Video game characters are about as varied as the games themselves. They range all the way from abstract, 2D, personality-less avatars like Pac-Man to photorealistic, believable human beings exploring meticulously designed game worlds, like Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2. Creating a single character can involve the combined effort of character designers, narrative designers, and 3D modelers, to name a few. Remember that each hero, villain, or wacky sidekick on this list took a village to fully realize, and the way they all enrich their games is no accident.
1. Cloud Strife
Cloud Strife is the main playable character in Final Fantasy VII and the FF7 Remake series. Cloud fights as a mercenary with SOLDIER, the elite combat unit of the Shinra megacorporation. He wields the iconic, oversized Buster Sword, usually against Sephiroth, the games’ primary antagonist. Cloud fights alongside Tifa Lockhart, an underground resistance leader, and Aerith Gainsborough, who mostly functions in a support/healer role. The three form a love triangle throughout the games.
2. Garrus Vakarian
Garrus Vakarian is a playable character and friend of Commander Shepard throughout the Mass Effect trilogy. Garrus is a turian who used to work for C-Sec, the Citadel’s volunteer police force. His sarcastic sense of humor and laid-back attitude make him a calming presence in the group. Garrus is honest to a fault and finds injustice deeply offensive. His weapon of choice is his sniper rifle.
3. Solid Snake
Solid Snake is the stealthy protagonist of most of the Metal Gear franchise. Snake was born in the US under just the name “David.” He served in the Green Berets before joining the special ops org F0XH0UND. Snake works with his mentor and F0XH0UND’s leader, Big Boss, to pursue his brother, Liquid Snake. Solid Snake is a master of stealth, but more than happy to use a range of high-tech weaponry. His weapon of choice is the SOCOM laser-guided silenced pistol.
4. Akuma
Akuma (“Gouki” in Japanese) is a powerful, demon-like warrior. Akuma is one of the main antagonists throughout Capcom’s Street Fighter franchise, only later becoming a playable character. He was introduced as the secret final boss of Super Street Fighter II Turbo. Akuma wants to get even stronger by mastering the Satsui no Hado, a fighting technique that trades one’s humanity for ridiculous power.
5. Ryu
Ryu is the protagonist and main playable character of the Street Fighter franchise. Ryu is a traditional karate master, both in terms of his fighting style and personality. He’s deeply humble and isn’t concerned with money or possessions. All Ryu wants is a fair, challenging fight. He’s spent his whole life traveling the world, training and looking for a real challenge.
6. Doomguy
Doomguy is the extremely violent protagonist of the Doom franchise. Doomguy is a space marine who hunts demons, in space. He’s a mysterious player character who reveals minimal information about himself throughout the series. Doomguy, AKA the Doom Slayer, is too busy shooting up the demons approaching from all directions to discuss his personal backstory.
7. Samus Aran
Samus Aran is an intergalactic bounty hunter and the main playable character of the Metroid series. Samus wears a Power Suit outfitted with upgradeable high-tech weaponry. She’s determined, self-reliant, and has no problem spelunking in hostile, unexplored worlds. Ridley and the other space pirates seem to cause trouble everywhere Samus goes. Her identity was kept secret by her full-body suit until the very end of the first Metroid game.
8. Bowser
Bowser is Mario’s nemesis, appearing in nearly every Super Mario Bros. game. Bowser, AKA King Koopa, is the giant turtle-like leader of the Koopa clan. His main hobby is kidnapping Princess Peach, who then waits for Mario to traverse a lava-filled castle to free her, despite having at least as many powers as her savior. Bowser’s main moves are breathing fire, swiping with his claws, and jumping higher than the rules of physics allow.
9. Arthur Morgan
Arthur Morgan is the main playable character of Red Dead Redemption 2. Arthur was born in 1863 in the northern U.S. He’s taken in by Dutch van der Linde and Hosea Matthews after living on the streets as a delinquent. Arthur’s two new father figures teach him life skills like reading, hunting, and horse riding. Arthur Morgan grows up valuing freedom deeply and learns to live outside the law.
10. Luigi
Luigi is Mario’s taller, often overlooked brother and occasional playable character. Luigi works as Mario’s supportive comrade in the majority of games with Mario as the protagonist. He almost always wears the green version of Mario’s red-themed outfits. Luigi has a less serious demeanor and tends to get caught up in wacky side adventures. While Mario’s rescuing the princess, Luigi’s off vacuuming up ghosts, or something. In Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Luigi’s entire off-screen character arc is skippable.
11. Pyramid Head
Pyramid Head is the most famous enemy in the Silent Hill franchise, first appearing in Silent Hill 2. Pyramid Head is a creepy humanoid monster with, yes, a pyramid for a head. He/it wears bloody clothing and stalks the protagonist throughout the town of Silent Hill. Pyramid Head is really a physical manifestation of the intense guilt of the protagonist, James Sunderland. Its real name is “Red Pyramid Thing,” but “Pyramid Head” is both catchier and more descriptive.
12. Guybrush Threepwood
Guybrush Threepwood is the protagonist of the point-and-click Monkey Island games. Guybrush lives as a pirate, sailing around the Caribbean Sea in the hopes of becoming rich and famous. He eventually marries Elaine Marley, who joins him on his adventures. Guybrush’s nemesis is the undead pirate LeChuck, whose grudge extends beyond the grave thanks to voodoo magic.
13. Miles “Tails” Prower
Miles “Tails” Prower is Sonic the Hedgehog’s best friend and constant companion. Tails has been Sonic’s cheerful sidekick ever since his first appearance as the “player 2” playable character in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Tails gets his nickname from his twin tails, which he spins at high speed to fly around like a helicopter. His name is a play on “miles per hour”.
