The Best Video Game Characters, Ranked

At its heart, video game storytelling is about its characters more than almost any other medium. Great games tell straightforward, high-conflict narratives that pit impressive characters against one another. Players have to step into the shoes of a larger-than-life figure, who most games design to be as likable and enjoyable to play as possible.

Certain video gaming characters have exploded in popularity over the years. They've grown from a figure in an individual game to a distinctive icon of gaming as a whole. Players have controlled said gaming characters through the most important episodes of their life, seen them grow and evolve, and come to love them in their own right.

Updated on January 12th, 2024 by Chelsea Steele: Over the years, gaming has gotten bigger than ever, introducing fans to many groundbreaking and iconic titles that have turned the medium into a global phenomenon. Games have grown and evolved immensely, allowing players to step into the lives of some of media's most incredible characters. This list has been updated to match CBR's current publication standards, providing more info on some of the best gaming characters of all time.

10 Dante Is Cool & Edgy, Yet Fun & Relatable

Devil May Cry

Devil May Cry

Dante, a young demon hunter, teams up with his estranged twin brother Vergil in order to save humanity from the powerful influence of the demon king Mundus.

Platform(s)

Windows , PlayStation 2 , PlayStation 3 , PlayStation 4 , Xbox 360 , Xbox One , Nintendo Switch

Released

August 23, 2001

Developer(s)

Capcom Production Studio 4

Publisher(s)

Capcom

Genre(s)

Action-Adventure , Hack and Slash

ESRB

Mature 17+

How Long To Beat

10 hrs, 35 minutes

Sequel(s)

Devil May Cry 2 , Devil May Cry 3 , Devil May Cry 4 , Devil May Cry 5 , DmC: Devil May Cry

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• First appearance: Devil May Cry (2001)
• Most powerful mode: Sin Devil Trigger
• Abilities: Demonic Power Manipulation, Telekinesis, Super strength, Regenerative healing

The Devil May Cry franchise is deliberately colorful, stylish, and over-the-top. It veers between deadly seriousness and comical farce at the drop of a hat, all with distinctive art design and slick gameplay. Few characters embody everything gamers love about Devil May Cry as much as its iconic protagonist Dante.

Dante is one of gaming's legendary characters. However, he's a rarity from his time. Unlike many early 2000s gaming characters, Dante is just as fun as he is cool. Devil May Cry goes out of its way to balance his charm and his prowess with goofy, self-deprecating, or downright obnoxious moments. The result is a unique balance that has left its mark on gaming history. But while Dante is an incredible video game protagonist, he may not be as recognizable to those unfamiliar with the franchise, and that in itself is enough to rank him at the bottom of the list.

9 Kratos Is A Complex Character With A Story That Feels Real

God Of War

God of War

God of War is an action-adventure game franchise created by David Jaffe at Sony's Santa Monica Studio.

Created by

David Jaffe

First TV Show

God of War

Character(s)

Kratos

Video Game(s)

God of War , God of War Ragnarok , God of War 2 , God of War: Chains of Olympus , God of War: Betrayal , God of War: Ghost of Sparta , God of War: Ascension

• First appearance: God of War (2005)
• Signature weapon: Blades of Chaos
• Most known for: Godlike strength

God of War has gone through periods of notoriety and acclaim. This is also true of its protagonist, Kratos. Even in the earliest God of War titles, Kratos is a legendary gaming character for his distinctive design, genuinely sympathetic motivations for his terrible actions, and larger-than-life violence. However, he more than earns his infamy with callously violent actions and a questionable attitude toward women.

2018's God of War revival takes a new course with Kratos while without deviating too far from his recognizable traits. He still has his rage and darker side from the early games, but he controls it through age and wisdom. This new version of Kratos is most concerned with being a good father and role model to his son, wanting to create an ideal image of masculinity without knowing how. This creates some of gaming's most mature stories capable of resonating with almost any gamer.

8 Princess Zelda Has Evolved From The Damsel She Used To Be

The Legend Of Zelda

The Legend of Zelda

Begun in 1986, The Legend of Zelda franchise follows Link, Princess Zelda and other heroes in video games and other media.

Created by

Shigeru Miyamoto , Takashi Tezuka

First Film

The Legend of Zelda

First TV Show

The Legend of Zelda

• First appearance: The Legend of Zelda (1986)
• Abilities: Magic & hand-to-hand combat
• Most known for: Her role as Princess of Hyrule & descendant of the Goddess

Princess Zelda occupies an iconic space among gaming characters, being the titular character of one of the medium's most beloved series. Princess Zelda has occupied a variety of roles in The Legend of Zelda games. Early titles depict her as little more than a plot device for Link to save or help. However, she's grown immensely since then.

