Honestly, as someone who grew up arguing with friends about which fictional characters would win in a fight, 2021 felt like a gift from the gaming gods. I still remember loading into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and seeing Sora from Kingdom Hearts standing next to Mario, Sonic, and Pac-Man. It didn't feel real.
But that was just the beginning. Looking back from 2026, I think 2021 will go down as one of the most ridiculous, joyful years for gaming crossovers and collaborations. Some of these made me cry happy tears, some made me question my snack-buying decisions, and one literally had me chasing a cartoon dog through Monster Hunter Rise.
Here is a quick look at the collaborations that stood out to me the most.
| Collaboration | Game / Brand | What Made It Special |
|---|---|---|
| Sora in Smash | Kingdom Hearts x Smash Bros. Ultimate | Final DLC fighter, dream matchup |
| Rush Palamute | Mega Man x Monster Hunter Rise | First playable Rush companion |
| Indie crossover | Dead Cells + Hollow Knight, Blasphemous, etc. | Six indie games unite |
| Naruto & Spider-Man | Fortnite | Massive chapter transitions |
| Pokemon Oreos | Pokemon x Oreo | 16 collectible cookies, scalping chaos |
| A Pirate's Life | Sea of Thieves x Pirates of the Caribbean | Free story expansion |
| Resident Evil DLC | Dead by Daylight | Leon, Jill, and Nemesis |
| Normandy SR1 | No Man's Sky x Mass Effect | Fly the Normandy |
| Bungie 30th Anniversary | Destiny 2 + Halo nostalgia | Halo weapons return |
| 80s Action Heroes | Call of Duty: Warzone x Die Hard | John McClane, Nakatomi Plaza |
Sora Finally Made It Into Smash
For years, I was one of those players who thought Sora would never join Super Smash Bros. Copyright stuff seemed like an impossible wall. So when Nintendo dropped that final DLC trailer, I genuinely screamed. Sora was the last fighter for Smash Bros. Ultimate, and suddenly I could watch Mario, Sonic, Pac-Man, and the Keyblade wielder all duke it out on the same stage.
What made it even better was how much love went into the DLC. There was a dedicated stage, plenty of Kingdom Hearts music, and spirits to collect. As a fan, it felt like an early holiday gift. And the story behind how it happened, basically a chance meeting at an industry event, just makes the whole thing feel like fate.
Rush Became My Partner in Monster Hunter Rise
I have a soft spot for Mega Man, and Rush has always been that loyal robo-dog I wished I could take on adventures. Monster Hunter Rise actually made that happen. There was a special event mission where you hunted a few Zinogre and then got Rush as layered Palamute armor.
Honestly, watching Rush run beside me with his Rush Coil bounce and unique bark was pure joy. It marked the first time Rush had ever been a real companion like that. I spent way too many hours just riding around and taking screenshots. Capcom understood the assignment.
Dead Cells Opened Its Doors to Indie Friends
Indie games don't usually get the same crossover opportunities as big AAA titles, so what Dead Cells did felt really special. The developers teamed up with six other indie games, including Hollow Knight and Blasphemous, and packed them into a free update. New skills, weapons, and costumes suddenly showed up.
It was a celebration of the indie spirit. These were games that faced the same uphill battle to stand out, and now they were sharing space in one brutally fun roguelike. I love when smaller studios support each other instead of competing. That update made me revisit Dead Cells for weeks.
Fortnite Kept Being the Crossover King
Let's be real, Fortnite is the undisputed king of crossovers. In 2021 alone, it brought in Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi, Spider-Man, Rick, Morty, and a whole bunch of others. The Naruto collaboration closed out Chapter 2 with skins and emotes, and then Spider-Man literally kicked off Chapter 3 with web-slinging mechanics.
I wasn't sure how I'd feel about Naruto running around with a shotgun, but it worked. The sheer scale of Fortnite's collaboration machine is impressive. Every season felt like a new event, and it kept me checking the item shop way more often than I'd like to admit.
The Pokemon Oreo Incident
Okay, this one is less about playing a game and more about the chaos it caused. Pokemon teamed up with Oreo to release cookies featuring 16 different Pokemon across eight generations. You were guaranteed a Pikachu or Piplup, but Mew was super rare.
What happened next was absolutely wild: people started scalping the cookies. I remember seeing listings for a single Mew Oreo going for ridiculous prices online. It was like Pokemon card mania all over again, except with snack food. I bought a pack just to try to find a Mew and ended up with a bunch of Pikachus. Still delicious, though.
A Pirate's Life Was Free and Fantastic
Sea of Thieves: A Pirate's Life was a dream come true for me. Rare's pirate adventure had always drawn inspiration from Pirates of the Caribbean, so seeing Captain Jack Sparrow sail into the game felt like a natural fit. The best part? The entire expansion was free for all players.
The story celebrated both worlds beautifully, and it came with features that let you enjoy the content without worrying about rival pirates ruining your progress. Disney and Rare working together like that set a high bar for how a crossover expansion should be handled. I played through it with two friends and we had an absolute blast.
Dead by Daylight Got Resident Evil Right
As a horror fan, the Dead by Daylight and Resident Evil crossover hit me right in the nostalgia. Leon S. Kennedy and Jill Valentine joined as Survivors, with Claire and Chris Redfield as legendary skins. But the real star was Nemesis as a new Killer.
Some people questioned why Nemesis was chosen over other Resident Evil monsters, but once you played as him, it made perfect sense. His abilities blended with Dead by Daylight's gameplay in a way that felt fresh and terrifying. It wasn't just a skin drop; it actually changed how matches played out. That's rare for a crossover.
No Man's Sky Let Me Fly the Normandy
No Man's Sky has had one of the greatest redemption arcs in gaming, and the Mass Effect crossover was another step forward. For a limited time, players could earn the Normandy SR1 as their own ship in that procedurally generated universe. As someone who loves Mass Effect, seeing that iconic ship appear in a completely different galaxy gave me chills.
The event was so popular that it got rerun later. It was a small but meaningful addition that showed how far No Man's Sky had come. Flying the Normandy through alien skies felt like a sci-fi fan's dream.
Bungie's 30th Anniversary Brought Halo Back Home
Bungie celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2021, and for anyone who grew up on Halo, the Destiny 2 event was emotional. The developer brought back icon-inspired weapons like the BXR-55 Battler, Half-Truths, and Retraced Path, which reference the Halo Battle Rifle, Energy Sword, and Focus Rifle.
There were also cosmetics referencing the Arbiter's scales and the Halo ring, plus returning Easter eggs like Grunt Birthday Party and the skulls. It wasn't a full Halo crossover, but it was a loving nod to the franchise that made Bungie famous. I spent hours chasing those weapons.
John McClane in Warzone Was a Blast
Last but not least, Call of Duty: Warzone brought Die Hard's John McClane into the fight as part of its 80s Action Heroes event. The operator was a limited-time offer, but he came with iconic voice lines, including the classic Yippie Ki Yay.
The real highlight was Nakatomi Plaza, recreated in the Warzone map with incredible detail. Dropping into that iconic building while hearing McClane's one-liners was pure 80s action movie bliss. It made me want to rewatch Die Hard immediately.
Why 2021 Still Matters in 2026
Looking back, 2021 wasn't just about pile-up crossovers for the sake of marketing. The best collaborations felt like genuine celebrations of the games and characters we love. They brought communities together, gave indie devs a spotlight, and reminded me why gaming can be so magical. Even now in 2026, I still think about the joy of seeing Sora in Smash or flying the Normandy in No Man's Sky. I can only hope the next wave of crossovers keeps that same spirit alive.
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