Guest Characters - A NEW WARRIOR HAS ENTERED THE RING!

TRUE BEHIND-THE-SCENES TRIVIA - I thought I could get away with not having captions on this page. A Twitter follower spotted their absence right away. LOOKS LIKE I'M RESIGNED TO MY DESTINY (jus' kiddin', we've put these here just for you lovely readers <3)

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 (this page), 2006-2009, 2010-2014 and 2015-Present.
Click the links to skip around!

Super Bust-a-Move
Super Puzzle Bobble
(Playstation 2 / Gamecube / Game Boy Advance / PC, 2000, Taito)

Catch / Catch-kun
from Taito's Catch the Heart ad campaign - As seen on this web archive version of their site

How to Unlock / Notes:
Catch / Catch-kun is available from the start.
Scoring high enough chain reactions will cause him to say 'RC de GO!' and 'DENSHA de GO!', both names of Taito games.
He also appears in Super Bust-a-Move 2.

Tech Romancer
Choukousenki Kikaioh
(Dreamcast, 2000, Capcom)

Jin Saotome & Variant Armor Blodia II
from Cyberbots: Fullmetal Madness - Arcade, 1994, Capcom

How to Unlock / Notes:
Earn 50000G from the VMU Mini Games available in the Tatsumi Techno Dome, then buy him. [Source]
One of his special moves has him throwing the Super 8 at his opponent, Devilotte's VA from Cyberbots.

MotoGP
(Playstation 2, 2000, Namco)
Info and screenshots provided by LanceBoyle94 - thank you!

Klonoa
from Klonoa: Door to Phantomile / Kaze no Klonoa - PS1, 1998, Namco

How to Unlock / Notes:
Complete Challenge 22.

MotoGP 3
(Playstation 2, 2003, Namco)
Info and screenshots provided by LanceBoyle94 - thank you!

Susumu Hori
from Mr. Driller - Arcade, 1999, Namco

How to Unlock / Notes:
Japanese / European versions only!
Complete Challenge 1.

Jack Slate
from Dead to Rights - Playstation 2 / Xbox / Gamecube, 2002, Namco

How to Unlock / Notes:
Complete Challenge 62 (European / Japanese versions) / Challenge 1 (US version).

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
Akumajou Dracula: Circle of the Moon
(Game Boy Advance, 2001, KCEK / Konami)

beartank make boom

Beartank
from Rakuga Kids - Nintendo 64, 1998, KCEK / Konami

How to Unlock / Notes:
Using a DSS Card combination of Pluto and Black Dog with the Bear Ring equipped (a rare drop from a Skeleton Medalist in the Sealed Room) will turn Nathan into Beartank instead of a Skeleton like it normally does. [Item Source] [Method Source]
Beartank can double-jump and fire an angled missile, but will die in one hit!

Mad Dash Racing
(Xbox, 2001, Crystal Dynamics)

?

... OK, I tried to get this one legitimately and I couldn't. The task was too miserable. This game sucks. There's also no complete save files for it anywhere online and no cheats. If anyone wants to take the shots for this one and send them to me, please do, you will be doing me a solid.

?

... OK, I tried to get this one legitimately and I couldn't. The task was too miserable. This game sucks. There's also no complete save files for it anywhere online and no cheats. If anyone wants to take the shots for this one and send them to me, please do, you will be doing me a solid.

Gex
from Gex - 3DO, 1994, Crystal Dynamics

How to Unlock / Notes:
Beat the game with all three main characters (Sid, Zero-G, and Chops), complete all Time, Stunt and Cash Trials, perform 10 attacks on each level, and get all the Medals. While there is a cheat code to unlock all characters listed across the internet, it does not appear to work.
[Source]

Motor Mayhem: Vehicular Combat League
(Playstation 2, 2001, Beyond Games)
Info provided by Matt - thank you!

