Though it may seem surprising that people would feel nostalgic for something from just four years ago, it's a trend that many entertainment companies have been tapping into. The same nostalgia that has driven the success of retro gaming titles like Super Mario Bros Crossover 3.0 is now being leveraged by Fortnite with its latest update, Fortnite OG.

Fortnite OG has brought back the map used in 2018, as well as popular costumes like Omegarok and Peely, the banana. This move has been a hit with players, who have pushed up player counts to 44.7 million in its first day, playing a combined 102 million hours.

The nostalgia of older games is part of what's helped Super Mario Bros Crossover 3.0 really take off. Fan-favorite drop spots like Tilted Towers, Risky Reels, and Greasy Grove have been recreated in Fortnite OG, allowing players to relive their favorite memories from the past.

In addition to the nostalgic value, Fortnite OG has also brought back some popular unvaulted items for the season, including the ever-popular Shopping Cart and All Terrain Kart, as well as a handful of weapons like the Boogie Bomb. These items are sure to bring back fond memories for players who have been with the game from the beginning.

The return of these nostalgic elements is part of what's driven Fortnite OG's success. As Whitney Singleton, a popular content creator who goes by KeepUpRadio and calls herself the Queen of Fortnite, tells Inverse in an email, 'It has been the best balance of aspects from Fortnite’s early seasons while also keeping some of the newer elements.'

In related news, Epic Games has confirmed that Marshal Mathers III will be returning to Fortnite for its finale event, called The Big Bang, performing as Eminem for a live event in the hit game. This move is part of the company's strategy to tap into nostalgia and drive player engagement.

Overall, the success of Super Mario Bros Crossover 3.0 and Fortnite OG demonstrates the power of nostalgia in driving player engagement and loyalty. By tapping into players' fond memories of older games, these titles are able to create a sense of familiarity and comfort that keeps players coming back for more.

Super mario bros crossover 3.0