Even The Biggest Gamers Will Struggle To Name All These Popular Characters
- by Johnny Reynolds
- – on
- in The Geek Corner
While it may be one of the newest art forms around, video games are arguably the most immersive. They are the closest people can get to escaping into a different world and taking the role of someone else. And over the years, the art form has evolved to give the world some truly incredible characters.
As far back as Nintendo's arcade hit "Donkey Kong," video game characters have been debuting and winning gamers over with effortless cool, awesome attacks, and winning personalities. But over the years, they have become so much more. Many of today's modern heroes and villains are uniquely flawed and layered characters, but this is what makes them so intriguing to play or fight against.
Without brilliant characterization, writing, and voice acting, some of the best games around simply wouldn't be the same. While some games can rely on addicting gameplay to carry them, there are others whose characters are crucial to moving the story forward in an interesting way. And even still, a boring or unlikable character can drag down a game with great mechanics.
Many of these characters are beloved by the fans of their games and are important pieces of pop culture. But there are some gamers who could still struggle to remember their names.
What is the name of Nintendo's mascot?
Even people who don't play video games should be able to name this stout hero of the Mushroom Kingdom. He's been around for quite a long time and is the gold standard for when it comes to making a great platforming game. The world of gaming owes a lot to him and Nintendo, as he basically saved the video game industry from going under when the NES debuted. He can run and jump better than most, but what is the name of this hero?
Who is the hero of Hyrule?
While many of Nintendo's most popular games are easy to pick up and begin, the series this character stars in can take some serious brain power. Each game in the series sees him go on a giant adventure, taking on monsters and solving puzzles along the way. And while most of them take place in the kingdom of Hyrule, there are some that have taken him to different towns, time periods, and even different dimensions. Who is this hero?
Who is this popular character from "Mortal Kombat?"
While "Street Fighter" is one of the most popular fighting series of all time, this entry has something it doesn't: style. When the first "Mortal Kombat" premiered in the 90s, its over-the-top violence helped to create the rating system for video games (which is actually kind of impressive). One of the coolest characters to choose from was this undead ninja, who could shoot a rope with a kunai on the end to pull his enemies towards him. What is his name?
What is the name of Sega's hedgehog?
It's weird to think how Sega's mascot can now be seen on a variety of Nintendo consoles given how intense the rivalry between the two companies was in the early to mid 90s. The blue hedgehog's games were considered better than Mario's platformers by some as he was able to go much faster than Mario ever could. Unfortunately, some of his 3D games couldn't match up. At best they were mediocre and at worst they were unplayable. What is the name of Sega's mascot?
What is the name of this pink puffball?
Nintendo has gifted the world with a lot of great platforming adventures over the years, and this pink alien stars in one of their oldest series. His games are a bit easier than Mario's, but he comes with an awesome ability that Mario just can't replicate. He is able to suck in his enemies and steal their powers, giving him a wide array of moves. He's starred in a ton of games on different Nintendo consoles and is one of the original eight characters from "Super Smash Bros." What is his name?
Who is the star of the "Uncharted" series?
For gamers who longed for a fantastic Indiana Jones game, "Uncharted" offered just that. Each one saw the smart-mouthed lead character venture to exotic locations in search of valuable treasure and long-lost cities. Though he wouldn't be the only one. He and his friends would always just barely escape the wrath of peoples who were out to find riches themselves. The series gives players the opportunity to play action movies, with a charming and lovable main character as well. What is that character's name?
Who's that Pokémon?
Pokémon is one of the biggest gaming franchises around, and it doesn't seem like it will be coming to an end any time soon. For years it has captured the imagination of kids everywhere due to its fun creatures and their powerful attacks. This Pokémon is one of the more popular of the bunch that appeared in the original games, and it will also be the mascot of one of the upcoming games. One of the things that makes it so popular is the ability to evolve it into nearly every type. What is this Pokémon's name?
What is the name of the blue bomber?
The blue guy stars in one of the longest lasting video game franchises. Some of his games feature different forms of gameplay, but the most popular are his platformers. They're known for their grueling difficulty and the character's ability to gain a power from each robotic boss he faces. The legacy of this character is so strong that he's been brought into "Super Smash Bros." and has had his series grow in popularity since they were brought into the renaissance of nostalgia-heavy games. What is the name of this popular android?
Who is the princess from Hyrule?
While Link is definitely the hero from his series, the games aren't named after him. This character is the princess of Hyrule. And while in the past she was simply a damsel in distress, over time she evolved to be so much more. She's not typically a fighter like Link, but she is well-trained in a variety of forms of magic. She has also been shown to be incredibly compassionate, doing what she must to protect the citizens of her kingdom. Who is the princess of Hyrule?
Who is Mario's greatest enemy?
No matter what Mario does or where he goes, this fire-breathing turtle will always be there to cause him trouble. He is constantly coming up with new ways to take Princess Peach and take control of the Mushroom Kingdom. His motives may be simple, but he's one of the most iconic video game villains ever created. He's also been in most of the "Super Smash Bros." games, where he's a great pick for players who prefer strength to speed. What is this villain's name?
Who is the Tomb Raider?
