Only A Real Nerd Can Name All These Video Game Characters
- by Ricky Bambuto
- – on
- in The Geek Corner
If you're a real nerd, then you've come to the right place. Welcome to our arena, where you'll be faced with various classic fighting game characters who have graced us with their pixelated presences over many years. Thankfully for you, this is an ultra peaceful tournament, and nothing like Mortal Kombat. In this tournament, you'll be able to leave with all your organs intact and no harm done, guaranteed.
We don't need that stuff here, especially when there are epic fighting games available for us to express our combative sides with. That's not to say that we'd all be trading knuckle sandwiches around the clock if fighting games weren't around, but it's nice to be able to play fight without hurting anyone. If you're an actual, real nerd, then you'll be a black belt in this virtual form of play fighting, and a guaranteed white belt in the real world.
That's fine. Let's save the real world for smiles and handshakes. In this virtual fighting environment, though, all bets are off. It's time for you to prove that you're a real, bona fide nerd by naming all these fighting game characters.
Can you do it? Let's find out - fight!
Name the fighter!
We'll start this off with an easy one, just because we're nice. If you've ever played Mortal Kombat, you've seen this ole god from the opening sequence right through to several Fatalities, probably. He's a raging thunder god, at least when he's on a mission for dimensional justice. In most other circumstances, he's completely pleasant. Just don't mess with him if you're not looking to get mortally shocked. Can you name this classic fighting game character? For sure you can.
Name the fighter!
We'll keep warming you up here with another super recognizable face. While this character is definitely iconic, he hasn't appeared in quite as many fighting games as Raiden. In fact, by our count, he was only featured in one: Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U, released in 2014. However, that appearance alone is more than enough to justify this limit breaking swordsman, since he continues to whoop the entire roster of characters in major tournaments. What was his name, again?
Name the fighter!
Things just got heavy in here, and we get the feeling that this guy has something to do with that. He's huge, absolutely huge, and he looks like he knows how to fight. So, we'll just step aside here and let him do his thing, while you do yours. If you're any sort of fighting game fan at all, you shouldn't have a problem clicking the right button here. Go ahead and do that, so we can move on to the next fighter.
Name the fighter!
Soulcalibur is a great fighting game series that's distinct from other fighters in an obvious way. If you've played the game, you'll know that each member of its character roster uses a weapon they specialize in. This is a refreshing contrast from the average fighting game, which focuses more on powers and hand to hand combat. Soulcalibur has no shortage of iconic characters, including this towering behemoth right here. He's huge, super strong, and has a giant axe. What's his name?
Name the fighter!
Don't eat that! It's not a big bubble gum. That's actually an ultra experienced fighting game character. You wouldn't mess with a UFC fighter, would you? Well, this little thing can probably take down 1000 UFC fighters at once, with one hand tied behind its back. Players who have used this characters in any of the Super Smash Bros. games, or any of his main series games, will know this for sure. Of course, they'll also know his name, for sure.
Name the fighter!
Let's get back to Mortal Kombat, since this is a fighting game quiz, after all. Out of the assembly of iconic characters that could be featured here, we went with this dude, wrapping some stuff around his hand so he can presumably punch people in the face. This character stands out from the roster of Mortal Kombat characters as an apparently normal human being, a movie star in fact. However, this action hero quickly proves that he can bring the fight off camera.
Name the fighter!
If ever you've heard the word "Yoga Fire!" or "Yoga Flame!" yelled out on-screen, it was probably from this guy right here. A key character in the Street Fighter series, many a player has enjoyed unleashing his unconventional kit of attacks onto their opponents. Perform the right inputs, and your opponent will be outstandingly confused as they get punch in the face from across the stage and set on fire with yoga flames. Can you name this super iconic street fighter?
Name the fighter!
The Tekken series is one of the staples of the fighting game universe, though it does maintain a comfortable degree of obscurity, with the main spotlight being reserved for Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter. This gives Tekken a bit of a cult status, while still enjoying a broad reach. Cult Tekken fans and casual gamers alike should definitely recognize this combatant as he readies his gloves for a serious beat down. If you can tell us his name, we'll make sure he doesn't hurt you.
Name the fighter!
