Gaming Things We Think Are Cool!! - Games that have 'special appearances' from other game characters.
That's what this page is about.
Rules for inclusion on this page:
#1 - Only cases where the guest character is either a playable character, or an enemy, boss or interactable opponent, count. No straight-up cameos, such as background appearances, costumes, as shopkeepers, quest-givers, etc..
#2 - They must be from separate series- Ryo Sakazaki in Fatal Fury Special counts, for instance, but Hibachi in DoDonPachi Resurrection doesn't.
However, it's OK if they're in the same story continuity but originate from different series (like Street Fighter and Final Fight).
#3 - Games that are crossover games to begin with (Fighters Megamix, Super Smash Bros, etc.) don't count, unless the crossover game is between one particular company or series and other companies / series are represented, such as guests in Smash Bros., Cole in Street Fighter x Tekken, and so on.
#4 - NO MOBILE GAMES OR FORTNITE. No exceptions.
#5 - Ultimately... I make the final say on whether it ends up on this page or not. Please understand.
Rules for page presentation::
#1 - English titles first, Japanese titles second.
#2 - Presented in chronological order, except when dealing with a series (i.e. Oneechabara / Aero Fighters)
We'll run through all remaining titles in that series, then go back to year order.
#3 - We'll only be listing initial / relevant release platforms and years, for space concerns.
#4 - We've divided things into 1980-1994, 1995-1996, 1997-1999, 2000-2005, 2006-2009 (this page), 2010-2014 and 2015-Present.
Click the links to skip around!
Metal Slug 6
(Arcade, 2006, SNK Playmore)
Ralf Jones & Clark Still
from Ikari Warriors / Ikari - Arcade, 1985, SNK
How to Unlock / Notes:
Ralf and Clark are available from the start.
They have moves from their appearances in The King of Fighters- Ralf can use his Vulcan Punch to attack even vehicles, and Clark can use his Super Argentine Backbreaker on infantry to score points.
Metal Slug XX
(Playstation Portable / Xbox 360, 2009 /2010, SNK Playmore)
Leona Heidern
from The King of Fighters '96 - Arcade, 1996, SNK
How to Unlock / Notes:
DLC character (shots from the PSP version), not available in the original DS version, Metal Slug 7.
She has moves from her appearance in The King of Fighters- her grenades are Earring Bombs, and she can perform her Moon Slasher as a melee attack.
Sonic Riders
(Gamecube / Playstation 2 / Xbox / PC, 2006, Sonic Team / United Game Artists)
Screenshots provided by Liam Ashcroft - thank you!
NiGHTS, Ulala & AiAi
from NiGHTS into Dreams... (NiGHTS) - Saturn, 1996, Sonic Team
Space Channel 5 (Ulala) - Dreamcast, 1999 / 2000, United Game Artists
& Monkey Ball (AiAi) - Arcade, 2000, Amusement Vision
How to Unlock / Notes:
Beat all the Jet, Wave and Storm missions to unlcok all three of these characters. [Source]
Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity
(Playstation 2 / Wii, 2008, Sonic Team)
NiGHTS, Amigo & Billy Hatcher
from NiGHTS into Dreams... (NiGHTS) - Saturn, 1996, Sonic Team
Samba de Amiga. (Amigo) - Arcade / Dreamcast, 1999 / 2000, Sonic Team
& Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg (Billy Hatcher) - Gamecube / PC. 2003, Sonic Team
How to Unlock / Notes:
Beat all the missions in Story Mode to unlock all three of these characters. [Source]
Castle of Shikigami III
Shikigami no Shiro III
(Arcade /Wii / Xbox 360, 2006, Alfa System)
Reika Kirishima
from Time Gal - Arcade, 1985, Taito
How to Unlock / Notes:
Reika is available from the start.
