Editorial: Could Project X Zone 2 Be In for Some Special Guest Stars?

Following the announcement of a sequel to Project X Zone last week, there hasn’t been much information about the game to be had beyond a first look at its roster of characters (though an interview with Famitsu reveals that the game is currently about 60 percent complete and will address issues players had with the first title). As such, it’s given us some time to think about what to expect.

One thing I’ve noticed is that there are people who are craving for the mascots of the three companies involved– SEGA, Capcom, and Bandai Namco– to appear. Their inclusion seems obvious at first, but then you look at the previous title, and the closest we had was an appearance from Mega Man X. Good enough for some to have some form of Blue Bomber in there, but nonetheless, no matter how much they might clash stylistically, people want to see Sonic the Hedgehog, classic Mega Man, and Pac-Man join the fray.

Hmm… Sonic, Mega Man, and Pac-Man… where have I heard those three names grouped together before? Oh yeah!

The third-party trinity appeared together in Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. As such, the three were more or less entitled to each receive their own amiibo figure as well, allowing them to not only be used in the Super Smash Bros. games as specially-trained fighters, but also to unlock related costumes themed to each character in Mario Kart 8.

You can probably see where I’m going with this, but hear me out: With the game already over halfway done, one might imagine that if the developers weren’t interested in featuring them in the story before, then they might not be now.

But what if they weren’t included as part of the story? What if, instead, they were featured as a sort of special bonus attraction for those who wish to use them in combat? What if amiibo were to allow access to these three characters, who might not have originally been budgeted in (but might have seen a change in plans as a way to further promote the functionality of the figure line)?

After all, the game is currently exclusive to the system of the people who make amiibo, and it might even help them move a few more New Nintendo 3DS units, or at least the upcoming amiibo reader for the older models. One has to imagine that the companies who own the characters probably get a little something for the figures bearing their likenesses being sold, too.

The premise isn’t unheard of, either.

In Code Name: S.T.E.A.M., a strategy game developed by Intelligent Systems for the Nintendo 3DS, there exists the ability to add characters from another of Intelligent’s games, Fire Emblem, to the steampunk world through the amiibo figures released in the Super Smash Bros. line. Out of place as they may be, they still make for a neat bonus addition to one’s ranks in the game.

This isn’t a rumor or hearsay; this is just a thought of a possibility which I would not at all be surprised to see occur, and I just wanted to put it out there for thought/discussion.

LBD "Nytetrayn"

David Oxford, or “LBD ‘Nytetrayn’,” as he is sometimes also known, is a freelance writer of many varied interests who resides in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. If you’re interested in hiring him, please drop him a line at david.oxford (at) nyteworks.net.

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