This is a list of the 50 best video game characters of all time. Some are well-known, others less so. All are great in their own way.
The best game character names list is a list of the 50 best video game characters of all time. These characters are ranked by their popularity, and include a brief description about each one.
When compiling a list of the greatest video game characters of all time, there are few surprises. Classics like Sonic, Mario, Sonic, and Samus will live on in the video game world, but they all come from a different period. Their significance as a cultural icon is undeniable. The only issue is where they’d place in the top ten. They may have had various degrees of success in contemporary games, but they are essentially offspring of the 1980s and 1990s.
When you take them out of the equation and concentrate on characters who debuted in this century, you get a totally different image of how video games portray their most important characters. These characters serve as a stark reminder of how far video games have progressed since the Xbox and PlayStation 2.
I considered more than 100 characters while creating this list. There were intense debates and strong views over whether faces in current games are “iconic.”
All-Time Top 50 Video Game Characters
Here is my list of the best video game characters that are unquestionably legendary and deserving of our adoration.
Robed Figure No. 50
Journey’s nameless person with a crimson robe may be without a name or a backstory. They are, nevertheless, an icon for independent gaming for a generation. Their quest leads them to a hilly area with many paths to choose. Most people believe that the game’s real charm resides in its meandering, cheerful route. To borrow a cliché, the trip is the game’s reward.
Note: Multiplayer games are distinguished by the fact that player characters may only converse via sonorous chime noises. The first moment you establish eye contact with someone new, on the other hand, seems a thousand times more significant than any verbal man slaps shouted through headsets during competitive shooting.
Montenegro (49. Vaas)
You’re the most recognizable video game foe. M Bison is a fictional character. Andrew Ryan is a writer. Psycho Mantis is a fictional character. Although Far Cry 3 isn’t as well-known as Street Fighter, Bioshock, or Metal Gear Solid, its adversary deserves to be recognized with them. Vaas’ drug-addled mind thinks the lunatics on Rook Island are the ones he is holding for ransom. He seems to believe that handing out “two grand” to the first motherfucker who delivers Jason Brody’s nutsack is completely acceptable, if not funny.
Note: His speech on the definition of crazy, which may vary from the clinical diagnosis you’re used to. “Have you ever wondered what insanity is? Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting it to change… Yes, it is. Crazy.” Vass would be ecstatic.
48. Jade
It has already given us one of the best female leads in the last 11 years. Jade was a razor-sharp, osmium-tough journalist-spy. Martial artists, parkour specialists, and brainiacs, Faith, Elena Fisher, and Chell are just a few of the names on the list. They’ve all inherited characteristics from Michel Ancel’s excellent troubleshooter. The most essential aspect is that they were undeniable success stories that were not sexualized in any way.
In the first game, Jade fails to save her pig protector Pey’j from a butcher. She does, however, use her strange, gleaming abilities to resurrect him later. This is the kind of scenario you’d see in a Disney film.
47. Gomez
Gomez, despite the fact that he has no known adversaries in the universe, has a difficult life. The tiniest of white walkers observed the annihilation of a spacetime-based golden hexahedron after getting a crimson fiz. As a consequence, his two-dimensional environment became three-dimensional. He had no choice but to depend on someone else, you, to lead him through his new world. He’s a giant head nephew of Stay Puft. It’s also because bouncing around Fez’s treasure-filled and cleverly crafted levels is a blast. You won’t be judged if you let him go. There are many.
Tommy Vercetti, 46
It’s dangerous to model a gaming character after an iconic figure like Al Pacino’s Scarface. Rockstar, on the other hand, isn’t ashamed to roll his snake eyes, as shown by his many appearances over the past two decades. Mr. T. Montana’s narrative is quite similar to Vercetti’s. His road to power was littered with drugs and blood, and he was banished from his birthplace. His big house and short fuse are similar to the most deadly blow-dealer in the film. In and of himself, Vercetti is a criminal. Nonetheless, one achievement places him in a new criminal league: Tommy becomes the kingpin of Vice City, and for many, the GTA series, when his old employers convert green eyes into bullets.
Agent 47, 45.
