Hello from Nexon PEAK.

If you are a Pico who enjoys games, you have likely experienced the excitement of a collaboration that brings fresh energy to a title through an unexpected crossover. That impact becomes even greater when in-game characters step into the real world or meet another IP to create an entirely new story.

In this PEAK Note, we are highlighting the TOP 5 Nexon games that Picos named as the most memorable game collaborations, based on posts shared by participants in the [Nexon PEAK Post Challenge].

Now, let’s take a closer look at the games that captured Picos’ attention most.

[A Quick Look at Memorable Game Collaborations]

Game	Genre	Key Appeal
MapleStory	RPG	Collaborations that extend nostalgia and fun into the real world
Mabinogi Mobile	MMORPG	Collaborations that maximize the joy of fashion customization and community
Baram	RPG	Collaborations that spark and honor player nostalgia
Elsword	Action RPG	A broad collaboration spectrum that crosses genres
Mabinogi	RPG	Collaborations made memorable through strong in-game execution alone

1. MapleStory — Collaborations That Brought Nostalgia into the Real World

MapleStory was one of the titles mentioned most often in Pico posts. In particular, Picos pointed to the strength of MapleStory collaborations as their ability to bring back long-held memories.

A standout example is MapleStory’s collaboration with BTS, which is remembered as a case that resonated not only with players but with the broader fandom as well. Rather than simply attaching a well-known IP to an event, it created natural buzz by bringing together MapleStory’s signature charm, the BTS members’ real gameplay experiences and personal tastes, and the game’s character customization features.

Another memorable example is the MapleStory 23rd anniversary collaboration with Lotte World, which expanded the experience into a real-world space beyond the game itself. By making it possible to experience Maple Island offline, it gave players the special feeling that “the game I loved has appeared in real life.”

PEAK users rated MapleStory collaborations so highly because they were not designed as one-off events. Instead, they were built to rekindle the time and memories players had accumulated over the years.

Why was it so memorable?

• It made effective use of the nostalgia and recognition associated with a long-running IP.

• Distinctly MapleStory elements such as character customization, costumes, and worldbuilding connected naturally with the collaborations.

• It extended beyond the game itself into offline events, video content, and fandom reactions.

• It gave players a way to reflect their memories and personal tastes through their own characters.

💬 "It feels like the power of the IP that MapleStory has built over 23 years really came through in this collaboration." — 드록바원툴님, [MapleStory’s 23rd Anniversary, a Collaboration That Turned Even Lotte World into the World of Maple]

💬 "It really felt like players were dressing their own characters in nostalgia." — 폭풍같은주황호랑이31281님, [MemorableGameCollab MapleStory and BTS, This Was Unforgettable Even Beyond the Game]

2. Mabinogi Mobile — Collaborations That Maximize the Joy of Fashion Customization and Community

Mabinogi Mobile is a game known for the appeal of character customization and life-style play. In Pico posts as well, those discussing Mabinogi Mobile identified the heart of its collaborations as “fashion customization” and “the fun of playing together.”

When collaboration items go beyond simple collectibles and become tools for expressing a character’s individuality and taste, player satisfaction rises significantly. In a game like Mabinogi Mobile, where outfits, hairstyles, pets, dyeing, and screenshot culture all matter, even a single collaboration item can become the starting point for new ways to play.

Picos fondly recalled gathering in village squares while wearing collaboration outfits and items, taking screenshots together, and admiring one another’s styling.

Why was it so memorable?

• Collaboration items made character customization even more enjoyable.

• It expanded community experiences in which players gathered on their own, took photos, and created their own fun.

• There were many visually shareable elements, such as cute costumes and pets.

• Collaborations were an excellent fit for a game centered on creating “your own character.”

