It's that time again! I figured we'd go a little traditional this week with a classic list: Top 5 Video Game Characters. The only criterion is kick-ass-ness. Who are your Top 5 favorite video game characters?
1. Cloud Strife: Yeah I know, he was tragically emo and he always appears on lists like this and yeah I probably could have come up with some obscure character who was way more awesome. HOWEVER, FFVII defined a large period of my personal video-gaming history and this spiky haired asshole symbolizes that game. Plus, who else can drive a motorcycle while brandishing a sword that looks like it weighs as much as a Buick?
2. Donkey Kong: What!? Another friggin' super popular character. Why yes. Not only is he the star of one of the most enjoyable video games of all time, but he's also my favorite character from Super Smash Brothers, particularly when he's teamed up with Ganondorf. Heavy-weights!
3. Pikachu: It may be cute and fluffy 90% of the time with cheery red cheeks and adorable squeaks, but when it's raining 100 terra-watts of pure death from the heavens you'll wish you were ground-type. And although there may be more bad-ass Pokémon, none are more iconic nor pleasant as Pikachu.
4. Ratchet: This little Lomax is one awesome dude. Super funny dialogue and addicting gameplay makes this franchise one of my favorites. Not only is his weapon of choice a wrench, but he has GRINDING BOOTS. Does anyone remember those shoes that had the built in hard-plastic so that you could "grind" as you walked? Yeah, Ratchet has THOSE, except magnetic and powered by uranium or something...
5. Crash Bandicoot: Nothing makes me more upset than this game. I always forget how unbelievably frustrating it is to get hit and watch Crash swoon and faint, especially when the end of the level is in sight. Or how you always seem to spin a bit too early and walk right into a fucking turtle or polar bear or whatever cute and lovable creature is walking back and forth in a line right where you need pass through. All that aside, I love Crash. I know there have been numerous junky iterations and fairly lousy racing games with him, but it's hard to deny the wonderful simplicity followed by the intense complexity of some of those levels. Crash was hilarious, kick-ass, and he had the coolest tiki mask in town.
1. The Prince (The Prince of Persia) I love when a character doesn't even require a name to be a total bad-ass. There was something about the combination of Indiana Jones and Eddie Guardo from Tekken 3 that made me happy every time I played one of these games. Not to mention time travel and an ending (Sands of Time) that is amongst my top 5 for that list as well.
2. Jade (Beyond Good & Evil) I love when a female character kicks ass in a video game. Anyone knows I go for female characters first. But to add the dimensions of personality they gave to Jade in BG&E was just incredible. She is caring and compassionate, but fierce and courageous. Most of all, she's loyal. Loyal to her friends, her community, and the truth.
3. Auron (Final Fantasy 10) Not the main character, but the one who really carried the story for me both times through the game. He's stoic and emotionless, yet you can tell right from the start that there is way more to the character than what he puts on. As the story progresses, it becomes clear why he is the way he is, and (no spoilers allowed), is one of the most admirable characters I've ever seen. That and the fact that his plot twist was my favorite part :)
4. Master Chief (Halo Series) I was actually surprised to write this, but for some reason it just feels right. Talk about a BAMF with the weight of the world on his shoulders. There were so many moments in the story of this game that were simply incredible, and I don't think anyone can argue that fighting as the Chief gave a weird sense of confidence that is unusual to gaming. I love a good underdog.
5. Link (The Legend of Zelda series) I had to think about it for a while, but I just couldn't leave him off. He's my favorite video game icon, and has starred in countless games that I absolutely love. He's the batman of the fantasy world, and never says a word. I hope Link is one of those faces I see on the cover of video games when I'm 50.
1. Auron (FFX) - The first dude that came to mind. He only uses one arm! He drinks a lot! He'd be played by Anthony Stewart Head if they made a movie!
2. Earthworm Jim - When this game came out, I couldn't believe how awesome it was. Best genesis game. EWJ also had the best gun.
3. The Trebuchet (AoE II) Castle Wall? What Castle Wall? What Castle? Fuck ya, I win.
4. Dante (Devil May Cry) Once you really start to unlock the insane-o Devil Trigger, and realize that you can tear through every previously-difficult enemy with ease, this game becomes pretty incredible.