“It was the greatest, and it will be the best,” says their “Hitman,” as he is known to wrestling fans. Bret Hart, the hitman’s deadly namesake, may also claim the same killing phrase. The shaven-headed assassin from IO is a classic that has never been surpassed. His list of death techniques is much longer than any cookbook’s. Dragging a trash guy into his truck and firing at the glass from the bottom of a clifftop tub are among the highlights. In the year 2000, Agent 47 was the first infamy to be found. Unlike many of his victims, he has survived four generations of humiliation by recreating himself in every manner imaginable.
44. Canine (Duck Hunt)
The dog who gathers the ducks a player shoots is simply referred to as “Dog,” and he has a charming grin that has made him one of our most well-known video game characters. It’s not a joke to say that “Dog” wouldn’t have made the list if he hadn’t been in Super Smash Bros. As a result, he has gained a lot of popularity among younger players. Every time he does this, the dog’s only goal is to make us grin. He also chuckles when a player misses, making him one of the most irritating characters in gaming history.
Bayonetta (number 43)
Because she possessed poisonous hair snakes, Medusa thought she was a terrifying figure. Bayonetta’s eponymous shapeshifter, on the other hand, would have enraged her. Platinum Games’ femme fatale — never has that phrase been more literal – summons very violent demons with her bountiful hair. Her superhuman powers don’t allow her to convert people into stones, but they do allow her to do balletic bullet-slinging maneuvers and shape raindrops into spears. She may also use her middle hand to hijack cars.
M. Bison, 42.
M. Bison, often known as the Dictator, is the primary adversary in Street Fighter and the ultimate personification of evil. It wasn’t until Street Fighter II that he made his appearance. M. Bison, like many other villains, is only interested in one thing: overthrowing the world. Shadaloo, his subterranean criminal organization, assists him in achieving this objective. His in-game skills are well-known, including an energy strike in which he spins in mid-air towards his opponent. His trademark is an unintelligible “Ooga” that he yells while punching during bouts.
41. Albert W. Wiley, M.D.
Dr. Wily, Mega Man’s adversary, is a jealous hacker who you may not be familiar with unless you’ve played Mega Man and seen the animated cartoon in which his character was created. Dr. Wily, an envious hack, is enraged by Dr. Light’s achievements in creating Mega Man. Wily, Dr. Dr. Wily became enraged and reprogrammed several robots to become warriors in the final hope of…yes…taking over the planet.
Sarah Louise Kerrigan, 40.
It’s impossible to come up with a list that doesn’t include at least one Blizzard character. The star of the show is Sarah Kerrigan. Her Blizzard franchises include StarCraft and Heroes of the Storm. She was the face of competitive gaming before StarCraft fell out of favor. Kerrigan, also known as the Queen Of The Blades, is an in-game assassin who uses her psychic powers to gather information and destroy her foes. She appears in a number of Blizzard tales and is mentioned in a number of StarCraft books.
Atreus (#39)
God of War has announced the release of a game set in the Norse period. When the news was made, fans were treated to a little kid emerging from the digital jungle. Kratos’ son is Atreus. Atreus has a unique capacity to hear the thoughts and emotions of woodland animals, which may be useful throughout the game. In the game, Atreus’ quest is both emotionally and physically challenging. He needs to understand more about himself and his position in the world.
Fox McCloud (#38)
Among gamers, Fox McCloud is the most popular anthropomorphic Fox. Fox McCloud is the Star Fox group’s commander, and players may pilot him on Arwing. Fox is a hired shooter who is recruited to perform different tasks and… well, you get the idea…save mankind. In video games, he is often likened to Luke Skywalker since he demonstrates tremendous bravery and heroism throughout the series.
Trevor Philips, 37.
How does Trevor Philips get away with wearing sweatpants every day? It’s simple. It’s simple. Philips is a character in Grand Theft Auto V who is both easy to play and memorable. This is thanks in part to Steve Ogg’s excellent acting, which included motion-sensing controls and the voice of Philips’ character. Philips has a heart, despite being a horrible character in the game. This is shown by his popularity among GTA– gamers and the fact that he is the game’s primary character.
