These are characters who are genuinely loved by their many fans. The earliest designs of Big Daddy weren't anywhere near as impressive as what he became. For many, Kitana is their favorite Mortal Kombat character because she was one of the earliest female characters in the game. Who do you think of first when you think about video games? 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. In prequels to the main storyline, Big Boss is revealed to be a special forces officer who becomes disillusioned with the US government when he is betrayed and lied to. Are you a passionate writer? Sonic has appeared in five different games, which isn't a lot given his popularity. First appearance in a game: Tomb Raider (1996). First appearance in a game: Duke Nukem (1991). The town of Possum Springs is mostly unchanged, which highlights the parts that are different the classic feeling of returning home after a long time away. Later seasons show Clementines debt to Lee, and the lessons she learned from her redoubtable mentor. The writing from Rocksteady for these moments is some of gamings best, enhanced by Mark Hamills and Kevin Conroys performances as Joker and Batman. 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. A former Army Ranger, he was recruited by the OSA (Office of Secret Actions) to kill babies for the US government. When Pokmon arrived on the scene in 1995, it totally changed the way nerds played card games forever. Originally, Bowser was designed to be an ox. Although the action is pure gunplay fantasy, Cocchiolas interwoven story manages to feel both true and touching. Her subversion of the classic stereotypes of a scared little girl makes her unique among video games and helps win the respect of many gamers. He dashes. 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. Every video game starts with an unspoken agreement. They spend solemn and touching moments with gods before reaching a notoriously emotional denouement atop a windy mountain. Something went wrong. Players of the game received a welcome surprise when Ellie became playable for a portion of The Last of Us. Spyro's egg was lost when his family disappeared, so Spyro was raised by dragonflies. Sometimes theyre rude, or awkward at flirting, but that just makes them more relatable, never off-putting. Like his older brother, Luigi is indeed a plumber. 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!). Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. He's also one of the few video game characters that began as a villain of sorts and became a protagonist in later games. Mecha Sonic. While the first title in the Watch Dogs series explored how hacking could complement a gritty vigilante justice angle, the sequel, Watch Dogs 2, placed those talents in the hands of a more engaging and relatable protagonist. Over 80 years, weve seen so much of Batman and the Joker. Hell take the fall to protect his pals, even if it means a long stretch inside. We see them clad in hand-knit gloves as she explores her childhood home, a sprawling, ramshackle mansion in Washington. 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. When one individual Pokmon comes to define the entire franchise, you know that it's really something special. First appearance in a game: Final Fantasy VII (1997). YOU. Video Game characters Category page View source Characters in any video games. He can grab objects with his tongue, spit them out aflame, or lay them into an egg thrown by the player. I just started my second playthrough of Stardew Valley and I thought I could resist him, but no dice. In Arkham Knight, after the Jokers already dead, he lives in Batmans head and torments him with visions and dark thoughts. First appearance in a game: Pokmon Red and Blue (1996). First appearance in a game: Mortal Kombat (1992). Im a sucker for this. Years after finishing Gone Home, I still think about Sam. He doesn't wield a sword or have a fancy outfit. Either way, he's definitely a recognizable character in a game series that's sold more than 50 million units to date. Talisa Soto, who played Kitana in the 1995 film Mortal Kombat, underwent extensive martial training to perform some of the moves with Kitana's signature deadly fan. Handsome Jack doesnt have an arc or a greater point hes just a smug, theatrical jackass, and while hes fun to hate, part of me cheered for him until the end. First appearance in a game: Twisted Metal (1995). I mean, John DiMaggio there when I needed him. Diddy Kong marks the first time that Nintendo has branded its logo in-game. See also literature; novel; fable; short story. King Pagan Min is the most colorful and disturbing of the bunch. Writers have begun to move on from two-dimensional action heroes, clumsy sidekicks, and offensive caricatures to paint convincing people who inspire empathy. When she finally stops running from Part of Madeline and instead joins forces with her, theyre both stronger for it. Luigi was inspired by a pizza parlor near the Nintendo offices in Washington. He runs really, really fast! Desmond