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The Time is Right for the Disney Fighting Game We Deserve

Do we need Disney fighting game? You bet we do, and we're about to list all of the reasons why this is a no-brainer. It makes perfect sense.

December 21, 2018

The release of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has taken over the world of video games. It’s an absolute love letter to video games, and features characters from all corners of the industry. Playing Smash has been an absolute delight, in no small part to the sheer amount of content featured. It’s a great game by itself, both as an esports-level fighting game and a more casual party game; there’s no doubt about it. But what’s featured within the game is what really pushes it over the edge.

However, playing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has led to one thought popping in my head. A thought that I can’t just shake. We need a damn Disney fighting game. It’s the game we may not need, but it’s the game we deserve.

A Roster Like No Other

A lot has praise has been thrown at the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate roster, and with good reason. With 74 fighters in the base game (and more on their way), Ultimate truly has a roster like no other fighting game. But want to know what could beat it? A Disney fighting game.

Few companies have as recognizable (and stacked) stable of properties as Disney. Heck, Nintendo is one of the only companies that really rivals Disney in terms of iconic characters. And lest we forget, Disney is more than Mickey Mouse, Ariel, and Buzz Lightyear. The House of Mouse also has the juggernauts that are Marvel and Star Wars in its corner too. Add in enduring entertainment properties like The Muppets and Indiana Jones, plus the numerous television shows Disney’s had its hands in, and you’ve got more than enough content to pull from.

Imagine this group of characters, but fighting.

Other games, namely PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, attempted to put its own twist on Super Smash Bros. with its own video game mascot fighter. While that game had its own merits, its roster was generally lacking, even if it did feature the delightful Parappa. (Though, come to think of it, a PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale now could actually be pretty compelling.)

Just think of this example starting roster:

Mickey Mouse
Minnie Mouse
Captain America
Iron Man
Rapunzel
Luke Skywalker
Darth Vader

And that’s just to start. Add more characters like Spider-Man, Rey, Mulan, Elsa, and even more obscure ones like Figment and Moon Girl, and you’ve got a roster for the ages.

Yes, Sora will be in this. But he’ll be DLC, obviously.

Disney has arguably the strongest stable of characters out there. They’ve transcended the worlds of film, television, theme parks, and more. So why not throw them into a fighting game?

Think of the Locations!

Yes, any good fighting game lives and dies by its roster. But while the people taking part in the fights are important, where these fights take place can be equally as important. And boy oh boy, the potential for stages is through the roof. Sometimes the locations of Disney are just as iconic as the characters themselves.

You bet your butt the Death Star’s gonna be in this.

From the neon grid of Tron, to Elsa’s frozen castle, there are no shortages of locations to mine from. You can even incorporate features from the iconic Disney theme parks featured all over the world. How awesome would it be for Black Panther and Jack Sparrow to face off inside of Andy’s bedroom, or for Merida and Stitch to battle in Atlantica? I don’t know about you, but I’m seeing the money print as we speak.

There’s a reason the Kingdom Hearts series popped off so quickly. While the crossover of various popular Disney characters in itself is an appeal, the faithful recreations of these characters’ worlds is what pushed it over the edge. A similar thing could happen with the Disney fighting game we need in our lives. I don’t know about you, but a fight in The Muppet Theater, or onboard the Black Pearl, is something I need in my life immediately.

Does it Make Sense? Of Course it Does!

Now, I can already see the objections being raised about this game. Mainly, that Disney characters have no place in a fighting game. To that, I raise you the whole basis for this dumb idea: Super Smash Bros. A fighting game that’s decidedly not violent, and does not feature brutal slayings of opponents. Remember, the goal of Smash is to knock your opponents off-screen, not killing them. A similar tactic can be used here. Even though it does feature M-rated series like Bayonetta and Castlevania, Super Smash Bros. always maintains a fun and family-friendly atmosphere.

A Disney racing game’s already been done; let’s try something new.

In addition, we already have characters like Isabelle and Villager, and to some extent, Peach and Ice Climbers, who aren’t exactly known for their fighting skills. We already have Mickey Mouse whopping bad guys in Kingdom Hearts, and that’s a series that will is darker than this game will ever get.

While it has become an esports mainstay, a game like this isn’t really aimed at the hardcore fighting audience. There’s no specific button combos or inputs to memorize. That’s what a game like this Disney fighting game would be all about. No, Cinderella’s not exactly known for her prowess in combat. But, like Peach, she can surely defend herself when necessary, utilizing various slaps and kicks to get her way. And with those glass slippers? Cindy’s a killer.

It’s What We Need

In terms of Disney crossover games, a fighting game may not be on the top of everyone’s minds. A Mario Party-esque game, or even a kart racer, would surely make more sense than this. But if we’re doing this, we might as well go all the way. Disney Infinity already showed that these diverse characters could already fit together in a cohesive way, so why not run with it?

Sure, Disney’s not exactly in the business of making games anymore. But it’s certainly in the licensing business, that’s for sure. And with Disney taking the Marvel brand to outside companies like Crystal Dynamics, Insomniac and Koei Tecmo, there’s no shortage of developers it could bring this idea to.

Say all you want about the plausibilities as this project, but what I do know is that Disney loves money. And this will surely make the most money. So give the world what it needs. Give us the damn Disney fighting game.