10 Gaming Couples That AREN'T Together

10 Gaming Couples That Aren't Together

Cortana & Master Chief

"Halo" Series (2001-)

The Chief has had vague and possibly romantic-leaning inclinations towards the computer program living in a chip within his suit for several installments. Despite being an Ai Chief treats Cortana like a partner instead of a replaceable asset, seemingly an uncommon bond to share in the Halo-verse. When Cortana develops rampancy, a side-effect of the AI’s short lifespans, Chief defies orders to terminate her, instead refusing to turn her chip over to the UNSC. Cortana likewise has saved the Chief’s life on several occasions throughout the series and has a fond loyalty of him, with a type of intimacy that, while ambiguous, toes the line between work colleague and longing romantic partner. The logistics in making that work between a space soldier dude and a hologram was not explored any further, but due to all their screen time together it’s not uncommon for fans to assume they were an item.

Bayonetta & Jeanne

"Bayonetta" Series (2009-)

In the somewhat controversial ending to Bayonetta 3, spoiler warning, Bayonetta ends up confessing her love for long time romantic interest Luka, an’ then this happens. [Clip of Bayonetta and Luka descending into… hell?]While fans felt like this was a lame send off for the titular character, likely to replace her in the next entree, it also sank the more popular ship which the series had teased, the same-sex witches, Bayonetta and Jeanne. Although not outright canon, the two had lived together in Bayo 2, and shared a dynamic screen presence with lots of fun interactions, so much so that she was seen as an honorary icon in some communities. While her current relationship with Luka doesn't erase the chemistry she has with Jeanne by any means, it did feel like a big missed opportunity that the series had already set up for itself. You’re 100 times more likely to see memes about, forgive my language, Gay-onetta, then anything else about her, so you’re forgiven for believing it to be the focus.

Samus Aran & Adam Malkovich

"Metroid" Series (1987-)

Samus likes to spend her time alone, taking long walks into cavernous alien planets, and slaying horrific creatures. So she doesn't get a lot of time with other people, until, the plot of Metroid Other M, pairing her up with a group of federation soldiers including her old commander Adam Malovich. While the two are not written as romantic interests, and in fact, he acts like more of a father figure, they do share some good banter, even after his mind is uploaded to her computer, where he becomes her AI assistant. Man, these sci-fi games I swear. Adam refers to her as Lady, a sign of respect from Samus’ perspective, and despite being against each other for most of Other M, they are important, almost family-like figures to each other, also present in Metroid Fusion and Metroid Dread. All this said, because Samus is rarely ever depicted with other people, it is an initial common misconception that they are together in some way. Not so much, that would probably come off as gross, and - he’s a bit of a tool.

Sonic & Amy

"Sonic the Hedgehog" Series (1991-)

Amy has been the stereotypical “fangirl” archetype, obsessed with Sonic and everything he does, for most of her appearances. But, the Sonic series has dialed this back quite a bit in recent years to make Amy into her own character with - at least a few other interests. While the blue blur’s reactions to her affection have varied from: indifferent, to fond of, to adamantly against - the two haven’t made anything that official. Sort of a Kermit / Miss Piggy eternally a one sided crush situation. Will these hedgehogs ever date, who knows. The run of the newer cartoons seems like the most likely place it could happen. In-game Sonic is only interested in one thing, goin’ fast.

Ryu & Chun-Li

"Street Fighter" Series (1987-)

The poster boy and girl of Street Fighter hold each other in high regards for their martial arts talents, but littlemore affection or care has been shown than that unless we’re talking about briefly run comic appearances. Ryu is often busy training, becoming the best that ever was, and Chun is running a dojo and I believe helping raise an adopted child these days. Regardless, they make for great friendly rivals, and it’s refreshing to see characters live in their own storylines without needing to be in a relationship since they’re in the main cast - but, if you had to assume who was in a pairing at first glance, you’d probably assume it was these two. Meanwhile, Ken and Guile are the married ones - ya’okay.

