Some of the greatest video game mascots of all time have eventually branched out into different genres like RPGs. Mario and Sonic are two big examples, but there are so many others. A mascot RPG is essentially a spinoff taking established characters, often in a crossover context, and repurposing them for a grand adventure.
10 RPGs Where The World Tells The Story
These RPGs are masters are feeding you their story not just through cutscenes, but through powerful environmental storytelling.
Sometimes the experiments work out, and other times things get more complicated. The following games will be ranked based on the quality of the RPG, from visuals to mechanics to the story. While they could be seen as gimmicks at first, these games have now become as iconic as something like The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)
Super Robot Wars Y
Anime Mecha Unite
Super Robot Wars Y is the latest game in the franchise, which started on the Game Boy in 1991. The big gimmick is combining various anime franchises into one massive tactical RPG, featuring flashy animations where fan service takes precedence, and the story serves as an afterthought.
There are various Gundam series like Mobile Suit Z Gundam, Mobile Fighter G Gundam, and Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz. Some non-Gundam franchises include Macross, Getter Robo, Code Geass, and, most strange of all, Godzilla. It may not have a stacked list of the best mecha anime around compared to other entries, but Super Robot Wars Y is at least easily accessible.
Project X Zone 2
A Tactical Crossover
Project X Zone 2 is another tactical RPG, combining gaming franchises from Sega, Bandai Namco, and Capcom. Some franchises include Yakuza, Tekken, Mega Man, and many others. Most units come in pairs, although some solo units can join a pair.
When combat is initiated, players can create combos almost like a fighting game and try to do the most damage in a set amount of time. A classic pair includes Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield from Resident Evil, for example. The challenge level is relatively well-balanced, but the battles do take a long time.
Mega Man Battle Network 3 (Blue/White)
Super Fighting Digital Robot
Mega Man Battle Network 3
- Released
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June 24, 2003
- ESRB
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e
- Developer(s)
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Capcom Production Studio 2
Mega Man Battle Network 3 was the first game to implement a Pokemon-style separation of versions, including a Blue and White edition. While content differed between versions, it was more of the same. Lan, a child, could send is NetNavi, MegaMan.EXE, into the digital world.
10 Best Anthology RPGs
Perspective changes everything, and these RPGs that contain short and lengthy stories across different characters know that best.
In dungeons, players could encounter monsters, transitioning things to a 2D arena wherein players could choose various attacks from chips, randomly loaded into their deck. This game, and the rest of the Mega Man Battle Network games, helped prove that Mega Man, as a franchise, could work as an RPG.
World Of Final Fantasy
Pokemon Hearts
World of Final Fantasy is a crossover Final Fantasy game, but the two original characters, twins Lann and Reynn, look a lot like original characters that would appear in Kingdom Hearts. The two jump into a magical world where all of the Final Fantasy properties exist in one place.
It’s a turn-based RPG where the twins can catch monsters and either ride them or balance them on their heads in battle. It is essentially a Pokemon clone, but a bit more sophisticated than most monster-catching RPGs. The best part is meeting fan favorite characters like Cloud from Final Fantasy 7 or Lightning from Final Fantasy 13 and witnessing them look absolutely adorable in chibi form.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
XCOM In The Mushroom Kingdom
Mario is one of the biggest mascot characters of all time, so naturally, there needs to be at least two Mario-based RPGs on the list. Most of his RPGs are turn-based, but Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a little different because it has more in common with XCOM than Final Fantasy.
Mario and his regular crew of friends are joined by the Rabbids from the Rayman universe, who are big fans of the Mushroom Kingdom, so they dress like Mario, Luigi, and Peach, just to name a few. Each character gets a different weapon in battle, like Mario has a laser blaster, and taking cover in between attacks and movement is important. It’s not as hard as XCOM or most strategy games, thankfully, but it will give players a decent challenge.
South Park: The Stick Of Truth
The Boys Play EarthBound
The kids of South Park existed first as cartoon characters, but through various games, they also became more ubiquitous characters in pop culture. South Park: The Stick of Truth was the first RPG and quite possibly the best South Park game. Players got to create their new kid character and then follow classics around from Cartman to Butters.
7 RPGs That Rarely Force You Into Combat
Non-violence is a welcome option in these RPGs that let you approach conflict and enemies in peaceful ways.
In battle, there was a time-based element to be more effective, and spells were all ridiculous. The best thing about the game was all of the references and Easter eggs, which made the campaign feel like one big episode that never got old.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Beans, Beans, The Magical Fruit
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga was first released on the GBA, and it was the start of a new Mario-based RPG franchise. This turn-based RPG focused on Mario and Luigi alone as the sole party members, but because of the active gameplay and their charismatic Italian gibberish, they still managed to carry an entire game.
In battle, the A button controlled Mario and the B button controlled Luigi. Players can time attacks to do more damage, and dodge attacks as all enemies behave differently. Since battles are always changing, combat rarely gets old, and alongside the colorful world of the Beanbean Kingdom, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga is among the top Mario-based RPGs of all time.
Kingdom Hearts 2
Disney And Final Fantasy Worlds Collide
The Kingdom Hearts series initially started as a Mickey-based action platformer, which later evolved into the original character, Sora, who was joined by Donald and Goofy on the adventure. Kingdom Hearts 2 is technically the third game, continuing the adventures of the trio across a universe filled with Disney planets based on movies. Mulan, Beauty and the Beast, and Tron are three new examples, but there are some returning films too, like Aladdin and The Little Mermaid.
Combat is action-based, with new powers presented, such as changing forms, and there are still plenty of jumping challenges. Even though players will be lost jumping into Kingdom Hearts 2 first, this is still the best game in the series that balances out all of the crossover properties, the action, and the platforming.
Game Over: 6 Video Game Mascots That Are Basically Dead
There was once a vast roster of video game mascots to compete with Mario and Sonic, but many of them have gone the way of the dinosaur.
