is a crossover or a spin-off, a Mascot RPG will almost always have their own casts of OriginalGeneration characters and storytelling elements created exclusively for the game, usually within a CrossoverAlternateUniverse. Many [[MascotRPG Mascot RPGs]] are also [[StrategyRPG tactical roleplaying games]], following the example set by VideoGame/SuperRobotWars, a TropeCodifier of this genre. The makers of Super Robot Wars, Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment, not coincidentally loves the Mascot RPG genre, with a lot of the games below being published by them. This type of game has a tendency to be exclusive to Japan, with some examples falling into NoExportForYou due to international licensing problems that have plagued the Mascot RPG for about as long as they've existed.
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8	!!Games that fit this subgenre:
9	[[index]]
10	* ''VideoGame/AngryBirdsEpic'' is a light RPG spinoff of ''Franchise/AngryBirds'', featuring the birds and pigs from Creator/RovioEntertainment's well-known franchise reimagined as characters in a new fantasy setting. Much like its parent series, the game streamlines RPG mechanics into a simple touch-based interface.
11	* ''VideoGame/ChaosWars'' is a MassiveMultiplayerCrossover Mascot RPG featuring characters by Creator/IdeaFactory, Aruze, Creator/RedEntertainment, and Creator/{{Atlus}} that received attention overseas due to the Western release's [[MemeticMutation memetically bad]] [[BlindIdiotTranslation translation]] and [[SoBadItsGood voice acting]].
12	* ''VideoGame/CrossEdge'' is a MassiveMultiplayerCrossover Mascot RPG by Creator/NipponIchi, Idea Factory, and Creator/GustCorporation that [[AvertedTrope averted]] the NoExportForYou legal troubles common to the genre. It brings together characters from the ''VideoGame/AtelierSeries'', ''VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}}'', ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}'', ''VideoGame/ArTonelicoMelodyOfElemia'', ''VideoGame/ManaKhemia2FallOfAlchemy'', and ''VideoGame/BlazingSoulsAccelate''. The game is a SpiritualSequel to ''VideoGame/ChaosWars'', with a similar TrappedInAnotherWorld premise.
13	** ''VideoGame/TrinityUniverse'' shares a battle system and some monsters with ''Cross Edge'', but only brings two universes from that title: the ''VideoGame/AtelierSeries'' and ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}''.
14	* ''Dengeki Gakuen RPG: Cross of Venus'' is the Mascot RPG predecessor to the MascotFighter ''VideoGame/DengekiBunkoFightingClimax'' that features characters and storytelling elements from the various titles published under the LightNovel imprint Creator/DengekiBunko.
15	** ''Dengeki Bunko Crossing Void'' is the mobile follow-up, which also wasn't exported abroad.
16	* ''VideoGame/DisneyHeroesBattleMode'', ''VideoGame/DisneySorcerersArena'', and ''VideoGame/DisneyMirrorverse'' are a trio of mobile Mascot [=RPGs=] that serves as a crossover for the Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon. Unlike ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' (for the most part), the characters from the different films and shows interact more with each other and are truly part of a common universe as opposed to being spread out on their own planets.
17	* ''Franchise/{{Doom}}'' has a Mascot RPG appropriately titled ''Doom RPG'' that was released in 2005. The Doom RPG is [[WordOfGod meant to be]] within the same continuity as the main series, picking up plot threads from ''VideoGame/Doom3'' while taking visual cues from ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' and ''VideoGame/DoomII''. There was even a follow up called Doom II RPG which shares a game engine and continuity with Wolfenstein RPG (see below). If we consider these games to be canon, this could mean all of Doom and Wolfenstein are in [[CanonWelding the same universe]].
18	* ''Famicom Jump: Hero Retsuden'' is a Mascot RPG crossover between Shonen Jump characters including Kenshiro from ''Manga/FistOftheNorthStar'', Goku from ''Manga/DragonBall'', and Joseph Joestar from ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure''. The game [[OlderThanTheyThink predates]] ''VideoGame/JumpSuperStars'', coming out in 1989 for the Famicom. The game was followed by a sequel in 1991, Famicom Jump II: Saikyo no Shichinin.
