Geralt of Rivia. Persona 5 has a lot of characters, but the warm arc that Sojiro goes through from seeing the protagonist as a young rapscallion to treating him like his own son melts the heart. In all seriousness, she was one of the first female video game characters to shed some classic stereotypes. In short, hes a badass hero who appeals to the ideals of self-assertion and duty. It has the mischief of a child and the selfishness of an adult. All your favorite characters and even a few surprises! In Animal Crossing: New Leaf, shes the pure, helpful pal opposite Tom Nooks thieving landlord eyes. But Lincolns fate depends on how much the player understood him, or respected the truth that all Lincoln wanted was Sal Marcano dead, for betraying the Black Mob. But Rocksteady Studios Arkham trilogy offers us an intimate look at the pair. Atari Games Corp. v. Nintendo of America Inc. Lewis Galoob Toys, Inc. v. Nintendo of America, Inc. Nintendo of America, Inc. v. Blockbuster Entertainment Corp. Universal City Studios, Inc. v. Nintendo Co., Ltd. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lists_of_Nintendo_characters&oldid=1135970721, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 January 2023, at 00:12. But hes also bursting with internal trauma based on his violent past (his father was a drug baron) and a tragic love affair with his greatest rivals wife. One of the most surprising things about players' love for the Chief is that Master Chief rarely speaks in the games. He is destined for the top job, though his inept rule ends badly. Can you name the video game characters whose names begin with the letter 'J'? Cocchiola is an old man who looks back on a battle in the Dolomites, in which he tries to save the life of his brother. He is a former Green Beret and a highly-trained special operations soldier with an incredibly high IQ (180) and a knowledge of various languages. A unique gameplay feature that Mega Man began was the ability to steal weapons and their features from downed robot enemies. But then, faced with the hideously charred remains of a family, Biggs busts out. Now, he's excited to devote his energies full time to Howchoo. See also literature; novel; fable; short story. Assassin's Creed games. And really, that reflects a lot of what makes Commander Shepard so popular with gamers. Freeman must fight an alien race known as headcrabs after being one of the few survivors of a massive attack. Many critics note that what makes Big Boss such a great character is his believable evolution into a villain. He currently resides in the Tampa-area with his wife and puppy. Here's the character you'd want with you anytime you had to go into a spooky house! The terrifying concept sells the scenes of Marguerites frantic stabbing, Jacks relentless hunt, and the dread you feel sitting down to a family dinner. One of the original playable characters in the game Mortal Kombat, he quickly became one of the fan favorites. Plays. Yes, hes got a surprisingly well-defined jaw and a winning smile for someone who seems to be more shark than Hylian, but beneath those fins beats a heart of gold. This was due, partly, to the limitations expected on the graphics upon release. Marguerite is trying to offer you hospitality, while Jack serves as the immortal, protective patriarch of his twisted family. She is best friends with the character, Jade, and fights alongside her to overthrow the rulers of the Outland. He's a family man, married to Mrs. Pac-Man, with two kids. Mecha Sonic. "Get over here!" We have this to say about Bowser: he's the angriest turtle ever made! A weekly roundup of the best things from Polygon, By submitting your email, you agree to our, The 70 best video game characters of the decade, Sign up for the Few characters have such unshakable confidence. And he did it all while wielding a humble shovel. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. But behind Isabelles sparkling, there is a certain rage, which she let out when she was revealed to be in Super Smash Bros. The lifer sent out to pasture on the LAPDs arson desk, Herschel Biggs grumbles at wonderboy Cole Phelps theories that some workaday house fires are actually connected to a larger or more sinister conspiracy. Desmond returns to his ancestor's memories by force so that a secret organization can learn the truth of the past. This loving mom-and-pop duo has transformed into a simmering pot of supernatural rage, masquerading as your new parents. Geary is a type-A corporate perfectionist, which is interesting enough, but on top of that shes genuinely hilarious. Created for the original God of War in 2005, Kratos has since traveled as far as any video game character in his depth and personality. But most importantly, his trial gives us a better look into the otherwise stoic and introverted Geralt. More than in most stories about princesses, you really feel the immense political pressure shes placed under while also feeling the responsibility you have to guide her through assassination attempts, court