Top 10 Iconic Video Game Heroes
They have saved princesses, bananas and the world from evil forces! Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’ll be taking a look at the most iconic video game heroes of all time.
Number 10: Solid Snake (Metal Gear Solid)
Starting off our countdown is the aging warrior destined to die in combat. Sporting a growling voice and love for radio banter, he continues to confound his exclamation-thinking enemies by hiding under cardboard boxes.
Number 9: Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy VII)
He’s the most recognized hero of the long running RPG game series. Why? It’s simple, Cloud’s got a massive sword and spiky hair. A mercenary and ex-member of a genetically augmented military unit, he fights for a resistance group called “Avalanche”, and is driven by a feud with Sephiroth, another genetically enhanced warrior who comes to believe that he’s a god.
Number 8: Lara Croft (Tomb Raider)
An icon of "mature" gaming from the PlayStation one era, she’s best known as the female equivalent of Indiana Jones. Packing dual pistols, she combined quality platforming with adventure. Not only that, but she introduced many snot nosed young men to the idea of a strong female protagonist, but also gave new meaning to the phrase “Eye Candy.”
Number 7: Donkey Kong (Donkey Kong Country)
This big ape is one of the few video game characters that went from antagonist to protagonist. That’s right, Donkey Kong has given up enslaving the princess to become one of the greatest Nintendo heroes. Sure, he only thinks about his Banana Horde, and is always a little dumbfounded, but no one can dislodge him from his rightful place as gaming’s most lovable primate.
Number 6: Sonic (Sonic The Hedgehog)
Okay, so he hasn’t been in that many memorable games lately. Despite this, Sonic remains a beloved gaming icon from a time when a speedy blue hedgehog with sneakers was considered the Red Bull version of a certain chubby plumber.
Number 5: Master Chief (Halo)
You can sum up this guy with the words silent and deadly. Not only has this Spartan super-soldier endeared himself to fans with his brass voice, but he has become the symbol of the Xbox, as well as a new generation of gamers.
Number 4: Mega Man (Mega Man)
The Blue Bomber has taken on the robotic forces of the notorious Dr. Wily for several decades. In that time he has consistently saved humanity, while showcasing the ability to absorb the abilities of his fallen foes.
Number 3: Samus Aran (Metroid)
When we first played the original NES hit, we all thought that this bounty hunter was the coolest thing we ever saw. He had a gun for an arm, like Mega Man, but could morph into a ball! However, upon beating the game we were all shocked to realize that Samus was a girl the entire time. Not only becoming the greatest female gaming hero, she emasculated an entire generation of gamers in one unbelievable instant.
Number 2: Link (The Legend of Zelda)
How do you get to be the second best character of all time without ever saying a word? Easy, make green a fashion statement, sport a wicked sword and shield, and become the “Hero of Time”! Even better, Link has done this as both a child and an adult, while questing to save a kingdom from a thief that transforms into a frightening pig!
Number 1: Mario (Mario Bros.)
That’s right, taking the top spot on our list is the mustachioed plumber with an ability to jump to great heights. Built on technical limitations, he has not only saved the princess and the Mushroom Kingdom countless times, but the entire gaming industry from the video game crash of the 80s. Sure he’s a stereotypical Italian character created by a Japanese company, but this lovable hero continue to impress us with his A+ gaming outings.