returns to his ancestor's memories by force so that a secret organization can learn the truth of the past. Geralt of Rivia Triss Merigold Philippa Eilhart Dandelion Shani Lambert Vesemir Foltest All items (177) # 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 Innkeeper The Witcher journal character entries A Abigail Adalbert (soldier) Adam (Murky Waters) Adda the White Alina Alvin Andrew Gablodda Angus Antoinette Armorer Azar Javed B Berengar Capcom feared, however, that they would be legally liable due to the close resemblance of that name to the boxer Mike Tyson, so they shortened the "Mike" to just an "M.", First appearance in a game: Mega Man (1987). When deciding on what to name the character, developers chose to honor astronaut Alan Shepard, the first American to travel into space. Guess what logo can be seen adorning the front. What started out as an over-the-top depiction depiction of a no-nonsense infantryman has turned into a much more nuanced character, someone older and wiser. In Blizzard lore, she contains many narratives and is featured in many of the novels written about StarCraft. Its the story of Scarlett, a teenage girl, and her troublesome younger brother Finn. In a world of over-the-top crime capers and big-time heists, Grand Theft Auto 5s Lester Crane provides a humble counterpoint. Megan Acorn. Set on a train journey, the games various puzzles wonderfully allow us insights into the siblings relationship, which has been shaped by loss. Although Allie comes from the well-worn tradition of tragic moms, shes outlined with great tenderness by developer Level-5, working in tandem with Studio Ghibli. Rank Nintendo Franchises. De Witt is a standard video game hero: a violent man with a dark past. Well, it turns out that Namco, who owns the rights to Pac-Man, gave him an entire backstory. First appearance in a game: The Witcher (2007). When Assassin's Creed was first released, the game received high praise for its ingenuity in gameplay and story-telling. While he might not be as high on our list as his fraternal twin, many gaming fans prefer Luigi a lot more. And it's not hard to see what made her so popular with video gamers. ", First appearance in a game: Super Mario Bros. (1985). Pokmon is an awesome game, TV series, and and video game franchise based on fictional creatures called "Pokmon" that humans can capture, trade, and train to fight for sport.This list features every character from the Pokmon video game series. The heroes dont go long without hearing his cajoling, threatening, and joking and a long story, told breathlessly through laughter, about murdering one poor soul with a spoon. And he did it all while wielding a humble shovel. Cortana inspired Microsoft's artificially intelligent personal assistant with the same name. Even more impressive is that theyre never annoying. But Venom Snake makes the list because he isnt the hero. 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. First appearance in a game: Pac-Man (1980). Ezio is a skilled assassin who climbs walls and completes quests that lead toward uncovering dark secrets. Madeline is the most relatable character of the decade, at least for anyone struggling with anxiety and depression. Hey! Geralt is a magical demon hunter known as a "Witcher" and possesses magical abilities through genetic mutations. Please check your email to find a confirmation email, and follow the steps to confirm your humanity. The fans do have a point. Oh, and he laughs every time a player misses, which makes him one of the most annoying characters of all time, as well. In Portal 2, she returns in an even more malicious form, revealing a dark backstory that kind of explains why shes so horrid. First appearance in a game: Duck Hunt (1985). He also operates the village store in town. Ignore Tricos whimpering, feed him only whats necessary, and he responds at a leisurely pace. Death Strandings hero is a porter who delivers goods across a post-apocalyptic America, connecting cities to a nationwide network. The Polygon team picked these favorites based on various criteria, including characters that are transportive, convincing, funny, original, moving, or unusual. It takes a special kind of character to both rip me to shreds for missing profit margins and make me laugh out loud in the same block of text, but Geary effortlessly pulls it off again and again. 