LEGOis one of the most well known toy brands in the world, and it has even seeped into the video game industry. Traveller’s Tales has been delivering fun co-op games based on a multitude of different franchises through its LEGO series, currently working onLEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Sagawhich is set to bring fans through all nineStar Warsmovies in a fun-filledLEGOadventure. Yet LEGO is not the only brand that holds merchandising rights to franchises likeStar Wars, as Funko Pops have only increased in popularity over the years.
Funko introducedthe first Pop Vinylfigurines in 2010, being simple recreations of iconic characters with giant heads, large round eyes, and blocky bodies. Since then, Funko has expanded the Pop line to encompass almost every franchise someone could think of, making the figures more detailed while keeping their staple giant heads and large eyes. Funko has become an integral part of collector culture and almost everyone knows someone who has at least one. However, it has not had the same success in the gaming industry that LEGO has, but if Funko took some inspiration from Traveller’s Tales games it could potentially take off.
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Funko Has a Multitude of Franchises Like LEGO
One of thebiggest draws to Traveller’s Tales LEGO gamesis that each title adapts an iconic franchise.LEGO Star Warsbrings players across theStar Warsgalaxy,LEGO Batmanadapts DC heroes in fun superhero adventures,LEGO Indiana Joneslets players play through theIndiana Jonesseries, andLEGO Lord of the Ringswhisks players off to Middle-earth. Any brand that LEGO makes sets for is a likely contender for a video game, and the games have even branched out to non-LEGO set franchises throughLEGO Dimensions.
Over the years,the Funko Pop line has grownto include almost everything; there are Pops based onFriends,Star Wars,Marvel, Borderlands,Community,and even celebrities like Justin Bieber. There are lines dedicated to McDonald’s and various other brand logos. The sheer multitude of franchises that Funko offers rivals that of LEGO, and gives Funko a host of potential for co-op games.
What a Funko Pop Game Could Look Like
Funko has explored video gamesbefore, but it has only made mobile titles. Currently, fans can downloadFunko Pop! Blitzand play through a pretty simple matching game starring Pop figures. Previously, Funko releasedGears Pop!,which was aClash Royaleclone with aGears of Warskin, though its servers were shut down in April 2021. Funko has not tried taking the Traveller’s Tales LEGO game formula, but it really should consider that.
Utilizing one of the multitude of franchises that Funko adapts, it could create a pretty fun co-op game. Players could control various Funko Pops and play through platforming levels to unlock more. They could collect a Funko version of studs and utilize them to buy power-ups, characters, and even Pop vehicles. Players could even work through movies likeThe Matrix,Ghostbusters,orDune. The games could also adapt a whole host of different TV Shows or even video games with the Funko style. If Funko wanted to take it to the next level, it could createits own version ofLEGO Dimensionswith a multiverse crossover.
If Funko chose to go down this route, it would have to differentiate itself and develop unique titles to avoid being called a copy. With theamount of franchises that Funko creates Popsfor, it would not be hard to find a franchise that Traveller’s Tales has not touched. Funko Pops have the ability to make games just as fun as theLEGOseries, it just needs to find the perfect formula.