Gordon Freeman, age 36
You can turn a scientist or a researcher into a weapon-wielding hero with some fantastic weaponry. Gordon Freeman, the protagonist of Half-Life, may use a variety of weapons, including an energy-field manipulator and a gluon cannon. Freeman must now battle an extraterrestrial species known as headcrabs after being the only survivor of a catastrophic assault. The game shows that Freeman was a researcher who accomplished relatively nothing. Now it’s up to Freeman to rescue the world one headcrab at a time.
Lightning is number 35.
Terra appeared in Final Fantasy VI, whereas Ashe appeared in Final Fantasy XII. Square Enix didn’t ultimately commit to a female protagonist until Final Fantasy XIII, which was 22 years later. It was just a matter of time until it happened. In 2014, fans voted her the most significant female character in the series. She’s a down-to-earth (yet ethereally gorgeous) person who can take on badassery when required, maybe because she’s not so unbelievable.
Cortana, number 34
Many gamers would know her voice as the one they hear while learning about the Halo narrative. Throughout the game, Cortana, an artificially intelligent character, offers information. She has a role in the narrative as well. She is also a member of the Master Chief’s large and complicated family. She is artificially intelligent, yet she is also emotionally complex. This refutes the idea that robots can’t be humanoid.
Sam Fisher is number 33.
Sam Fisher is the main character of the Splinter Cell franchise as well as a series of Tom Clancy books. He’s your typical black-ops video game hero. He is computer savvy and can hunt down criminals. He is a member of the “Third Echelon,” a fictitious NSA division that is engaged in numerous covert operations. Later, he is elevated to the head of the “Fourth Echelon,” a branch that has direct access to the President of the United States.
Diddy Kong is number 32.
Diddy Kong is a smaller version of Donkey Kong with more monkey components. Diddy Kong and Donkey Kong live on Donkey Kong Island, where they play, explore, and frolic together. Diddy Kong may not be as well-known as Donkey Kong, but he is a fan favorite with his own Nintendo games such as Diddy Kong Racing and Diddy Kong Quest. In the game, Diddy Kong can leap higher and climb higher than Donkey Kong.
Ellie is number 31. (The Last of Us)
Ellie, everyone’s favorite video game heroine, will soon be portrayed by Bella Ramsey on HBO’s The Last of Us. Joe Miller is also on this list, and as one of the few epidemic survivors, he accompanies her throughout the United States. She is humanity’s final chance for surviving the dreadful illness. She defies preconceptions of a scared young girl, making her one-of-a-kind and earning the admiration of many players. She is one of the most openly homosexual characters in video games, thanks to her acceptance by the LGBT community.
Jill Valentine (number 30)
If you were going into a frightening home, this is the character you’d want to have with you. Jill Valentine has seen it all and keeps coming back for more. She’s up against the Umbrella Corporation, which exploits genetic mutations and pharmaceuticals to release zombies and other terrible monsters all across the globe. She has cemented her position on the list of most famous gaming characters thanks to a couple Resident Evil flicks.
Bigg Boss 29 (Snake)
Big Boss, the father of “Solid Snake,” who appears later on this list, is the commander of an elite squad of terrorists known as “Outer Heaven.” Big Boss’ transition into a villain, according to many reviewers, is what makes him such a memorable figure. Prequels to the main narrative show Big Boss as a disillusioned special forces officer who is betrayed and lies about. Before he was lied to and deceived, he was known as “Naked Snake.” However, in the game, he is referred to as “Snake.”
28. Spyro
Spyro is the prettiest video game dragon. Spyro, as adorable as he is, is nonetheless capable of breathing fire like the best of them. He may also charge at his opponents and knock them out. In-game, he has the ability to glide, allowing him to land on difficult-to-reach places and platforms. He was a one-of-a-kind platform player, which added to the appeal of the game.
Ezio Auditore di Firenze, 27.
When Assassin’s Creed was first launched, it was praised for its innovative story-telling and gameplay. Desmond Miles, the game’s main character, is a descendent of Desmond Miles. This was a major factor in its success. Desmond uses force to return to his ancestor’s memories in order for a secret group to learn the truth about the past.