Zelda has become a fully fledged character in her own right, particularly in The Legend of Zelda games like Wind Waker, Breath of the Wild, and Tears of the Kingdom. She's the emotional center of the franchise and isn't afraid to get her hands dirty when necessary. Gamers have spent years looking up to Zelda while playing as Link, and that's unlikely to change in later games.

7 John Marston's Goals Make Him A Character Fans Can Root For

Red Dead Redemption

Red Dead

Set in the 1880s, you as a bounty hunter must stop a gang of outlaws from the Wild West. You need to also find and kill the man who murdered your parents in order to avenge them.

Created by

Dan Houser , Christian Cantamessa , Michael Unsworth

Video Game(s)

Red Dead Online , Red Dead Revolver , Red Dead Redemption , Red Dead Redemption 2 , Red Dead Redemption Undead Nightmare Pack

Cast

Robert Bogue , Carrie Keranen , Chaske Spencer , Gene Jones

Character(s)

John Marston , Arthur Morgan

• First appearance: Red Dead Redemption (2010)
• Signature weapon: Cattleman Revolver
• Abilities: High intelligence, brute strength, marksmanship, weapon proficiency

Red Dead Redemption is beloved for combining a realistic and flexible open world with a character-centered drama. John Marston holds the entire story together with his attempts to get his family back and wipe out the sins of his former life. He's both a cool gaming character and a genuine model of somebody attempting to better themselves.

John Marston is deservedly iconic in gaming. His presence makes Red Dead Redemption what it is, from the emotional side to his hunt for the van der Linde gang, to his shocking death at the story's end. Red Dead Redemption II makes him even more compelling, showing the depths he sunk to as a young man before some significant self-improvement.

6 Lara Croft Made History As A Groundbreaking Female Protagonist

Tomb Raider

Tomb Raider

Franchise that follows Lara Croft, a fictional archeologist, while she travels around the world in epic quests for ancient artifacts.

Created by

Core Design

Video Game(s)

Lara Croft Go , Lara Croft: Relic Run , Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris , Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light , Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered Starring Lara Croft

First Film

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

Upcoming TV Shows

Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft

• First appearance: Tomb Raider (1996)
• Abilities: Speed, strength, acrobatics, survival skills, hand-to-hand combat
• Most known for: Groundbreaking role as one of gaming's earliest female protagonists

Related

10 Heroes Who Defined Classic Video Games

Link from The Legend of Zelda and Lara Croft from Tomb Raider are just a couple of the iconic video game characters who defined an era.

Tomb Raider has made gaming history with Lara Croft as its protagonist. She's one of the most iconic women in all of gaming, a standout female protagonist from a time when the industry wasn't doing as well in that department. Few would call Lara Croft a perfect representation. Many have argued over her design and characterization. At the same time, many have showered her with praise ever since her first outing.

Lara Croft adds many layers to Tomb Raider, elevating it beyond a simple treasure hunt. She's capable, witty, charismatic, stubborn, and much more. The Tomb Raider franchise isn't afraid to give her problematic or negative traits either, such as her callousness or self-destructive behavior. However, it never uses this to devalue Lara or irrevocably damn her, instead treating those traits as flaws in a three-dimensional gaming character. The fact that she is one of the most iconic female characters in gaming lands her mid-list in the rankings.

5 Ezio Auditore de Firenze Is Often Considered The Face Of The Franchise

Assassin's Creed

Assassin's Creed

The first game in the Assassin's Creed franchise is set in 1191 AD, when the Third Crusade was tearing the Holy Land apart.

Platform(s)

PC , PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360

Released

November 13, 2007

Developer(s)

Gameloft , Ubisoft Montreal

Publisher(s)

Ubisoft

Genre(s)

Action , Adventure

ESRB

M

• First appearance: Assassin's Creed: Lineage (2009)
• Signature weapon: Hidden Blades
• Most known for: Iconic role as series protagonist

Ezio Auditore de Firenze has helmed more historic Assassin's Creed storylines than any other character in the franchise. He commands the story throughout Assassin's Creed II, Brotherhood, and Revelations. During this time, he makes himself into one of his gaming era's most enduring and triumphant icons.

Much of Ezio's popularity comes from his attractiveness and charisma. He projects an air of allure and magnetism that draws in even the Assassin's Creed gamers playing as him. Ezio's force of personality and moments of immense emotional weight throughout his life make him one of gaming's most compelling protagonists. For many, he's the face of the Assassin's Creed franchise, However, as more and more titles have released throughout the years, Ezio has lost a bit of his relevancy compared to newer characters.

4 Solid Snake's Depth & Complexity Make Him A Lovable Protagonist

Metal Gear Solid

Metal Gear Solid

Franchise of stealth games that follows a special forces operative on a mission to find the Metal Gear weapon.