Mario Hoops: 3-on-3
Mario Basket: 3-on-3
Mario Slam Basketball
(DS, 2006, Square-Enix / Nintendo)
Ninja, White Mage, Black Mage, Moogle & Cactuar
from Final Fantasy (White Mage, Black Mage, Ninja) - NES, 1987, SquareSoft
Final Fantasy III (Moogle) - NES, 1990, SquareSoft
& Final Fantasy VI (Cactuar) - SNES, 1994, SquareSoft
How to Unlock / Notes:
To unlock Ninja, finish the Rainbow Cup with any prize.
To unlock White Mage, finish the Rainbow Cup with a Silver prize.
To unlock Black Mage, finish the Rainbow Cup with a Gold prize.
To unlock Moogle, finish the Star Cup with a Silver prize. [Source]
To unlock Cactuar, first unlock Glare Desert (enter the Star Tourney and score over 800 points on Jr. Street) then play an Exhibition Match there. Wait for a green lump to appear on the court, then dribble the ball on top of it a few times. Cactuar will pop out- win the Exhibition Match and Cactuar will be unlocked. [Source]
There are also two Final Fantasy-themed courts, Malboro Garden and Rainbow Ship.
Rondo of Swords
Rondo of Deception
(DS, 2007 / 2008, Fun Unit / Success)
Info provided by davZZGndm - thank you!
Cotton & Silk, Izuna & Shino
from Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams - Arcade, 1992, Success / Sega
& Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja - DS, 2007, Ninja Team / Success
How to Unlock / Notes:
Cotton will join you in Hidden Stage 9. To reach Hidden Stage 9, save all the civilians in Stage 8.
Shino will join you in Stage 15 if you speak to her with Serdic.
Izuna will join you in Stage 19 if you speak to her with Shino. [Source]
Silk appears during Cotton's spell animations.
When you use Cotton in battle, the title screen music from Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams will play.
Space Invaders Get Even
(Wii, 2008, Cattle Call / Taito)
Silver Hawk
from Darius - Arcade, 1986, Taito
How to Unlock / Notes:
DLC ship, purchaseble, unlocked with Mission Pack 3.
It has the wave shot and droppable bombs from the Darius series.
R-Gray 1
from RayStorm - Arcade, 1996, Taito
How to Unlock / Notes:
DLC ship, purchaseble, unlocked with Mission Pack 4.
It has the standard shot and homing lasers from the Ray series.
Arkanoid DS
(DS, 2008, Taito / Square-Enix)
Info and screenshots provided by LanceBoyle94 - thank you!
Wing Paddle
from Puchi Carat - Arcade, 1997, Taito
How to Unlock / Notes:
Purchasable for 1000 in-game credits.
New International Track & Field
New International Hyper Sports DS
(DS, 2008, Sumo Handheld / Konami)
Frogger, Sparkster, Evil Rose, Simon Belmont, Pentarou, Solid Snake, Pyramid Head, PawaPuro & The Referee
from Frogger (Frogger) - Arcade, 1983, Konami
Rocket Knight Adventures (Sparkster) - Mega Drive, 1993, Konami
Rumble Roses (Evil Rose) - Playstation 2, 2004, Konami
Castlevania / Akumajō Dracula (Simon Belmont) - NES / Famicom Disk System, 1986 / 1987, Konami
Antarctic Adventure (Pentarou) - MSX, 1983, Konami
Metal Gear (Solid Snake) - MSX, 1987, Konami
Silent Hill 2 (Pyramid Head) - Playstation 2, 2001, Konami
Jikkyō Powerful Pro Yakyū '94 (PawaPuro) - SNES, 1994, Konami
& Track & Field (The Referee) - Arcade, 1983, Konami
How to Unlock / Notes:
To unlock Frogger, beat Easy Career Mode.
To unlock Sparkster, beat Easy Career Mode with all Gold medals.
To unlock Evil Rose, beat Medium Career Mode.
To unlock Simon Belmont, beat Medium Career Mode with all Gold medals.
To unlock Pentarou, beat Hard Career Mode.
To unlock Solid Snake, beat Hard Career Mode with all Gold medals.
