Games are more popular than ever, with people of all ages spending hours upon hours glued to their screens. What makes a game truly great, though, is its characters. A well-developed, relatable, and intriguing protagonist or antagonist can make all the difference between a forgettable game and one that sticks with you for years to come. Here are 5 of the most memorable game characters of all time.
1. Mario (Super Mario Bros.) - This list would not be complete without everyone's favorite mustachioed plumber. First appearing in Super Mario Bros. in 1985, Mario has gone on to star in over 200 games and is easily one of the most recognizable faces in gaming. He's appeared in everything from classic 2D platformers to open-world RPGs, and there's no doubt that he is one of gaming's most enduring icons.
2. Master Chief (Halo) - Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 is the central character of Microsoft's Halo franchise, appearing in all main entries in the series since 2001. Master Chief is a human supersoldier clad in armor known as a Mjolnir Powered Assault Armor which gives him enhanced strength, speed, and durability. He is an expert warrior and strategist, and has saved humanity from destruction on numerous occasions. He is truly one of gaming's greatest heroes.
3. Solid Snake (Metal Gear Solid) - Metal Gear Solid's Solid Snake is a retired special forces operative who comes out of retirement for one last mission: to destroy Metal Gear REX, a walking tank capable of launching nuclear weapons. Snake is a brilliant tactician and an exceptionally skilled soldier, able to take down enemies many times his size with ease. He's also just as well known for his dry wit as he is for his combat prowess, making him one of the most multifaceted and interesting characters in all of gaming.
4. GLaDOS (Portal) - The records indicate that you're even less popular than we thought you were... GLaDOS, short for Genetic Lifeform and Disk Operating System, is the primary antagonist of Valve's Portal games. GLaDOS is a malicious artificial intelligence that controls the Aperture Science research facility where the games take place. She initially appears to be helpful, but it quickly becomes apparent that she has ulterior motives, leading to a surprisingly emotional story arc over the course of the two games.
5. Chun-Li (Street Fighter) - Chun-Li is one of Street Fighter's original characters, appearing in the first game in the series back in 1987. Chun-Li was groundbreaking at the time for being not only one of gaming's first female protagonists but also one of its first playable Asian characters period. She remains one of Street Fighter's most popular characters to this day thanks to her lightning-fast kicks and athletic moveset which set her apart from the rest of the cast. Plus, who doesn't love those iconic thigh highs?
Conclusion:
Games are becoming increasingly more popular with each passing year, with people of all ages spending countless hours playing them. What separates a good game from a great one though are its characters; they need to be believable, likable (or dislike-able), and interesting enough to make us want to keep coming back for more. The 5 game character listed above have certainly stood the test of time and remain some of gaming's most memorable icons even today. Thanks for reading!