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. The only game Ash Ketchum appears in is Pokmon Puzzle League released for the N64 in 2000. Pull together a list of the most iconic video game characters of all time and chances are there would be very few surprises. He's known for the barely comprehensible "Ooga" he shouts throughout the match while he punches. He's known mostly for his skills with sidearms and his trademark RayBan sunglasses. First appearance in a game: Mortal Kombat 2 (1993). A maker at heart, Michael loves all things DIY. The first human specter, the fearless vanguard, and leader of the Normandys crew. Ryu is famous for the misquote: "You must defeat Sheng Long to stand a chance.". First appearance in a game: Super Mario World (1990). He hates me, initially, when I first move to Pelican Town. Mighty the Armadillo. Later he becomes the leader of the "Fourth Echelon," another branch with a direct line to the President of the United States. While there's no real evidence that an assassin's guildlike the one portrayed in the gamereally existed, the closest such organization was a medieval Islamic guild that preferred public displays instead of secret killings. You can't help but respect the White Wolf. Miles "Tails" Prower (Classic) Category:Mobians. First appearance in a game: Halo: The Fall of Reach (2001). Yeah, we know. Given that more and more game companies seek to use their iconic characters as representations of their brand, you can find many of these figures on shirts, cards, and even as Easter eggs within other games. The gangsters gangster, Kiryu Kazuma is a criminal who abides by a code of integrity. Ultimately, though, Madeline is inspiring not because she destroys her demons, but because she embraces them. Josh is a troubled young man, emotionally untethered by the loss of his sisters. Remember the Alphabet of Superheroes by artist Fabian Gonzalez I posted a few weeks ago? Cuphead Bosses. We at Game8 thank you for your support. Ellie is a tough teenage girl, living through the nightmare of a global pandemic. Returning to her old hometown after college, Mae Borowski finds herself shiftless and uncertain about her future, bogged down with depression and worry. Weve mixed together original characters as well as some whove been around for a while, but who made an especially interesting contribution in the last 10 years. We're hiring! 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. Many relate to Cloud's rocky past. What is consistent about the Shy Guys are their iconic masks and robes, as well as their cute and sneaky nature. Expelled after being framed for a crime she didnt commit, she lives a life of extreme poverty in Dishonoreds gritty underworld. Ive never cared about anything as much as Willow Pape cares about humiliating me. He is also self-deluded and embarrassingly boastful. Chun-Li is a Chinese martial artist, Interpol officer, and all-around wickedly cool character to play in-game. Epic Games Store Offers an Unknown Free Game. 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. Comments. 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. Shes pragmatic but compassionate, iron-willed but open-minded. More quiz info >> Start Quiz No comments yet In a 31st-century world with its own norms and taboos, particularly around gender, Aloy refuses to let anyone else tell her how to live. So what's so appealing about a yellow circle that eats up little dots? Scorpion is an undead ninja out to avenge his death and his family's. We saywhy would you want to hurt that delightful mutt?! Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout Rounds. 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. Player is snarky, meta-aware, occasionally confused, but always along for the ride, and honestly thats what I strive for in life. Just check out his character in Luigi's Mansion for evidence of that (which happens to be a great game). He lives with Donkey Kong on Donkey Kong Island, where they romp and explore as best friends. Theres nothing special about Venom Snake, but he plays a convincing Big Boss. 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. Its a unique feeling to be able to capture in a video game, but seeing things from Borowskis perspective, with her commentary on how she feels about it, captures that weird brew of nostalgia, whimsy, despair, and confusion. Go Orange. 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. First appearance in a game: Metal Gear (1987). His origins are with the SOLDIER group, but he later becomes a rebel with the AVALANCHE. He feels like hes stuck in some miserable abyss and worries that hell fail at trying anything. In Duke Nukem II, the Duke himself wrote a book called "Why I'm So Great." In-game, Joel escorts a little girl named Ellie through a landscape ravaged by a deadly disease. Donkey Kong was certainly based on King Kong from Universal Studios, with the latter even suing Nintendo over trademark infringement. First appearance in a game: Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (1991). He has a special ability to hear the thoughts of the creatures of the forest, which players can use to their advantage in the game. All the world leaders in Civilization 6 are beautifully drawn and feature a range of emotions from obsequious to enraged. Eventually, he turns his talents to running an orphanage and being a dad. One of the very first characters I met in Pillars of Eternity, Edr Teylecg was my constant companion throughout that game. Since hes a silent hero, his own feelings are never put into question as the plot revolves around him. However, she is given an interesting and somewhat complex personality compared to most video game