lessons, and plenty of intrigue. Parvati is the very first character you meet in The Outer Worlds, and if the internet at large is to be believed, shes also the very best. He hates me, initially, when I first move to Pelican Town. Dead by Daylight AND while True: learn() are free December 2nd to December 9th, 2021! The people, animals, and robots weve loved. When she finally stops running from Part of Madeline and instead joins forces with her, theyre both stronger for it. Like a sick man getting his hunger back, Biggs is a crime fighter again. Dutch can be read as a proud man who is trying to tread water in a world that no longer has room for him, or a monster distracting from his own cruel, violent whims with grand gestures and patriarchal pressure. What makes Marston a compelling Western-themed protagonist is that he is both hero and a villain at times. While he doesn't have much of a narrative, we learn from later cut scenes that Sweet Tooth is a former circus performer who's escaped from a mental institution. It's hard to make a list without at least one Blizzard video game character, and Sarah Kerrigan is certainly the standout. Rookie Henry reports any anomalies to Delilah via radio. Destiny can be very dark and overly serious at times, but Norths Ghost delicately threads the needle between lifting you up and letting you know things just got real. Mira captures a stern sort of kindness that you dont often see from characters in any medium. Plenty of games make the main character vague and silent, to allow players to easily project themselves into them, but Sunset Overdrive bucks that trend, and hard. The games design particularly its clever use of touchscreen mechanics gives these connections a tactile feel that brings depth and nuance to Florence as we learn about her love, life, and worries. Shes chill but shes no pushover, and she sticks to her morals even when theyre badly tested. In the novels, Sam Fisher has the ability to fall asleep at will, which is an ability that proves useful when he needs to sleep in less-than-comfortable circumstances. Initially, he sets off to prank his friends. She appears in two Blizzard franchise titles: StarCraft andHeroes of the Storm. Player is snarky, meta-aware, occasionally confused, but always along for the ride, and honestly thats what I strive for in life. Kratos looks like he could be a bouncer at one of the toughest bars in the worldand in many ways, that's kind of what he is. While he's certainly a bad dude in the game, however, Philips actually has a heart and cares about some people in his life. Big Boss / Snake ( Metal Gear) Cortana is an artificially intelligent character that provides information throughout the game and figures into the story. He then goes in search of a rumored doppelgnger in a fantasy world. Toad has the distinction of being one of the only non-playable iconic video game characters to be featured on our list (though he is playable in a couple of spinoffs and in Super Smash Bros). In The Stanley Parable, you can contradict the games narrator, who in turn does their best to steer your actions back to the tale it wants to tell. Playing Hunter as a central attacking midfielder in Norwich Citys 4-2-3-1, with Danny as striker, I was more than happy to help. You'll never believe how much they get played to play games! He's likely the most iconic fighting-game character of all time. She also has a drinking problem. One of the voices in her head actually talks to the games player, and its often unclear if the things she sees are real or figments of her mental distress. First appearance in a game: Pac-Man (1980). First appearance in a game: Metal Gear (1987). In Arkham Knight, after the Jokers already dead, he lives in Batmans head and torments him with visions and dark thoughts. His in-game powers include a famous energy attack where he spins in the air at his opponent. In a world of over-the-top crime capers and big-time heists, Grand Theft Auto 5s Lester Crane provides a humble counterpoint. He hates his job. He rolls. Contrary to popular belief, Ash Ketchum is not the protagonist of video games such as Pokmon Red, Blue, or Yellow. For one, he's got a killer shade of green on his outfit. Since studios and developers first began creating video games with vocalized lines in the early 1990s, the quality of voice acting has increased in tandem with the number of famous names participating in video game acting. There are many, many video game characters that have been voiced by famous actors. They attempt to bring the girl to a place where a cure can be made from her immunity. A genuine tear-jerker. King Pagan Min is the most colorful and disturbing of the bunch. He has one mission: to kill his targetthough if he enjoys his work, we would never know it! First appearance in a game: The Last of Us (2013). In Her Story, Hannah is being interviewed by police who are investigating the disappearance of her husband. The series . First appearance in a game: Mortal Kombat (1992). Danganronpa is a