This classic Street Fighter can deliver a kick that sends your head straight to the moon. You've seen her through several generations of the games, probably, and you might have even seen her on-screen in the old school Street Fighter movie. Or, maybe you've never seen her in a fighting game before, in which case you might be stumped right now. Remember that Googling is cheating here. Using only your fighting game memory, name this street fighter, if you can.
Name the fighter!
Jumping up into the air so he can rain down on his opponent with an atomic Falcon Punch, we have another classic Super Smash Bros. character. This man - a strangely human inclusion into the zany Nintendo world - has been with the series since the very first game was released on the Nintendo 64. If you've put weeks, months and years into the black hole of Super Smash Brothers, as we have, then a certain button below should have caught your eye.
Name the fighter!
This crazy Tekken character is pointing at something, and we're glad it's not us. Being on the receiving end of that pointed finger might mean getting into a fight with this leopard-faced maniac. A super original fighting game character, he's helped many a Tekken player lay a serious smack down on their opponent. We're not sure how much of a leopard he really is, but let's hope he doesn't bite anyone today. Let's also hope that you can get his name right.
Name the fighter!
A swinging samurai has stumbled drunkenly into this list, and he appears to be undead. Well, that's nice. Either a samurai or zombie alone would be enough to strike fear into the heart of even the bravest quizmaster, but a combination of both spells a clear doom. Thankfully, we just remembered that this quiz is digital, so everyone should be pretty safe. Anyway, virtually quick the digital option pertaining to this Tekken/Soulcalibur fighter's name, and we'll be able to move on.
Name the fighter!
This character is essentially the mascot of the Mortal Kombat series, though he might as well be the face of video game fighting as a whole. He's recognized for a variety of things: his face, his signature movies, his Fatalities, and his classic catchphrase: "Get over here!" He screams that as he throws a roped spear right into the middle of his opponent, pulling them toward him and cracking them completely. It's horrific, but also glorious. Can you name this fighter?
Name the fighter!
What's a Pokemon doing in this quiz? Well, if you're the type of gamer who plays any fighter except for one by Nintendo, that's a reasonable question to ask. However, if you're pure of heart, you'll recognize Super Smash Bros. as the best fighting series ever made, and you'll definitely be able to identify this floral beast right here. He was a feature in Pokemon Brawl, released for the Nintendo Wii. With the amazing reach of his vines and razor leaves as projectiles, opponents had a super tough time getting in.
Name the fighter!
Let's get back to Street Fighter, shall we? Like most fighting game, and most games or stories in general, Street Fighter has a bad guy, and boy is he atrocious. You can compare his demonic acts and ideas to certain demons that have existed in our world throughout history, but you'd have to amplify the evil a considerable amount. Thankfully, the Street Fighter features an assortment of combatants that can whip him up pretty good. Can you name this evil street fighter?
Name the fighter!
Sticking within the margin of Street Fighter, we have this ferocious puncher and kicker, who we obviously won't name here. Mostly because that would ruin the fun. However, if you're familiar with the world of fighting games, we doubt you'll need a hint to get this dude's name right. He's a key feature in the Street Fighter series and has been throughout several generations of the games. He's strong minute by minute, but he has access to a godly anger mode that you do not want to be on the receiving end of.
Name the fighter!
What's better than two arms? Three arms, of course. What's better than three arms? Four arms, you bet. We can go on and on with that, but we won't. The point is, this Mortal Kombat character has more than the usual pair of arms - he has four, to be exact. That must really contribute to the legions of pixelated fighters he's destroyed over the years, though we get the feeling he could still deliver a great deal of beatings even if he had the usual amount of arms.
Name the fighter!
Here's another mascot of the world of fighting games as a whole, and another fighter we're sure you'll be able to recognize. You definitely shouldn't have a problem here, because everyone and their aunt can remember his name. Even aside from his fame, his name is so short you don't even need to think at all to bring it to the front of your mind. If you're actually having trouble, just scream "Shoryuken!" right now, and it should come back to you.
Name the fighter!
Who's this ultra famous character flying around with the little star behind his back? It's everyone's favorite imaginary plumber, of course. This guy actually isn't the best at fixing pipes, but thankfully for the Mushroom Kingdom, he's very talented at jumping around, shooting fireballs and stuff. In the Super Smash Bros. series, he had the opportunity to use his entire arsenal of attacks on a variety of other classic Nintendo characters. Do you know what a video game is? Then you'll know this character's name.