19	* ''VideoGame/FusionFall'' was a rare Western example of this trope from 2009: an {{Animesque}} crossover of Creator/CartoonNetwork properties into the same MassivelyMultiplayerOnlineRolePlayingGame.
20	* ''VideoGame/GhostReconShadowWars'' is a Mascot RPG spin-off of ''Ghost Recon'', which incorporates some of the FPS elements of its parent series such as the importance of cover and elevation to its battle system.
21	* ''VideoGame/HeroesPhantasia'' is a crossover Mascot RPG by {{Creator/Banpresto}} (who worked on ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'') that brings together characters from ''Anime/BloodPlus'', ''Anime/DarkerThanBlack'', ''Anime/MyHime'', ''Anime/{{Revolution}}'', ''Literature/{{Slayers}}'', ''Literature/SorcererStabberOrphen'', ''Anime/ReadOrDie'', ''Anime/RuneSoldierLouie'', and ''Manga/SgtFrog''.
22	* ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' is a Mascot RPG that served as the GenrePopularizer for Western audiences, a MassiveMultiplayerCrossover for the numerous characters of the Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon as well as the [[RunningGag money-printingly popular]] ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' series. Its OriginalGeneration characters such as Sora have become iconic enough to feature in other crossovers such as the MascotFighter ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'' and the Mascot RPG ''VideoGame/WorldOfFinalFantasy''.
23	* ''Kirara Fantasia'' was a MascotRPG crossover between the characters of the predominantly {{moe}} {{yonkoma}} {{seinen}} magazine ''Magazine/MangaTimeKirara'' including ''Manga/KOn'', ''Manga/SlowStart'', and ''Manga/{{Yuyushiki}}'', among many others.
24	* ''Majokko Daisakusen: Little Witching Mischiefs'' is a 1999 Platform/PlayStation MassiveMultiplayerCrossover between classic MagicalGirl characters including ''Anime/CuteyHoney, Anime/HanaNoKoLunlun, Anime/HimitsuNoAkkoChan, Anime/MahouShojoLalabel, Anime/MahouTsukaiChappy, Anime/MajokkoMegChan,'' and ''Manga/SallyTheWitch''. The game [[DolledUpInstallment uses assets]] from ''VideoGame/TheUnHolyWar'' and ''VideoGame/{{Pandemonium}}'' by the same developer, Toys for Bob. Toys for Bob is an American studio known for the critically acclaimed VideoGame/StarControl series. There were [[LostInTranslation translation problems]] all throughout development including receiving untranslated Japanese bug reports -- leading to the studio simply [[CuttingTheKnot unplugging their fax machine]]. Even after release, Toys for Bob still had no idea how the game actually did because their contact at Bandai quit.
25	* ''Franchise/{{Mario}}'' has multiple spin-offs in the Mascot RPG genre, with ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG'' by [[Creator/SquareEnix Square]] serving as the standalone proof-of-concept that also proved to be the TropeCodifier for ActionCommands. ActionCommands would be retained in the Mascot RPG [[SpiritualSuccessor spiritual successor]] series ''VideoGame/PaperMario'' by Creator/IntelligentSystems as well as ''[[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigi Mario & Luigi]]'' by Creator/AlphaDream.
26	* ''VideoGame/MarioPlusRabbidsKingdomBattle'' is unique in that it's both a Mascot RPG crossover (between ''Mario'' and ''VideoGame/RavingRabbids'') and a Mascot RPG spin-off for both series which typically tend to be in other genres.
27	* ''Franchise/MegaMan'' has the most Mascot RPG spin-offs of any video games franchise aside from Mario, with ''VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork'' and ''VideoGame/MegaManStarForce'' each being a side-series in their own right, while ''VideoGame/MegaManXCommandMission'' is a standalone Mega Man Mascot RPG.
28	* ''Mortal Kombat: Onslaught'' is an upcoming Mascot RPG for ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' to be released on mobile with elements from other genres. Mortal Kombat's foray into the RPG genre was foreshadowed by the Konquest mode, which had action RPG elements.
