The Scott Pilgrim graphic novels began in 2004. Since then, thanks to their growing popularity, there have been adaptations in the form of a movie, a Netflix animated series, a side-scrolling beat ‘em up video game, and tabletop games. However, there has somehow never been a fighting game made of the beloved IP, and it could definitely use one.
The Scott Pilgrim vs. the World beat ‘em up game that already exists is absolutely fantastic, and is a great way to bring the story to the world of video games. There could and should still be a fighting game. The two can undoubtedly coexist.
Each version of the IP features incredible action and plenty of battle sequences. There are 1v1 fights seen throughout all of it, similar to how fighting games are traditionally played. With Scott, the seven evil exes, Ramona, Knives, Scott’s bandmates, the robots built by the Katayanagi twins, Mr. Chau, Crash and the Boys, and a slew of others, there’s easily enough characters to fill a rather diverse roster of fighters.
Additionally, each character has their own powers, skills, and abilities perfect for fighting that allow them to stand out from the others. Matthew Patel has his fireballs and demon hipster chicks. Todd Ingram has his psychic vegan powers. Ramona has her hammer, rollerblades, and subspace bag. Kim Pine could literally drum on her fos like she does in the existing video game. The list can go on and on. The Netflix anime series provides even more examples of this, especially with the fight between Gideon Graves and Matthew Patel. Most of these characters can do a lot that can translate perfectly to a fighting game move set.
Outside of all the characters and what they could each do during a fight, there are plenty of settings throughout Scott Pilgrim that would make for ideal stages to duke it out on. The Casa Loma movie set, Honest Ed’s Discount Store, the park where Scott and Ramona had their first date, subspace, Lee’s Place, Club Rockit, the 9th Circle, the Chaos Theatre, and many other locations found throughout the graphic novels, movie, or TV series could be made into fun and unique stages.
A Scott Pilgrim fighting game could also serve as a bit of a parody of other famous or classic fighting games. Scott and his friends regularly talk about various video games and nerdy movies and the like. This could be translated into a variety of references by using background elements, lines of dialogue, fighting moves, alternate skins, music, and more. It could make nods to known fighting games, and it would fit the vibe of Scott Pilgrim.
This isn’t one of those franchises that can keep coming out with a million sequels or reboots, but it does deserve to be expanded on somehow in areas that don’t feel out of place or forced. A fighting game would be a fun and on-brand way to do that with Scott Pilgrim.
Nonstop Nerd 