Name the fighter!
This lady right here, charging up her purple energy beam, is one of the most recognized faces in Mortal Kombat, having been present in the series since it was first released all those years ago. Of course, she's still kept her spot as a fundamental feature throughout the games, including in the most recent iteration. She takes some skill to master as a fighter, but once you get the hang of her kit, you'll find yourself flipping right through opponents left and right.
Name the fighter!
This character is known as the strongest fighter while on the ground in Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U, at least that's the consensus among some of the world's top players. However, as you might know, Smash is as much an aerial series as a land-based one. And this guy, as soon as his feet leave the ground, pretty much sucks. Boxers typically don't fair well in the air, especially against other zany Nintendo fighters. Can you name this guy?
Name the fighter!
Just as Mortal Kombat has Shao Kahn and Street Fighter has M. Bison, the Tekken series has this guy as its ultimate villain. He might look like he's getting on in years, or even that he's already gotten on quite a bit, but do not let that fool you. One sternum punch from this angry fighter, and you'll find yourself in the center of the moon, without a sternum. There's no need to fight him, thankfully. Just tell us his name.
Name the fighter!
This sorcerer loves to mess with the roster of characters in the Mortal Kombat series, and he continues to do so throughout new releases. When he summons up one of his special spells, you definitely don't want to be on the receiving end of it. Don't make the mistake of thinking that means his physical attacks are weak, either. Like the other fighters in Mortal Kombat, he can probably end you even if he was missing two key limbs. What's his name?
Name the fighter!
Let's revisit the Soulcalibur series again, since it feels like it's been a while. As we mentioned, the fighters in Soulcalibur each have their own specialized weapon that they use in combat, and this character's weapon might be the most specialized of them all. Of course, if you played the game, you'll know exactly what we're talking about. Her sword can be segmented to form a long, blade-like whip, incredibly dangerous if wielded by a master. And she is a master, no doubt about that.
Name the fighter!
Going back to Street Fighter, everyone should remember this hairy, Brazilian monster. When you first encounter him in battle, your first instinct is probably to be super intimidated and run away. This is only natural, since he's huge, ripped, and can generate tremendous amounts of electricity, but then most people remember that they're using an equally deadly Street Fighter character, and that they can make it out of the combat O.K. if they just perform the right inputs. Perform the right one now, and click his name.
Name the fighter!
This fighter only appeared in one fighting game, though that's definitely enough to cement his legacy in the video game fighters' hall of fame. Of course, we're talking about his feature in the Super Smash Bros. series. In fact, this furry creature was one of the members of the original Nintendo 64 roster. In that game's sequel, Super Smash Bros. Melee, this character was easily the most powerful in the game, and remains a tournament mainstay to this day. Can you name him?
Name the fighter!
Killer Instinct, while enjoying more of a cult status among its fan base than other, more popular games like Mortal Kombat and Tekken, is still a mainstay at Evo and other major fighting tournaments. Of course, all it takes is one go at the game to realize the potential of its fighting mechanics. This character pictured right here is one of the main faces of the series, and his been throughout several generations of its release. If you're a real fighter, you'll honor him with his name.
Name the fighter!
Cracking his fists in preparation for an epic encounter, we have another feature from the Tekken series here. We're not sure which direction you tend to go when choosing your fighting games, but Tekken tends to attract those who like a good, solid, interesting fighting game, and those are three adjectives perfect for describing this character. He's been central throughout several generations of Tekken games, and it's easy to see why if you play him. Let's see if you can name him.
Name the fighter!
Now, we don't imagine that this question will be too difficult for you. Since you've made it this far in a quiz about fighting games, you should definitely be able to identify one of the most iconic video game fighters of all time. This freezing cold ninja warrior has battled it out since the very beginning of the Mortal Kombat series, freezing his foes and pulling their spines right out of their body. If you've ever had that done to you, you'll remember his name.
Name the fighter!
Re-visiting Killer Instinct, we have another ninja warrior here. Except, this one doesn't quite freeze people, and he never showed an inclination toward ripping people's spines right out of their head. Instead, he's served as protagonist of his universe since the initial game was released, preferring to beat his opponents up the old fashioned way rather than through elemental tricks. Let's see how well you know your video game fighting character trivia - name this Killer Instinct warrior, and we'll move on.