💬 "If you're a player who loves character customization (like me), it’s a game you can happily enjoy." — 유이무님, [A Feast of Collaborations! : Mabinogi Mobile]

💬 "The fact that players created and enjoyed new forms of play on their own made this collaboration even more special." — 감쟈님, [Mabinogi Mobile Made Even More Fun with the Maple Collaboration]

3. Baram — Collaborations That Spark and Respect Player Nostalgia

With its long service history, Baram is a game built on years of player memories. That is why, in Baram collaborations, players valued not simple novelty but how well the collaboration preserved the emotional touch longtime users remember.

Picos responded strongly to deco items that captured Baram’s distinctive atmosphere, elements that evoked the tavern, and concepts built around long-standing memes. When a collaboration incorporates cultural touchstones that players instantly recognize, such as “Scatter the squirrels” and “I’m bald,” it becomes more than a simple partnership. It becomes a way of reaffirming the long-shared memories between the game and its players.

Collaborations in long-running games draw even stronger responses when they respect the time longtime players have invested while also welcoming new audiences. This is precisely why Baram collaborations were remembered so clearly.

Why was it so memorable?

• It reflected symbols and memes remembered by players who have spent years with the game.

• It maintained a Korean-style world setting and the identity of a long-running IP.

• Rather than offering simple rewards, it conveyed the feeling that “this game recognizes players who have enjoyed it for a long time.”

• It reconnected past memories with the current gameplay experience.

💬 "I think this collaboration was the most memorable because it felt like the game was being treated with the respect an old game deserves." — 딸기전사님, [PEAK Challenge] Assemble for a 30th Anniversary Game! A Variety of Collaborations with Baram ]

4. Elsword — A Broad Collaboration Spectrum That Crosses Genres

Elsword is an action RPG known for its fast-paced combat and highly distinctive characters. PEAK users highlighted how impressively Elsword has collaborated across a wide range of fields.

Collaborations with idol groups generated strong buzz through dance motions, avatars, and event content. Collaborations with animation, Vocaloid, and food and beverage brands also aligned well with Elsword’s character-driven identity, giving players a variety of ways to enjoy the game.

Why was it so memorable?

• Its collaboration range was broad, spanning idols, animation, Vocaloid, and food and beverage brands.

• There were many elements players could directly experience in-game, such as character avatars and motions.

• Collaboration outfits continued to be discussed among players even after the events ended.

• The character appeal, style, and presentation of an action RPG paired naturally with outside IPs.

💬 "They even collaborated with truly famous idols and released dance motions to go with it!" — 안녕하세요반갑읍니다이피크는게임근황및컨텐츠를올리는님, [Wow! Elsword! So Many Collaborations!]

💬 "Elsword has also collaborated with idols and animation." — ㅇ.ㅇ님, [A Go-To Destination for All Kinds of Collaborations]

5. Mabinogi — Natural Collaborations That Match the Game’s Atmosphere

In Mabinogi Online collaborations, the point that stood out most to Picos was the quality of execution. Even if the IP was not widely familiar, a collaboration could still leave a lasting impression if the characters, outfits, and atmosphere were realized attractively within the game.

PEAK posts also noted that even collaborations with works users did not know well remained memorable because the characters implemented within Mabinogi Online left such a strong impression. When a collaboration fits naturally into the game’s atmosphere, preserves the defining traits of the original work, and still maintains Mabinogi’s signature sensibility, players can embrace even an unfamiliar IP as a new favorite.

Why was it so memorable?

• Even for players unfamiliar with the original work, the in-game implementation itself felt appealing.

• It naturally expressed characters, outfits, and atmosphere through Mabinogi’s unique sensibility.

• It showed that, alongside the popularity of the collaboration IP, the quality of the in-game experience is what truly matters.

• It stimulated both nostalgia among PC Mabinogi users and anticipation for mobile.

💬 "Even though it was a collaboration with a work I didn’t know, I think it stayed in my memory because the character I encountered through the collaboration in Mabinogi Online was quite impressive." — 자경씨님, [Adding Something You Like to Something You Like Is a Very Good Thing (feat. Collaboration)]

[What Makes a Collaboration ‘Memorable,’ According to Picos]

There are several common traits shared by the game collaborations that Picos remember for a long time.

