Why is the Overwatch 2 x Road Fighter collab inflicting controversy?

A collaboration between Capcom’s combating sport behemoth Road Fighter and Blizzard’s hero-based FPS Overwatch 2 has been anticipated by followers for some time, and the wait is sort of over. A trailer for the collaboration lately dropped, confirming that there shall be eight new Road Fighter character skins coming to Overwatch 2.

The idea of an Overwatch and Road Fighter undoubtedly stirred pleasure. Nonetheless, because the skins and the heroes getting them had been revealed, the collaboration has come beneath some scrutiny from the Overwatch group. Let’s dive deeper into the collaboration to see what has triggered the controversy. 

The Overwatch 2 x Road Fighter collaboration is the newest in a string of crossovers that Blizzard has integrated into Overwatch 2. 

The crossover will embrace eight brand-new Road Fighter-themed skins for sure characters. Though no different gadgets have been confirmed as a part of the collab, there’ll doubtless be different cosmetics included, as is normally the case. Objects equivalent to sprays, identify playing cards, and weapon charms, to call a number of, are sometimes included in Overwatch 2 crossovers, so count on to see them make an look right here. 

The Road Fighter skins and Overwatch 2 characters which are getting them have been confirmed as follows through an animated trailer: 

The collab was introduced on the combating sport conference Evo Japan 2025 and shared on social media through a submit on X. The trailer was then posted to PlayOverwatch’s official YouTube channel. 

It isn’t clear but if there shall be any new sport modes concerned within the crossover, although a Road Fighter-style brawl mode does appear potential. On the time of writing, no different data has been revealed aside from the aforementioned skins and the characters confirmed to be receiving them. The collab dropped on Could 20. 

Gamers have been taking situation with a few of the selections of Overwatch 2 characters who shall be receiving the Road Fighter skins. Sure selections have been praised, equivalent to Sigma as M. Bison, Zenyatta as Dhalsim, and Winston as Blanka. These are heroes who haven’t had as a lot love as different characters in the case of new, distinctive skins in Overwatch 2, so seeing them get well-deserved consideration is refreshing. Their related characters are additionally effectively chosen. Nonetheless, the controversy over the collaboration comes from a few of the different selections of Overwatch 2 heroes. 

Juno and Kiriko are two notable Overwatch 2 heroes who appear to be getting all the very best skins for the time being. Kirko has been significantly distinguished since she was launched as a hero when Overwatch 2 started. She all the time appears to be a part of a few of the finest collaborations, and Juno is rapidly following swimsuit, regardless of being launched lower than a yr in the past on the time of writing. 

Juno as Chun Li is a selected matter of competition, as many assume that Mei would have been the proper choice. Juno is Vietnamese (and technically a Martian as she was born on Mars), however Mei is Chinese language, as Chun Li is. This isn’t an enormous deal per se, as international locations of origin and ethnicity shouldn’t be essential components in the case of delegating skins. Nonetheless, Mei is undeniably a preferred selection for a novel Legendary pores and skin, and Chun Li would have been an excellent choice for her. 

Kiriko has been a part of virtually each crossover since Overwatch 2 launched. Not solely that, however she has additionally acquired a few of the higher unique skins within the sport. Blizzard appears to be pushing her because the face of the sport, very like they did with Tracer within the first Overwatch. Nonetheless, this has led to followers reacting negatively to the blatant favouritism. 

Gamers have additionally had a robust response to Doomfist being disregarded of the roster. Doomfist’s character and hero package had been immediately impressed by Road Fighter, with a concentrate on melee assaults and up-close and private fight. To depart him out of the crossover altogether looks as if a weird selection on Blizzard’s half. 

Gamers have been posting their ideas on the Overwatch 2 hero selections for the Road Fighter skins on-line, and the response has been fairly blended. As talked about, the inclusion of Winston, Sigma, and Zenyatta is appreciated by many, however Kiriko and Juno as soon as once more changing into a part of a big-name collab, whereas different heroes are left behind, has not been effectively acquired. 

Feedback beneath the trailer on the PlayOverwatch YouTube channel show this blended group response. Among the most preferred feedback clearly present an appreciation for a few of the skins. @garyniusaernasea6698 acquired 2.8 thousand likes for the remark “Sigma as M Bison is PERFECTION!”, whereas @VladDelU received near 4 thousand likes for saying “Glad that Winston, Sigma, and Zen received some love, particularly Winston.”

The unfavorable emotions surrounding different character selections are additionally obvious. On the time of writing, the highest touch upon the trailer, with 11 thousand likes, comes from @smashkid9196. It reads: “No Doomfist pores and skin when his whole moveset was primarily based on Road Fighter is loopy.” The subsequent most preferred remark is a biting satire on the inclusion of Juno and Kiriko. It has 10 thousand likes and comes from @-hexabyte-, who states: “Thank God they didn’t overlook Juno and Kiriko, I used to be so fearful”.

Heading over to the group response on X, and issues are just about the identical. A submit from @FUTCHZ1LLA reiterates the disbelief followers have had with Blizzard’s determination to not embrace Doomfist:  “Doomfist’s moveset was primarily based on Road Fighter strikes but he didn’t get a single pores and skin within the new Overwatch collab.” This submit acquired a powerful 30K likes, 1.4K reposts, and over 950K views, so it’s clear that the group is collectively scratching their heads at this selection. 

Juno’s inclusion can also be being introduced into query, seeing as Blizzard appears to be bringing her to the fore of each collab alongside Kiriko. X person @love4elodie commented on this with a submit that received simply over 5K likes, saying: “ No shade however did Juno really want this after getting a mythic, stadium unique pores and skin and simply having a collab pores and skin final season.”

As talked about, the choice of Juno as Chun Li as a substitute of Mei can also be inflicting a dialogue on X. A submit relating to the style from X person @bunnimoniOW acquired round 11K likes, over 600 reposts, and over 515K views. It reads: “Mei was completely robbed wtf do you imply they didn’t give the Chinese language character to the Chinese language character.” Some argued this level, saying that Juno does certainly have Chinese language heritage, which is a good level (though her Chinese language heritage is extra unclear than her Vietnamese and Martian roots). 

The talk surrounding the selection of Overwatch 2 heroes for the Road Fighter collaboration has triggered a blended response to the crossover among the many group. 

Whereas it’s encouraging to see marginalised heroes like Sigma and Winston obtain skins that match effectively with their particularly chosen characters, overused characters like Kiriko and Juno receiving skins that would have labored higher for different heroes has triggered some backlash. 

Though the costs haven’t been confirmed on the time of writing, right here’s hoping that buying a Road Fighter pores and skin in Overwatch 2 received’t break the financial institution as a lot as a few of the earlier crossovers have.