14. Agent 47
Agent 47 is the main playable character of the Hitman series. He’s a cold, emotionless killer. Agent 47 doesn’t seem to feel anything for his victims, viewing murder as just another tool to complete a mission. His number refers to him being the 47th clone created by wealthy criminals to follow their nefarious orders. Agent 47 instead escapes and joins the International Contract Agency (ICA).
15. Link
Link is the timeless protagonist of the Legend of Zelda series. Link has many reincarnations, but in nearly every reality, he’s tasked with saving the kingdom of Hyrule. He perennially rescues Princess Zelda from Ganon, much like Mario does with Princess Peach. Link’s other missions range from stopping the moon literally falling out of the sky to simply…waking up. He never goes anywhere without his green tunic, the Master Sword, and a questionable amount of explosives.
16. Espio the Chameleon
Espio the Chameleon is a ninja/spy playable character who first appears in Sonic Heroes. Espio, Vector the Crocodile, and Charmy the Bee formed the Chaotix Detective Agency together. Espio, being a chameleon, is able to camouflage in any environment. He’s reserved and disciplined, helping to balance out his team members’ impulsivity. Espio’s caution and intelligence complement his abilities as a ninja.
17. Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong started out as Mario’s antagonist in the earliest Super Mario Bros. games. He’s the one throwing all those barrels at the Italian plumber. Donkey Kong quickly left villainry behind to become the hotheaded main playable character of his own games. He’s best known for the Donkey Kong Country and DKC Returns series. And less known for the Donkey Kong Country TV show, because that was a terrible mistake—but look it up anyway.
18. Ness
Ness is the protagonist and main playable character of Earthbound, AKA Mother 2. Ness has extraordinary psychic powers and uses a range of “Psi” attacks in battle. He loves baseball and never goes anywhere without his trusty baseball bat and cap. Ness’s name is a reference to Nintendo consoles.
19. Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog is the fastest thing alive (or so he says). Sonic is the protagonist of the Sonic the Hedgehog games and movies. His main antagonist is the evil Doctor Eggman, AKA Dr. Robotnik. Sonic’s whole persona is about speed and attitude—he was Sega’s way of competing with Nintendo’s mascot, Mario. Sonic is the main playable character in most of his games. He teams up with a growing cast of other anthropomorphic characters, including Tails the Fox and Knuckles the Echidna.
20. Kamek
Kamek is Bowser’s trusted wizard companion throughout the Mario franchise. Kamek the Magikoopa flies around on his broom, casting spells to disrupt the player. He first appears in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island as the infant Bowser’s babysitter. Kamek is an NPC associated with academia and mechanical engineering. His multidisciplinary wisdom makes him extremely useful to Bowser, who doesn’t seem to know much about anything.
21. Medli
Medli is one of Link’s trusted NPC companions in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Medli is a Rito, a race of birdlike people who mainly live on Dragon Roost Island. Her ability to fly helps get Link out of tricky situations. Medli is a young apprentice, so she’s only able to fly for short distances. Medli first joins up with Link to help soothe Valoo, the raging dragon atop her home island.
22. Shantotto
Shantotto is an NPC Tarutaru Black Mage in Final Fantasy XI. Shantotto always speaks in rhymes, or with excessive formality in the original Japanese dub. Her superiority complex contrasts with her diminutive size and permanently youthful appearance. Shantotto has become the unofficial representative of FFXI after endearing herself to fans the world over.
23. Skull Kid
Skull Kid is the main antagonist of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask. Skull Kids are playful tricksters, suggested to be Kokiri children who got lost in the Lost Woods. Each Skull Kid plays a flute that doubles as a blowgun. When a particular Skull Kid NPC mischievously puts on Majora’s Mask, the mask completely takes over, Jim Carrey-style. Majora then makes the moon fall out of the sky, leaving Link to save the town of Termina.
24. Maya Amano
Maya Amano is the silent protagonist of Persona 2: Eternal Sin. Maya first appears in Persona 2: Innocent Sin as a party member, but becomes the series’ first female main playable character in its sequel. Maya is contagiously optimistic and tends to take on a leadership role in the group. She uses her rabbit doll, “Mr. Bunbun,” to help keep the party’s morale up.
25. Prishe
Prishe is an Elvaan NPC in Final Fantasy XI and a main character in Chains of Promathia. Prishe has been sheltering in the Tavnazian Safehold ever since her home was destroyed during the Crystal War. She never ages, which leads others to view her as a demon. Prishe is blunt, confident, and easily excitable.
26. Kain Highwind
Kain Highwind is a dragoon and playable party member in Final Fantasy IV. Kain and the main character, Cecil, are childhood friends who both joined the Baron military. Kain’s loyalty is mysterious; he seems to change sides multiple times throughout the game. He fights with his lance by jumping extremely high up then crashing down on enemies. Kain’s helmet and armor resemble the body of a dragon.
27. Ryo Hazuki
Ryo Hazuki is the main playable character of the Shenmue games. Ryo’s father started teaching his son martial arts at the age of 7. When Lan Di kills Ryo’s father, Ryo drops out of high school to travel across China in search of vengeance. Ryo wears a leather bomber jacket with a tiger design, a white t-shirt, blue jeans and sneakers. He’s competitive, highly emotional, and will do anything to protect his loved ones.
28. Firion
Firion is the protagonist of Final Fantasy II. Firion’s a weapon master who fights using all 7 types of weapons. He lives with his adopted siblings Guy, Maria, and Leon. Firion joins the Wild Rose Rebellion after the Palamecian Empire attacks their hometown. He wears a blue cape and a distinctive bandana over his silver ponytail.