Grok, Volcana & Buzzsaw
from Ultra Vortek - Jaguar, 1995, Beyond Games

How to Unlock / Notes:
Grok and Volcano are available from the start.
To unlock Buzzsaw, become the champion in all three Vehicular Combat Leagues. [Source]

Virtua Striker 3
Virtua Striker 2 Ver. 2002
(Arcade / Gamecube, 2001 / 2002, Amusement Vision)
Screenshots provided by Liam Ashcroft - thank you!

Sonic, Dr. Eggman, Tails, Amy, Knuckles, Chao, Hero Chao and Dark Chao
from Sonic the Hedgehog - (Sonic & Dr. Eggman) - Mega Drive, 1991, Sonic Team
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Tails) - Mega Drive, 1992, Sonic Team
Sonic the Hedgehog CD (Amy) - Mega CD, 1994, Sonic Team
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Knuckles) - Mega Drive, 1993, Sonic Team
Sonic Adventure (Chao) - Dreamcast, 1998, Sonic Team
& Sonic Adventure 2 (Hero Chao & Dark Chao) - Dreamcast, 2001, Sonic Team

How to Unlock / Notes:
To play against FC Sonic in the arcade version, on the congratulations screen after defeating the final team, press Short Pass three times, Shoot once, then Short Pass once. FC Sonic will replace FC Sega as your final opponent.
To play as FC Sonic in the arcade version, on the Team Select team, press the Start button once while the cursor is over Sweden, Morocco, Denmark, Spain and France, in that order. FC Sonic's team icon will appear if the code is successful. [Source]
To play against and play as FC Sonic in the Gamecube port (also known as Virtua Striker 2002 and Virtua Striker 3 Ver. 2002), play in Ranking Mode and accumulate 20 points. FC Sonic will challenge you, and they are unlocked after you defeat them. [Source]
The team's manager is, of course, Sonic Team former Sonic Team president and insider trader Yuji Naka.

Vantage Master Online
(PC, 2002, Nihon Falcom)
oh my god you don't even know how much of a paaaaaaain in the aaaaaaass it was to get these pictures. and they're not even the full-sized oens.

oh my god you don't even know how much of a paaaaaaain in the aaaaaaass it was to get these pictures. and they're not even the full-sized oens.

Adol, Leah & Feena, Ares, Dela, Clare, Mail, Gau & Jurio & Chris
from Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished (Adol and Leah & Feena) - PC-8801, 1987, Nihon Falcom
Brandish (Ares and Dela) - PC-9801/FM Towns, 1991, Nihon Falcom
Brandish VT (Clare) - PC-9801, 1996, Nihon Falcom
Popful Mail: Magical Fantasy Adventure (Mail and Gau) - PC-9801, 1991, Nihon Falcom
& The Legend of Heroes III: White Witch (Jurio & Chris) - PC-9801, 1994, Nihon Falcom)

How to Unlock / Notes:
All of these characters are available from the start in Free Battle mode.
Click their names directly under the rotating GIF to see their individual screens.
(Vantage Master Online's translation isn't great- it spells Jurio's name as Julio and Dela's name as Dora!)

Matrimelee
Shin Gouketsuji Ichizoku Toukon
(Neo Geo, 2002, Noise Factory)

GET HYPE FOR POOCHY

Jimmy, Elias, Mr. Jones and Lynn
from Rage of the Dragons - Neo Geo, 2002, Evoga/Playmore

How to Unlock / Notes:
On the Character Select screen, tap Up, Up, Up, Up, Down, Down, Down, Left, Left, Right. These four characters will appear in the centre of the screen. [Source]
All but Mr. Jones can also appear as opponents in single-player mode.
These characters were removed from the game's pseudo-sequel, Shin Gouketsuji Ichizoku: Bonnou Kaihou for the Playstation 2.

Evolution Skateboarding
(Playstation 2 / GameCube, 2002, Konami / KCE Osaka)
Info and screenshots provided by LanceBoyle94 - thank you!

Frogger
from Frogger - Arcade, 1983, Konami

How to Unlock / Notes:
Complete Arcade Mode as Stevie Williams.
He is based on his Frogger: The Great Quest appearance.

