10 Franchises That Deserve A 'Battlefront' Style Spin-Off

2015 is a year full to the brim with Star Wars mania. This December sees the release of the hugely anticipated Episode VII: The Force Awakens, the first film in a whole new trilogy. The massively popular sci-fi phenomenon is also going to hit the video game world in a big way with the DICE-developed Star Wars: Battlefront. During the recent Star Wars Celebration, news spread about the title's tantalizing teaser trailer and its November 17 release date.

The Battlefront series is one of the most successful adaptations of an outside franchise into the video game sphere. The original games, released in 2004 and 2005, were well-loved classics, and held up as great examples of Star Wars gaming. Along the way, other IPs have tried to use the Battlefront template with mixed results, including 2009's Lord of the Rings spin-off Lord of the Rings: Conquest.

That doesn't mean that the Battlefront style will only work for the Star Wars universe, however, and there are a number of IPs that could benefit from a spin-off in the vein of the series. Here are our picks of ten franchises that deserve a Battlefront-esque project.

Borderlands

Borderlands has become one of the most popular game franchises in recent years, with Gearbox Software's loot-based combat winning fans over the course of two console generations. The series promotes co-operative gameplay in pursuit of treasure troves of new goodies, and its eye-catching cel shaded graphical style and unique sense of humor help set the series apart from its contemporaries. As it stands, Borderlands could easily make the transition into a multiplayer, objective-based shooter.

The franchise benefits from a number of ideas that would be perfect for a Battlefront spin-off. There are already a number of strong factions in place, with violent bandits, vicious creatures, and the occasional cheery yet homicidal robot. Different skill trees and character classes will allow for Battlefront's class choices and customization, and the series even has an explanation in place as to why combatants can respawn, with Pandora's New-U devices.

Transformers

The Transformers series could truly benefit from a Battlefront-esque release, as the story of Optimus Prime and Megatron has a number of elements that are seemingly perfect for the gameplay style. The sheer malleability of the Transformers themselves is a major factor, as the robots in disguise are capable of on-foot combat, vehicular warfare, and even air-to-air battles. With the addition of truly iconic personalities capable of acting as special playable characters, the franchise seems ideal for a multiplayer game release.

There are, of course, some major stipulations as to how Transformers: Battlefront would work. The battlefields themselves would need to be massive in nature, with enough room for players to partake in all different kinds of combat. Meanwhile, a Transformers spin-off could perhaps work best away from Earth, with the Autobots and Decepticons battling across different planets. After all, the most successful Transformers game for many is War for Cybertron, and it would be a shame not to emulate High Moon's success with the title.

Mortal Kombat

Mortal Kombat certainly doesn't need any radical formula changes. NetherRealm just released the highly anticipated Mortal Kombat X, to great critical and commercial success. The title stays close to the franchise's roots, with vicious one-on-one combat filled with gory fatalities and outrageous moves. There was, however, one new game mode that hinted at the potential that the Mortal Kombat series had to move beyond its origins: the Faction Wars game mode, which pits teams of players against one another vying for combat supremacy.

The new game mode isn't the only reason that Mortal Kombat is ideal for a spin-off. The game's universe is ripe for a Battlefront-esque release, with a number of violent parties constantly jostling for power over the IP's various realms. Add in a selection of iconic characters available as unlockable specials and a number of varied stages, and Mortal Kombat: Battlefront seems all the more enticing.

StarCraft

Blizzard's real-time strategy title is one of the most popular multiplayer tactical games in the history of gaming, with fierce competitions still taking place around the world. The developer has had huge success with the game and its sequel, StarCraft II, winning over strategy nuts with three factions fighting for control of the galaxy. Recently, Blizzard has stated that, although the Starcraft story will conclude with StarCraft II's final expansion, the universe itself is not going to be retired.

That leaves space for the developer to branch out Starcraft into different gaming genres. Blizzard has already tried to make StarCraft into a more action-oriented game, with the failed development of spin-off title StarCraft: Ghost. The game was highly anticipated by fans, who were left disappointed when news about Ghost dried up. With the developer cutting its multiplayer shooter teeth with Overwatch, perhaps there is room for massive, player-on-player battles between Terrans, Zerg, and Protoss in a Battlefront-style shooter.