Scorpion (#26)
He was one of Mortal Kombat’s original selectable characters, and he soon became a fan favorite. Scorpion is an undead Ninja who wants vengeance for his and his family’s deaths. His primary adversary is Quan Chi. He’s a dark sorcerer. His primary opponent is Sub-Zero. He’s a ninja from a rival clan who looks a lot like Scorpion. In the game, his trademark action is to toss his spear with a rope attached, scaring and luring his opponents towards him.
Marcus Fenix (#25)
An ex-convict is turned into a weapon by the authorities. This is a brand-new tale. Marcus Fenix’s backstory isn’t the most interesting of all of the characters. Everyone who is acquainted with the Gears of War series loves him. He’s your average strong man who dispatches every baddie in order to rescue the planet.
Joel Miller (age 24)
After HBO’s next series, The Last of Us, is released, Joel Miller will most certainly climb up the list. Pedro Pascal, who is most recognized for his portrayal as the Mandalorian in Star Wars, will play Joel Miller’s character.
Joel leads Ellie, a little child, across a landscape devastated by a terrible illness. They attempt to transport the child to a location where she may regain her immunity. Despite being a complicated character at times, Joel is a highly likeable guy. Many people admire him for his bravery and kindness.
Chun-Li (Chun-Li) (Chun-Li) (Ch
Consider getting ejected by Chun Li. Yes, it would be painful. Chun Li is a Chinese martial artist, Interpol officer, and all-around awesome guy. M. Bison was the victim of her father’s assassination. She is hell-bent on avenging herself. Her flipping attach is well-known, and some consider it to be one of the most amazing techniques in the game.
Duke Nukem Forever is a video game created by Duke Nukem Forever
Duke Nukem is the most enamored with himself of all the characters! His fans adore him. His sidearm abilities, as well as his RayBan sunglasses, have made him renowned. Duke Nukem was a silent assassin who rarely talked in the early versions of the game. This evolved as the series progressed and Nukem became a more hyper-macho action character. He also acquired a sarcastic demeanor. In a film, John Cena is being considered for the part of Duke Nukem.
21. Toad
Toad, Princess Peach’s sidekick and attendant in Super Smash Bros., may be played in many spinoffs. Toad is also a symbol for the numerous Toads that populate the Mushroom Kingdom. Toad is a beloved character among gamers, despite his little part in the majority of the games’ content. He’s cute, and he’s perhaps Nintendo’s happiest character ever.
John Marston, number 20
The protagonist of the Red Dead Redemption series, John Marston, is a straight-laced Western movie star and everyone’s favorite hired shooter. To guarantee his family’s safe return to the US government, Marston must hunt down and murder his former gang members. Because he can be both a hero and a villain, Marston is a compelling Western-themed hero. While we are fully aware of Marston’s history, we understand his effort to reclaim his family life.
Bowser, number 19
Bowser is a well-known antagonist in video games. He makes his appearance as Mario’s iconic adversary who kidnaps Princess Peach. Bowser adores Princess Peach as much as he loves the Mushroom Kingdom. His fame grew quickly in the most famous video game series, and he has since featured in almost every Mario game. Bowser is the angrier turtle we’ve ever encountered!
Cloud Strife (number 18)
Cloud Strife, the protagonist of what is widely regarded as the greatest video game ever created. With its spikey blonde hair and enormous sword, The Buster Sword, it is immediately recognized by most video game fans. Many people may connect to Cloud’s tumultuous background. Cloud’s beginnings are with the SOLDIER Group, although he subsequently joins AVALANCHE as a renegade. He is the story’s protagonist and the party’s leader throughout the game.
Kratos, number seventeen.
Kratos could easily be a bouncer at the world’s most difficult clubs, and that’s exactly what he is. Kratos is named after the same-called Greek deity. Kratos is a hero and a villain in the God of War series, and the player learns about his sad past. This figure is well-known for his intricacy, which is based on true Greek mythological stories.
Big Daddy is number sixteen.
Big Daddy is basically a mechanical person who has been extensively “spliced” in the ultimate steampunk robot fantasy. In the game, his job is to guard the Little Sisters who emerge all around Rapture. Big Daddy appears often throughout the game as players attempt to get ADAM, a chemical that provides players with vitality and power.
