History Main / SwapFighter

** AGES, the final unlockable character in all versions of the game, also switches between various Creator/{{Sega}} references depending on vehicle modes. Car mode is the Hornet from ''VideoGame/DaytonaUSA'', plane mode is the F-14 Tomcat from ''VideoGame/AfterBurner'', and boat mode is a ConsoleCameo in the form of a UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast controller.

Related to but not quite the same as TagTeam, which involves pairing up two or more individual characters (who can otherwise act on their own) together. May overlap with SwapTeleportation. Compare and contrast ActionDuo, AssistCharacter, FightingSpirit, PuppetFighter, and TwoAliasesOneCharacter. See also SwitchOutMove. Not to be confused with a StanceSystem, which is where one character can switch between different fighting styles, moves, and/or abilities to adapt to different situations. The weapon-swapping counterpart to this is RealTimeWeaponChange.

** ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaChroniclesOfSorrow''s "Julius Mode" is an intentional throwback to the above, with Julius, Yoko and Alucard trading places.

** ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'': A large amount of these characters (along with having Zelda and Sheik return from the previous game) have been introduced. In the previous two games, [[Franchise/{{Metroid}} Samus]] was a standalone fighter like everybody else. In ''Brawl'', she becomes Zero Suit Samus after using her Final Smash with a changed moveset and can switch back to Power Suit Samus with the same method. The [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Pokémon Trainer]] invokes this trope by not actually being the fighter, but rather has you controlling his Pokémon which swap with down B in order of Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard.

* SwapFighter:

* ''VideoGame/SonicAndAllStarsRacingTransformed'': In the [[VersionExclusiveContent PC version]], [[VideoGame/TeamFortress2 Team Fortress]] is a selectable racer with the driver changing based on what mode the vehicle is in. Pyro drives a car in land mode, Heavy maneuvers a boat in water mode, and Spy pilots a plane in aerial mode.

* ''Franchise/MortalKombat'':
** In ''VideoGame/MortalKombat1'', ''VideoGame/MortalKombatII'' and ''VideoGame/MortalKombat3'', Shang Tsung can transform into various characters, being able to use their abilities.
** In ''VideoGame/MortalKombat4'', Shinnok can do the same without transforming, but using commands to switch skills in the same way as Shang Tsung in previous games.
** ''VideoGame/MortalKombatDeception'': Noob Saibot and Smoke become a tag team with the two characters swapping between each other in exchange for the StanceSystem every other character uses.

* ''Franchise/Tekken'':
** Mokujin in ''VideoGame/Tekken3'' and Combot in VideoGame/Tekken4 can use character moves to each character each round.

* ''VideoGame/MortalKombatDeception'': Noob Saibot and Smoke become a tag team with the two characters swapping between each other in exchange for the StanceSystem every other character uses.

* ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2'': Pyra and Mythra can switch back and forth between each other instantly as much as you want during battle, in contrast to the usual SwitchOutMove and cooldown for switching between other characters. This was adapted into their play style in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate''.

* ''VideoGame/StreetFighterII'': An [[UnlicensedGame unlicensed]] hack known colloquially as "[[FanNickname Rainbow Edition]]" turns the entire cast into Swap Fighters via the taunt button, making one able to cycle through the roster mid-battle. [[WebVideo/GuruLarryAndWez Guru Larry]] speculates that this was the inspiration for the ability to switch between fighters in ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom2'', as Capcom was known to be aware of it.

* In ''[[{{Franchise/Tekken}} Tekken Tag Tournament]]'', most of the roster tags out by running offscreen. If you select your team to be Kazuya and Devil (who are the same person), the tag out button instead has him pose and transform on the spot. This mechanic was not repeated in the sequel for Jin and Devil Jin, likely because it's a disadvantage.

* ''BloodstainedCurseOfTheMoon'', already being a big ''Castlevania'' homage (see just below), similarly includes partner characters to swap Zangetsu with, including ''[[BloodstainedRitualOfTheNight Ritual of the Night]]'' heroine Miriam. The sequel brings in a new trio of faces to accompany Zangetsu.
* ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'':
** ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaIIIDraculasCurse'' treats Trevor and his partner this way if he recruits one, with the Select button causing them to swap.
** ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaChroniclesOfSorrow Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow]]'''s "Julius Mode" is an intentional throwback to the above, with Julius, Yoko and Alucard trading places.
** If you don't have Jonathan and Charlotte out simultaneously in ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaPortraitOfRuin'', they become this.

** ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee'': Zelda and Sheik are one and the same and are essentially the {{Trope Codifier}}s. Their down B has them shift between one another.
** ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'': A large amount of these characters (along with having Zelda and Sheik return from the previous game) have been introduced. In the previous two games, Samus was a standalone fighter like everybody else. In ''Brawl'', she becomes Zero Suit Samus after using her Final Smash with a changed moveset and can switch back to Power Suit Samus with the same method. The Pokémon Trainer invokes this trope by not actually being the fighter, but rather has you controlling his Pokémon which swap with down B in order of Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard.
** ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'': While Sheik, Zelda, Samus, and Zero Suit Samus remain as separate characters after ditching their swap mechanics in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU'', the Pokémon Trainer returns with their original swap mechanic between Charizard, Squirtle, and Ivysaur intact. On top of that, Pyra and Mythra are added as part of the second fighters pass and they fight by shifting between one another.

In some cases, the reason could be that the two characters are one and the same in-universe, making them a limited shapeshifter of sorts. Other moments establish them as being separate characters individually, but still have them function as one.

'''Important Note:''' For examples to count, the characters have to be exclusively paired to one another in-game, either sharing the same character slot or at least be mechanically tied to each other where separation is not possible. A tag team mechanic that allows you to pick more than one character from the select screen doesn't count. Also note that switching between different party members in a RPG in general doesn't count by default because they're usually established as separate characters with distinct movesets/abilities from one another. They'll only count if one of the party members is designed as a collective duo/group or a two-in-one character with this specific mechanic in mind.

* ''VideoGame/{{Trine}}'': In single player, [[FighterMageThief Amadeus, Zoya, and Pontius]] are [[FusionDance merged into one body]], with the ability to switch between who is active at will.

[[/folder]]

** ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee'': Zelda and Shiek are one in the same and are essentially the {{Trope Codifier}}s. Their down B has them shift between one another.
** ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'': A large amount of these characters (along with having Zelda and Shiek return from the previous game) have been introduced. In the previous two games, Samus was a standalone fighter like everybody else. In ''Brawl'', she becomes Zero Suit Samus after using her Final Smash with a changed moveset and can switch back to Power Suit Samus with the same method. The Pokémon Trainer invokes this trope by not actually being the fighter, but rather has you controlling his Pokémon which swap with down B in order of Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard.
** ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'': While Shiek, Zelda, Samus, and Zero Suit Samus remain as separate characters after ditching their swap mechanics in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU'', the Pokémon Trainer returns with their original swap mechanic between Charizard, Squirtle, and Ivysaur intact. On top of that, Pyra and Mythra are added as part of the second fighters pass and they fight by shifting between one another.

In some cases, the reason could be that the two characters are one in the same in-universe, making them a limited shapeshifter of sorts. Other moments establish them as being separate characters individually, but still have them function as one.

Suggested Indexes: DuoTropes, {{Ensembles}}, TheIndexTeam, SubstitutionTropes, VideoGameTropes