Fire Emblem

Starcraft is not the only tactical series that could work in a more action-focused setting. Fire Emblem, Nintendo's turn-based tactical RPG series, also has potential to move beyond its current genre. The games already have the positive of being set in larger combat environments, with players commanding a number of troops through strategic gameplay.

What's more, certain Fire Emblem characters have already made the leap into other, more combative genres. For example, both Marth and Roy joined the Super Smash Bros. roster with Super Smash Bros. Melee, and the most recent iterations of Nintendo's fighter have involved Ike, Robin, and Lucina. Perhaps it's time for Fire Emblem to make another step towards real-time action.

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Up Next: More Battlefront Makeovers

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Final Fantasy VII

Final Fantasy VII is one of the most well-loved RPGs of all time, with the 1997 release counted as one of the most important games of the decade. The title is also regular feature on lists of the most-loved Final Fantasy games, and is always mentioned when gamers discuss what titles deserve a remastered edition. Indeed, rumors surrounding a Final Fantasy VII reboot refuse to go away.

Square Enix has often chosen to revisit the title, too. A movie sequel called Advent Children was released in 2005 (with an extended version hitting screens in 2009), and the title has received a third-person shooter spin-off in the form of Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII. As a result, the game itself could easily see a return in the form of a multiplayer shooter, however, with strong factions in AVALANCE and Shinra and a unique setting.

Super Mario Bros.

Super Mario Bros. may seem like a bizarre choice, but the franchise has plenty of potential to branch out from its platforming roots. Mario and friends have already made the transition into hand-to-hand combat through Super Smash Bros. and into the world of racing via Mario Kart. Why not make another jump into multiplayer, objective-based shooting? After all, Nintendo already has plans with its upcoming Wii U release Splatoon.

Better yet, other Nintendo IPs have already made successful leaps into similar gameplay styles. Last year's Hyrule Warriors, from Dynasty Warriors creators Tecmo Koei and Omega Force, brought Legend of Zelda characters into a world of massive armies and keeps to conquer. A multiplayer Mario makeover isn't that far fetched, and Nintendo's lead franchise could bring a refreshing, light-hearted humor to a game style that is normally the home of violent combat.

X-Men

Marvel's X-Men have had a mixed history with video games. While the 1992 arcade fighter is seen as one of the standouts of the genre, the likes of Wolverine and Cyclops have had less luck over time, summed up with the poorly received action RPG X-Men: Destiny. Needless to say, there is certainly much more potential for Marvel's series in the world of video gaming.

Perhaps the mutants will find a resurgence in gaming through a new genre. Memorable characters, varied locations, and the potential for huge battles makes X-Men a strong contender for a large-scale multiplayer shooter. All that remains is to work out what different factions should be used; could Xavier's school face off against Magneto's radicals, or should the game focus instead on the mutant struggle against violent Sentinels and governmental forces?

Mass Effect

The Mass Effect series was one of the must-have trilogies of the last console generation. Millions of players became immersed with Commander Shepard's fight against the Reapers, with a varied cast of characters to engage with alongside strong combat and RPG mechanics. The series was also a well-loved example of a strong, nuanced science fiction setting, with a number of factions, each with their own motives.

It's true that the series toyed with multiplayer shooting in Mass Effect 3, where the player's actions in online game modes affected the finale of the single player setting, but that was on a relatively small scale. Given the franchise's story, with thousands of planets to discover and a galaxy-wide war taking place, it seems as though Mass Effect would be a prime IP to face a wider multiplayer release.

Diablo

The Diablo series is a prime example of the dungeon-crawler genre, offering players the chance to enter the grim world of Sanctuary and fighting against hordes of vicious hellspawn. Taking on the role of one of a number of champions, gamers must foil the plans of the demon lords and their attempts to take over the physical realm. It's a lonely experience, even with co-op companions, and perhaps it's time for Blizzard to open its doors to larger, team-based action.

The Diablo franchise often promises large battles, but the player is generally set on the outskirts of such combat. Instead of being in large groups, gamers take on hordes of enemies on their own through deep dungeons and morbid killing fields. Given that Diablo already offers players an extensive co-op experience, it seems as though Sanctuary could also benefit from armies of online players fighting against each other.

That concludes our wish list of Battlefront-esque spin-offs. What do you make of our choices? Do you feel there are any franchises that also deserve a multiplayer shooter release? Let us know in the comments below.