29. Mega Man Volnutt
Mega Man Volnutt is the main playable character of the 3D Mega Man Legends games. Volnutt was originally Trigger, a robot designed to protect the only remaining humans, the Carbons. Mega Man Volnutt is a factory-reset version of Trigger that dislikes fighting and loves adventure. He’s willing to do anything to protect Roll Caskett and the rest of his new adopted family. Tron Bonne and the Bonne family are his main rivals.
30. Mighty the Armadillo
Mighty the Armadillo is a playable character throughout the Sonic franchise, first appearing in SegaSonic the Hedgehog. He’s strongly opposed to violence, as are most armadillos. Mighty the Armadillo’s best friend is Ray the Flying Squirrel. Mighty and Ray meet Sonic after the three stage a prison break from Eggman Island together.
31. Stanley the Bugman
Stanley the Bugman is an insect exterminator and the main playable character of Green House and Donkey Kong 3. Stanley’s weapon of choice is his spray gun. He sprays insects and/or giant gorillas to keep them away from his precious greenhouse plants. Stanley is easily recognizable for his buck teeth and Mario-like red overalls. He’s also known as “The Fumigator.”
32. Gilius Thunderhead
Gilius Thunderhead is one of the playable characters in the Golden Axe franchise. His short stature, thick beard and oversized axe make him resemble a mythical dwarven warrior. Gilius and his brother Gari join the Firewood Kingdom in its fight against Death Adder’s evil army. Gilius Thunderhead joins Tyris Flare and Ax Battler in search of the Golden Axe.
33. Diddy Kong
Diddy Kong is Donkey Kong’s smaller, more agile nephew. He first appears as the secondary playable character in Donkey Kong Country before taking center stage in its sequel. Diddy Kong cartwheels around at high speed to traverse obstacles and knock over enemies. He uses his trusty peanut gun and rocket-barrel backpack whenever he gets the chance.
34. Simon Belmont
Simon Belmont is the main playable character of the first Castlevania game for NES. Simon is a vampire hunter who comes from a long line of vampire hunters. His main weapon is his holy water-enchanted whip. Simon, like the rest of the Belmont clan, hunts Dracula relentlessly through his many castles.
35. Max Caulfield
Max Caulfield is the protagonist of Life is Strange. Maxine has the ability to stop or rewind time. She discovers her power after using it to protect her childhood friend Chloe from another student at Blackwell Academy. Max Caulfield is clever, introverted, and mature for her age. She’s the kind of character who prefers to photograph the world from a distance.
36. PaRappa
PaRappa the Rapper is the protagonist of his self-titled game. Parappa is a paper-thin rapping dog from the early days of the PS1. He uses his rhyming skills to get out of trouble and impress his crush, Sunny Funny. Parappa is optimistic and cheerful. His biggest obstacles are his own immaturity and self-confidence issues, which he overcomes through, of all things, rapping.
37. King Watinga
King Watinga is the boss of the game Gnat Attack in Mario Paint and Super Mario Maker. Watinga is a huge robotic insect character. He fights by shooting stinger missiles and spawning Fly Children to harass the player. King Watinga gets angry after being swatted multiple times in Super Mario Maker, initiating the harder version of Gnat Attack.
38. Chris Lightfellow
Chris Lightfellow is one of the three playable protagonist characters in Suikoden III. Chris is a fearsome warrior and leader of the Zexen Knights. The Knights’ campaign in the Grasslands brings Chris into direct conflict with Hugo, another of the game’s protagonists. Chris Lightfellow is honest, brave and self-disciplined, embodying the traditional ideal of a chivalrous knight.
39. Meta Knight
Meta Knight is one of Kirby’s main recurring antagonists. Meta Knight is an NPC who’s loyal to King Dedede but acts of his own volition. He always wears his signature mask and fights with impressive acrobatic sword maneuvers. Meta Knight’s mask-off moment in Kirby Superstar shows that he looks exactly like a purple version of Kirby.
40. Geno
Geno is a playable party member in Super Mario RPG. He’s actually a doll brought to life by the powers of the Star Road to guide the main protagonist, Mario. Geno fights using a combination of magical star powers and rocket-propelled fist attacks. Despite being one of the most fan-requested characters, Geno has never made it into a Super Smash Bros. game.
41. Marth
Marth is the swordfighter protagonist of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light. Marth is an ambitious, idealistic young leader. He doesn’t hesitate to fight for his people and takes his house’s historical allegiances seriously. Marth’s presence as playable character in Super Smash Bros. Melee was North America’s first introduction to the Fire Emblem franchise.
42. Knuckles
Knuckles the Echidna is one of Sonic’s antagonists in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Knuckles is the short-tempered guardian of the Master Emerald. He mainly fights with his fists, but is still unnecessarily fast. Knuckles climbs walls using his…knuckles and glides by trapping wind under his dreadlocks. He considers Sonic to be his rival, but the two eventually join forces when he becomes a playable character.
43. Kirby
Kirby is the protagonist of the Kirby franchise. He protects Dreamland from any and all threats, especially King Dedede. Besides his disarming cuteness, Kirby’s main weapon is his ability to suck up enemies and absorb their powers. He takes “you are what you eat” to a new level. Kirby was originally a placeholder playable character design, but the development team loved the pink orb version so much, they just kept it.
44. Big the Cat
Big the Cat is a laid-back, giant purple cat NPC who first appears in Sonic Adventure. Big lives in the Mystic Ruins. His best friend is Froggy, a pet frog that wanders off and causes trouble for the group. Big the Cat is an expert fisherman who teaches Sonic how to play the fishing minigame. He’s a gentle giant who prefers to avoid fighting, but is more than strong enough to help.
