Top 10 Video Game Treasure Hunters

Archaeology is a trade that is long past down in the Kosugi family. Lemeza's motivation to pick up the torch came from his desire to surpass his father as an archaeologist. Adopting the ninja and infiltration skills taught to him by his grandfather, Lemeza exhibited a natural act for scavenging, giving him the confidence to take on one of the most infamous ruins of them all, La-Mulana. The young archaeologist' main mode of navigation is his Mobile Super X, which he's never seen without.

Conventional treasure hunting regularly requires an individual to be quite nimble, yet there are some that have gotten by with a simple tuck and roll. Refusing to be limited by his egg-shaped body, Dizzy takes on every daring destination he encounters with one tumble at a time. Dizzy's adventures often lead him into protecting his friends and family from the forces of evil, or to distant magical lands, proving that there may be nothing that the spherical adventurer can't handle.

There happens to be a thin line when it comes to treasure hunting and treasure “stealing”; a distinction that this character may have yet to make. Wario's common method of acquiring his riches come in the form or trickery and extortion. He has however demonstrated to be more than capable of gaining loot through legitimate means, yet his overwhelming greed usually allows him employ the bully tactic. In this case, Greed is good, as the various endings to the Wario Land games are determined by how much treasure you help the yellow scoundrel collect.

When it comes to traditional spelunking, you'll find no one that does it better. Little is known about this even smaller adventurer, yet his skills in navigating dark and decrepit caves most definitely speak for themselves. Aside from the whip, bombs, and rope, he comes equipped with, Spelunky Guy keeps a mysterious photo of certain someone close to him at all times. It's also inferred that his deceased father was once a great adventurer that has now entrusted him to continue his life's work.

To some, it isn't so much about the end result as it is the challenge. Pit against the lethal forces of nature, Pitfall Harry is seen reveling in the imminent danger and unfavorable odds. His survival is solely based on his peak physical condition and quick wittedness, as he must avoid rattlesnakes, crocodiles, sand traps, and more on his various escapades. Considering the perils he puts himself in, we're not entirely sure if its even about the treasure anymore.

Sometimes the best treasures in the world lie in the truth we seek. Maya realized this fact after finally breaking free of the Order so that she can explore the lands of Pandora and uncover the secrets of her Siren lineage. Using her cosmic powers, Maya is able to traverse the planet in search of vaults that may hold the answers she seeks. While her fellow Vault hunters are obviously noteworthy as well, Maya gets extra points for her undeniable cool factor.

Treasure hunting can also be a viable side job for infamous jewel thieves. Having an affinity for anything that glitters has led Rouge into a life of jewel hunting. Her dedication to her craft allows for no obstacle to be too steep, and her skills as a trained spy has granted her superior infiltration capabilities. Oh yeah forgot to mention: she’s also a government spy working for the president, because “reasons”. Anyway, all of these traits tends to come in handy, as Rouge is most attracted to the highest valued jewels.

Old money or new money, one never gets tired of the hustle. Dissatisfied with his massive fortune, Scrooge finds himself on another journey to acquire five of the world's most sacred treasures. This epic venture would find the elderly tycoon traversing the African mines, the Amazon, the Himalayas, and even the Moon. Age hasn't seemed to slow the wealthy businessman at all either, as he's frequently seen using his cane as a weapon as well as a means of travel.

Just your favorite neighborhood treasure hunter if there ever was one. Nathan gleams with personality, making his adventures throughout the most impossible locations that much more relatable. What he lacks in skill he's more than capable to make up with humor and wit, making him able to draw those around him closer. Nathan is always down for an adventure with a good payout, and with a healthy support system to back him, he's always a step away from fortune.

Before we unveil our pick for Top Video Game Treasure Hunter, here are a few honorable mentions:

Toad
“Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker” (2014)
Sabreman
“Sabre Wulf” series (1984-2004)
Henry Hatsworth
“Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure” (2009)

Some merely adopt the treasure hunting lifestyle, but others are born into it. Despite the many iterations of the character, Lara follows in the footsteps of her father and becomes an archaeologist. With formidable resources at her disposal, Lara is able traverse lost civilizations and attain the world's most rarest artifacts. Lara is extremely resourceful and will stop at nothing to satiate her explorer's appetite. She is highly skilled with a number of different weapons, making her not the one to mess with.

Do you agree with our list? What treasure hunter was your favorite? For more adventurous Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.