1. It brings back old memories

The longer players have enjoyed a game, the more vividly even a small item or a familiar line can bring those memories rushing back. When a place they once visited, a character they remember, or memes shared among players reappear through a collaboration, it creates a special sense of familiarity and the fun of thinking, “So this is how they brought it back?”

2. It makes my character feel more special

Collaboration outfits, costumes, pets, and deco items do not end as simple rewards. By dressing up a character, customizing them, and capturing the results in screenshots, the experience stays memorable for much longer. For players who love customization in particular, even one collaboration item can be more than enough reason to log in.

3. It creates something to enjoy together

A strong collaboration does not end with simply receiving an item on your own. Players can match outfits and gather together, take photos in event spaces, or chat with friends about what they have seen. When a collaboration feels like a small festival in itself, it tends to leave a longer-lasting impression.

4. It can be experienced outside the game as well

Moments encountered outside the game, such as popup stores, themed zones, merchandise, and food and beverage collaborations, also feel special. They allow players to experience in real life a game they had only seen on screen. The excitement of seeing the world of a favorite game unfold in an actual space is not easily forgotten.

5. It remains as a memory even after the event ends

Truly outstanding collaborations continue to be talked about even after the event is over. Small traces remain for a long time, whether that means an outfit still being worn, screenshots saved in an album, or conversations once shared with friends. That is why, for players, a memorable collaboration is not just a limited-time event but one lasting scene from their memories of enjoying the game.

[FAQ]

Q1. Which Nexon games are most often mentioned for memorable game collaborations?

Frequently mentioned examples of memorable game collaborations include MapleStory, Mabinogi Mobile, Baram, Elsword, and Mabinogi. MapleStory is remembered for collaborations that connected experiences inside and outside the game, such as BTS and Lotte World, while Mabinogi Mobile received strong responses for its character customization and community experiences, and Baram for collaborations that stirred nostalgia among longtime players.

Q2. Why was the MapleStory collaboration especially memorable?

MapleStory collaborations stood out because they expanded long-held nostalgia into real-world experiences. The collaboration with BTS naturally connected MapleStory’s signature character customization with fandom engagement, while the Lotte World collaboration offered the unique experience of encountering Maple Island in a real-world setting. For that reason, MapleStory is often one of the first titles that comes to mind for users looking for “memorable game collaborations.”

Q3. What makes Mabinogi Mobile collaborations appealing?

The appeal of Mabinogi Mobile collaborations lies in fashion customization and community. Collaboration outfits, pets, and customization items allow players to make their characters feel even more distinctive, while also adding the fun of taking screenshots and sharing styling ideas with other users. For players who enjoy character customization, Mabinogi Mobile’s collaboration content tends to remain memorable for a long time.

Q4. Why were Baram collaborations especially welcome to longtime players?

Baram collaborations were warmly received because they successfully captured the memories and memes unique to a long-running game. When items that evoke the tavern or other familiar elements remembered by longtime players appear, it feels less like a simple event and more like “reuniting with memories from a game I once enjoyed.” In that sense, Baram is an excellent example of a game collaboration that evokes nostalgia.

Q5. What kind of players would enjoy Elsword and Mabinogi collaborations?

Elsword is a strong fit for players who enjoy broad IP collaborations, as it has partnered with a wide range of fields including idols, animation, Vocaloid, and food and beverage brands. Another key appeal is the abundance of directly tangible elements such as collaboration outfits and motions. Mabinogi, meanwhile, is a notable example of a game that creates memorable collaborations by implementing characters and outfits attractively in-game, even when the IP itself may be unfamiliar. Players who appreciate high-quality character realization and fantasy sensibilities may want to keep a close eye on it.

Looking through the memorable game collaboration examples that Picos experienced and shared themselves, it becomes clear that collaborations are not merely one-time events. They are important elements that enhance a game’s value and deliver special experiences to players.

What game collaboration stands out most in your memory? Share your story on PEAK right now and connect with fellow Picos.