Some More Cartoon Crazes In Gaming In August And September 2023

You can either go old school with the Atari 2600+ this November…or continue to make the most of the new age and merge with audio from a PlayStation 5 game with the new PULSE Elite wireless headset or PULSE Explore wireless earbuds [26] [43]. You can feel inspired with a new customised Xbox controller…or see if the simpler moments from about a decade ago still hold up [6] [7] [8] [73]. You can relish in remarkably rendered realism...or cherish some cartoonish craziness [66] [67] [68]. Previously, we have discussed the potential of a recent event in Fall Guys marketing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Madness, The Happy Tree Friends edition of The Crackpet Show and the second Drizzle Season of Splatoon 3 [66]. Shortly afterwards, there have been some more cartoon crazes in gaming worth discussing. Moreover, consider yet another discussion with you “Part 2”, quite like a film based on the final book of a best-selling series of books being split into two parts [23] [24] [61] [62] [63] [64]. Valuing the artistic value of cartoony art styles in modern gaming, let us list a few more recent cartoon crazes that were revealed just after my previous listing, along with one that will be a huge highlight towards the end of September. 

Am I the only one sensing a Barbenheimer vibe when seeing this colour palette before the lovely pink and purple one [72] [73]? Despite that, I do not intend any disrespect towards those in Japan who were offended by the meme seeming inconsiderate towards those affected by the historical events Oppenheimer is based on when mentioning it [3] [60] [72]. As we continue to be mindful of when exactly to express creative humour in appropriate areas and when to take action to prevent conflict whilst refraining from outdated anti-Japanese propaganda and so on [9] [59], let us discuss the potential of some more recent cartoonish enlightenments in gaming. [73]

During the launches of the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 ports of Smurfs Kart and the PlayStation 5 and Xbox X|S ports of No Place Like Home [33] [44], yet another crossover in Fall Guys began [17] [21]. This time, the new set of costumes is based on the Warriors of Light from Final Fantasy XIV as they were announced a month ago [16] [20]. More crossovers that occurred throughout the seasons include:

•       Pusheen [15]

•       Disney’s The Jungle Book [18]

•       SpongeBob SquarePants [12]

•       Disney’s Enchanto [13]

•       Godzilla [14]

I am sorry, but some of these crossovers seem bizarrely random to me. As cool and quirky as our jellybean-shaped friends are in their cosplay outfits [66], there ought to be more focus on new challenges and courses to bring the game’s originality back into the spotlight, even though there is a possibility of new courses being altered versions of old course in designs based on new and rather ironic crossovers, much like the one in the wild Disney’s The Jungle Book event two years ago [18]. I am aware that the visuals in Final Fantasy XIV are not really cartoony [55] [56], but considering how vibrant the graphics and loony the animations and character designs are in Fall Guys [12] [13] [14] [15] [18] [66], I am technically counting yet another collaboration in the game as another cartoony craze [17] [22].

A little treat during the wait for Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail, the fifth expansion pack for Final Fantasy XIV that is set to be released in Summer 2024 [19] [55]. But as previously stated, Fall Guys could receive some flak for overreliance on crossovers to maintain relevance [66], which can also apply to several DLC packs for Minecraft [67] [68]. Nonetheless, at least there can still be some fun during the gameplay. Speaking of Minecraft… [17]

And now, for another crossover! Just like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [67] [68], several Disney stars have been featured in Minecraft this year [35], including:

•       Snow White from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs [35]
•       Aladdin from the film with the same name [35]
•       Ariel from The Little Mermaid [35]
•       Alice from Alice in Wonderland [35]
•       Belle from Beauty and the Beast [35]
•       Simba from The Lion King [35]

This is not the first time Disney has been officially associated with Minecraft as plenty of Disney devotees and Minecrafters may recall, the promotional collaboration with Frozen II back in November 2019 [34], along with the DLC in honour of the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World back in November 2021 [36]. All six worlds each star and their co-stars come from are adaptions into the iconic Minecraft style for Minecrafters who also consider themselves Disney devotees to re-enact scenes from beloved animated classics in or retell the stories in their own ways [36]. Aside from the run of LEGO Disney Princess: The Castle Quest enchanting some younger viewers [11], despite how the LEGO Friends series received criticism for its potentially stereotypical uses of tints of pink and purple and such for a young female audience [58], both Minecrafters and Disney devotees can consider a new collaboration a dream come true beyond Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida [28] [35].