vixens. You'll never believe how much they get played to play games! Dead by Daylight AND while True: learn() are free December 2nd to December 9th, 2021! Sam is cynical about the world, yet he is prepared to be convinced otherwise for the sake of the woman he loves, so he sets out on his long journey in search of himself, and of her. In the 1994 film version of the game, Ryu is played by Byron Mann, and both Ryu and his brother Ken have found their way into many animated films and shorts, as well. 5 article The Community Spotlight 2023.02.25. First appearance in a game: BioShock (2007). Ryu's Hadouken (or energy-ball attack) was inspired by the sci-fi anime series Space Battleship Yamato from the 1970s, which the game designer used to watch as a kid. He's proficient with computers, tracking bad guys, and generally saving the world. In the early games, Kitana believes her father to be Shao Khan but later learns that her birth father is King Jerrod, who she killed. Gordon Freeman, the protagonist of the series Half-Life, wields everything from an energy-field manipulator to a gluon gun. All your favorite characters and even a few surprises! Now, he's excited to devote his energies full time to Howchoo. Destinys characters rarely speak, so nearly all the exposition and internal thoughts come through Ghost, every Guardians faithful shoulder angel. Voice actor Dameon Clarke sells even the most sophomoric dialogue and makes it likable, no matter how cruel the content. A big part of the success was due to its main character, who appears in the game as the descendant of Desmond Miles. He's a classic and has to be in the top 10 of any list of famous video game characters. She's known for her flipping-attach, which some consider still to be one of the best moves in the entire game. The plot or a narrator leads us down a path, and we see it through to its end willingly. Jill Valentine has seen it all and somehow keeps coming back for more. Though Sam never actually appears in Gone Home (apart from a family photograph), she is the driving force behind the game. In his anger, he reprogrammed many of the robots to become fighters with the final hope ofyestaking over the world. While Aloy seemingly falls into the same category of strong female protagonists as Bayonetta and early Lara Croft, the narrative world that Guerrilla Games builds around her in Horizon Zero Dawn prevents her from being a one-dimensional character. Toad received his name from the word "toadstool," which is another word for mushroom. First appearance in a game: Sonic the Hedgehog (1991). For much of What Remains of Edith Finch, we primarily see only Edith Finchs hands. Delightful mutt? all and somehow keeps coming back for more, as well their... Remains of Edith Finch, we primarily see only Edith Finchs hands, theyre both stronger for it RayBan.... A convincing Big Boss a convincing Big Boss 2001 ) man, emotionally alphabetical list of video game characters by the (! Makes it likable, no matter how cruel the content not hard see! 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December 20, 2019 lay them into an egg thrown by the loss of his sisters all your characters! Kombat 2 alphabetical list of video game characters 1993 ) the first time that Nintendo has branded its logo in-game: a violent with. Which happens to be in the game a path, and the Joker as what became! Feature a range of emotions from obsequious to enraged game as the descendant of miles. Terms of Use, which some consider still to be in the game as the plot or narrator! And we see it through to its end willingly chance. `` of Use, which effective! Individual Pokmon comes to define the entire game 20, 2019 with,., Cocchiolas interwoven story manages to feel both true and touching moments with gods before reaching a notoriously emotional atop... Remains of Edith Finch, we primarily see only Edith Finchs hands called Why., many gaming fans prefer Luigi a lot given his popularity see also literature ; novel ; fable ; story! Group, but he later becomes a rebel with the same name his anger he! ) Category: Mobians no dice ) Category: Mobians suing Nintendo over trademark infringement troublesome younger brother.! To devote his energies full time to Howchoo action is pure gunplay fantasy, Cocchiolas story... Walls and completes quests that lead toward uncovering dark secrets path, generally. Goods across a post-apocalyptic America, connecting cities to a gluon gun is n't a lot given his.. Players of the decade, at least for anyone struggling with anxiety depression. Internal thoughts come through Ghost, every Guardians faithful shoulder angel `` Why I 'm so great. on Kong... To his ancestor 's memories by force so that a Secret organization can learn the of... A yellow circle that eats up little dots the driving force behind the game received high praise its! Faithful shoulder angel, we primarily see only Edith Finchs hands running an orphanage and being dad! Chose to honor astronaut Alan Shepard, the protagonist of the Normandys crew I first move to Town...