Mario and Yoshi
Gaming is great, but would be nothing without the unique and often complex personalities displayed by the characters we play for, against or with. We’ve decided to take a look at 11 of our favourite characters to come from the world of gaming, so take a look!
Mario
He had to be on the list – everybody’s favourite little Italian plumber, in some of the fanciest overalls we’ve ever seen. He’s constantly on the move, making sure his beloved Princess Peach stays out of danger, but often has to chase his nemesis Bowser, an angry, giant turtle in order to save her from impending doom. Mario has delighted audiences for many decades now, and is an instantly recognisable face to many people all over the globe.
Sonic
He’s a tad arrogant, but he can back up his claims in just a split second as he speeds through courses, collecting coins on his tracks to stop the evil Doctor Ivo Robotnik AKA Doctor Eggman – the mad scientist who, of course, wants to take over the world. Sonic was first released as a mascot to rival Nintendo’s Mario, and has remained a force to be reckoned with to this very day! Not just a hedgehog, but a hero to many.
Arthas Menethil
When good guys go bad, they end up like Arthas Menethil, also known as the intimidating Lich King from the ‘World of Warcraft’ series. His conflicted spirit has seen him murder those who he loves, including his own father, but it is this that proves for some fantastic lore if you’re into more than just button mashing when you pick up a game. He may not be a hero, but he’s an absolutely perfect and satisfying villain.
Solid Snake
He’s the new rookie recruit of FOXHOUND – the elite Special Forces unit. Constantly facing new betrayals and a stream of baddies that want him eliminated, the odds are often stacked against him, but he manages to come out of it with just a couple of scars each and every time. Looks like all that training went a long way, and you can’t help but root for him, especially at times of him appearing helpless. Long live Snake!
Alex Kidd
Never has a young boy looked more like a monkey, (except in the great film Jumanji). Alex Kidd is a little superstar, battling all sorts of weird creatures in order to stay alive. He’s a dab hand at Rock, Paper, Scissors, which is lucky as to progress through the game you have to beat a range of opponents at the luck-based game!
Pyramid Head
He’s scary, and we’re not quite sure why he has such a long pyramid on his head, but in the world of ‘Silent Hill’, nothing needs an explanation. With one of the biggest swords we’ve ever seen, and a skillful hand when he has it equipped, he is definitely one to steer clear of if you want to get anywhere in the Silent Hill series. He has the ability to keep people dreading what may be lurking round the corner, and just his presence is enough to send a chill down anyone’s spine. He’ll certainly go down in video gaming horror history.
GLaDOS
Short for Genetic Life form and Disc Operating System, we can’t help but adore GLaDOS, the feminine and completely demented artificial intelligence that provides commentary as you make your way through the portals offered up in ‘Portal’ and ‘Portal 2’. At first she may seem sweet, but as you delve further into the game her true side is revealed, and you’d better not get on the wrong side of her. Pure brilliance and the voice of an angel. If only…
Link
He’s not spoken a word, but somehow he’s become one of the most celebrated gaming heroes of today with a following of millions all wanting to step into his shoes and come to the aid of Princess Zelda. He’s the driving force behind over 50 million sales, and wears some pretty slick clothes, including a large, smurf-like dark green hat. Always a gamer’s love at first sight.
Lara Croft
She is absolutely indestructible, there’s no denying it. Gaming was crying out for a female hero, and so Lara Croft was given to us, and boy, (or should that be girl?), she didn’t disappoint. She’s dynamic, exciting, beautiful and, at times reckless, which all make her into the powerful and independent female we’ve all grown to love.
Spyro the Dragon
The mini purple fire-breathing dragon had to make the list for his remarkable bravery, if not for his adorable little fierce personality. He’s always on the run, collecting eggs and doing the best to help his friends in whatever way he can.
Abe
He may fart in the faces of his ancestors, but he has to go down as a gaming legend, helping the rest of his kind escape the evil factories where they are slaughtered to be put into the new brand of best-selling pies. He’s a hero, and he’s hilarious.
Crash Bandicoot
Who knew smashing boxes and wearing tribal masks could be so fun? Stepping into the shiny red shoes of Crash should be something everybody gets to experience, as you go running through the jungle on a mission to stop Doctor Neo Cortex from his latest world domination schemes. Cortex is a brilliant character in his own right, often letting his frustrations get the better of him, but our hero Mr. Bandicoot is the true star of the show, and manages to steal the spotlight each and every time.
Who do you think we’ve missed off our list? There’s a multitude of thousands of characters out there, and it was a tough decision choosing just 12! Let us know more of your favourites in the comments section below, or on Twitter at @FemaleFirst_UK
FemaleFirst Daniel Falconer @Danarazzi