Japanese video game series created and developed by Spike Chunsoft. Trending pages Sonic the Hedgehog Kirby (Nintendo) Mario Amy Rose Bendy Toadette Boyfriend (Friday Night Funkin') Bowser All items (69) # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Other A Amy Rose B Bane Bendy Berri Bowser Bowser Jr. He has no problem betraying his friends once they have served their usefulness. He's pure in many ways and has no dialogue, except for a few grunts and groans, in the games. Oh, and he laughs every time a player misses, which makes him one of the most annoying characters of all time, as well. If you dont already know that Spider-Man is a great character, its pretty hard to make the case in a short blurb. Ezio is a skilled assassin who climbs walls and completes quests that lead toward uncovering dark secrets. Atreus is the son of Kratos and Faye. Shane is an aimless, depressed alcoholic who stocks shelves at the local JojaMart. She explores tombs in the faraway places of the world, searching for clues and some really cool ancient artifacts. Destinys characters rarely speak, so nearly all the exposition and internal thoughts come through Ghost, every Guardians faithful shoulder angel. It's Mario's twin brother! Like plenty of other Overwatch heroes, Tracer is often portrayed in fan art, as fans have reclaimed the characters and made them their own. The only time Master Chief's face can be seen is when beating Halo 4 on the highest difficulty. Yeah, we know. Toadstools are often depicted with their red caps and white spots, which resemble Toad's cap. It was hard to decide between showcasing the image of Sweet Tooth himself or his iconic ice cream truck. He's a protector and about as tough as they come. While Diddy Kong is certainly not as recognizable as Donkey Kong, he is a fan favorite and even has his own set of games from Nintendo, such as Diddy Kong Racing and Diddy Kong's Quest. Heres the thing: Spider-Man has been around for a while. Isabelle is my best friend. And, because shes Mom, she knows all of Isaacs deepest, darkest secrets, which makes her a master of passive aggression as well as aggressive aggression. She manipulates the game itself and ultimately smashes through the fourth wall. Are you a passionate writer? Assassins Creed Odyssey is a huge game, spanning ancient Greek history and mythology. Known only as "Dog," the dog that collects the ducks the player has shot has that winning smile that helps him onto our list of famous video game characters. If you search YouTube for the final episode of the first season of Telltales The Walking Dead, youll find a miniature industry of players recording their own emotional responses to its devastating finale. And there's something loveable about each of the great apes. I mean, John DiMaggio there when I needed him. The Dictator to some, M. Bison is the ultimate personification of evil and the main antagonist of the Street Fighter series, even while not appearing until Street Fighter II. Theres nothing special about Venom Snake, but he plays a convincing Big Boss. Henry is Firewatchs protagonist, but its his unseen boss Delilah who delivers the storys most layered, intriguing, and mysterious subject. Samael. The only real estate agent in town, Tom Nook sells players their first house when they start the game (with a payable mortgage of course!). This is a category for all the characters in the Dead or Alive series. He's known mostly for his skills with sidearms and his trademark RayBan sunglasses. What if we shattered the reality of the game and worked in direct conflict with the whole concept of the game itself? We hope you'll enjoy this list of the most iconic video game characters! Willows dialogue from accusing me of flirting with her ex to starting rumors about me on Twitter is so delightfully over the top and campy that I cant help but get sucked into the drama. Some of the lines almost come off as silly in the moment, but multiple playthroughs help cement Josh as a complicated young man ruined by far scarier things than Until Dawns monsters. The original name for Gordon Freeman was going to be "Dyson Poincar," which is a combination of mathematician Henri Poincar and philosopher Freeman Dyson. Developers kept this a secret before the game's release, and most players were really excited to control the secondary character. First appearance in a game: Metal Gear (1987). In a world where barely any adults can be trusted, Sojiro supports the Phantom Thieves and provides them adult advice they often need to hear. One big reason for the pokmon's popularity is that he is the partner of Ash Ketchum as the starter Pokmon in the anime series. Whats the Best Video Game From the Year You Were Born? It also helps that Parvati is voiced by the extraordinary Ashly Burch. The quality of writing in games, in terms of dialogue, characterization, and plot, has improved immensely. Nobody. He is also self-deluded and embarrassingly boastful. Yoshi has to be the most recognizable video game dragon, even if he is more cute