Come and craft and mine 

After the release
Of a new update,
So let’s appreciate
Every masterpiece [10]. [35]

Speaking of Disney, another animated trailer for Marvel Snap is all fired up for the announcement of the game’s PC port [31]. It starts with Ghost Rider in a duel with Deadpool. The most bewildering thing about it is that whenever a battler touches a glowing cube, their art style drastically shifts until there is one that fits their traits, starting with Deadpool’s art style becoming like a character from Cuphead [57]. Squirrel Girl’s anime girl form is absolutely amazing as a vague reference to the Sailor Moon franchise [31] [37]. Aside from the rapid changes in art styles that are a reminder of the ident starring The Powerpuff Girlsfrom last year [29], the animation in the announcement trailer for the PC port of Marvel Snapis dynamic and jammed-packed with action [31]. The animation team for the game’s marketing previously bewitched admirers of animation with a cinematic in December 2022 that can be considered a short music video starring many Marvel stars [32]. Surely, there must have been some inspiration from Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse and Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse in terms of merging different art styles together in an exceptional way [53] [54]. Even though Marvel Snap is not every Marvel fan’s cup of tea [25] [45], the new announcement trailer starring Deadpool, Ghost Rider and Squirrel Girl is remarkably animated [31].

“Deadpool here, at it again to break a certain wall! I didn’t want to ruin this surprise for my little Laurapop and her dear reader when she was working on her previous listicle [31] [66]! I think she’s overworking herself a little this week though. I’ll give her a little shoulder massage after you’re done reading THIS listicle [69], which is yet another ambitious crossover like Avengers: Infinity War [1] [66]. I should know because I was competing against them in terms of marketing with Deadpool 2 [30]. Looks like I won’t possibly be marked as spam this time [66]! Excellent work on this two-parter, Laura! And thanks for featuring me in both Part 1 AND Part 2! I’ll see you in the PC port of Marvel Snaps, reader!” [31]

Much obliged, Deadpool. And speaking of confident male characters who debuted in 1991 [69], the third and final update for Sonic Frontiers is fittingly titled “The Final Horizon” [51]. Both the update and a new trailer for Sonic Superstars were revealed during this year’s Gamescom live showcase the announcement trailer for the PC port of Marvel Snap, the overview of the rebooted version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and so on [22]. With a new story featuring Miles “Tails” Prower, Knuckles the Echidna and Amy Rose as playable characters that is most likely to be a midquel [49] [51], the third update must be the biggest one, making it the sprinkles on the cake aside from the previous update in honour of the blue blur’s birthday being the icing [70] [71]. There might as well be some further exploration for Sage who has been considered like a daughter to Dr. Eggman [49]. Aside from a multiplayer mode, an online battle mode and some more aspects of a new side-scroller adventure revealed for Sonic Superstars before its release this October [52], the final horizon shall reveal some other sides of the story near the end of this September after the releases of Sea of Stars and Chants of Sennaar [38] [39] [51]. 

I wish to not be associated with a fandom that is like Bullworth Academy from Bully with a hint of TMZ anymore [46] [47] [48] [65], but any of my resentment will not apply to all the Sonic supporters who are rational and respectful, even on X [72]. Moreover, the LEGO Sonic cred continues its credibility with life-sized Sonic and Dr. Eggman sculptures made of LEGO pieces on display [50]. [51]

There has been so much to talk about this month in terms of gaming, including the Atari 2600+ that is set to be released this November, providing full compatibility with all those games for the original Atari 2600 and Atari 7800 games [26], which is almost legendary. Even during tough times in real life, inspiration and motivation can keep flourishing like a field of fertilized flowers as there are $500,000 dollars for a series of mini-episodes alongside the first season of Lackadaisy [5], the Bratz dolls based on Kylie Jenner are available to pre-order and the sixth episode of the second season of Helluva Boss is soon to be summoned [2] [4] [27]. Even more interactive adventures to look forward to later this year include a magical alternative to Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing: New Horizons known as “Fae Farm”, Jumanji: Wild Adventures, Sonic Superstars and Alaskan Road Truckers - Life on the Road [40] [41] [42] [52]. In the meantime, our Fall Guys are currently cosplaying as the Warriors of Light and the Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles [17] [21] [66], our Minecrafters and Disney devotees shall retell or reimagine timeless Disney classics in Minecraft [35], Marvel Snap is now available on PC and the story in Sonic Frontiers will be expanded [31] [51].

Phew! That was quite a lot to take in! Which adventure will you go on, fellow player? As always, it is all up to you! [26]

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