Top 10 WTH Video Game Spin-Offs

If a franchise proves popular enough, it's inevitable that it'll see not only sequels, but spin-offs into different types of games and audiences. Sometimes, they'll even take a franchise way out into left field, territory that most people would never consider unless in a chemically altered state. This doesn't necessarily mean the spin-off will be a bad game, and at the very least it'll offer an entertaining display of bizarreness. Here are ten spin-offs that took familiar characters into the least familiar territory possible, the kind that elicits no response but "What The Hell?!"

10. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (SNES)

Despite the title, Super Mario World 2 wasn't a sequel to the SNES' launch classic. It could be described as a prequel, but even that term is being charitable —Mario is just a baby in the game, while Yoshi has to carry him around (and endure his unbearably obnoxious crying if they get separated). Yoshi's Island instead stars Mario's titular dinosaur steed, going through bizarre levels that look as though they were drawn with crayon. The challenges Yoshi faces in this childlike nightmare of a world include obstacle courses where Yoshi transforms into vehicles, giant-sized versions of ordinarily weak enemies, and "Fuzzies" that make the green dinosaur so dizzy that the ground beneath him literally waves up and down. However, despite (or because of?) all of these quirks, Yoshi's Island remains one of the most beloved Nintendo games of all time.

9. Mega Man Soccer (SNES)

In order to combat the world domination schemes of Dr. Wily, Dr. Light took an ordinary household robot and gave him the weapons, armor, and enemy-ability-copying power to fight for everlasting peace. Oh, and he apparently gave Mega Man a mean goal kick as well. Such is the "story" behind Mega Man Soccer, a truly strange entry in the long-running series. Why Mega Man would fight against the Robot Masters in a game of international football is unknown, but the game wasn't well received, and it remains little more than a curio in video game history.

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