than scary! Throughout Ninja Theorys thoughtful game, she struggles with her own psychosis, which she believes to be a curse wrought by demons. Characters. First appearance in a game: Resident Evil (1996). For many Nintendo fans, the Shy Guy is best known for his appearance and performance in Mario Power Tennis, where let's face itShy Guy had some skills. The list is presented in alphabetical order. By platform [ edit] Acorn [ edit] List of Acorn Electron games Apple [ edit] List of Apple II games List of Apple IIGS games List of iOS games List of Macintosh games Amstrad [ edit] List of Amstrad CPC games The popular indie horror franchise Five Nights at Freddy's has been a long-standing cornerstone of both the genre for players and those involved in the wider world and storyline of the games. And it's that compelling storyline, one that is character-driven like a great novel, that seals Commander Shepard as one of video gaming's great protagonists. Comments. First appearance in a game: Gears of War (2006). The designer of Mario, Shigeru Miyamoto, originally intended to use the characters of Popeye, Brutus, and Olive Oil for the role of Mario, Donkey Kong, and Princess Peach, respectively. Death Strandings hero is a porter who delivers goods across a post-apocalyptic America, connecting cities to a nationwide network. Shy Guys are the quintessential cute and evil minions of video games. First appearance in a game: God of War (2005). In the earliest iterations of the character, he was nothing more than an underwater diver with a diving helmet. in alphabetical order. Kirsten Geary, the Illuminati faction leader for supernatural horror game The Secret World, breaks the mold in brilliant style. In fact, including the player character and optional downloadable content, you basically fill your entire party with different versions of Mercer. His enthusiasm is so endearing that I hope he returns in Breath of the Wilds sequel. As Emet-Selch let me into his brain and showed me the civilization he was once a part of, my heart sank, as I knew that I could not sacrifice the universe in exchange for his happiness, no matter how badly I wanted to. (Thats not to mention her flirty delivery when Kassandra romances NPCs it makes me blush every time.) Florence is a game about connections, whether those are in friendship, in love, or with family. Even though Navi only appears in Ocarina of Time, the little sprite/fairy has still won our hearts. Instead, the main character of those games is named Red, who the anime character known as Ash Ketchum is based on. Her stubborn determination to reach the top of Celeste mountain, despite a Part of Madeline telling her that she cant do it, is an apt metaphor for pushing past insecurity and self-criticism. The original Donkey Kong holds a Guinness World Record for "First Use of Visual Storytelling in a Video Game" because it was the first to include basic cut scenes. Every video game starts with an unspoken agreement. When you're as dangerous as he is, you can pretty much wear whatever you want. They the Traveler is genderless do not speak, but rather chirp greetings to other travelers they encounter. Long before Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds, Wolfenstein was the series that rewrote history and allowed players to kill Nazis at will. Its been an incredible decade for character design, in which facial capture technology has helped burnish excellent performances by actors and voice actors. Tricos mishmash of cat, bird, dog, and deer was animated so lovingly that it was easy for many players to see a beloved pet in his large brown eyes. There was an urban legend that a player could actually kill the dog in Duck Hunt, which wasn't true until the arcade VS. First appearance in a game: Twisted Metal (1995). But Monika learns her lesson; she realizes the best way to love the player is to let them be free, which is poetically conveyed in the games ending song. First appearance in a game: Grand Theft Auto V (2013). Eventually, he turns his talents to running an orphanage and being a dad. Florence Yeoh, the namesake of Mountains Florence, is a stunning character, one more affecting in an hours worth of mobile gameplay than plenty of characters Ive spent many hours with. Dates with Shane reveal layers of insecurities. He's often compared with Superman and Spiderman in terms of his character and motivation. He won many hearts when he debuted in 3D in Donkey Kong Country and has since become one of Nintendo's most iconic characters. I just started my second playthrough of Stardew Valley and I thought I could resist him, but no dice. Others really love Tom Nook and see him as a shrewd businessman. Blackwood Crossing is one of the most underrated narrative games of the past 10 years. Toad received his name from the word "toadstool," which is another word for mushroom. She also underwent extensive learning from her nephews and nieces about how cool Kitana was! Her condition presents an impossible dilemma: Continue to take her medication