Simon Belmont
from Castlevania / Akumajou Draclua - NES, 1986, Konami

How to Unlock / Notes:
Complete Arcade Mode as Kerry Getz.
He appears under the name Vampire Killer.

Solid Snake
from Metal Gear - MSX, 1987, Konami

How to Unlock / Notes:
Complete Arcade Mode as Colin McKay.
He is based on his Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty appearance.

Raiden
from Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty - Playstation 2, 2001, Konami

How to Unlock / Notes:
Complete Arcade Mode as Mark Appleyard.

Gorlukovich Soldiers
from Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty - Playstation 2, 2001, Konami

How to Unlock / Notes:
Complete Arcade Mode as Rick McCrank for Version 1.
Complete Arcade Mode as Chris Senn for Version 2.

The game also includes a level based on Big Shell from Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, available from the start.

Alternatively, in the Playstation 2 version, press Up, Down, Left, Right, Up, Down, Left, Right, Up, Down, Left, Right and Circle on the title screen to unlock all characters. [Source]

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
(PC, 2002, Neversoft / Gearbox Software)

Doom Guy
from Doom - MS-DOS, 1993, id Software

How to Unlock / Notes:
PC version only!
On the Codes screen in the Options menu, type 'idkfa'. [Source]
Doom Guy (under his modern name Doom Slayer) and a Revenant from Doom were also included in the Delxue Edition of the modern rerelease, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4.

Family Tennis Advance
(Game Boy Advance, 2002, Natsume / Namco)

BIG IMAGE

Alice, Anna Hottenmeyer, Bravoman, Gil,
Heihachi Mishima, Hitomi Yoshino, Ki, Klonoa,
Susumu Hori, Pac-Man, Pino, Rick Taylor,
Taira no Kagekiyo, WadaDon, Valkyrie & Wonder Momo
from Märchen Maze (Alice) - Arcade, 1988, NH System / Namco
Mr. Driller (Susumu) - Arcade, 1999, Namco
Mr. Driller 2 (Anna) - Arcade, 2000, Namco
Bravoman / Beraboh Man (Bravoman) - Arcade, 1987, Namco
The Tower of Druaga (Gil & Ki) - Arcade, 1984, Namco
Tekken (Heihachi) - Arcade, 1994, Namco
Namco Sports Image Girl (Hitomi Yoshino - first appeared in Moto GP 2)
Pac-Man (Pac-Man) - Arcade, 1980, Namco
Toy Pop (Pino) - Arcade, 1986, Namco
Splatterhouse (Rick) - Arcade, 1988, Namco
Genpei Touma Den (Taira no Kagekiyo) - Arcade, 1996, Namco
Taiko: Drum Master / Taiko no Tatsujin (WadaDon) - Arcade, 1993, Namco
Valkyrie no Bouken: Toki no Kagi Densetsu (Valkyrie) - NES, 1986, Namco
& Wonder Momo (Wonder Momo) - Arcade, 1987, Namco

How to Unlock / Notes:
Beat the computer in Exhibition Mode in a 5-set match. You will unlock one of these characters at random. [Source]

Alpine Racer 3
(Playstation 2, 2002, Namco)

Klonoa
from Klonoa: Door to Phantomile / Kaze no Klonoa - PS1, 1998, Namco

How to Unlock / Notes:
Complete Slalom Mode with a 100% combo rate. [Source]

SoulCalibur II
(Playstation 2 / GameCube / Xbox, 2002, Project Soul)

Link
from The Legend of Zelda / Zelda no Densetsu: The Hyrule Fantasy - NES, 1986 / 1987, Nintendo R&D 4

How to Unlock / Notes:
GameCube version only!
Link is available from the start.
He is based on his The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time appearance.

