Video Game Crossovers and Spin-Offs You Had No Idea Were Canon
Skies of Arcadia and Valkyria Chronicles
Like many titles which appeared in the Twilight years of the Sega Dreamcast’s lifespan, Skies of Arcadia was highly revered by those who played it, but couldn’t sell enough to change it or the console’s fate. For many years, it faded from the public view and failed to see a sequel, only receiving minor cameos in party games and the like.
However, this changed with the release of Valkyria Chronicles, a strategy RPG developed by the same team. In it, three of the main characters from Skies of Arcadia – Vyse, Zika and Fina specifically – make an appearance in the game, the first two as recruitable soldiers and the last as one of many identical medics that save downed soldiers from peril. Better still, they receive small bits of backstory for how they got there and where they go at the game’s inclusion for those willing to look.
Following their own adventures, the two recruitable characters found themselves drawn into the cause of Gallia’s resistance, helping to liberate them from the clutches of the empire.
After its conclusion, they set off back toward the skies of their homeland, and even bring along other members of the game’s roster with them as new crewmates. It’s not the kind of earth-shattering canon crossover that some other series boast, but it is a nice one all the same, ensuring that these lovable characters continued on their journey even after the world of video games left them behind.
If any crazy instances of canon gaming crossovers come to mind, mention them in the comments below. For more great lists about the industry and its creativity, check out our breakdown of some of the most creative box art of this console generation.