Princess Zelda & Link

"The Legend of Zelda" Series (1987-)

The hero and the Princess of Hyrule have reincarnated several times, and it could be argued in a couple of appearances, it becomes fairly explicit that they end up together - but the full truth of the relationship is often omitted. Even in the most recent release of The Legend of Zelda, The Tears, of Thee Kingdom, where the relationship is more front and center than ever, some lore details are curiously tweaked to keep things ambiguous. I mean, Zelda moves into Links house, but then he goes off and builds a new one when she goes missing. Link always comes to her rescue, sometimes they feel like best friends, other times little more than work colleagues. But I don’t think there would be any harm in finally seeing these heroes settle down and get to live in a bit of peace with each other for a change. Come on Breath of the Wild 3, you can do it.

Sam & Max

"Sam & Max" Series (1993-)

Sam and Max are about the most married unmarried characters ever. It’s not an uncommon sight for either of the two freelance detectives to cartoonishly dawn a wedding dress or make a quick pass at each other as seen throughout both the games and comics. It is heavily implied that they are quite happy to be both work partners and probably more than good buddies, though it hasn’t exactly been spelled out in detail other than comedic jabs, and occasionally they are presented as being actively repulsed the idea, also in service of a joke. Otherwise, a rather well known story in the fan community is how series creator Steve Purcell had a Sam & Max in a wedding dress cake topper, for his wedding cake. So make of all that what you wilL!

Jill Valentine & Chris Redfield

"Resident Evil" Series (1996-)

Two of the big protagonists in the first Resident Evil went on to become icons of the survival horror genre and really good partners, like, reeeeeallly good, just, the best work partners, ever. Yup. Despite continually starring together and risking their lives for each other in later installments, Chris and Jill have never expanded on their relationship beyond being co-workers at the Special Tactics and Rescue Service - STARS. Even after Jill is brainwashed and Chris is able to bring her back to sanity, we never get to see what sort of impact that has on their potential relationship. Resident Evil is just sort of a loveless world in general where our protagonists never have any time to develop feelings besides utter terror at the world they’re in. Despite this, there’s nothing saying the much older Chris in RE Village hasn’t been spending more time with his old partner, ehhh - but we’ll probably never know.

Steve & Alex

"Minecraft" (2011)

You may be in one of two camps right now, a “wait those minecraft characters are together?” group, and a “Hey wait they confirmed those Minecraft characters ARE together group.” Well wouldn’t you know it, the team behind this romantic pairing announcement later walked it back. As was stated by the Lego Group in a JULY-AUGUST 2016 issue, quote Steve is a miner, builder, alchemist, and Alex’s boyfriend. Unquote. There you go a whole new context for all those Minecraft trailers, but wait! Be it because someone at Minecraft asked Lego to walk it back, or that Lego felt like they had got it wrong we don’t know to be sure. The next issue of the Lego Club Magazine noted that Creepers had gotten into the clubhouse and wrote all sorts of crazy stuff, those crazy characters. Instead, Steve and Alex are just best friends they clarified. After this little mix up, the exact relationships in minecraft are up for interpretation, though you’ll find loads of people convinced that the first draft is canon and that the Lego team had it right the first time.

Mario Bros. and the Princesses

"Super Mario Bros." Series (1985-)

We all know how this one goes. The plumber saves the Princess, they get a little smooch on the nose and the day is saved, no further elaboration. Even though they’re great friends, the closest we’ve seen to Mario becoming an official item with Princess Peach was during the end chapters of Super Mario Odyssey, where he and Bowser fought over her attention. Other brother Luigi meanwhile, has been hinted at being a romantic interest of Princess Daisy, seen in the Mario Kart track “Daisy Circuit” where the two are sculpted as golden statues, dancing hand in hand. I mean, that’s pretty dang confirmed as far as the Mario universe goes, someone even paid for a second statue depicting Luigi and Daisy as babies together. Regardless, Peach seems to find comfort in the idea of Mario always coming to save her, and if anything, he does seem to get cake and parties out of the whole ordeal. I don’t imagine they’ll ever fully tie the knot, but it’s hard to imagine Peach with anyone else, except - maybe Bowser if that’s your thing, but that one anime with the Prince guy - that just felt straight up wrong…