20 Side Characters Who Deserve Their OWN Game

20 Characters Who Deserve Their Own Game

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re looking past our main characters, and seeing who is hiding in the background of video game narratives that deserves their story to be explored further. These are 20 Characters Who Deserve Their Own Game.

Morrigan

“Dragon Age: Origins” (2009)

Dragon Age: Origins features many characters who are worthy of their own spin-offs, making it tough to single out just one, but I’m gonna do my absolute best. For myself (and a good chunk of players), Morrigan stands out as the top contender due to her intriguing backstory. As an incredibly powerful swamp witch raised by an ancient dragon, Morrigan's upbringing is far from ordinary. If you were raised by a dragon, wouldn’t you be like 10% cooler?

Atreus

“God of War” (2018)

Introduced in 2018’s God of War, Atreus is the son of Kratos, the series' main protagonist. Throughout their journey across the realms of Norse mythology, players witnessed Atreus’ growth, largely from the perspective of a parent. Admittedly, a good chunk of players found Atreus to be annoying in the first game, but realistically he was reacting perfectly reasonably to the environment he was in, and following a character raised in this environment is undeniably compelling. In GOW: Ragnarok, his segments were some of the most enjoyable parts of the game, offering a fresh gameplay experience.

Meryl Silverburgh

“Metal Gear Solid” (1998)

We’ve been speculating about where the sixth entry in the series could fit within the timeline, but why not focus on Meryl? As Snake’s long-time love interest and a formidable warrior in her own right, Meryl would be a damn strong candidate for a leading role. While Hideo Kojima has said that The Phantom Pain is the final chapter in the Metal Gear Solid saga, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the end for Meryl. Snake isn’t set for another return, Meryl should be next in line, especially since Raiden has already had his moment in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. We know Meryl has a long story between MGS1 and MGS43, that is worth looking into.

The Mascots

“Persona” Series (1996-)

The mascots in the Persona series, like Morgana and Teddie, are compelling because they bring a unique blend of comic relief, emotional depth, and mystery to the story. Initially, they serve as lighthearted companions, offering support and guidance to the player. However, as the narrative progresses, these mascots reveal complex backstories, often tied to themes of identity, self-worth, and transformation. Their dual nature, both playful and profound, creates a connection with players that goes beyond surface-level charm, and a game or series of games that unfolds their history even further, would be undeniably intriguing.

Cole Train

“Gears of War” (2006)

From the moment Augustus Cole made his loud and memorable entrance in Gears of War, it was clear what he was all about, and it was clear that WE were all about it. A relentless, locust-crushing powerhouse, Cole embodies the spirit of a 1980s action hero in every sense. Cole's bold humor and boundless energy quickly made him a fan favorite, but by the end of the trilogy, it’s clear he’s more than a walking catchphrase. Cole became most players’ favorite character, making him the perfect choice for a spin-off centered around him.

Sergeant Major Avery Johnson

“Halo” Series (2001-)

Tough-as-nails army sergeants have a special place in our hearts, but none are tougher than Halo's Sergeant Major Johnson. He’s got all the classic traits of a great sergeant, picture Victor Sullivan in space... What’s not to love? A Johnson prequel has been requested for years now, tracing his early days taking down rebel colonies on the fringes of UNSC space, leading up to the Covenant invasion and his iconic meeting with Master Chief. Red Dead Redemption II walked, so Halo could run... SO START RUNNING, HALO!

Bandana Waddle Dee

“Kirby” Series (1992-)

In my eyes, Bandana Waddle Dee already was the main character of Kirby’s Superstar, because my brothers never let me be player one. Bandana Waddle Dee may have started as a minor character in the Kirby series, but he’s evolved into the Luigi to Kirby’s Mario. If a Kirby game includes multiplayer, you can bet that Kirby’s spear-wielding companion will be a playable option. If Luigi’s mansion can thrive, Waddle Dee can too.

Yuna

“Ghost of Tsushima” (2020)

Throughout Jin Sakai's journey in Ghost of Tsushima, he meets many characters, but none are as crucial as his first ally, the thief Yuna. Yuna saves Jin’s life early on and urges him to embrace dishonorable tactics to defeat enemies, rather than the honorable samurai methods instilled by his uncle. Fighting alongside Jin in some of the game’s most intense battles, Yuna proves herself more than capable, despite being dismissed by others as a mere commoner or thief. A Yuna focused story means combat would need a tweak, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Ghost

“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” (2009)

Ghost was a key factor in making Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. His design, as well as his character, is known even by non COD fans. Ghost’s death feels like a significant loss for players, as he's one of the few characters in the series whose demise truly hits hard. Part of his appeal lies in the mystery surrounding him, but many don’t know his story was expanded in the comics. Just as he begins to open up, he’s betrayed and killed alongside Roach in one of the franchise’s most shocking twists, and because of this, we don’t get the opportunity to see who he is deep down inside... BUT, we could learn how he became like this in an epic prequel.

Ada Wong

“Resident Evil 2” (1998)

We’ve had the opportunity to play as Ada in multiple Resident Evil games, but she’s yet to get her own game, and we could REALLY benefit from her driving a story. Though not always by Leon's side, Ada Wong consistently makes her presence felt in his stories, offering help while keeping her cool, mysterious aura intact. Often duplicitous and driven by self-interest, Ada's popularity is undeniable.