Heihachi Mishima
from Tekken - Arcade, 1994, Namco

How to Unlock / Notes:
Playstation 2 / HD rerelease versions only!
Heihachi is available from the start.
He is based on his Tekken 3 (and onwards) appearance.
He would later appear alongside Spawn in the Xbox Live Arcade / Playstation Network HD rerelease of the game, which is where these screenshots come from.
Originally, Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII was planned to be the guest character in the Playstation 2 version, but the deal fell through and so Heihachi was used instead. [Source]

SoulCalibur Legends
(Wii, 2007 / 2008, Project Soul)

Lloyd Irving
from Tales of Symphonia - Gamecube, 2003, Namco Tales Studio

How to Unlock / Notes:
Lloyd becomes a playable character in the Story Mode after you defeat him in Chapter 3: Desire for Power. [Source] [Old Screen Source]

SoulCalibur IV
(Playstation 3 / Xbox 360, 2008, Project Soul)

Starkiller / Galen Marek / The Apprentice
from Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - Multi-platform, 2008, LucasArts

How to Unlock / Notes:
Complete Arcade Mode with your console's respective Star Wars character (Darth Vader on PS3, Yoda on 360) [Source] [Source]
He is referred to as just The Apprentice in-game.
His home stage is Star Destroyer Docking Bay which comes in three variations- Bridge Overhang, Laser Gates and Loading Platform- the last of which is only available after buying Yoda on PS3 or Darth Vader on 360.
However, his fighting style is not available for the Creation mode.

SoulCalibur: Broken Destiny
(Playstation Portable, 2009, Project Soul)

OH GOD THIS WHOLE SECTION IS JUST ME RATTLING OFF A LIST OF GAMES I'VE NEVER PLAYED
ADD GOD OF WAR TO THE LIST

OH GOD THIS WHOLE SECTION IS JUST ME RATTLING OFF A LIST OF GAMES I'VE NEVER PLAYED
ADD GOD OF WAR TO THE LIST

Kratos
from God of War - Playstation 2, 2005, SCE Santa Monica Studio

How to Unlock / Notes:
Kratos is available from the start.
His home stage is Challenge of the Gods.
However, his fighting style is not available for the Creation mode, nor can you customise him beyond assigning skills and stats.

SoulCalibur V
(Playstation 3 / Xbox 360, 2012, Project Soul)

Ezio Auditore
from Assassin's Creed II - Playstation 3 / Xbox 360, 2009, Ubisoft Montreal

How to Unlock / Notes:
Ezio is available from the start.
However, his fighting style is not available for the Creation mode.

SoulCalibur VI
(Playstation 4 / Xbox One / PC, 2018, Project Soul)

2B
from NieR: Automata - Playstation 4 / Xbox One / PC, 2017 / 2018

How to Unlock / Notes:
DLC character, purchasable, part of the Season 1 Pass, released.
Her home stage is City Ruins: Eternal Apocalypse.
Her fighting style is available for the Creation mode, and you are free to customise 2B herself.

Haohmaru
from Samurai Shodown / Samurai Spirits - Neo Geo, 1993, SNK

How to Unlock / Notes:
DLC character, purchasable, part of the Season 2 Pass.
His home stage is Gairyu Isle. Playing on this stage changes the announcer to the one from Samurai Shodown and the Ump briefly appears at the start of matches.
His fighting style is available for the Creation mode, and you are free to customise Haohmaru himself.

Worms Blast
(Playstation 2 / Gamecube / Game Boy Advance / PC, 2003, Team17)

Superfrog
from Superfrog - Amiga / Amiga CD32 / DOS, 1993, Team17

How to Unlock / Notes:
Complete every stage in Puzzle Mode, then clear the stage in the volcano in the middle of the map.
Alternatively, hold L1 (PS2) / A (GC) / Shift (PC / Mac) then press Up, Up, Up, Up, Down, Down, Down, Down, Up, Up, Up, Up, Up to unlock the three secret characters, including Superfrog.
There does not seem to be an equivalent code for the Game Boy Advance port, you must unlock them normally. [Source]

MLB SlugFest 20-04
(Playstation 2 / Xbox / GameCube, 2003, Midway Home Entertainment)
Info and screenshots provided by LanceBoyle94 - thank you!