45. Shadow the Hedgehog
Shadow the Hedgehog is one of Sonic’s main rivals, first appearing in Sonic Adventure 2. Shadow’s allegiance is murky, but he initially sides with Doctor Eggman alongside Rouge the Bat. Shadow the Hedgehog has a rougher attitude than most of his Sonic franchise peers. He’s the only playable character in Sonic games who uses weapons—even machine guns. Shadow is revealed to be the “ultimate life form” created through Project Shadow by Gerald Robotnik, Eggman’s grandfather.
46. Metal Sonic
Metal Sonic is exactly what he sounds like: Sonic, except Metal. Metal Sonic is a robot modeled after the real Sonic by its creator, Dr. Eggman. Metal Sonic nearly matches Sonic’s speed and is obsessed with trying to kill him. He’s a recurring antagonist and occasional playable character who tries to one-up Sonic with new enhancements but never quite catches up to the Blue Blur.
47. Terry Bogard
Terry Bogard is one of the main playable characters of the Fatal Fury games. Terry was designed to be an exaggerated American stereotype. Terry and his brother, Andy Bogard, are orphans who were both adopted by Jeff Bogard. Terry Bogard is also known as the Legendary Hungry Wolf. He has a pet monkey called Ukee.
48. Cammy
Cammy is a Street Fighter mainstay and the second female playable character to join the roster. Cammy was cloned from the recurring Street Fighter antagonist M. Bison. She fights with high-speed martial arts, usually donning her trademark red beret and green leotard. Cammy is initially an assassin who escapes to become an MI6 operative. She goes on to work for the British government as a member of Delta Red.
49. Phoenix Wright
Phoenix Wright is one of the main protagonists in the Ace Attorney games. Phoenix is a defense attorney who mainly handles criminal trials. He’s the head of the Wright Anything Agency but initially worked under Mia Fey. Phoenix Wright has also acted as a defendant and represented himself in court. He’s a principled yet laid-back playable character who’s extremely attentive to detail.
50. Sakura Kasugano
Sakura Kasugano is a playable Street Fighter character first appearing in Street Fighter Alpha 2. Sakura is obsessed with Ryu and chases him across the world. She studies every aspect of his fighting style, but switches out the more traditional fighting gi for her sailor school uniform. Sakura is spirited, highly disciplined, and always ready for a fight.
51. Lara Croft
Lara Croft is the tomb-raiding protagonist of the Tomb Raider series. Lara is a British archaeologist character who’s as intelligent as she is acrobatically skilled. She prefers to avoid violence, but fights with her twin pistols when needed. Lara Croft grew up surrounded by academia but much prefers raiding tombs to just reading about them.
52. Mario
Mario is the main playable character of the infamous Super Mario Bros. games. He’s an Italian plumber who jumps and bounces his way through the Mushroom Kingdom. Mario’s beloved, Princess Peach, continually gets kidnapped by Bowser and has to be rescued. Mario eats mushrooms and plants he finds to grow bigger or shoot fireballs from his hands. Don’t try that part at home.
53. Master Chief
Master Chief is the protagonist of the Halo series. Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 is a “Spartan” soldier character trained from birth to fight. He leads the fight against the Flood, an ancient parasitic race, and later the combined alien forces of the Covenant. Master Chief’s concealing full-body armor exemplifies his “strong, silent type” personality.
54. Kratos
Kratos is the godly protagonist of the God of War. Kratos was the leader of the Spartan army in ancient Greece. He was tricked by the war god Ares and ended up killing his own wife and son, lending him the nickname, the Ghost of Sparta. Kratos is a violent character whos’s quick to anger, but he matures gradually throughout the franchise. His weapon of choice is the Leviathan Axe.
55. Nathan Drake
Nathan Drake helms the Uncharted series. Nathan is a career treasure hunter and lover of high-adrenaline adventures. He’s deeply knowledgeable about human history and claims, inaccurately, to be descended from the famous explorer Sir Francis Drake. Nathan remains calm and even sarcastic in the face of danger. Long story short: Nathan Drake is the video game character version of Indiana Jones.
56. Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot is the main playable character of the Crash Bandicoot platformer series. Crash is a bandicoot from the Wumpa Islands. Crash’s nemesis is the mad scientist Neo Cortex. Crash gained human-level intelligence after Neo Cortex used the Evolvo-Ray to supercharge his brain development. Crash’s favorite food is Wumpa Fruit—collecting 100 per level grants him an extra life.
57. Ezio Auditore da Firenze
Ezio Auditore da Firenze is the main protagonist of all the Assassin’s Creed games set during the Italian Renaissance. Ezio was born into nobility in Florece, Italy, in 1459. When Ezio learns about his family’s secret loyalty to the Assassin Brotherhood, he follows in their footsteps. He vows revenge after the Templar Order kills most of Ezio’s remaining family members during the Pazzi conspiracy.
58. Gordon Freeman
Gordon Freeman is the protagonist of Valve’s Half-Life franchise. Gordon is a logical and determined theoretical physicist. He’s thrown into the defense of Earth after an experiment goes so wrong that it causes a global alien invasion. Gordon Freeman is a silent protagonist character, so his personality is mostly determined by the players’ actions. He’s received minimal combat training, but learns how to use a range of new weaponry quickly.
59. Pac-Man
Pac-Man is a ghost-devouring yellow puck-shaped man of arcade infamy. Pac-Man has long been one of the most recognizable playable characters in the video game industry. His debut in 1980 has the player dodging ghosts in a looping maze. Once Pac-Man consumes larger pieces of food/pellets, he’s able to eat the ghosts, too. even able to eat the ghosts. Pac-Man’s drive to consume everything around him, even death itself, mirrors the runaway consumerism of 1980s America. Maybe.