29	* ''VideoGame/NamcoXCapcom'' is a Mascot RPG with OriginalGeneration characters and a battle system that re-appear in the other Mascot RPG games ''VideoGame/EndlessFrontier'' and ''VideoGame/ProjectXZone''. [[Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment Namco]] games represented include ''VideoGame/DigDug'', ''VideoGame/SoulSeries'', ''VideoGame/TalesSeries'', ''Franchise/{{Tekken}}'', and ''VideoGame/{{Xenosaga}}'', while [[Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment Capcom]] games include ''VideoGame/FinalFight'', ''VideoGame/MegaManLegends'', ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil'', and ''Franchise/StreetFighter''.
30	** ''VideoGame/ProjectXZone'' is the SpiritualSuccessor (and an outright sequel, plot-wise) that brings Creator/{{Sega}} characters into the mix, while the sequel even has Creator/{{Nintendo}} characters to make it clear that this is a MassiveMultiplayerCrossover.
31	* ''Namco Super Wars'' was a 2002 Platform/WonderSwan crossover Mascot RPG that brought together Namco characters from games as disparate as ''VideoGame/DigDug'' to ''VideoGame/DragonValor'', ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfValkyrie'' and ''VideoGame/TheTowerOfDruaga''. If that sounds familiar, is because in many ways this game is an spiritual predecessor of ''VideoGame/NamcoXCapcom''.
32	* ''VideoGame/SonicChroniclesTheDarkBrotherhood'' is a Sonic Mascot RPG by Creator/BioWare, an outside heavy-hitter in the RPG genre much like how ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG'' brought in Square for its RPG outing. The game is also notable for the story and character cues it took from the ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics'', with Creator/KenPenders (unsuccessfully) attempting to sue over the similarities.
33	* ''VideoGame/SpyroShadowLegacy'' is a different genre than the rest of the series as it's a Mascot RPG, but its made unique because it continues the plot of the previous main series games.
34	* ''VideoGame/SuperHeroineChronicle'' is a MassiveMultiplayerCrossover and Mascot RPG for the characters of ''VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry'' and ''Anime/DiGiCharat'', as well as ''Literature/AriaTheScarletAmmo'', ''Anime/KaitouTenshiTwinAngel'', ''Anime/{{Kyousogiga}}'', ''Anime/SuperSonico'', ''Literature/InfiniteStratos'', ''[[Literature/TheFamiliarOfZero The Familiar of Zero]]'', and ''Anime/DreamHunterRem'' with OriginalGeneration characters thrown into the mix. Some consider it be the DistaffCounterpart to the TropeCodifier ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars''.
35	* ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'' is an entire MassiveMultiplayerCrossover Mascot RPG ''franchise'' for HumongousMecha anime such as ''Anime/GetterRobo'', ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'', and ''Anime/MazingerZ''. There are far too many franchises used and entires in the series to list either one, but it has been a poster child for this trope since its debut on the Platform/GameBoy in 1991.
36	* ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheWorld'' is the Mascot RPG for the various games of the ''VideoGame/TalesSeries'', an unsurprising addition to the genre given Namco's love of these kind of crossovers and the amount of [[MascotRPG Mascot RPGs]] the Tales series characters have appeared in.
37	* ''VideoGame/{{TimeStalkers}}'' (or Climax Landers in Japan) is a {{Crossover}} between various games released by developer Climax Entertainment in 1999 for the Platform/SegaDreamcast.
38	* ''VideoGame/{{Wolfenstein}}'' has Wolfenstein RPG, which is a Mascot RPG with a more light-hearted approach to the franchise. While it has no sequel as of yet, it received something of a follow-up in Doom II RPG.
39	* ''VideoGame/WorldOfFinalFantasy'' is a Mascot RPG that serves as a BatFamilyCrossover for the iconic monsters, locations, and main characters of the many games in the [[LampshadeHanging dead-horse-beatingly]] [[RunningGag popular]] ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' series, as well as a more straightforward {{Crossover}} that features character appearances from ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'', ''VideoGame/SigmaHarmonics'', and ''VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}''.
40	[[/index]]

Context Main / MascotRPG