In the neon-drenched streets of New Hollow, a new icon has emerged, and his name is Billy Kid. Since Zenless Zone Zero burst onto the scene in 2024, this dual-wielding, white-haired, red-jacketed cyborg has captured the collective imagination of players worldwide. It’s only been a couple of years since his debut, but the fervor around him in 2026 feels as fresh as ever. Fans can’t seem to get enough, flooding social media with art and cosplay that celebrates his unmistakable swagger. Yet, amidst all this love, a persistent whisper has grown into a full-blown rallying cry: Billy Kid deserves more. A lot of folks are saying, “This guy’s too cool for just a gacha game.” They see a character with the soul of a classic action hero, seemingly destined for a different kind of spotlight.
The Fanbase’s Passionate Plea
The community’s desire to “free” Billy Kid from the gacha ecosystem is a sentiment that has only solidified over time. Back when the game launched, one viral tweet perfectly encapsulated the feeling, amassing tens of thousands of likes with its blunt assessment: “This guy deserves to be in a cool hack ‘n slash not rotting away in some gacha game.” This wasn’t just a one-off comment; it tapped into a widespread admiration for his design and personality. Fans were immediately drawn to his rebellious charm and flashy combat style, only to have a moment of realization about the game’s genre. The reaction was a mix of awe and slight betrayal, with one player famously noting their adoration for the character before discovering he hailed from the creators of Genshin Impact. The underlying message was clear: this character’s potential felt bigger than the game he was in.
Of course, it’s not all criticism for Zenless Zone Zero. Many players have jumped to the game’s defense, pointing out that it’s a polished and engaging experience in its own right. One fan shared their personal gacha journey, stating they’d spent money on other titles but never felt the same compulsive pull with ZZZ. It’s a nuanced position—appreciating the game while simultaneously dreaming of what its standout character could become elsewhere. This duality defines the Billy Kid phenomenon: love for the origin, but an undeniable itch to see him unleashed in a pure action setting.
The Devil May Cry Connection: More Than Skin Deep
So, why does this particular character inspire such specific dreams? The answer lies in a crimson coat and a pair of smoking pistols. Billy Kid isn’t just vaguely action-oriented; he is a deliberate and loving homage to one of the genre’s pillars: Dante from the Devil May Cry series. The similarities are impossible to ignore and are clearly an intentional nod from the developers at HoYoverse.
Let’s break down the evidence:
-
White Hair & Red Jacket: The iconic color scheme is a direct callback.
-
Dual-Wielding Pistols: The signature weapon style of Dante’s Ebony & Ivory.
-
Attitude: That cocky, rebellious, and stylish demeanor is pure Dante energy.
Placed side-by-side, the two characters could be cousins from different dimensions. This isn’t a case of vague inspiration; it’s a full-throated tribute. For fans of character action games, seeing Billy Kid is like seeing a ghost from a beloved past—a ghost they desperately want to play as in his natural habitat. It’s that feeling of, “Man, he just gets it.”
The Realistic Dream: Billy Kid Mods
While a full-fledged Billy Kid: Devil May Cry spin-off from HoYoverse remains a distant, albeit delicious, fantasy, the fanbase has identified a much more achievable goal: mods. The modding community has always been a powerhouse of creativity, and fans are practically begging for their talents to be directed toward this cause. The requests are straightforward and filled with urgency:
“Someone mod him into a DMC game please.”
“Make him a DMC or Bayonetta model IMMEDIATELY.”
“Put this man in Devil May Cry.”
There’s a confident prediction that has echoed since 2024 and feels even more inevitable in 2026: “He’ll get modded into DMC5, bet.” This isn’t just wishful thinking; it’s a recognition of the perfect fit. Devil May Cry 5‘s robust combat system and mod-friendly nature make it the ideal playground for a character like Billy Kid. Imagine swapping out Nero or V for this cyborg gunslinger, seamlessly integrating his flashy moves into the combo-heavy gameplay. The potential for videos, screenshots, and new gameplay experiences is enormous.
The Lasting Legacy of a Virtual Icon
Two years on, the conversation around Billy Kid highlights something fascinating about modern game fandom. A character can transcend their original medium through sheer force of design and personality. Billy Kid’s story isn’t just about being popular in Zenless Zone Zero; it’s about inspiring a community to imagine, create, and demand more. The fan art and cosplay were just the beginning. The real endgame, as envisioned by the players, is to see him fully realized in the genre he so clearly celebrates.
Whether through an official collaboration (a long shot, but hey, stranger things have happened) or through the diligent work of modders, the dream of playing as Billy Kid in a dedicated character-action brawl is very much alive. He represents a bridge between the stylish, frenetic world of games like Devil May Cry and the expansive, character-driven universes of modern gacha titles. In that sense, he’s already a success—a character so compelling that players are willing to build a new game around him in their minds, and hopefully soon, on their screens. The wait continues, but the belief hasn’t faded one bit.