60. Pikachu
Pikachu is the electric mouse character who serves as the mascot of the Pokemon media empire. Pikachu is Ash Ketchum’s de facto starter Pokemon in the TV series. As an electric-type Pokemon, it primarily uses moves like Spark and Thunder Shock. Pikachu is loosely based on the pika, a curious North American rodent whose body produces a more normal, boring amount of electricity. Depending on the game, Pikachu evolves into Raichu either using a Thunder Stone or by building up its friendship level with the player.
61. Commander Shepard
Commander Shepard is the protagonist of the space epic Mass Effect series. Commander Shepard is a blank slate character, personality-wise. Each player creates their own Shepard and shapes them through three games of tense decision-making. Shepard has been exposed to element zero, making him/her a biotic. Being able to create physics-altering “mass effect fields” gives Shepard telekinetic powers and the ability to manipulate gravity.
62. Ellie Williams
Ellie Williams is one of the two main playable characters in The Last of Us. Ellie initially distrusts the game’s main protagonist, Joel. Throughout their post-apocalyptic journey of survival, Ellie grows to trust Joel and view him as her father figure. She’s smart, strong-willed, and far too mature for her age.
63. Princess Peach
Princess Peach is the princess of the Mushroom Kingdom. Peach and Mario have a real “will they, won’t they” thing that spans nearly all of gaming history. Peach calls on the kingdom’s loyal army of Toads to help her throughout her adventures. She’s either an NPC damsel in distress or a playable character who fights with her parasol and magical powers, depending on the context.
64. Ryu Hayabusa
Ryu Hayabusa is the ninja protagonist of the Ninja Gaiden games. Ryu is a half-human, half-dragon playable character, which helps explain his ridiculous physical ability. He’s the merciless leader of the Hayabusa Ninja Clan. Ryu’s weapon of choice is the Dragon Sword, but he fights with different ninja powers throughout the series.
65. Waluigi
Waluigi is Wario’s friend/partner who first appeared in Mario Tennis (N64). Waluigi is to Wario as Luigi is to Mario, except they only act like siblings. Waluigi is a tall, irritable character who’s opposed to anyone trying to have a good time. He’s always wearing his signature purple shirt, black overalls, and hat with an upside-down L.
66. Bomberman
Bomberman is the main playable character of the Bomberman series. He’s a robot that makes bombs all day in an underground factory. Bomberman plots his escape, navigating a series of mazes to bomb his way to freedom. Bomberman games’ multiplayer modes task players with outmaneuvering each other’s bombs in a small space. Bomberman is not welcome at any airport.
67. Yoshi
Yoshi is Mario’s dinosaur companion who first appears in Super Mario World for SNES. Yoshi initially acts as a mount character, letting Mario ride on his back. After hatching from an egg, Yoshi eats different enemies and turns them into item-filled eggs for the player’s benefit. A group of multicolored Yoshis work together to transport baby Mario to safety in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island.
68. Mega Man
Mega Man (AKA Rockman) has been the protagonist of the Mega Man franchise ever since its 1987 debut. Mega Man is an android created by Dr. Light and Dr. Wily. After Dr. Wily betrays his partner by reprogramming their robots for evil, Mega Man volunteers to be converted into a fighting robot to defend the world from this new threat. He’s a playable character best known for upgrading himself with his defeated enemies’ powers.
69. Hanzo
Hanzo is a sniper Damage hero in Overwatch. Hanzo Shimada uses his Storm Bow and movement abilities, like wall-climbing and double-jumping, to outmaneuver his opponents. Hanzo’s a fast, medium-range playable character, making him especially effective at hit-and-run attacks. He likes carving wooden charms, dislikes noisy city environments, and thinks killing people with guns is too easy.
70. Tifa Lockhart
Tifa Lockhart is one of the main playable characters in Final Fantasy VII and the FF7 Remake games. Tifa is a barehanded fighter who meets Cloud Strife after he returns with Barrett from their latest mission. Tifa works with the resistance group, Avalanche, to foil the Shinra megacorporation’s plans for world domination.
71. Captain Price
Captain Price is a recurring protagonist character in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare franchise. Jonathan Price, AKA Bravo Six, is the captain of the 22nd regiment of the British Special Air Service (SAS). Price was originally an SAS lieutenant, barely escaping a botched assassination mission near Chernobyl. Captain Price has traveled to countless conflict zones around the world as the head of Unit Bravo.
72. Ardyn Izunia
Ardyn Izunia is the primary antagonist of Final Fantasy XV. Ardyn Lucis Caelum manages the political side of the Niflheim Empire. His main project is the magitek infantry, robotic soldiers that are mindlessly loyal to the empire. Ardyn Izunia is a calculatingly evil NPC who loves manipulating people while hiding behind false civility.
73. Doomfist
Doomfist is an Overwatch 2 Tank hero character. Doomfist, AKA Akande Ogundimu, fights with his huge, cybernetically enhanced right hand. His augmentations let him shoot projectiles, slam the ground around him and shoot out a rocket-propelled fist of doom. Doomfist considers the current world order to be broken. He wants to destroy it and replace it with a world less friendly to criminals.
74. Noctis Lucis Caelum
Noctis Lucis Caelum is the main playable character of Final Fantasy XV. Noctis is a prince and heir to the throne of Lucis. He drives around the world alongside his close friends, Gladiolus Ignis and Prompto. Noctis is quiet and reserved but gains more self-confidence throughout their journey. His warping throwable weapon lets Noctis move around the battlefield quickly. Noctis loves fishing in his spare time.
75. Leon Scott Kennedy
Leon Scott Kennedy is one of the two playable protagonists in Resident Evil 2. Leon and Claire Redfield both manage to survive the Raccoon City initial infection outbreak. Leon is then forced into an anti-Umbrella org known as USSTRATCOM. He grew up as an orphan and later became a police officer. Leon’s training makes him proficient with most weapons as a playable character, but he prefers his pistol.