Before "Uncharted" gave the world a hero in search of long-lost treasure, the Tomb Raider was going on far more complicated adventures. Her earliest games had her going up against bad guys, wolves, and even dinosaurs in some cases. Not all of her games have been adored by the fans as the series has been rebooted twice. But the latest series of games have told her origin as she went from a helpless survivor of a shipwreck to a woman going after what she wants. Who is the Tomb Raider?
What is the name of the God of War?
This character just might be the angriest hero to ever appear in a video game, though some of it is justified. He was a Spartan commander before he was betrayed by Ares, the previous God of War. And after getting his vengeance and taking his place, he decided to take on the entire Greek pantheon. The newest entry in his series, however, has seen him in the world of Norse Mythology. But it also gave him a lot more depth. What is the name of the God of War?
What is the name of Donkey Kong's sidekick?
Donkey Kong is one of Nintendo's oldest characters, as he was the very first character Mario ever faced in the arcade title "Donkey Kong." But his sidekick might be even more popular than even him. He first appeared in "Donkey Kong Country" before getting the chance to star in the sequel. Ever since, he's appeared in a slew of spin-off games like "Mario Kart," "Super Smash Bros.," "Mario Tennis," and even his own cart racing game on the Nintendo 64. What is the name of Donkey Kong's sidekick?
What is the name of this bandicoot?
When this rad bandicoot debuted on the original PlayStation, there were many who believed it signalled the end of Mario's reign as the platforming king. That, of course, was untrue. But his first set of games, along with his cart racer, were still impressive and fun. This character was the first big success of the studio that would go on to create the "Uncharted" series and "The Last of Us." But what was the name of their first big character?
What is this Hylian's name?
Link has had to face several obstacles over his long career as a hero, but more often than not he has to go up against a form of this one. And even though his appearance can change from game to game, he is still one of the most recognizable characters in all of gaming. He is usually seeking the magical Triforce so that he can seize power over Hyrule, and he will stop at nothing to get what he wants. What is the name of this guy?
Who is the poster child for "Street Fighter?"
There are few fighting games that can boast about having as long of a record as "Street Fighter." Looking back, the first entry in the series isn't very strong. But with the sequel, Capcom brought their best efforts forward and produced a game that is still being remastered more than 25 years later. Some of the characters are instantly recognizable, none more so than the character who has been featured as the poster child for every entry. What is the name of this fighter?
What is this character's name?
Not every one of Nintendo's franchises has grown in popularity to the size of Mario or Zelda. Some have faded and are really only known for including characters in the next "Super Smash Bros." game, while others have achieved cult status with fans teeming with desire for another entry. "Metroid" is one of those cult favorite games, and this character is one of the leading ladies in gaming. She works as a bounty hunter and her special suit comes equipped with all manner of useful gadgets and items. What is her name?
What is the name of this dragon?
It's a well-known fact that dragons are awesome, so being able to play as one was something that excited a lot of gamers. This little guy has starred in a lot of games, but the ones that are mostly fondly remembered (and the ones that are getting a remastered collection) are the three for the original PlayStation. Flying around and sending bursts of fire at enemies while on an epic quest was a ton of fun. What is the name of this dragon?
Who is the main protagonist of the "Metal Gear" series?
For players looking for a smart, stealth heavy game, there's none that can quite top the "Metal Gear" series. While their have been several playable protagonists across the long library of entries, the main one is this spec ops agent. He's an expert in multiple forms of combat and weaponry, and he excels in missions that involve stealth. While he does have a team of allies that can lend him support, he primarily works alone. What is the name of the primary protagonist from the "Metal Gear" series?
What is the name of this squirrel?
Back in the 90s, Rare made a name for themselves by creating platforming adventure games that were reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoons. And while many of them were kid friendly, the game this squirrel starred in on the Nintendo 64 certainly wasn't. It featured strong language, some very adult content, and a ton of violence. And that's what made the game such a big hit. It was hilariously over-the-top and poked fun at a lot of popular movies and characters. What is the name of this squirrel?
Who is this character from the original "Resident Evil?"
Though it may be viewed as a bit cheesy now, the original "Resident Evil" broke ground when it was first released and laid the foundation for one of the biggest horror franchises in gaming. The plot of the first game revolved around a group of officers being trapped in a mansion full of zombies. Players could choose between two playable characters, each with different storylines as they wandered through the mansion. What was the name of the female character, who would also appear in several sequels?
What is Master Chief's real name?
While it certainly wasn't the first of its kind, "Halo" was still one of the most fun multiplayer FPS experiences to have. The second one in particular provided hours of fun local matches. But it had an intriguing sci-fi plot in its single player mode as well. For several games, players took control of the Master Chief and took on waves upon waves of dangerous aliens with awesome hi-tech gadgets. But some may have been a bit disappointed when it was revealed what the Master Chief's name was, since it was kind of generic. What is his name?
Who is this rad racer?
He's primarily known now as one of the fastest fighters to choose from in "Super Smash Bros." because this Nintendo character got his start in a fast paced series of racing games. And for players that aren't wowed by "Mario Kart," his series will definitely offer a challenge. The games are set in the distant future, and the vehicles that each character operates hover and have no use for wheels. But that series last had an entry on the Gameboy Advance as a Japan exclusive, and Nintendo has shown little interest in continuing it. What is this racer's name?