Sub-Zero & Scorpion
from Mortal Kombat - Arcade, 1992, Midway

How to Unlock / Notes:
During the pre-game screen, input the code 1-2-2 and press Down to play as Sub-Zero.
During the pre-game screen, input the code 1-2-2 and press Down to play as Scorpion.
Both characters are based on their Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance appearances.

Onimusha Blade Warriors
Onimusha Buraiden
(Playstation 2, 2003 / 2004, Capcom)

Zero & MegaMan.EXE
from Mega Man X / Rockman X (Zero) - SNES, 1993 / 1994, Capcom
& Mega Man Battle Network / Battle Network Rockman EXE - Game Boy Advance, 2001, Capcom

How to Unlock / Notes:
To unlock MegaMan.EXE, complete Story Mode with Samonosuke Akechi.
To unlock Zero, collect all three Z-Parts as MegaMan.EXE.
Both can unlock alternate forms- Bug Style and Grand Style for MegaMan.EXE, Proto Form and Ultimate Form for Zero- by levelling up to Levels 2 and 3. [Source]
Zero is based on his appearance in the Mega Man Zero / Rockman Zero series.

R-Type Final
(Playstation 2, 2003 / 2004, Irem)

Mr. Heli
from Battle Chopper/Mr. Heli no Daibouken - Arcade, 1987, Irem

How to Unlock / Notes:
In the R's Museum, when you are able to highlight Ship #59, enter the password 1026 2001 (US / EU) or 5959 5959 (Japan / Korea) when prompted. [Source]

OF-1 Daedalus
from Image Fight - Arcade, 1988, Irem

How to Unlock / Notes:
After unlocking Ship #48 (TX-T Eclipse), use this ship for at least 90 minutes of in-game time. [Source]
The Daedalus retains a feature from the original game, changing its shape slightly when adjusting its speed.

R-11B Peace Maker
from Cosmic Cop / Armed Police Unit Gallop - Arcade, 1991, Irem

How to Unlock / Notes:
After unlocking Ship #44 (R-11A Future World), use this ship for at least 30 minutes of in-game time. [Source]
The Peace Maker retains the lock-on laser from the original game, adapted to utilise R-Type's beam system.
Armed Police Unit Gallop was always part of R-Type canon, though- it takes place cocurrently with R-Type Delta.

Smash Court Tennis Pro Tournament 2
Smash Court Pro Tournament 2
(Playstation 2 , 2004, Now Production / Namco)
Info and screenshots provided by LanceBoyle94 - thank you!

Heihachi Mishima, Ling Xiaoyu, Cassandra Alexandra & Raphael Sorel
from Tekken (Heihachi) - Arcade, 1994, Namco
Tekken 3 (Xiaoyou) - Arcade, 1996, Namco
& Soul Calibur II (Cassandra & Raphael) - Arcade, 2001, Namco

How to Unlock / Notes:
These characters are unlocked by beating Arcade Mode on specific difficulties:
Pro Difficulty as a male player (Cassandra)
Pro Difficulty as a female player (Raphael)
Challenger Difficulty as a male player (Heihachi)
Challenger Difficulty as a female player (Xiaoyou)
Heihachi and Xiaoyou are based on their Tekken 4 appearances.

Viewtiful Joe
Viewtiful Joe: A New Hope
(Playstation 2, 2004, Clover)

Dante
from Devil May Cry - Playstation 2, 2001, Capcom

How to Unlock / Notes:
Playstation 2 version only!
Beat the game once on any difficulty. [Source]
(The PS2 release of Viewtiful Joe got A New Hope as a subtitle when it was released in Japan, but it kept its original name overseas).

Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy
(Playstation 2 / Xbox, 2004, Midway Home Entertainment)
Info provided by Matt - thank you!

Scorpion
from Mortal Kombat - Arcade, 1992, Midway

How to Unlock / Notes:
On the Extra Content menu, enter the code 546546. [Source]

Graffiti Kingdom
Rakugaki Oukoku 2
(Playstation 2, 2004 / 2005, Garakuta Studio / Taito)

i'm well good at taking ps2 screenshots, me.