76. Sagat
Sagat is a main playable character throughout the Street Fighter franchise and the first game’s main antagonist. Sagat is 7’ 5” and wears an eyepatch, so he’s hard to miss. He’s a Muay Thai master who was once the personal bodyguard of M. Bison, another Street Fighter villain. Sagat has spent his life growing stronger, but retains a strong sense of justice. He even regrets getting revenge on the man who gouged out his eye.
77. Alejandro Vargas
Alejandro Vargas is a playable operator character in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II. Alejandro heads the elite Los Vaqueros (“The Cowboys”) unit of the Mexican Special Forces. Los Vaqueros was formed to stop Las Almas, and Alejandro leads the fight against this corrupt cartel. Alejandro Vargas is highly intelligent and proficient in all weapon types thanks to his extensive military training.
78. Chun-Li
Chun-Li is the first female Street Fighter, initially appearing as a playable character in Street Fighter II. Chun-Li is an Interpol officer and master of Chinese martial arts. She wants to take revenge on M. Bison for murdering her father. Chun-Li is brave, rational, and committed to preserving justice. Her strongest weapon is her arsenal of high-speed kicking attacks.
79. Rugal Bernstein
Rugal Bernstein is an antagonist in the King of Fighters games, first showing his face in King of Fighters ‘94. Rugal is just plain evil. He’s a crime boss NPC who particularly enjoys murdering his victims. Rugal turns defeated fighters into life-sized metal trophies, Han Solo-style. He fights with incredible physical strength and copies his opponents’ attacks.
80. Lunafreya Nox Fleuret
Lunafreya Nox Fleuret is the main NPC heroine of Final Fantasy XV. Luna is a princess of Tenebrae but has been captured by the Niflheim Empire. She works tirelessly to support both Tenebraen independence and Noctis, her childhood friend. Lunafreya Nox Fleuret is also an Oracle—someone who speaks with the gods. She has two beloved dogs, Pryna and Umbra.
81. Lena Oxton
Lena Oxton, AKA Tracer, is a playable Damage hero in Overwatch. Tracer is a dual-pistol-wielding pilot from London, England. Lena is able to “blink”—teleport—and rewind time in short segments when it suits her. Tracer is a hit-and-run style character who excels at close range, quickly disposing of enemies using her high mobility and damage output. Lena Oxton is high-spirited, protective of others, and never deviates from her personal moral code.
82. Mai Shiranui
Mai Shiranui is one of the main playable fighter characters of the Fatal Fury franchise. Mai founded the recurring Women Fighters Team alongside King and Yuri Sakazaki. She’s a happy-go-lucky kind of person with a crush on Andy Bogard. Mai fights with a butterfly fan and wears a traditional kunoichi (female ninja) outfit to match her ninja-like fighting style.
83. Pharah
Pharah is a Damage hero in Overwatch. Pharah, AKA Fareeha Amari, is a combat suit pilot character. She fights using her hover jets to evade opponents and rocket launcher to, well, make them explode. Pharah is dutiful, honorable and has many accomplished soldiers in her family line. She loves classic rock.
84. Dutch Van Der Linde
Dutch van der Linde is one of the main NPC antagonists in Red Dead Redemption. Dutch leads the Van der Linde gang of outlaw bandits. He hates the government and dreams of an independent life free of responsibilities. Dutch eventually realizes that robbing random people isn’t exactly a sustainable career choice. He bears a grudge against the Southern states because his father died fighting for the Union in the American Civil War.
85. Simon “Ghost” Riley
Simon “Ghost” Riley is a British member of Task Force 141, first appearing as a playable character in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Ghost always wears a balaclava with sunglasses, completely obscuring his face. Simon Riley had an abusive childhood. He joined the military after the September 11 attacks, later becoming a Special Air Service operator. Simon’s a knife and throwing knife specialist.
86. Ken Masters
Ken Masters is one of the main playable characters throughout the Street Fighter franchise. Ken is arrogant, egotistical, and loves to show off. He fights similarly to his best friend and rival, Ryu, but adds an unorthodox twist to his martial arts style. Both fighters emphasize martial arts and are able to shoot fireballs from their hands. Ken almost misses the tournament in Street Fighter IV to be with his wife near the end of her pregnancy.
87. Princess Zelda
Princess Zelda is, ironically, almost always an NPC in the Legend of Zelda games. Zelda is always depicted with strong magical powers. She initially just waited for Link to save her but has taken on a more active role throughout the series. In Ocarina of Time, she disguises herself as the ninja-like Sheik to guide Link in secret. Zelda finally gets to be a playable character in Echoes of Wisdom, saving Link for once with her powerful magic.
88. Cecil Harvey
Cecil Harvey is the protagonist and main playable character of Final Fantasy IV. Cecil is initially the captain of the Red Wings airship fleet, fighting alongside his best friend, Kain Highwind. He is later demoted after questioning the king’s choice to invade a peaceful town. Cecil’s moral struggles help him grow as a person throughout the game. He changes from a Dark Knight into a Paladin in a scene that resembles but is legally distinct from The Empire Strikes Back.
89. Alex Keller
Alex Keller is an officer character who first appears in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Alex, AKA “Echo 3-1”, worked with the CIA before joining the Urzikstani Liberation Force. He’s an American-born soldier with a prosthetic leg and two sets of arm sleeve tattoos. Alex Keller has extensive training and fights with any weapon he gets his hands on.
90. Zarya
Zarya is a playable Tank hero character in Overwatch. Aleksandra Zaryanova is a soldier in the Russian Defense Forces and one of the world’s strongest women. She relies on her particle shields and particle cannon beam weapon in battle. Zarya is a big fan of professional weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev and cabbage pierogies.