To unlock Pyramid Head, get a Bronze medal in every event in Single Event Mode.
To unlock PawaPuro, get a Gold medal in every event in Single Event Mode.
There is no listed method to unlock The Referee. At a guess, you need to beat Expert Mode. He is supposed to be the original Player 1 character from Track & Field in his old age. [Source]
Every characte except Pyramid Head, PawaPuro and The Referee get an exclusive Challenge Mode game once you unlock them, and everyone has a standard outfit and an alternate 'Athletic' one (Solid Snake's Athletic costume is Old Snake from Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots).
Windy X Windam
(DS, 2008 / 2010, Ninja Studio / Success)
Info provided by inobscurity - thank you!
Izuna & Shino
from Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja - DS, 2007, Ninja Team / Success
How to Unlock / Notes:
To unlock Izuna, beat the game on Hard.
To unlock Shino, beat the game on Maniac. [Source]
Castle Crashers
(Xbox 360 / Playstation 3 / PC, 2008 / 2010 / 2012, The Behemoth)
Alien Hominid
from Alien Hominid - Playstation 2 / Gamecube / Xbox / Xbox 360 / Mobile / iOS / Gizmondo, 2004 / 2005 / 2007 / 2011, The Behemoth
How to Unlock / Notes:
In the Xbox 360 version, play Castle Crashers after you have bought the full version of Alien Hominid HD and have earned at least one achievement in it. [Source]
In all other versions, complete the Alien Ship stage on Normal. [Source] [Screen Source]
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Dairantou Smash Brothers X
(Nintendo Wii, 2008, Game Arts / Sora Inc / Nintendo)
Solid Snake
from Metal Gear - MSX, 1987, Konami
How to Unlock / Notes:
Either fight in 150 Brawls, play 15 Brawls on Shadow Moses Island or have Snake join your party in The Subspace Emissary mode (he first appears in the Battleship Halberd Interior stage). Snake will automatically be unlocked if met in The Subspace Emissary mode first, otherwise you must fight him and win to unlock him.
Unlocking him also unlocks Grey Fox as a possible Assist Trophy.
His series stage, unlocked from the start, is Shadow Moses Island, based on Metal Gear Solid. Music remixes made for this game include Metal Gear - Theme of Tara, Metal Gear Solid - Encounter and Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - MGS4 ~Theme of Love~. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, new remixes include Metal Gear 2 - Theme of Solid Snake and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater - Snake Eater. [Source]
After sitting out Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, Snake returned in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Sonic the Hedgehog
from Sonic the Hedgehog - Mega Drive, 1991, Sonic Team
How to Unlock / Notes:
Either fight in 300 Brawls, beat Classic Mode with 10 different characters play in Brawls for 10 hours, or have Sonic join your party in The Subspace Emissary mode (he first appears before the final fight with Tabuu). Sonic will automatically be unlocked if met in The Subspace Emissary mode first, otherwise you must fight him and win to unlock him.
Unlocking him also unlocks Shadow the Hedgehog as a possible Assist Trophy and his series stage.
His series stage is Green Hill Zone, based on Sonic the Hedgehog. The only music remix made for this game and the whole Smash series is Sonic the Hedgehog 3 - Angel Island Zone (arranged by Sonic series composer Jun Senoue). [Source]
Sonic also appears in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U
Dairantou Smash Brothers for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U
(Nintendo 3DS / Nintendo Wii U, 2014, Sora Inc / Bandai Namco / Nintendo)
Pac-Man
from Pac-Man - Arcade, 1980, Namco
How to Unlock / Notes:
Pac-Man is unlocked from the start in both versions.
In the 3DS version, his series stage is Pac-Man, based on the maze from Pac-Man. In the Wii U version, his series stage is Pac-Land, based on Pac-Land. Music remixes made for this game include Pac-Man (made in the Namco arcade soundfont), Pac-Man (Club Mix) and Pac-Mania - Pac Man's Park ~ Block Town. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, new remixes include Galaga Medley, Mappy Medley and Dragon Spirit - Area 1. Many of the other tracks for these stages are unremixed song medleys from various Namco arcade games. [Source]
Mega Man
from Mega Man / Rockman - NES, 1987, Capcom
How to Unlock / Notes:
Mega Man is unlocked from the start in both versions.