and lose the memory of her grandchildren, whose voices she keeps on a holotape, or keep the memory of her loved ones in the near term, and eventually succumb to insanity. He's also a trendy character to play in the Mario Kart series. These are lists of characters in video games . There are 101 characters listed here. Pac-Man has even found his way into business lingo. For most of the adventure that the titular Owlboy goes on, the silence around him is filled with the ruminations, opinions, and feelings of others, leaving Owlboy with only the ability to let his actions speak for him. The following is a list of lists of characters who appear in various games and franchises published by Nintendo arranged in alphabetical order. Some really dislike Tom Nook and see him as an exploitative opportunist who's greedy and with little good to him. Over the years, the old man has definitely grown on me. These are lists of characters in video games. If youve been the asshole friend and been lucky enough to have a friend like Mira, take a moment to let them know you appreciate them. The supersoldier protagonist of the Halo series of games, Master Chief holds a special place in the hearts of anyone who grew up on the iconic shooting game franchise. From there we get to know this highly likable chap, who just wants to get through life with as little hassle as possible while cracking excruciating skeleton puns. Like many other classic video game soldiers, he ends up being a loner for much of the game. Gotta catch 'em all! Play Classic 80's Arcade Games. Agent 47 is actually a clone from the DNA of five different men, each with certain physical and mental attributes. First appearance in a game: Splinter Cell (2002). She/He is a kind of blank canvas, on which the player can customize a character that feels the most enjoyable with which to play the game. He is a Japanese martial artist based on real-life karate masterMas Oyama. The original anime used the name Satoshi Tajiri, who is the creator of the Pokmon game and series. With multiple movies starring Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft, she shot all the way up our list to number two. Dr. Wily. First appearance in a game: Spyro the Dragon (1998). Set as a prequel to the main game, Left Behind explores the two girls differences and their closeness as they face inevitable separation. The 70 best video game characters of the decade. As a young rookie agent, she makes mistakes. Thank you Mario, but our Princess is in another castle! In his past incarnation, he took his cues from ancient myths, displaying bone-headed violence and amorality. We're hiring! First appearance in a game: Assassin's Creed: Lineage (2009). Nolan North took over for Peter Dinklage in the original Destiny, and continued the role into the second game. What contributes to his iconic stature is both the popularity of the game BioShock and the incredible design of the character itself. And thus, this list was born. I meanjust look at those shoulders. A former escaped convict turned into a weapon by the government? While many people mistakenly refer to Link as Zelda, it should be noted that Zelda is the name of the princess that Link attempts to rescue in the various Legend of Zelda games. Although hes mostly a typical grizzled game-bloke protagonist, his character and personality are elevated by a superb performance from Norman Reedus, who imbues Sam with a humanity and need thats rare in gamings leading men. We have only allowed one character (or duo) per franchise, but its worth mentioning that many of the games listed below have more than one memorable character. It also makes our list of best video game by year of birth an impressive four times! He wields legendary swords, such as the Master Sword, in the various games and uses other legendary artifacts to complete his quests. Navi is told early in the game by the Great Deku Tree to follow Link and help him out in his journey. Alphabetical List Of Board Games. Mass Effect 3 may have ended the trilogy on a sour note, but well always have Commander Shepard. Michael ( 175) May 15, 2021 0 Who do you think of first when you think about video games? One of gaming's classic antagonists, Bowser made his debut in Super Mario Bros. as the classic villain who steals away the princess, Princess Peach, from Mario. Also known as the Queen of the Blades, Kerrigan is an assassin in-game, using her psychic powers to gain knowledge and take down her enemies. First appearance in a game: Donkey Kong Country (1994). Villain Emet-Selchs story was mysterious and a little confusing until the Final Fantasy 14: Shadowbringers expansion fleshed him out and showed who he really was: a guy just trying to bring his split world back together, after his people were eradicated by a god. But giving Shane a single gift initiates a surprisingly sweet courtship, where hell send me recipes in the mail and refuse to speak to me in person. Though Sega has all but shut down operations, Sonic remains popular even with new gamers.