Reimu Hakurei
from Touhou Rei'iden: The Highly Responsive to Prayers - PC-98, 1996, ZUN / Amusement Makers

How to Unlock / Notes:
Reimu's character card is hidden in the Palette's Palace stage- here is a video showing how to find it.
Reimu is called Flying Maiden in-game, but is very obviously Reimu as ZUN worked on the game.
(Taito cameos in this game to be added later!)

DK: King of Swing
Bura Bura Donkey Kong
(Game Boy Advance, 2005, Paon)

Just want to say that aside from Bubbles- who's obviously lifted straight from Clu Clu Land- the spritework in this is ADORABLE.

Just want to say that aside from Bubbles- who's obviously lifted straight from Clu Clu Land- the spritework in this is ADORABLE.

Bubbles flexes her muscles and begins to make her way to the top. 'Finally', she thinks. 'This is the kind of game I was made for.'

Bubbles
from Clu Clu Land - NES, 1984, Nintendo R&D 4

How to Unlock / Notes:
In Adventure Mode, collect all 24 Medals as DK to unlock Diddy Mode, then finish Diddy Mode with all 24 Medals. [Source]
Bubbles can only be used in single or multiplayer Jungle Jam Events.

Infected
(Playstation Portable, 2005, Planet Moon Studios)

BloodRayne
from BloodRayne - Playstation 2 / Gamecube / Xbox / PC, 2002, Terminal Reality

How to Unlock / Notes:
Either complete every mission in the game, or get a gold medal on Mission 33. [Source]

Mario Kart DS
(Nintendo DS, 2005, Nintendo EAD)

This is another one of those borderline ones but... Eh, R.O.B. ain't a Mario character, close enough.

R.O.B. / HVC-012
from the Robotic Operating Buddy / Famicom Robot accesory - NES, 1985, Nintendo R&D 1

How to Unlock / Notes:
Win a Gold Trophy in 150cc Mirror Mode in either all four Nitro Grand Prix or all four Retro Grand Prix. [Source]
R.O.B. has a kart based on the original Stack-Up peripheral set-up as well as a standard kart and a walker-esque kart.
As well as the name, the colour scheme of the robot and the karts is difference between regions, matching the NES (US / EU) and Famicom (Japan) colour schemes.

Mario Kart Arcade GP
(Arcade, 2005, Bandai Namco Amusement)

Pac-Man, Blinky & Ms. Pac-Man
from Pac-Man (Pac-Man & Blinky) - Arcade, 1980, Namco
& Ms. Pac-Man (Ms. Pac-Man) - Arcade, 1981, General Computer Corporation

How to Unlock / Notes:
Pac-Man, Blinky & Ms. Pac-Man are available from the start.
Two Pac-Man themed tracks are included in the Pac-Man cup, Pac Mountain and Pac Labyrinth. [Info Source]
You can unlock special weapons for them by winning races, including cameos from Clyde and Fairy from Pac-Man, Pooka from Dig Dug, Galaga Boss from Galaga and the car from Rally-X,
They also appear in Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 and Pac-Man appears in Mario Kart Arcade GP DX (with his Pac-Man and the Ghostl Adventures appearance, a new vehicle, the Soul Varoom, based on Xevious' Solvalou, as well as two new Namco-themed coursees, Pac-Man Stadium and Namco Circuit). [Info Source]

Mario Kart Arcade GP 2
(Arcade, 2007, Bandai Namco Amusement)

Mametchi
from Tamagotchi - LCD Device, 1996, Bandai

How to Unlock / Notes:
Mametchi is available from the start.
You can unlock special weapons for him, including Bagubagutchi, another Tamagotchi in the same family as Mametchi. [Info Source]