In both versions, his series stage is Wily Castle, based on Mega Man 2. Music remies made for this game include Mega Man - Cut Man Stage, Mega Man 2 Medley, Mega Man 2 - Air Man Stage, Mega Man 2 - Quick Man Stage, Mega Man 3 - Spark Man Stage and Mega Man 3 - Shadow Man Stage. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, new remixes include Mega Man - Guts Man Stage, Mega Man - Ice Man Stage, Mega Man - Bomb Man Stage, Mega Man - Fire Man Stage, Mega Man 2 - Metal Man Stage, Mega Man 2 - Crash Man Stage, Mega Man 2 - Flash Man Stage, Mega Man 2 - Wood Man Stage, Mega Man 3 - Hard Man Stage, Mega Man 3 - Top Man Stage, Mega Man 3 - Snake Man Stage, Mega Man 4 Medley, Mega Man 5 - Gravity Man Stage, Mega Man 5 - Napalm Man Stage, Mega Man 5 - Dark Man Stage, Mega Man X - Opening Stage and Mega Man 9 - We're Robots (Dr. Wily Stage 2). [Source]
Ryu
from Street Fighter - Arcade, 1987, Capcom
How to Unlock / Notes:
DLC character, purchasable, optionally with or without his series stage.
In both versions, his series stage is Suzaku Castle, based on Street Fighter II. Music remixes made for this game include Street Fighter II - Ryu Stage and Street Fighter II - Ken Stage. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, new remixes include Street Fighter II - Vega (Claw) Stage and Street Fighter II - Guile Stage. [Source]
Cloud Strife
from Final Fantasy VII - Playstation, 1997, SquareSoft
How to Unlock / Notes:
DLC character, purchasable, optionally with or without his series stage.
He can be played either in his standard outfit or the one used in Advent Children.
In both versions, his series stage is Midgar, based on Final Fantasy VII. No music remixes were made specifically for this game. [Source]
Bayonetta
from Bayonetta - Playstation 3 / Xbox 360, 2009 / 2010, Platinum Games
How to Unlock / Notes:
DLC character, purchasable, optionally with or without her series stage.
She can be played either in her Bayonetta 1 or 2 outfit.
In both versions, her series stage is Umbra Clock Tower, based on Bayonetta. Music remixes made for this game include Bayonetta - Theme of Bayonetta - Mysterious Destiny (Instrumental) and Bayonetta 2 - Tomorrow is Mine (Bayonetta 2 Theme) (Instrumental). [Source]
All of these characters also appear in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, as well as their stages (with the exception of Pac-Man's 3DS stage).
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Dairantou Smash Brothers Special
(Nintendo Switch, 2018, Sora Inc / Bandai Namco / Nintendo)
Simon Belmont & Richter Belmont
from Castlevania / Akumajō Dracula (Simon) - NES, 1986, Konami
& Castlevania: Rondo of Blood / Akumajou Dracula: Chi no Rondo (Richter) - Turbo CD / PC Engine CD, 1993, Konami
How to Unlock / Notes:
To unlock Simon, either clear Classic Mode as the Ice Climbers after unlocking them, recruit him in the World of Light mode, or actively play the game and quit a game mode to be challenged by a hidden character in a set order- Simon is the 18th character unlocked this way.
To unlock Richter, either clear Classic Mode as Young Link after unlocking him, recruit him in the World of Light mode, or actively play the game and quit a game mode to be challenged by a hidden character in a set order- Richter is the 35th character unlocked this way.
Richter is Simon's Echo Fighter, a clone with the same moveset but very slight differences such as unique taunts and victory animations, and the flame from his Holy Water attack is blue instead of red.
