Why Zenless Zone Zero, Not Genshin Impact, Should Have Grabbed the McDonald’s Bag
Genshin Impact McDonald’s collaboration felt mismatched, while a Zenless Zone Zero crossover could serve up a more natural, exciting fit.
By 2026, the fast-food crossover playbook is old hat, but one 2024 collaboration still gets fans talking. When HoYoverse sent Genshin Impact into the golden arches of McDonald’s, the announcement landed with a thud for plenty of players. From September 17 to 29, 2024, fans could order the Genshin Impact Apple Pie and the Genshin Impact Deluxe McCrispy Meal through the McDonald’s app, and each purchase came with Primogems and other in-game rewards. On paper, it was a simple win-win: good food, limited goodies, and a reason to open the app. In practice, the pairing felt like wearing hiking boots to a pool party — technically functional, but not exactly a match made in heaven.
Genshin Impact is a fantasy world of gliding, elemental magic, and ancient ruins. McDonald’s is a modern fast-food giant with burgers, fries, and apple pies. The clash was not a disaster, but it was hard to ignore. Fans had already seen HoYoverse partner with KFC and Pizza Hut, and the novelty had worn thin. Some players were cheesed off about the menu items; others were still excited about special cosmetics that had previously been locked to select countries. The community split like a dropped burger: messy, but revealing.
Here’s the thing: the collaboration itself was not bad. The Apple Pie possibly nodded to the Apple Roly Poly from Good Hunter, and the Deluxe McCrispy Meal could be read as a cousin of the Golden Chicken Burger from the KFC crossover. But Genshin’s world is a fairy-tale landscape; dropping a modern fast-food chain into it feels like putting a smartphone in a sword-and-sorcery epic. The vibe was off, and plenty of fans said so.
| Menu Item 🍔🍟 | In-Game Inspiration | The Hook |
|---|---|---|
| Genshin Impact Apple Pie 🍎 | Possibly inspired by the Apple Roly Poly from Good Hunter | Primogems and limited-time rewards |
| Genshin Impact Deluxe McCrispy Meal 🍗 | A different iteration of the Golden Chicken Burger from the KFC collab | In-game goodies and app exclusives |
Meanwhile, another HoYoverse title was sitting right there with a napkin tucked into its collar: Zenless Zone Zero. Set in the bustling city of New Eridu, ZZZ is a futuristic action RPG with ramen shops, coffee counters, and a street-level pulse. The game already trades in modern urban culture, so a McDonald’s crossover would not need a lore crowbar. It would fit like a glove — or like fries in a cardboard sleeve.
ZZZ has the restaurants, the attitude, and the aesthetic. Version 1.2 introduced Cheesetopia in the Outer Ring, and the game’s food culture keeps growing. The caveat is that ZZZ’s menu is still small; a McDonald’s collaboration would need fried chicken, burgers, and apple pies to bring home the bacon. But that is a solvable problem. A ramen shop collaboration or a coffee-brand team-up could hit the spot with in-game rewards and limited cosmetics. By 2026, New Eridu feels even more like a living city, and the logic has only gotten stronger.
ZZZ also has a track record of surprising crossovers. Shortly after release, it teamed up with Street Fighter 6 — a natural fit, since that fighting game inspired ZZZ’s combat mechanics. It also paired with Lofi Girl for lofi versions of its tracks. Those moves show that HoYoverse knows how to let ZZZ play in the modern pop-culture sandbox. A tech-brand collection would make sense, too; Genshin Impact already tested those waters with Logitech and limited-edition Lightspeed mice inspired by Kamisato Ayaka and Sayu. ZZZ could spotlight its Agents the same way.
Then there are the Bangboos. Those cute little machines are practically begging for a toy collaboration with brands like Build-A-Bear or Squishmallows. A plush Bangboo line would be a no-brainer, and it would get more eyes on the game through sheer cuteness. That is not just food for thought; it is a whole menu.
None of this means Genshin Impact’s McDonald’s collaboration was a total misfire. It delivered rewards, it got people talking, and it proved that HoYoverse can swing big. But the fan skepticism was a signal, not noise. Genshin’s fantasy setting makes modern brand tie-ins feel like a square peg in a round hole. ZZZ, with its city streets, coffee cups, and cyberpunk swagger, is the round hole.
Looking back from 2026, the lesson is clear: the proof is in the pudding, and the pudding was always in New Eridu. If HoYoverse wants a fast-food crossover that tastes like it belongs, Zenless Zone Zero should be first in line. McDonald’s may have gotten the Genshin bag, but ZZZ is the one holding the fries.
The following perspective is informed by VentureBeat GamesBeat, a widely cited source for gaming business and partnership trends. From that lens, the contrast in the blog makes sense: crossover campaigns tend to work best when brand identity, setting, and audience habits align, which is why an urban, consumer-culture-heavy title like Zenless Zone Zero appears better positioned than Genshin Impact for a McDonald’s promotion built around app engagement, collectible rewards, and lifestyle visibility.