Mario Kart Wii
(Wii, 2008 / 2009, Nintendo EAD

Blue Falcon
from F-Zero - SNES, 1990 / 1991 / 1992, Nintendo EAD

How to Unlock / Notes:
Beat the Mirror Lightning Cup or race in 4200 races. [Source]
The Blue Falcon is a light car that can only be used be light racers, and its colour changes depending on the driver.
It would return in Mario Kart 8 as part of the The Legend of Zelda × Mario Kart 8 DLC pack, and in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as a randomly-unlocked vehicle every 30 coins collected.
Mario Kart 8 & 8 Deluxe would also include two F-Zero-based tracks, Mute City (in the Egg Cup) and Big Blue (in the Bell Cup)

Tiny Titan / Hot Rally
from Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally - Famicom Disk System, 1988, Nintendo EAD / HAL Laboratory

How to Unlock / Notes:
Beat 50 opponents during Wi-Fi play, unlock one expert staff ghost or race in 1200 races. [Source]
The Tiny Titan is a light car that can only be used be light racers, and its colour changes depending on the driver.
It would return in Mario Kart Tour and Mario Kart World.
The Japanese name of the car, Hot Rally, makes the connection between the games more obvious than the localised name. [Source]

Mario Kart Arcade GP DX
(Arcade, 2013, Bandai Namco Amusement)

Don-Chan
from Taiko: Drum Master / Taiko no Tatsujin - Arcade, 2001, Namco

How to Unlock / Notes:
Don-Chan is available from the start.
Two reskins are also available, Strawberry Don-chan and Hero Don-chan. [Info Source]
Two Taiko no Tatsujin-themed tracks are included in the Don-chan cup, Bon Dance Street and Omatsuri Circuit. [Info Source]

Mario Kart 8
(Wii U, 2014, Nintendo EPD / Bandai Namco)
Info provided by Matt - thank you!

Link, Villagers & Isabelle / Shizue
from The Legend of Zelda / Zelda no Densetsu: The Hyrule Fantasy (Link) - NES, 1986 / 1987, Nintendo R&D 4
Dobutsu no Mori (Villagers) - Nintendo 64, 2001, Nintendo EAD
& Animal Crossing: New Leaf / Tobidase Dōbutsu no Mori (Isabelle / Shizue) - 3DS, 2013, Nintendo EAD

How to Unlock / Notes:
DLC characters, purchasable.
They also come with courses based on their franchises- Hyrule Circuit for Link, Animal Crossing for the Villagers and Isabelle.
These characters and courses are included as standard in the Switch version, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which is where these screenshots come from.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
(Switch, 2017, Nintendo EPD / Bandai Namco)
Info provided by Matt - thank you!

Inkling Boy, Inkling Girl & Champion's Tunic Link
from Splatoon (Inkling Boy & Inkling Girl) - Wii U, 2015, Nintendo EAD
& The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild / Zelda no Densetsu: Breath of the Wild (Champion's Tunic Link) - Wii U / Switch, 2017, Nintendo EPD

How to Unlock / Notes:
Inkling Boy and Inkling Girl are available from the start.
Champion's Tunic Link- a variant sharing his normal character slot- was added in Version 1.6.0, released July 2018. [Source]

Fight Night Round 2
(GameCube, 2005, EA Chicago)
Info provided by LanceBoyle94 - thank you!

Player
from Super Punch-Out!! - SNES, 1994, Nintendo

How to Unlock / Notes:
GameCube version only!
Complete all four circuits in the included emulation of Super Punch-Out!!.
Alternatively, in the Create Champ mode create a new boxer with the first name of MACMAN. This might not save to the Memory Card however so you'll have to do it each time you boot the game up. [Source]
He can be found in the Heavyweight section under the name Little Mac.
... OK, we know, we are more than aware that he's called Little Mac suggesting he's supposed to be the Little Mac from the arcade and NES Punch-Out!! games but we've never seen an official source say the character in the SNES game is the original Little Mac. If you can find me a source from Nintendo saying it's supposed to be him, we'll change this! This is us just being really uptight nerds.

NBA Street V3
(GameCube, 2005, EA Canada)
Info and screenshots provided by LanceBoyle94 - thank you!