Their series stage is Dracula's Castle, based on Castlevania. Music remixes made for this game include Castlevania - Vampire Killer, Castlevania - Stalker ~ Wicked Child, Castlevania - Out of Time, Castlevania II: Simon's Quest - Bloody Tears ~ Monster Dance, Haunted Castle - Cross Your Heart, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse - Beginning, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse - Aquarius, Castlevania: Rondo of Blood - Divine Bloodlines, Castlevania: Bloodlines - Iron-Blue Intention, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - Dance of Gold, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - Lost Painting, Castlevania: Circle of the Moon - Awake and Castlevania: Lament of Innocence - Lament of Innocence. [Source]
Ken Masters
from Street Fighter - Arcade, 1987, Capcom
How to Unlock / Notes:
Either clear Classic Mode as Chrom after unlocking him, recruit him in the World of Light mode, or actively play the game and quit a game mode to be challenged by a hidden character in a set order- Ken is the 57th character unlocked this way.
He is Ryu's Echo Fighter, a clone with the same moveset but with differences similar to the differences between them in the Street Fighter games- he has his Nata Otoshi Geri, Oosoto Mawashi Geri and Inazuma Kick command moves and his Final Smashes are his Shippu Kinraikyaku (close) and Shinryuken (far), as a few examples.
He shares the Suzaku Castle stage with Ryu. [Source]
Joker
from Persona 5 - Playstation 3 / Playstation 4, 2017, Atlus
How to Unlock / Notes:
DLC character, purchasable, with a selection of Persona-related Spirits, songs and a stage.
He can be played either in his Phantom Thief or Student outfit.
Winning the match with his Final Smash leads to a unique Victory screen based on the battle victory sequence from Persona 5.
His series stage is Mementos, based on Persona 5. Music remixes made for this game include Revelations: Persona - Aria of the Soul, Persona 4 - I'll Face Myself and Persona 5 - Beneath the Mask.
Hero (Arusu / Erdrick / Loto, Solo, Eight, Eleven)
from Dragon Warrior III / Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation (Aurus / Erdrick / Loto) - NES, 1988 / 1992, Chunsoft / Enix
Dragon Warrior IV / Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen (Solo) - NES, 1990 / 1992, Chunsoft / Enix
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (Eight) - Playstation 2, 2004 / 2005 / 2006, Level-5 / Square-Enix
& Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age (Eleven) - Playstation 4 / Nintendo Switch, 2017 / 2018 / 2019, Square-Enix
How to Unlock / Notes:
DLC character, purchasable, with a selection of Dragon Quest-related Spirits, songs and a stage.
Eleven is the default costume, and his alternate costumes are Arusu / Erdrick / Loto, Solo and Eight, each with one alternate colour. They all play identically but have unique voice actors.
Their series stage is Yggdrasil's Altar, based on Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age with characters such as Slimes and Mimics appearing on the platform. Due to rights issues, this stage has no unique music remixes, most are taken from Theatrhythm: Dragon Quest or the sequenced version of the Dragon Quest XI soundtrack.
Banjo & Kazooie
from Banjo-Kazooie - Nintendo 64, 1998, Rare
How to Unlock / Notes:
DLC character, purchasable, with a selection of Banjo-Kazooie-related Spirits, songs and a stage.
Their series stage is Spiral Mountain, based on Banjo-Kazooie with characters from the series appearing in the background. Music remixes made for this game include Banjo-Kazooie - Main Theme, Banjo-Kazooie - Spiral Mountain (arranged by original series composer Grant Kirkhope), Banjo-Kazooie - Mumbo's Mountain, Banjo-Kazooie - Treasure Trove Cove, Banjo-Kazooie - Gobi's Desert, Banjo-Kazooie - Mad Monster Mansion and Banjo-Tooie - Vs. Klungo.
Terry Bogard
from Fatal Fury: King of Fighters / Garou Densetsu: Shukumei no Tatakai - Neo Geo, 1991, SNK
How to Unlock / Notes:
DLC character, purchasable, with a selection of SNK-related Spirits, songs and a stage.
