Hollow Knight Joins Fortnite as Sidekick Character

Fortnite has announced that Hollow Knight will be coming to the battle royale as part of its upcoming Fortnitemares Halloween event. The reveal came through a brief appearance in a new promotional trailer for the seasonal event, which runs alongside Fortnite's Override gaming season.

In the trailer, the Knight from Team Cherry's acclaimed metroidvania appears sitting on a bench next to Guff, a longtime Fortnite character. The footage also shows a Shade variant of the Knight, suggesting both versions will be available when the crossover launches. The character will join Fortnite's growing roster of sidekicks—smaller companion characters that follow players throughout matches. Other sidekicks already in the game include SpongeBob SquarePants, Tails from Sonic the Hedgehog, and Rush from Mega Man.

The sidekick format makes sense for Hollow Knight's addition, as it allows the character to appear in-game without needing to wield weapons. However, the crossover presents an interesting visual challenge: the Knight has only ever appeared in Team Cherry's 2D platformer and has never been rendered in three dimensions. Fortnite's version will mark the character's first appearance in a fully 3D game environment, potentially offering fans a new perspective on the iconic protagonist.

Beyond the sidekick itself, data miners have uncovered additional cosmetic items tied to the Hollow Knight crossover. According to leaks from the game's files, the Shade variant will function as a style option rather than a separate purchase, and players can expect a Hollow Knight-themed back accessory and pickaxe to accompany the sidekick. The pickaxe is likely to reference either the Knight's signature nail weapon or Hornet's needle from the upcoming Hollow Knight: Silksong.

This year's Fortnitemares event is shaping up to be particularly substantial, bolstered by the Override season's content slate. A Five Nights at Freddy's crossover has already been confirmed, with its announcement becoming the most-liked post in Fortnite's history on social media—surpassing the Dragon Ball Z crossover reveal that held the record since 2022. The event also features other horror-themed characters, including Freddy Krueger from the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise and a version of the Predator without its iconic mask.

Hollow Knight's arrival marks a significant crossover for the indie metroidvania, which launched in 2017 to critical acclaim. The game has maintained a dedicated fanbase while Team Cherry works on its long-anticipated sequel, Silksong, making the Fortnite partnership a notable moment for the franchise's cultural reach.