Fortnite Override has turned the island into a showcase for video-game crossovers. The Zero Point has been stolen, the island has been hacked and familiar characters are appearing across the season. Sonic is currently the only established video-game character in the Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass, but the Item Shop could expand that lineup considerably.
Epic Games announced planned Gaming Legends cosmetics from Kingdom Hearts, Pac-Man, Mega Man, Persona 5 Royal, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, 99 Nights in the Forest, Crash Bandicoot, Sonic the Hedgehog and Spyro.
Those are strong choices, but several major gaming characters would also suit the island. The following suggestions focus on characters whose worlds, designs or gameplay histories could make sense in Fortnite. Some family-friendly Nintendo icons are absent because characters such as Mario, Link and Tom Nook feel less convincing while carrying assault rifles and chasing a Victory Royale.
1. The Last of Us
Cosmetic ideas: Joel skin, Ellie skin, Ellie’s guitar as back bling or a pickaxe.
Joel and Ellie already have the survival skills needed for an island full of armed opponents. Their appearance would also connect naturally with Save the World, where players defend bases from husks. With the season running during Fortnitemares, the annual Halloween event, the pair would be especially well suited to fighting enemies in a darker setting.
2. Metroid
Cosmetic ideas: Samus skin and Ridley glider.
The Nintendo Entertainment System helped establish Nintendo as a household name during the 1980s, and the company’s characters have since become some of gaming’s most recognisable figures. Licensing a Nintendo character for Fortnite may be difficult, particularly because many of its series are built around E-rated adventures. More recent Metroid titles, however, carry a Teen rating, making Samus a more natural fit than many of Nintendo’s younger-skewing heroes.
Samus would be an obvious Item Shop choice, while Ridley could make an imposing glider. Even players unfamiliar with the series would recognise the appeal of a giant space dragon soaring over the island.
3. Conker
Cosmetic ideas: Conker as a sidekick, Berri and the Panther King as skins, and Cash as a sidekick or back bling.
Conker’s cheerful squirrel design disguises the crude humour, violence and firearms found throughout Rare’s games. That tone could make him a challenging addition to Fortnite, although the character’s exaggerated style would translate well into a cosmetic range.
Berri and the Panther King could work as tall player skins. Conker himself may be better suited to a sidekick role, with his helicopter tail providing a playful explanation for how he keeps up and reaches elevated areas.
4. Grand Theft Auto
Cosmetic ideas: CJ with a low-poly style, Niko skin, or a Michael, Franklin and Trevor bundle.
Grand Theft Auto has no shortage of memorable and chaotic personalities. Trevor would be the most difficult fit, but the series offers plenty of alternatives. CJ from the original Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas would be a particularly entertaining addition, especially alongside the low-poly Classic style available for Lara Croft.
5. Hitman
Cosmetic ideas: Agent 47 skin with a low-poly alternative style, plus his briefcase as back bling or a pickaxe.
Agent 47 has been working across the globe for more than 25 years, making Hitman a firmly established gaming classic. His professional appearance would contrast nicely with the island’s louder costumes, while his long history of disguises creates plenty of options for alternate styles.
From the Florida Man disguise to the clown outfit, Agent 47 has worn almost anything required by a mission. A low-poly version would also give the character another strong visual connection to gaming history.
6. Mass Effect
Cosmetic ideas: Commander Shepard with male and FemShep styles, Garrus, Wrex, Tali and Liara skins, plus a Reaper glider.
Mass Effect won over players when the series began in 2007. Across the trilogy, fans travelled with the Normandy crew, made difficult choices and formed relationships with characters who became central to the experience. That emotional connection is a major reason the series remains so fondly remembered.
Garrus would be an especially strong choice for the Item Shop, while Shepard’s alternative styles could represent the two major player-character presentations. Wrex, Tali and Liara would round out a convincing squad, and a Reaper glider could bring the series’ unmistakable science-fiction scale to the island.
The future of the franchise has also faced uncertainty following EA’s recent buyout. If the next Mass Effect game were cancelled, a crossover would give fans another way to keep these characters visible in the wider gaming world.
Each of these franchises would bring a different tone to Fortnite: survival horror, science fiction, irreverent comedy, open-world crime, stealth action and space opera. For readers building a home gaming setup, the crossover also highlights how varied gaming culture can be. RETROCADE’s arcade blog covers more industry and gaming news, while the arcade video collection explores the culture surrounding play.
Thinking about a dedicated gaming corner? Our arcade machine buying guide explains what to consider, from available space to the type of experience you want. Compact setups can also start with bartop arcades, while enthusiasts who enjoy building their own cabinet can explore DIY arcade kits.
Leave a Reply