Mario, Luigi & Princess Peach
from Donkey Kong (Mario) - Arcade, 1981, Ikegami Tsushinki / Nintendo
Mario Bros. (Luigi) - Arcade, 1983, Nintendo
& Super Mario Bros. (Princess Peach) - NES, 1985, Nintendo

How to Unlock / Notes:
GameCube version only!
Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach are available from the start, as part of the Nintendo All-Stars team. They also have a special Nintendo-themed court.

SSX On Tour
(GameCube, 2005, EA Canada)
Info and screenshots provided by LanceBoyle94 - thank you!

Mario, Luigi & Princess Peach
from Donkey Kong (Mario) - Arcade, 1981, Ikegami Tsushinki / Nintendo
Mario Bros. (Luigi) - Arcade, 1983, Nintendo
& Super Mario Bros. (Princess Peach) - NES, 1985, Nintendo R&D 4

How to Unlock / Notes:
GameCube version only!
Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach are available from the start. Mario and Luigi use snowboards, while Peach uses skis.

Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict
(Xbox, 2005, Epic Games / Midway Home Entertainment)
Info provided by Matt - thank you!

Raiden
from Mortal Kombat - Arcade, 1992, Midway

How to Unlock / Notes:
Complete all Challenges in Challenge Mode. [Source]

Urban Reign
(Playstation 2, 2005, Namco)
Info and screenshots provided by LanceBoyle94 - thank you!

Paul Phoenix & Marshall Law
from Tekken - Arcade, 1994, Namco

How to Unlock / Notes:
Complete the Challenge Mode to unlock Paul Phoenix.
Complete a stage in Free Mode to unlock Marshall Law.
Both of them are based on their Tekken 5 appearances.

Nano Breaker
(Playstation 2, 2005, Konami / KCET)
Info and screenshots provided by Flapjack Rabbit - thank you!

Genbei "Jaguar" Yagyu
from Neo Contra - Playstation 2, 2004, Konami / KCET

How to Unlock / Notes:
Complete the game on any difficulty to unlock Keith, then complete the game again as Keith. [Source]

Zombie Hunters
Simple 2000 Series Vol. 80: The Oneechanpuruu
(Playstation 2, 2005 / 2007, Tamsoft)

I once wanted to write a big thing about the Oneechanbara series.

I once wanted to write a big thing about the Oneechanbara series.

In lieu of that, I present to you, in caption form...

... My personal tier list of the Oneechanbara games (that I've played).

Riho & Makoto Futaba
from Simple 1500 Series Vol. 88 - The Gal Mahjong - Playstation, 2002, HuneX

How to Unlock / Notes:
Riho is available from the start.
Makoto is unlocked by beating Riho's story.

Zombie Hunters 2
Simple 2000 Series Vol. 101: The Oneechanpon
(Playstation 2, 2006 / 2007, Tamsoft)

ZOMBIE ZONE - Unplayable.

ZOMBIE HUNTERS - Slightly more playable.

ZOMBIE HUNTERS 2 - Holy shit this is really fun, oh my god did saki just RIP A ZOMBIE'S TORSO CLEAN OFF THAT IS AWESOME OH DAMN SON THERE'S A ZOMBIE BEAR BOSS THIS IS AMAZING

BIKINI SAMURAI SQUAD - Fffffff. Not even a zombie whale can save this one. Controls are all off and waaaaaaahhh.

BIKINI ZOMBIE SLAYERS - my hand really hurts :(

Haven't played the PSP one (although I've heard it's bad), haven't played Kagura (localise pls). And let's face it, has anyone really played the mobile phone ones?

I also have a Saki gashapon figure. Looks nice next to my Wolf Fang figure.

... I've just lost all my readers, haven't I?

Kiku & Hana
from Dragon Sisters / Simple 2000 Series Vol. 87: The Nadesico - Playstation 2, 2005 / 2007, Tamsoft

How to Unlock / Notes:
Either fulfil all in-game quests or start the game with a Memory Card plugged in with a Dragon Sisters save file on it.

Advance to 2006-2009!

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.