Created by

Hideo Kojima

Video Game(s)

Metal Gear , Metal Gear Solid , Metal Gear 2 , Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty , Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater , Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops , Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots , Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker , Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance , Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

The Metal Gear franchise has always been at the forefront of storytelling in gaming, largely thanks to its protagonist Solid Snake. Even in Solid Snake's earliest iterations, he always added to Metal Gear's B-movie stylings and plot. The Metal Gear Solid games add much more to Solid Snake, fleshing him out into one of gaming's deepest and most beloved characters.

• First appearance: Metal Gear (1987)
• Abilities: Master of stealth, highly intelligent, trained in hand-to-hand combat, proficient in the use of weapons
• Most known for: His title as a Legendary Soldier

Solid Snake struggles between his ideological commitment to peace and his innate enjoyment of violence. He strives to prove himself a better man than villains like Big Boss and Liquid Snake throughout Metal Gear Solid. Solid Snake combines undeniable charm and an iconic design with a personality that goes so much deeper than it appears.

3 Ellie Williams Grows & Matures As The Story Progresses

The Last Of Us

The Last of Us

Set in a post-apocalyptic world, The Last of Us follows a hardened survivor and his allies, including an immune girl, Ellie, and a former soldier, Abby.

Created by

Neil Druckmann , Bruce Straley

Video Game(s)

The Last of Us , The Last of Us Part I , The Last of Us Part II , The Last of Us: Remastered , The Last of Us: Left Behind

First Episode Air Date

January 15, 2023

Cast

Pedro Pascal , Bella Ramsey , Nico Parker , Anna Torv

• First appearance: The Last of Us (2013)
• Signature weapon: Switchblade
• Most known for: Her realistic & relatable character development

Ellie Williams begins The Last of Us as a plot device. She's an immune girl in a world ravaged by the zombie apocalypse whose unique infection could pave the way for a cure. However, The Last of Us never focuses on her role in the plot more than it focuses on her as a person. From her introduction, the game highlights her as an individual.

In particular, Ellie grows throughout The Last of Us in a way few video game characters do. She learns more about the world and its history, develops steel she lacks at the beginning of the game, and matures in a way that feels real. Ellie takes a darker turn throughout The Last of Us Part II, but in a way that only makes her more sympathetic to most fans.

2 Commander Shepard's Multi-Faceted Personality Makes Them the Ultimate Fan-Favorite

Mass Effect

Mass Effect

A franchise set in a future where humans and aliens work to colonize the galaxy with weapons from more advanced civilizations.

Created by

Casey Hudson

Video Game(s)

Mass Effect , Mass Effect 2 , Mass Effect 3 , Mass Effect: Andromeda

• First appearance: Mass Effect (2007)
• Abilities: Brute strength, weapon proficiency, hacking skills
• Most known for: His vibrant & surprisingly complex personality

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Mass Effect achieves something with its protagonist that few RPGs manage. Commander Shepard is a versatile avatar the player can mold into almost any sort of gaming character they want. However, they're also an iconic and distinctive figure in their own right, with a base personality that shines through regardless of the player's actions.

This unique mixture has made Mass Effect's Commander Shepard one of gaming's most beloved protagonists. Players appreciate the sheer variety they can put into Shepard's personality while also loving the underlying persona that shows through. The stubbornness, outlandish behavior, and hidden vulnerability all add immense weight to Commander Shepard throughout the Mass Effect trilogy. In fact, fans love Shepard so much that it was difficult for many seasoned players to get behind the Pathfinder player character in Mass Effect: Andromeda because it just wasn't the same as running the galaxy with the tough-talking Commander Shepard.

1 Mario Reigns Supreme As One Of The Most Iconic Characters In Gaming History

Super Mario

Super Mario Bros.

Super Mario is a platform game series created by Nintendo starring their mascot, Mario. It is the central series of the greater Mario franchise. At least one Super Mario game has been released for every major Nintendo video game console. 

Created by

Shigeru Miyamoto

Character(s)

Mario , Luigi

Video Game(s)

Super Mario Bros. , Mario Kart , Paper Mario , Mario Party , Super Mario Run , Mario Golf

• First appearance: Donkey Kong (1981)
• Abilities: Strength, speed, durability, & use of power-ups
• Most known for: His iconic role as the face of Nintendo

If there is a single mascot for the entire video game industry, it's the titular protagonist of the Mario franchise. Nintendo is a gaming behemoth, much of which is built on the back of an Italian plumber. Mario lacks the deep personality of many other video gaming characters. He has no complex motivations, no hidden depths, and no layers to peel back.

Most gamers don't think Mario needs more depth to him. He's managed to become an icon of gaming through few words and a personality comprising little more than bravery. This has let him helm platformers, RPGs, sports games, and more. Almost every gamer alive loves Mario, despite his simplicity, and never begrudges the chance to play as him. An iconic character, loved and recognized by gamers and non-gamers alike, Mario is easily one of gaming's greatest heroes. Given his longstanding history an iconic achievements over the years, there's no contest when it comes to ranking Mario as gamings number one hero!