5. Manny Calavera (Grim Fandango) A skeleton in a suit!
1. Cloud Strife:
ReplyDeleteYeah I know, he was tragically emo and he always appears on lists like this and yeah I probably could have come up with some obscure character who was way more awesome. HOWEVER, FFVII defined a large period of my personal video-gaming history and this spiky haired asshole symbolizes that game. Plus, who else can drive a motorcycle while brandishing a sword that looks like it weighs as much as a Buick?
2. Donkey Kong:
What!? Another friggin' super popular character. Why yes. Not only is he the star of one of the most enjoyable video games of all time, but he's also my favorite character from Super Smash Brothers, particularly when he's teamed up with Ganondorf. Heavy-weights!
3. Pikachu:
It may be cute and fluffy 90% of the time with cheery red cheeks and adorable squeaks, but when it's raining 100 terra-watts of pure death from the heavens you'll wish you were ground-type. And although there may be more bad-ass Pokémon, none are more iconic nor pleasant as Pikachu.
4. Ratchet:
This little Lomax is one awesome dude. Super funny dialogue and addicting gameplay makes this franchise one of my favorites. Not only is his weapon of choice a wrench, but he has GRINDING BOOTS. Does anyone remember those shoes that had the built in hard-plastic so that you could "grind" as you walked? Yeah, Ratchet has THOSE, except magnetic and powered by uranium or something...
5. Crash Bandicoot:
Nothing makes me more upset than this game. I always forget how unbelievably frustrating it is to get hit and watch Crash swoon and faint, especially when the end of the level is in sight. Or how you always seem to spin a bit too early and walk right into a fucking turtle or polar bear or whatever cute and lovable creature is walking back and forth in a line right where you need pass through. All that aside, I love Crash. I know there have been numerous junky iterations and fairly lousy racing games with him, but it's hard to deny the wonderful simplicity followed by the intense complexity of some of those levels. Crash was hilarious, kick-ass, and he had the coolest tiki mask in town.
1. The Prince (The Prince of Persia)
ReplyDeleteI love when a character doesn't even require a name to be a total bad-ass. There was something about the combination of Indiana Jones and Eddie Guardo from Tekken 3 that made me happy every time I played one of these games. Not to mention time travel and an ending (Sands of Time) that is amongst my top 5 for that list as well.
2. Jade (Beyond Good & Evil)
I love when a female character kicks ass in a video game. Anyone knows I go for female characters first. But to add the dimensions of personality they gave to Jade in BG&E was just incredible. She is caring and compassionate, but fierce and courageous. Most of all, she's loyal. Loyal to her friends, her community, and the truth.
3. Auron (Final Fantasy 10)
Not the main character, but the one who really carried the story for me both times through the game. He's stoic and emotionless, yet you can tell right from the start that there is way more to the character than what he puts on. As the story progresses, it becomes clear why he is the way he is, and (no spoilers allowed), is one of the most admirable characters I've ever seen. That and the fact that his plot twist was my favorite part :)
4. Master Chief (Halo Series)
I was actually surprised to write this, but for some reason it just feels right. Talk about a BAMF with the weight of the world on his shoulders. There were so many moments in the story of this game that were simply incredible, and I don't think anyone can argue that fighting as the Chief gave a weird sense of confidence that is unusual to gaming. I love a good underdog.
5. Link (The Legend of Zelda series)
I had to think about it for a while, but I just couldn't leave him off. He's my favorite video game icon, and has starred in countless games that I absolutely love. He's the batman of the fantasy world, and never says a word. I hope Link is one of those faces I see on the cover of video games when I'm 50.
1. Auron (FFX) - The first dude that came to mind. He only uses one arm! He drinks a lot! He'd be played by Anthony Stewart Head if they made a movie!
ReplyDelete2. Earthworm Jim - When this game came out, I couldn't believe how awesome it was. Best genesis game. EWJ also had the best gun.
3. The Trebuchet (AoE II) Castle Wall? What Castle Wall? What Castle? Fuck ya, I win.
4. Dante (Devil May Cry) Once you really start to unlock the insane-o Devil Trigger, and realize that you can tear through every previously-difficult enemy with ease, this game becomes pretty incredible.
5. Manny Calavera (Grim Fandango) A skeleton in a suit!