91. Alcina Dimitrescu
Alcina Dimitrescu is the mutated human antagonist in Resident Evil Village. Lady Dimitrescu uses fear to establish control as the countess of Castle Dimitrescu. The locals whisper about her being a mass-murdering cannibal, which happens to be true. Alcina is a terrifying NPC with retractable claw-nails and the ability to quickly regenerate. Wolverine has threatened to sue.
92. Ganon
Ganon (AKA Ganondorf) is the primary antagonist character of the Legend of Zelda franchise. Ganondorf is the leader of the Gerudo tribe and its only living male member. He carries the Triforce of Power, indicating his oppressive fighting style and reverence of power above all else. Ganon seeks to rule over and/or destroy the world, putting him in direct conflict with Link whenever their incarnations meet.
93. John Marston
John Marston is the main playable character of Red Dead Redemption. John joined the Van der Linde gang after Dutch saved his life when John was 12. John Marston later has a son with Abigail Roberts, who they name Jack. John is honest to a fault and more interested in blunt directness than artistic nuance. He hates government control, and birds.
94. Cindy Aurum
Cindy Aurum is the crew’s NPC mechanic in Final Fantasy XV. Cindy is the game’s version of “Cid,” a recurring gearhead character who helps the party in times of need. Cindy Aurum’s character design elicited some controversy over her sexualized appearance. Her western VA uses a thick Southern American accent that complements Cindy’s Daisy Duke-style outfit.
95. McCree
McCree is a cowboy-styled Damage hero in Overwatch. McCree’s weapon of choice is his Peacekeeper revolver. He used to be a gang-affiliated gunslinger, but was recruited into Overwatch’s covert ops group, Blackwatch. McCree, AKA Cole Cassidy, is happiest when roaming the world, free to dispense his own brand of justice. He valiantly resists the urge to ask every opponent whether they “feel lucky.”
96. Sadie Adler
Sadie Adler is a recurring NPC who first appears in Red Dead Redemption 2. Sadie is a widow who grew up on a ranch in Ambarino and learned to ride horses and hunt at a young age. She becomes obsessed with getting revenge on the O’Driscolls for killing her husband, Jake Adler. Sadie Adler is deeply loyal, but prone to acting recklessly.
97. Javier Escuella
Javier Escuela is a bounty hunter antagonist in Red Dead Redemption. Javier is a Mexican revolutionary NPC who flees to America after killing a former army officer. He shares Dutch and John’s hatred of government corruption. Javier Escuela is strongly loyal to the Van der Linde gang, but hot-tempered and quick to take offense. He plays the guitar and writes his own music.
98. Symmetra
Symmetra is a Damage hero in Overwatch. She fights using her Photon Projector abilities and sentry turrets that autonomously fight on her behalf. Symmetra, AKA Satya Vaswani, is a hard-light architech playable character, meaning she turns photons into other matter. Satya is autistic and naturally skilled at Kathak dancing.
99. Ermac
Ermac is a playable character who first appears in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. Ermac is a telekinetic ninja who has a neutral allegiance but sides with the series’ antagonists when it benefits him. He’s the fused form of all the souls taken in Outworld’s destructive wars, referring to himself as “we” or “us”. Ermac’s soul fusion granted him the powers of teleportation and telekinesis, making him an even more competent ninja.
100. Leifang
Leifang is a playable fighter character in the Dead or Alive franchise. Leifang was born into a wealthy family in China. She joined the Dead or Alive tournament to fight Jann Lee and prove how strong she’s grown. Leifang was once saved from muggers by Jann Lee, inspiring her to become a martial artist herself. She’s intelligent, optimistic, and wholeheartedly committed to both mental and physical growth.
101. D.Va
D.Va is a Tank hero character in Overwatch. She’s a mech pilot, actress, and former pro StarCraft player in one. D.Va, AKA Hana Song, is extremely determined and competitive. She uses her mech’s Fusion Cannons and speedy Boosters to lock down her opponents in combat.
102. Cassie Cage
Cassie Cage is the protagonist character of Mortal Kombat X’s story mode. Cassie is the daughter of Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade. She wears her father’s signature sunglasses in battle. Cassie Cage’s fighting style is a mix of her parents’, emphasizing both hand-to-hand martial arts and pistol proficiency.
103. Bo’ Rai Cho
Bo’ Rai Cho is a playable character in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance and Mortal Kombat X. He’s a happy, overweight martial arts master who’s usually drunk. Bo’ Rai Cho mainly fights using his own Drunken Fist style and by manipulating earthquakes. He maintains a close allegiance with Raiden.
104. Adam Jensen
Adam Jensen is the protagonist of Deux Ex: Human Revolution and Mankind Divided. Adam’s body has been about 50% replaced with mechanical augmentations. The augmentations give Adam super strength, higher shooting accuracy, and a visual cloaking ability, among others. He’s initially Chief of Security for Sarif Industries, then joins Task Force 29 to hunt augmented terrorists.
105. Mike Haggar
Mike Haggar is a playable character in the Final Fight games and wider Street Fighter universe. Mike is an American professional wrestler who becomes the mayor of Metro City. He later rescues his daughter Jessica from the city’s Mad Gear gang. Mike Haggar mainly fights using his brute strength and traditional wrestling moves.
106. Akira Yuki
Akira Yuki is the hot-blooded main playable character and mascot of the Virtua Fighter games. Akira looks and fights much like Ryu of Street Fighter fame. He studies the Bājíquán/Hakkyoku-ken style of martial arts. Akira Yuki enters the Ultimate World Fighting Tournament to perfect his skills and test himself.
107. Celes Chere
Celes Chere is one of the main playable characters of Final Fantasy VI. Celes is a Magitek knight for the Empire who eventually joins the party’s rebel group, the Returners. She fights using her sword and ice magic. Celes Chere has a close relationship with Locke, another dedicated freedom fighter. She works tirelessly to bring the party back together in the World of Ruin.