Big Daddy will not hurt you throughout gaming as long as you don’t interfere with the Little Sisters. However, if a player harms the Little Sisters, they will be up against a formidable adversary. Both the popularity of the game BioShock and the amazing design of the character contribute to his legendary status.
Kitana (number 15)
Kitana is a playable character in the Mortal Kombat video game series. She is also the Outworld’s princess and eventually the ruler. Her closest friend, Jade, is her ally in the battle to topple the Outland overlords. Kitana first mistook her father was Shao Khan, but she subsequently discovered that her father was King Jerrod. She then put him to death.
Kitana is a popular Mortal Kombat character since she was one of the game’s first female characters. Her plot is much superior than that of the majority of female video game protagonists.
Tom Nook (14),
In the Animal Crossing game, Tom Nook is adorable yet greedy. When the game begins, Tom Nook, the sole real estate agent in town, sells the players their first house. He is also the proprietor of the local shop. Many people despise Tom Nook, believing him to be a selfish opportunist who accomplishes little good. Some people like Tom Nook and consider him to be a successful businessman. He’s a well-known character from a series of video games that has sold more than 50 million copies worldwide.
13. Luigi
Many gamers prefer Luigi over his fraternal brother, despite the fact that he is not as prominent on our list. For starters, his clothing is a beautiful shade of green. Luigi is a plumber, much like his elder brother Mario. His personality, on the other hand, differs significantly from Mario’s. Mario is courageous, while Luigi is timid, fearful, and bashful. The proof may be found at Luigi’s Mansion. It is a lovely game. In certain games, Luigi can leap higher, although his jumps are sometimes uncomfortable.
Note: A pizza parlor near the Nintendo headquarters in Washington, D.C., inspired Luigi to design the Nintendo logo. It was dubbed “Mario & Luigi’s,” and so the plumbers’ names were created.
12. Yoshi
Yoshi, Mario and Luigi’s cute dinosaur friend, has arrived! Yoshi was the first gaming character to be able to ride. In Super Mario World, he initially appears in Dinosaur Land. He may use his tongue to grasp things and spit them out aflame or put them in an egg that the player tosses.
He appears as a supporting character in many Mario games, but he also has his own series of games in which he plays the lead role. In the Mario Kart series, he is also a popular character. Yoshi is the most famous video game dragon, despite the fact that he is more cute than terrifying!
Yoshi was initially intended to feature in the Super Mario Bros. game, according to the designers. For the game, they even made sketches of him. Unfortunately, owing to processing speed constraints at the time, a rideable character could not be created.
11. Shepard, Commander
Despite the fact that we display the feminine form, players may select whether Commander Shepard is male or female. The language was carefully crafted to create a gender-neutral environment. This is one of the many reasons why gamers like Commander Shepard. They may be transformed into a fun character to employ in the game by the player.
Mass Effect is also one of the most popular video games of all time, as well as one of the best-written. Commander Shepard is an engaging protagonist with a character-driven narrative that reads like a great book.
Note: The character’s name was chosen in honor of astronaut Alan Shepard, the first American to travel into space.
Pikachu is number ten.
It takes something exceptional for one Pokemon to become the franchise’s defining Pokémon. This is best shown by Pikachu. Pikachu is well-known as Ash Ketchum’s companion and the first Pokemon in the anime series. Pikachu is very cute! In a film about Pikachu, Ryan Reynolds plays him.
At the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Pikachu was one of 10 Japanese mascots.
9. Rivian Geralt
In the television series The Witcher, Henry Cavill portrayed Geralt of Rivia. Even non-gamers are familiar with it today. Geralt, a demon hunter and “Witcher,” is endowed with magical powers due to genetic abnormalities.
The movie offers information on Geralt of Rivia’s training and quests, but it does not go into as much depth as the TV program or the books. If you want to get a sense of the character, you’ll have to mix gaming with binge-watching TV shows.
Note: Geralt of Rivia is most recognized for his appearances in Andrzej Sapkowski’s short tales and books. All of the Witcher books have been translated into English and are available as a box set.
Master Chief is number eight.
Master Chief is the Halo series’ famous super soldier protagonist. Those who grew up with the shooting game series have a special place in their hearts and thoughts for him. His character and drive have been likened to Spiderman and Superman. He’s a guardian who can hold his own against anybody. This affection may come from players allowing themselves to take on the role of Chief and speak for them.
