Skylanders: SuperChargers

Skylanders: SuperChargers is a video game within the Skylanders series, released in September 2015 for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Wii U. Skylanders: SuperChargers Racing was released as a standalone title for Wii and the Nintendo 3DS on the same date, and it features only the racing portion. The Nintendo versions of this game feature various Mario-related elements, including a playable Donkey Kong and Bowser (where they are referred to as Turbo Charge Donkey Kong and Hammer Slam Bowser, respectively). Donkey Kong drives a Barrel Blaster with Diddy Kong, and Bowser drives a Clown Cruiser (both of which are Land and Sky vehicles, respectively). Koopa Troopas, Koopa Paratroopas and Warp Pipes appear in Bowser's moveset, and Bullet Bills can be fired when he is in the Clown Cruiser. Donkey Kong uses Barrels (which can be thrown or used on his hands like boxing gloves), classic Donkey Kong girders and ladders in his moveset.

Like other Skylanders games, playable characters are activated by purchasing toys and placing them on the Skylanders stand that hooks up to the console. Thus, Bowser and Donkey Kong will be receiving their own Skylanders style toys that activate them as playable in-game; Bowser is bundled available with the Nintendo 3DS version, Dark Bowser with the Wii version, and Donkey Kong and Dark Donkey Kong both have separate bundles for the Wii U version. These toys also have a switch on the base that allows them to work as amiibo, meaning they are compatible with titles such as Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. Additional dark versions of the Bowser and Donkey Kong Skylanders have also been released.

Characters

 * Hammer Slam Bowser
 * Turbo Charge Donkey Kong

References to other games

 * Donkey Kong - The girders and ladders from this game appear in one of Donkey Kong's attacks.
 * Donkey Kong 64 - Turbo Charge Donkey Kong's primary ability, Primate Punch, is Chunky Kong's special ability in this game.

Trivia

 * Thwomps were originally part of Bowser's moveset, until it was decided that Koopas were a better fit.
 * Similarly, Giga Bowser was briefly considered as a transformation for Bowser, but was later declined in favor of the original Molten Bowser.
 * This is the first game where Spyro crossovers with the Mario franchise.
 * In the sequel, Skylanders: Imaginators, Crash appears to be playable in the game, and it also has backwards compatibility that allows previous toys to be used in the game. This makes the sequel the first game in history where Crash Bandicoot crossovers with the Mario franchise.