108. Paul Phoenix
Paul Phoenix is a playable martial artist from the Tekken franchise. Paul is short-tempered and driven to prove himself as the best fighter in the universe (yes, even counting Goku). Paul Phoenix is Kazuya Mishima’s rival, but keeps being prevented from challenging him to a rematch. His character’s fighting style is a combination of different martial arts based mainly on judo.
109. Charmy Bee
Charmy Bee is one of the playable characters in Sonic Heroes. Charmy forms the Chaotix Detective Agency, working alongside Espio the Chameleon and Vector the Crocodile. He’s cheerful, extremely high-energy, and sings constantly. Charmy flies and has a stinger, but he avoids using it, presumably for the same reason as all other bees.
110. Epsilon Eagle
Epsilon Eagle is a humanoid bird-person and the protagonist of Alien Soldier. Epsilon Eagle used to run the terrorist org Scarlet. Epsilon’s former coworkers tried to assassinate him, so now he’s out for vengeance, Kill Bill-style. He’s a character who fights using advanced guns and other weaponry incorporated into his body.
111. Iori Yagami
Iori Yagami is a playable fighter character from the King of Fighters franchise. Iori fights using his pyrokinetic powers and Yasakani martial arts prowess. He’s rude, self-centered, and cares more about results than morality or justice. Iori also loves cats and playing his bass guitar.
112. Delsin Rowe
Delsin Rowe is the main protagonist of Infamous: Second Son. He’s a graffiti artist living on the Akomish Reservation. Delsin Rowe is a Conduit character—person with genetic superpowers—who is able to absorb other Conduits’ power through touch. His graffiti frequently comes into conflict with his brother and the local sheriff, Reggie.
113. Darun Mister
Darun Mister is a playable Street Fighter character who first appears in Street Fighter EX. Darun Mister is Pullum Purna’s bodyguard and an Indian wrestling champ. Darun has a grappling fighting style not unlike Zangief’s. Darun Mister’s character design was inspired by The Great Gama, a famous Pehlwani-style wrestler in the first half of the 20th century.
114. Zack Fair
Zack Fair is the protagonist of Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-. Zack was Cloud Strife’s best friend, mentor, and fellow SOLDIER combatant. Cloud has an identity crisis that leads him to copy elements of Zack’s character into his own. Zack wields the huge Buster Sword in addition to his materia-based and Digital Mind Wave abilities.
115. Ada Wong
Ada Wong is one of the main protagonists of the Resident Evil series, first appearing in Resident Evil 2. Her real name is unknown; she’s a mysterious spy character who simply goes by “Ada Wong”. Ada’s been involved with many secret missions, including the Raccoon City outbreak. Ada Wong has worked with both Leon Kennedy and Albert Wesker of the Umbrella corp., but is only truly loyal to herself.
116. Cate Archer
Cate Archer is the protagonist of the No One Lives Forever games. Cate is a Scottish undercover operative character with UNITY, a UK international security org, during the Cold War. Cate Archer’s main goal is to protect the world from H.A.R.M., a somewhat on-the-nose name for the terrorist group bent on world domination. Cate’s hairstyle and main outfit are based on 1960s fashion trends.
117. Jinx
Jinx is one of the main playable Champion characters in League of Legends. Jinx is a trickster, an inventor and a career criminal. She loves using her destructive creations to act as an agent of chaos. Jinx mainly fights with her minigun, Pow-Pow, and rocket launcher, Fishbones. Her real name is Powder, fittingly.
118. Juri Han
Juri Han is a playable Street Fighter combatant who first appeared in Super Street Fighter IV. Juri is a Taekwondo professional who works with the game’s main antagonist, Seth. Juri is a playful and mean-spirited character. The dev team describes her as “bad and somewhat erotic.”
119. Starkiller
Starkiller is the protagonist and main playable character of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Starkiller’s real name is Galen Marek, but he’s also known as simply The Apprentice. Galen was secretly raised as Darth Vader’s apprentice. Vader promises Sith Lordship to Starkiller as a reward for helping overthrow Emperor Palpatine. Starkiller is equally skilled with the lightsaber and both the dark and light sides of the Force.
120. Frank West
Frank West is the protagonist of Dead Rising, a zombie action-adventure game. Frank West is a famous photographer/journalist looking for a big new story during a downturn in his career. Frank was designed to be an American everyman type of character, with average looks and a “rough” appearance. In Dead Rising, he ends up trapped inside a mall, turning it into a fortress much like in the movie Dawn of the Dead.
Who are some popular arcade game characters?
Popular arcade game characters include Pac-Man, Mario, and the main Street Fighter cast—particularly Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, and Cammy. Mortal Kombat, Guilty Gear, and King of Fighters have produced several iconic arcade characters. Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Sol Badguy, and Terry Bogard are among their most recognizable fighters. Arcade characters like Frogger, Q*bert, and Bub & Bob from Bubble Bobble persist in the public consciousness even after years without a new game.
What are the most popular male video game characters?
The most popular male video game characters include Solid Snake, John Marston, Cloud Strife, Mario, Nathan Drake, Kratos, to name a few. Many of the most popular male video game characters are the protagonists of equally popular franchises. Characters like Frank West, in contrast, have remained fan favorites despite minimal in-game appearances mostly due to their memorable personality. Others work best in pairs, like Cloud and Sephiroth’s fierce rivalry, or Joel slowly growing into a loving father figure for Ellie.
The most renowned male gaming characters are interesting, unique people who happen to head up top tier franchises. Solid Snake, Cloud Strife, Kratos, Nathan Drake, and John Marston all fit that description, among many others.