Note: The only time Master Chief appears is when he defeats Halo 4 on the highest difficulty setting.
7. Ryu
This Ryu is not to be confused with Ryu from the Fire series, who is the protagonist. Ryu is also the protagonist of the Street Fighter video game. He is a Mas Oyama-inspired Japanese martial artist. Ryu’s strength increased with time, and he was able to execute a wider variety of defensive and offensive techniques. Ryu is the most well-known fighting game character.
In the 1994 film adaptation, Byron Mann portrayed Ryu. Ryu and Ken have also appeared in animated shorts and feature films. Ryu is famous for saying, “You have to beat Sheng Long to stand a chance.”
Mega Man is number six.
He’s included since he’s a character from Capcom’s Mega Man video game franchise. Mega Man is a bionic hero who can leap very high and fire energy pulses from his arm cannon. If you were a gamer back in the day, he was a regular sight on the video game cartridge shelves.
Each version of Mega Man, which has been numerous, can gain new abilities and attributes. Mega Man is a classic character that should be among the top ten most well-known video game characters.
Mega Man featured a new gameplay mechanic in the form of grabbing weaponry from fallen robotic opponents. For conquering their opponents, the players had a variety of prizes and choices. It’s now a standard feature in a lot of RPGs, side-scrollers, and other games.
5. Link
Many people refer to Link as Zelda. In the numerous Legend of Zelda games, though, Zelda is the name of the princess Link seeks to save. In the games that the player controls, Link is a sword-fighting and arrow-shooting hero. In the games, Link utilizes legendary swords like as the Master Sword and other legendary items to complete his missions.
Link’s fame stems from his position as a traditional coming-of-age hero. He’s pure in many aspects, with just a few grunts or moans throughout the games. Players still prefer Link to Zelda.
Note: The term Link was chosen by the designers to link the three “Triforce” computer processors, which symbolize various eras.
Donkey Kong is number four.
Donkey Kong was one of the earliest characters to emerge in video games. He began by hurling wooden buckets down steep hills toward Jumpman. He’s also one of the rare video game characters that began out as a villain before becoming a hero later on. He debuted as a prominent character in Donkey Kong Country and has since become a cherished Nintendo character.
Universal Studios based Donkey Kong on King Kong. Nintendo even filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against them.
Lara Croft is the third character in the series.
Lara Croft was played by Angelina Jolie in many films. She rapidly ascended to number two on our list. It’s simple to understand why she’s so popular among gamers.
She was one of the first female video game characters to challenge gender norms. She has a good education and can kickbutt with the best of them. Over time, developers have improved Lara Croft’s persona to make her more attractive to fans.
Lara, the daughter of an archeologist and an archeologist, is driven by her father’s absence. She looks for clues in far-flung corners of the world and comes upon some amazing ancient relics.
Pac-Man is the second game.
Pac-Man was the first video game character to be turned into a brand and merchandised. What makes a yellow circle devouring small dots so special? The corporation that owns Pac-rights, Man’s Namco, really gave him a history. He is a father of two children who is married. In subsequent games, he develops into a compassionate and adventurous character that represents the whole gaming industry.
1. Mario
Mario is a Nintendo cartoon character. He is the protagonist of the famous and long-running Super Mario franchise. He is Nintendo’s mascot and generally regarded as the most popular Nintendo video game character. Nintendo’s most well-known characters are his younger brother Luigi and him. Over 262 million copies of their games have been sold globally. Because of these and other reasons, Mario has become the most recognizable video game character and the Nintendo mascot. He was developed by Shigeru Miyamoto for the Donkey Kong arcade game.
The top 10 video game characters of all time is a list that ranks the best video game characters of all time. It is updated every year and features the top 50 characters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best video game character of all time?
The best video game character of all time is Link from the Legend of Zelda series.
Who is the most iconic gaming character?
The most iconic gaming character is Mario.
Who is the most badass video game character?
The most badass video game character is Sora from Kingdom Hearts. Hes a powerful warrior with the ability to wield all kinds of magical weapons and powers.
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