Shack Chat: What kind of video game spinoff would you like to see?

On this week's Shack Chat, we take a look at our favorite franchises and talk about the spinoff games we'd like to see come out of them.

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When a video game franchise gets gray in the beard, or is just popular enough to warrant it, it’s not strange to see that franchise take on a new direction in a spinoff. Take Minecraft for instance. It is most certainly one of the most popular games in the world as simply a sandbox explorer, builder, and action-adventure game. That hasn’t kept it from being adapted into all sorts of other things like Telltale’s Minecraft: Story Mode, the mobile AR game Minecraft Earth, or the recently released Diablo-like dungeon crawler, Minecraft Dungeons.

With that in mind, our newest Shack Chat asks what our staff and fans what you would like to see out of your favorite franchise? What kind of spinoff would you be most interested in? Is there a direction you wish your favorite game would take, if just a temporary one? Here’s what we had to say about the matter among the Shacknews team.

Question: What kind of video game spinoff would you like to see?


F-Zero: Captain Falcon Brawler - Asif Khan, Best in the universe

The Super Smash Bros. series has brainwashed a lot of players into thinking that Captain Falcon is a bare-knuckled brawler, so I guess it is time for the Big N to lean into that with a big old Falcon Punch of a video game.

A side-scrolling Captain Falcon brawler featuring all of the characters from the F-Zero universe would be pretty awesome. The classic beat-em-up Streets of Rage 4 recently released to rave reviews, and, hell, maybe if this hypothetical game was a success it could convince Nintendo to make an actual F-Zero racing game again. A man can dream, a man can dream.


Mortal Kombat: The Sub-Zero/Scorpion Beat 'Em Up - Ozzie Mejia, Senior Editor

I racked my brain really hard to think of a spin-off that I really wanted to see. Coming fresh off my time with Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath, it made me think about one of my favorite dynamics throughout the modern MK games and that's the comradery that developed between Sub-Zero and Scorpion. After Sub-Zero denounced the dishonorable methods of his brother and former Sub-Zero-turned-Noob-Saibot, Bi-Han, and Scorpion turned on Quan Chi, the two have practically become the best of friends, right up until (slight spoiler alert for MK11's main Story Mode) Scorpion's death.

Everything is subject to change, especially given Aftermath's ending, but as of right now, the modern day Sub-Zero now lives on alongside Scorpion's past counterpart. Their continued adventures as they develop their respective clans is a story I'd love to see, especially if Quan Chi were to somehow rise again and give them something to fight against. It's been 15 years since we've seen something in the vein of Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks and who better to bring the MK beat 'em up back than two of the franchise's most popular characters?

Also, give poor Sub-Zero a chance to atone for the ill-fated Mortal Kombat Mythologies. Please.


Pac-Man Dating Sim - Blake Morse, Reviews Editor

We’ve seen Pac-Man and his crew tackle just about every gaming genre imaginable throughout the years. From his initial 2D maze runner beginnings to 3D adventures, pinball-hybrids, and beyond. The Pac-Fam has just about done it all, but why not a game where you can date and, dare I say it, seduce Pac-Man or Ms. Pac-Man? Heck, why not try and date one of the ghosts without eating eachother? The franchise just celebrated its 40th anniversary, but it can still bust out some new moves and find true love once and for all. Also, I’m just really curious (just for scientific reasons) how beings that are essentially nothing more than giant yellow mouths would procreate. The world needs a Pac-Man dating sim now more than ever.


Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!!: The Visual Novel Dating Sim - Chris Jarrard, Minor Circuit Champ

Everyone loves the iconic arcade boxing game that remains one of the crown jewels of the NES library. Now experience the action and drama in a whole new way as Little Mac and the other pugilists are sent back to high school to form cliques, earn a degree, and possibly find true love.

Imagine the intrigue as Little Mac gets cornered in the boys bathroom by Piston Honda, Bald Bull, and Great Tiger as they tease him about the crush he has on Don Flamenco! Join the crew in the cafeteria with meals served by head lunch lady King Hippo. See the competitive spirit unleashed in gym class taught by Coach Mr. Sandman. The possibilities are endless. You’ve loved these characters for over 30 years — now watch them love each other!


Cuno, Disco Elysium - Sam Chandler, Guides Editor

Disco Elysium is one of the greatest RPGs of all time. It is, hands down, one of the greatest games, period. The unique and believable characters in the game bring the entire experience to life, and one person you always seem to return to is Cuno.

This cheeky little bastard gives you a whole lot of trouble early on in the game. Depending on your playthrough and choices, how Cuno’s character evolves is going to be drastically different. One path actually leads to Cuno becoming your sidekick and potentially recruiting him into the Revachol Citizens Militia.

I want, nay, I need a Kuuno de Ruyter spinoff where Cuno goes through the work to become a fully-fledged detective much like the protagonist. I need to experience Martinaise through the perspective of this fiery character. Preferably before the pale annihilates the world as we know it. APOCALYPSE COP, BABY.

If you haven’t done so already, definitely get your hands on Disco Elysium, and also read our Disco Elysium review.


Pokemon Sports - Donovan Erskine, Not an intern