His series stage is King of Fighters Stadium, based on The King of Fighters with guests from Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters appearing at random and sometimes based on music choices. As well as the Fatal Fury series, music for his stage comes from The King of Fighters, Alpha Mission, Athena, Psycho Soldier, Art of Fighting, Samurai Shodown and Metal Slug. Music remixes made for this game include Fatal Fury - Haremar Faith Capoeira School - Song of the Fight (Believers Will Be Saved), Fatal Fury 2 - Kurikinton, Fatal Fury 2 - Pasta, Fatal Fury 2 - Tarkun and Kitapy, Fatal Fury 2 - Let's Go to Seoul!, Fatal Fury 2 - The London March, Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition - 11th Street, The King of Fighters '96 - Stormy Saxophone 2, Alpha Mission - Theme of SYD, Athena - Forest World, Psycho Soldier - Psycho Soldier Theme, Psycho Solder - Psycho Soldier Theme (Overseas Version), Art of Fighting - ART of FIGHT, Samurai Shodown - Banquet of Nature, Samurai Shodown - Gaia, Metal Slug - Main Theme of Metal Slug and Metal Slug - Assault Theme.
Steve, Alex, Zombie & Enderman
from Minecraft - PC and every console since basically, 2011, Mojang
How to Unlock / Notes:
DLC character, purchasable, with a selection of Minecraft-related Spirits, songs and a stage.
Steve is the default costume, and his alternate costumes are Alex, Zombie & Enderman, with Steve and Alex each getting two alternate colours each. They all play identically.
Their series stage is Minecraft World, based on several different Minecraft biomes, with characters from the game appearing at set times and sometimes based on biome used. Music remixes made for this game include Minecraft - Toys on a Tear, Minecraft - Dance of the Blocks, Minecraft - Glide, Minecraft Dungeons - The Arch-Illager, Minecraft Dungeons - Halland / Dalarna and Minecraft Earth - Earth.
Sephiroth
from Final Fantasy VII - Playstation, 1997, SquareSoft
How to Unlock / Notes:
DLC character, purchasable, with a selection of Final Fantasy-related Spirits, songs and a stage.
He can be played either in his normal costume or a shirtless version as seen at the end of Final Fantasy VII.
His series stage is Northern Crater, based on Final Fantasy VII. Music remixes made for this game include Final Fantasy VII - Opening - Bombing Mission, Final Fantasy VII - Aerith's Theme, Final Fantasy VII - Main Theme of Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VII - Cosmo Canyon. These songs can also be used in the other Final Fantasy VII stage, Midgar.
Kazuya Mishima
from Tekken - Arcade, 1994, Namco
How to Unlock / Notes:
DLC character, purchasable, with a selection of Tekken-related Spirits, songs and a stage.
He can be played either in his normal costume or with his jacket from Tekken 2.
He has no Victory theme, instead using the Tekken 7 announcer.
His series stage is Mishima Dojo, based on Tekken 7 with Heihachi Mishima in the background who reacts to the fight. Music remixes made for this game include Tekken 2 - Kazuya Mishima, Devil Kazuya, Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion - Dist Thins Out, Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion - Karma, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 - Landscape Under the Ghost-Kaminano, Tekken 7 - Dojo (Japanese-Style Mix), Tekken 7 - Moonsiders 1st, Tekken 7 - Desperate Struggle and Tekken 7 - Aloneness.
Sora
from Kingdom Hearts - Playstation 2, 2002, SquareSoft
How to Unlock / Notes:
DLC character, purchasable, with a selection of Kingdom Hearts-related Spirits, songs and a stage.
He can be played in his appearance from Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts II, Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, Kingdom Hearts III and his Timeless River appearance from Kingdom Hearts II.
His series stage is Hollow Bastion, based on the first Kingdom Hearts and incorporates Dive to the Heart when time or stock runs low. There are no new music remixes made for this game beyond the Victory theme, a remix of Hand in Hand by Yoko Shimomura.