Landon Ricketts

“Red Dead Redemption” (2010)

Introduced in Red Dead Redemption 1, Landon Ricketts is an epic western hero, known to all gunfighters as something of legend. There are strong indications that Landon Ricketts might play a significant role in Red Dead Redemption III. According to an in-game news article, he was present during the slaughter at Blackwater, which is the starting point of Red Dead Redemption II. Exploring his backstory leading up to the events at Blackwater would be an easy story to tackle, with character crossovers similar to Red Dead Redemption II.

Garrus Vakarian

“Mass Effect” (2007)

It’s no secret that Garrus is one of the most beloved companions in Mass Effect, accompanying Shepard from the first game through to the trilogy's poignant conclusion. Like most companions in the series, Garrus is a fully developed character with his own story, goals, and personality distinct from Shepard's. Between the first and second games, he undergoes a significant transformation, evolving from an enthusiastic cop to a vigilante who instills fear in Omega's gangs, and guess what I’m going to say... What a great patch of time that’s deserving of an epic spin-off.

Coco Bandicoot

“Crash Bandicoot” (1996)

We got the perfect opportunity to play as Coco whenever we liked in the beloved remake of the first three games, and that left many fans wondering, why doesn’t Coco have her own game? She appears in nearly every game and has been a playable character for most of the franchise. With her unique design and distinct personality, she stands out from her older brother. Coco deserves a game that places her in the spotlight. Her intelligence and wit could provide a fresh perspective on the beloved Crash Bandicoot series, and could introduce a new generation of gamers to epic platforming.

Ganondorf

“The Legend of Zelda” Series (1986-2024)

Hold on, let me explain. Since his introduction to the series in Ocarina of Time, Ganondorf has been the main antagonist of most Zelda games. We don’t have a true and solid answer on whether Ganondorf is the same Ganondorf in every game, but we do know that there are at least two different timelines and two different versions of the Ganondorf we meet in Ocarina of Time. The option to create an alternate reality where Ganondorf is the hero of the piece, and Link was controlled by Ganon seems like a funny one-off. We also have the option to see a young Ganondorf, and the path he followed to end up seeking power beyond anything else.

Ciri

“The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” (2015)

As a central character in both the video game series and books, Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon is more than deserving of her own game, and please don’t beat me up for pronouncing that incorrectly. While Geralt is the face of the series, CD Projekt Red has confirmed that Wild Hunt marks the end of his story. But for Ciri? Depending on your choices, her journey is just beginning, and she has the potential (moving forward) to be JUST as cool as Geralt, and maybe adopt a few more Geralt-isms with a time jump taking us down her story.

Falco Lombardi

“Star Fox” Series (1993-2017)

Falco Lombardi is the deuteragonist of the Star Fox series... Impressive, huh? The way I used that word all casual and cool and super knowledgeable... I read it 20 seconds ago on the Star Fox wiki. He is second in command, and easily the least annoying of Star Fox’s otherwise annoying team. Star Fox has been a bit off track since Lylat Wars, so why not try something fresh? You could even argue that Falco is the best pilot in the team, so let’s put him in the cockpit and give fans the game they’ve been waiting for... Star Falco!

Elizabeth

“BioShock Infinite” (2013)

Now, I understand that there was a DLC where we got to play as Elizabeth (even if it was the fourth), BUT, she doesn’t have her own game, and THAT could be incredibly interesting. Throughout the main game, Elizabeth is portrayed as a damsel in distress, needing Booker’s protection. In truth, though, she’s an incredibly powerful character with abilities that can alter the course of the game. Playing the same game from Elizabeth’s perspective has the potential to be a REALLY cool take on a story we know and love, and a LITTLE bit more interesting than a top down remake.

Waluigi

“Super Mario Bros.” Series (1985-)

I’m gonna make this really clear from the get go, this is not my entry. Unfortunately, part of my job is to take the opinion of the community, and for SOME REASON, you wild lunatics seem to love this annoying-voiced purple turd. So let’s talk about him. Nearly every major sidekick in the Mario series has had their own spinoff at some point - Luigi, Yoshi, Wario, and even Toad have all taken center stage in their own games. Waluigi, though, remains an exception. Given his immense popularity, it feels like Waluigi’s time to shine is long overdue. I’d rather cut my thumbs off... But I think you guys would love it.

Victor Sullivan

“Uncharted” Series (2007-17)

Victor "Sully" Sullivan is a beloved character in the Uncharted series, serving as both mentor and father figure to Nate, an easy argument can be made for him being the most loved character in the whole series... Including Nate. Always up for a treasure hunt, Sully’s mix of charm, greed, and foul-mouthed humor makes him far more than a simple sidekick. With his rich backstory as a seasoned treasure hunter, imagine a game centered around a 20-year-old Sully. With the benefit of a different time period, this could be a WILD game.

Auron

“Final Fantasy X” (2001)

One of the most interesting stories in Final Fantasy X revolved around the epically cool and powerful Auron, the only friend that our main character Tidus had from his old world. Learning about Auron’s adventures with Yuna’s father that mirrored the experience we were having in Tidus’ story was especially cool, even before learning about Auron’s true identity as an unsent. His story is outlined in great detail, much like Zack’s story was in Final Fantasy VII, and with the success of Crisis Core, a game that allowed us to experience this tale up until it crossed over with Final Fantasy VII, we can only imagine how successful a Final Fantasy X prequel (centered around Auron) would be.