Who does Joel protect in "The Last of Us?"
While "The Last of Us" had players take control of Joel, the arguably more interesting character was the one he was protecting. In a world infected by a virus that turned many into zombies, Joel met the one person who had been bitten, yet didn't turn. He was then put in charge of getting her to safety and to the people who could hopefully create a cure. Though the two didn't care for each other at first, Joel grew to think of the girl as his own daughter. What is her name?
Who created the underwater city called Rapture?
2007's "BioShock" features one of the most inventive storylines given to a first person shooter in a long time. It takes place in the city of Rapture, an underwater city that was created by the game's villain as a way for people to live by their own rules without interference from government or churches. This, of course, led to the city that the player gets trapped in. It was a fascinating premise with great game play, as players could also choose from a variety of powers to obtain. Who is the philosopher of "BioShock" who created Rapture?
Who is the hero from "Horizon: Zero Dawn?"
One of the trends in gaming that has become increasingly popular over the years is the feature of an open world. This provides players with the opportunity to get lost in the setting of a game by including huge maps with tons of extra features and secrets to find. This could produce the problem of a lack of content due to an empty world, but there are some games that have found immense success. "Horizon: Zero Dawn" is one of those games. It focused on a world roamed by large machine animals. What is the name of the main character?
Who is this hero from the world of "Final Fantasy?"
"Final Fantasy" is one the longest running and most popular RPG series ever created. Each one focuses on a different story with exciting characters. But one of the most beloved heroes from the series starred in "Final Fantasy VII." This character and his game were so well received that he was given an animated movie to star in and was made a playable character in "Super Smash Bros.," where his massive sword and unique abilities made him a fan favorite. What is the name of this hero from "Final Fantasy VII?"
Who is the protagonist of "The Witcher" series?
Not every game comes from an original idea. "The Witcher," for example, is based on a series of books. It follows the titular witcher, a monster hunter who also has some supernatural abilities. The games have been incredibly well received, with the third one being considered by many to be the best open world game ever created. The series as a whole has been praised for its blend of action and RPG elements as well as its branching storylines. What is the name of the protagonist from this series?
Who is this character from "Grand Theft Auto V?"
Over the years, Rockstar has become famous for crafting open world experiences with morally grey characters. But their most popular series by far is "Grand Theft Auto." Each one has players take control of a person working various jobs and finding unconventional success. The last entry in the series is still going strong thanks to to its online mode, but it also featured three engaging protagonists to choose from. And this guy was definitely the most interesting of the three. What is his name?
Who is this robot from "Portal?"
"Portal" offered an interesting take on the FPS, as in it wasn't really an FPS at all. Players took control of a mute protagonist as she wandered through a facility solving puzzles with a special tool that allowed her to create portals to transport herself or objects to different locations. And all the while she was given instructions by the AI that had taken over the facility. What made this villain so entertaining was her robotic voice paired with her wit. What is this robot's name?
Who is this hero from "Castlevania?"
"Castlevania" is one of few video game franchises that has been able to persevere from its original game in the 80s and is still going today. There have been many games that have been centered around different characters, but they all revolve around taking control of a hero. This hero is from the original game, though he has appeared in many others. Many of the games that he appears in sees him taking on Dracula and his horde of beasts. What is this hero's name?
What is the name of this gorilla from "Overwatch?"
Blizzard's "Overwatch" is one of the most joyful online shooting games out right now, and it's easy to understand what has made it such a hit. While there are so many online FPS games that are centered around regular humans, "Overwatch" lets players pick from a variety of unique characters in different classes. One such is this genetically engineered genius of a gorilla. He's one of the tank characters, meaning he is incredibly strong but slower than most others. What is the name of this gorilla?
Who is the anti-hero from "Devil May Cry?"
Capcom has created some the most popular franchises in gaming like "Street Fighter" and "Resident Evil." One of their most revered is the hack-and-slash series "Devil May Cry." Most of the game follow this anti-hero who specializes in the paranormal. His attitude and quick wit has made him a fan favorite Capcom character, earning him a spot in the "Marvel vs. Capcom" series of fighting games. He'll soon be appearing in "Devil May Cry 5," where fans are hopeful it will be a return to form for the character. What is his name?
Who is the protagonist of "Beyond Good and Evil?"
There are many beloved games that were ahead of their time at release and didn't sell well, but were able to gain popularity through their cult status. "Beyond Good and Evil" is such a game, and word of mouth has made it so popular that there is currently a sequel in the works. The original game takes place in the distant future and follows this investigative journalist trying to uncover an alien agenda on her planet. What is her name?
Who is the protagonist of "Celeste?"
In recent years, smaller developers have been producing indie games that can stand among the biggest games in terms of quality. One of the latest and most revered is "Celeste." Players took control of a girl as she climbed Mount Celeste through incredibly difficult platforming. While the game play was indeed fun and satisfying, the story is what makes the game important. The mountain is a physical representation of her depression and problems in her home life. What is her name?