Punch-Out!!
(Wii, 2009, Next Level Games / Nintendo)
Donkey Kong
from Donkey Kong - Arcade, 1981, Ikegami Tsushinki / Nintendo
How to Unlock / Notes:
After beating Career and Title Defense, you will unlock Mac's Last Stand mode, and you will eventually fight Donkey Kong.
Beat him in this mode and you unlock him as a selectable opponent in Exhibition Mode. [Source]
Samurai Warriors 3
Sengoku Musou 3
(Wii, 2009, Omega Force / Koei Tecmo Games)
Takamaru
from The Mysterious Murasame Castle / Nazo no Murasamejō - Famicom Disk System, 1986, Nintendo EAD
How to Unlock / Notes:
Takamaru is initially only playable in the Murasame Castle Mode and you can select him in missions from the third stage onwards.
After finding 13 Tanuki Statues in this mode, you unlock a series of bonus missions where you play as Takamaru.
After finding 33 Tanuki Statues in this mode, Takamaru becomes playable in Free Play mode. [Source] [Screen Source] [Guide to Tanuki Statues]
All of these features were completely removed from the later Playstation 3 and Playstation Portable versions, for obvious reasons.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash-Up
(Wii, 2009, Game Arts)
Rabbid, Splinter Rabbid & Ninja Rabbid
from Rayman Raving Rabbids - Wii, 2006, Ubisoft Montpellier
How to Unlock / Notes:
Wii Version only!
Finish 90 battles in Vs. Mode to unlock Splinter Rabbid, a Rabbid with Sam Fisher's sneaking gear from Splinter Cell.
Finish 120 battles in Vs. Mode to unlock Rabbid.
On the Bonus Content menu, press Up, Up, Down, Down, Down, Right, Up, Left, Right and Left to unlock Ninja Rabbid, a Rabbid wearing a Turtles costume, plus the Underground stage. [Source]
Advance to 2010-2014!
Obviously, we can't take credit for spotting all these. So credits for powerful readers go here!
Itallics means they gave us info, Bold means they gave a screenshot, Both means they gave both.
davZZGndm: Rondo of Swords / Rondo of Deception
HokutoNoShock: Puzzle Bobble 3, Elevator Action Deluxe
>inobscurity: Windy x Windam, Gunbird 2
Motherplayer: Boombots
Scrollboss: Ultra Street Fighter IV
Kimimi: Lost Planet 2, Mitsumete Knight
Liam Ashcroft: Virtua Striker 2003, Sonic Riders, Le Mans 24
Kroogah: Super Meat Boy, Spelunky
Jake: Fighter Maker, Monster Maulers, Battle Garegga, Giant Gram: All Japan Pro Wrestling 2, Super Fire Pro Wrestling X Premium, Last Legion UX, Xevious 3D/G+, Fever S.O.S.
Ragey: Battle Tryst
LanceBoyle94: Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, SKATE 3, Fight Night Round 2, International Track & Field 2000, Smash Court Tennis Pro Tournament 2, MotoGP, MotoGP 3, Urban Reign, Evolution Skateboarding, MLB Slugfest 20-04, Hot Shots Golf Fore!, NBA Street V3, SSX On Tour, Arkanoid DS, Renegade Ops
Matt: Motor Mayhem, Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy, Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict, Mario Kart 8, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Crush Crush
mi-com: Last Legion UX
A. Calder: Kirby's Dream Land, Alleyway, Sonic 3D Blast, GORF, Bubble Bobble, Nemesis, Nemesis II, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, The Legend of Zelda
GoldS: Plump Pop, Extermination
Steven W. Hunt: NFL Blitz
Flapjack Rabbit: Nano Breaker
The Opponent: Bombergirl, Mahjong Fight Girl
Know any we've missed? Got screenshots for some we're missing 'em for?
Fire up your email account, type in themetalslug at gmail dot com and shout words at me to get it right!
Sigh.
