With consoles and PCs booming, it was only natural for some of the best video game characters to rise among others. When talking about the legendary video game franchises, the best video game characters of all time played a vital role in the story and set the tone for the upcoming sequels. But with so many to choose from, what separates a best video game character from the more forgettable ones?
When talking about the bests and the greats of video games, we are talking about characters like Agent 47, Mario, and Doomguy — the faces of the games they are in. The factor that the great characters in video games share is their memorability. When you turn on the game, their face might be the first you see. The same goes for the marketing material — other video game characters are left on the side while the more important ones take the stage.
Want to test out your knowledge on the subject of video games? Well, we have compiled a list of the most famous video game characters that have graced the world of computer storytelling. Upvote the characters you recognize, and if you want to share anything related to the characters, do so in the comments below.
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#21 Kassandra (Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey)
The Spartan mercenary is played with a wink and a smirk, making her as seductive as she is murderous. Kassandra is a fierce warrior and a bit of a murderous creator of merriment, whether she is rubbing elbows with famous historical personalities like Socrates or chopping up opponents in a toga.
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9points
#22 Tom Nook (Animal Crossing)
One of the cleverest, most deceitful characters in Nintendo history, this rascal made his debut in the initial installment of Animal Crossing on the GameCube. When he sells you your first home, he may appear to be the kindest and lightest person, but the payments on the mortgage will soon start.
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#23 Chloe Price (Life Is Strange)
Chloe's depth makes her such a legendary character, as she is beautifully portrayed by Aloy actor Ashley Burch and Rhianna DeVries in the follow-up Life is Strange Beyond the Storm. She is fiercely devoted yet quick to point the finger, bold but still paralyzed by fear, and empathetic but heartless.
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#24 Dorian Pavus (Dragon Age: Inquisition)
Dorian is one of Dragon Age's few genuinely memorable characters, and his magical prowess and astute humor make him a fantastic RPG companion. The handsome spellcaster has also led a very interesting life. Dorian studied magic in the Circle of Carastes. Despite being a star student, his fondness for dueling got him into all kinds of trouble.
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#25 Trevor Philips (Grand Theft Auto 5)
The ideal kind of character in a video game like this is Trevor. Trevor is with gamers when they act foolishly and cause trouble online. He is intelligent and ambitious but utterly disorganized and careless with repercussions. He is a dark aspect of Los Santos and understands the world around him.
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#26 Sonic The Hedgehog (Sonic Mania)
With your main rival being an Italian plumber in a red suit, your character has to be much more creative. When developing the mascot for Sega's upcoming games, the company went with a blue hedgehog who goes fast. Since his first appearance, he has become a star of his movies and a guest character in other video games.
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#27 Crash Bandicoot (Crash Bandicoot)
Crash Bandicoot is a genetic experimentation victim, but he doesn't let it get to him. Since his debut in 1996, his talents have grown to encompass new combat maneuvers, including using a bazooka, but his defining technique is still the tornado spin. Due to his popularity, a species of bandicoot was named after him.
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#28 Solid Snake (Metal Gear Solid)
Snake? Snake?! Snake! Anyone who has played a game from the Metal Gear Solid franchise, especially the first ones, will know Solid Snake. A twin brother of Liquid Snake, both of whom originate from Big Boss himself, Solid Snake is a master of espionage and CQC, embarking on dangerous missions and seeing that they get done.
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#29 Kratos (God Of War)
Kratos was a Spartan warrior when he first appeared on PlayStation. Kratos was a god of war, on the path of revenge against the other gods that caused him so much harm. Under Cory Barlog's direction, Kratos received a new friendlier personality and a new son, Atreus, in the 2018 remake.
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#30 Cloud (Final Fantasy 7)
This character has big hair, a sword, and a long history in the video game industry. First appearing in Final Fantasy 7, Cloud set the standard for an unreliable narrator in a video game and entertainment industry overall. Even after so many years, he is seen as the face of the franchise and one of the best characters ever.
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#31 Gordon Freeman (Half-Life)
A soundless protagonist who might be one of the smartest people in the whole video game industry, Gordon Freeman was just a simple everyday man who went to work in Black Mesa. Then, when he accidentally caused a resonance cascade, he picked up a trusty crowbar and wreaked havoc on invading aliens.
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#32 Niko Bellic (Grand Theft Auto 4)
Niko Bellic is a broken man with a bowling-obsessed cousin. Niko might be one of the most complex characters in all of gaming, coming from Europe to Liberty City for a better life, when his story quickly returns to violence and shooting after the harsh city shows its face from under the curtains.
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#33 Sylvanas Windrunner (World Of Warcraft)
World of Warcraft has a lot of characters, but only a few are as memorable as Sylvanas Windrunner — the leader of the Forsaken. With the goal of revenge, her arc takes a drastic turn once she regains her free will and can let go of the hatred she had built up over so many years of tormented living.
8points
#34 Clementine (Telltales Walking Dead)
Few characters are as vivid and human as Clementine. When she was just eight years old, an apocalypse started. While she undoubtedly benefited plenty from both of her parents, Lee Everett's influence did the most to Clementine's personality. Rarely under the control of the player, she gained a place in many gamers' hearts.
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#35 Z-Shaped Tetris Block (Tetris)
Even an emotionless object can be a famous character. In 1984, the Z-block and her less glitzy twin, the S-block, entered our lives. This tetromino, affectionately referred to as the "squiggly," perfectly captures the delightful pain of Tetris. While the square is more useful, they are boring and not game-ruining.
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#36 Max Payne (Max Payne)
Cold, harsh, and crime-filled — a description of a city that corrupted Max Payne right to his core. Having lost his wife and child to a pair of drugged-up sociopaths, Payne, an NYPD cop, went on a rampage, becoming an even more broken man. We see him change for the better and worse.
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#37 Pyramid Head (Silent Hill 2)
Pyramid Head might have originated in Silent Hill 2, but his impact is felt throughout the franchise and in other games. Created to be a manifestation of James Sunderlands' desire to be punished for his bad deeds, he quickly became a sign of justice in the world of Silent Hill, leaving his original roots behind.
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#38 Dante (Devil May Cry)
Dating his origins to the roots of Resident Evil 4, he appears to be a type of jester who is cocky about his skills. Dante has evolved from an ego-filled demon hunter to a wise middle-aged man. Even while his attitude still comes through, he goes above and beyond to defend the squad he has developed.
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#39 Lady Jaina Proudmoore (World Of Warcraft)
With Prince Arthas Menethil, a childhood friend and past love interest, she got sent to look into the undeath plague. With the help of a mysterious prophet known as Medivh, Jaina saved as many survivors as she could and fled across the sea to Kalimdor.
7points
#40 Chun-Li (Street Fighter 2)
The first selectable female character in a game about fighting was Chun-Li. After a few years, it is nearly difficult to envision the marketplace without her. She is one of Street Fighter's most fully realized characters as an Interpol agent eager to avenge her father. Her creation inspired other developers to create female characters.
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