Name the fighter!
When this guy appears in the ring to face you, it's probably best that you wave your little white flag and turn away. After all, there's not much you can do against a guy that size. He'll treat your kicks and punches as though you were providing him with calories. In the end, you should probably just leave this one to Ryu or another Street Fighter, and you can go home to manipulate their pixels with your controller. Let's see if you can name him, though.
Name the fighter!
When this guy first burst onto the fighting scene in the original Soulcalibur, fighting fans weren't quite sure what to make of him. Aside from the controls and fighting system in Soulcalibur being so alternative, this warrior in particular moved in strange ways with and along his broadsword. Once you get the hang of his kit, though, you can enjoy hearing your opponents gulps of fear as you disassemble them in the area. Can you name this classic Soulcalibur fighter?
Name the fighter!
Here's another mascot for you, and you don't even need to be a fighting game fan to recognize this one. He's the unofficial protagonist of the Mortal Kombat series, though that's definitely up for debate. Some say he's too human or too clean to be the main face of Mortal Kombat, and that the vibe of the series is best embodied by Scorpion or Sub-Zero. Whether that's true does not matter right now. The only thing that really matters is you guessing his name.
Name the fighter!
Who's that big turtle unleashing a huge burst of flame in Mario's direction? Oh, it's just Mario's arch nemesis, no big deal. They do this sort of thing all the time, after all, both in the Super Mario games and out of them. Outside of their franchise, these two often duke it out in Super Smash Bros., using the huge assortment of moves they've accumulated throughout the years. If you know video games at all, you won't have any trouble naming this menacing Koopa.
Name the fighter!
In yet another feature from the Tekken series, we have this impressive fighter right here. If you've played him in the game, you might notice immediately that his kit is immensely different from the roster of characters that surround him. Specifically, this fighting master prefers to move in ways that are more evocative of dance than they are of combat. Of course, any opponent who dismisses him in the arena will get a serious kick right to the face, which will hurt.
Name the fighter!
After starring in her own iconic video game franchise for years, this character finally made an appearance in a fighting game when she was released as a downloadable feature in Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U. Any players who tried her out were immediately surprised by her unconventional and, frankly, broken kit. Before she was patched, this character could ensure a victory within a few seconds of the fight starting. Thankfully they fixed that. Anyway, what's her name, again?
Name the fighter!
It's getting cold in here, but we passed the Sub-Zero question a long time ago. Oh, we see what it is now. It's a Killer Instinct warrior who also specializes in ice-based techniques. Not only is he super strong and incredibly combat-savvy, but you can't even fight him if you're not feeling super cold. Meanwhile, the colder it gets, the more comfortable he feels. How is that even fair, seriously? Anyway, let's forget about this nonsense and move on. First, name the character.
Name the fighter!
The Mortal Kombat series has given us a seemingly endless amount of iconic characters to admire over the years, many of them being captivating villains. For example, see exhibit 38, pictured here. Can you guess this MK villain by his profile shot, holding a hand up to the world? If you're a fan of the series, you should be fine here. In any other case, you might need a landline, which we don't happen to provide. You're on your own here.
Name the fighter!
To say this character's existence is limited to the pixels of a video game would be super wrong. However, it would also be wrong to say that he hasn't been an iconic fighting game feature for years now. Of course, we're talking about the acclaimed Marvel vs. Capcom series, in which he plays a key role. You've likely had fun using this Symbiote monster to destroy street fighters on the very streets they fight in. Either way, you should know his name by now.
Name the fighter!
This yellow robot has been an iconic character of the Mortal Kombat series for a number of generations now. He's known for laying out deceptive mines and bombs, teleporting behind his opponents, and blowing himself up as a Fatality. Of course, aside from that, he's well-versed in several martial arts, having been an experienced martial artist before he became an Android. We don't have time to go too deeply into his backstory here - name the character, and we'll proceed.
Name the fighter!
This lanky Soul Calibur fighter might seem a little limp around the edges, but you definitely shouldn't let that fool you. He'll move slowly and drunkenly toward you in his crab-like stance, but it only take some milliseconds for him to strike you right down with his fan-like blades. In all cases, it's always best for you to keep your guard up if you're looking to trade blows with this guy, even if it's only happening in the video game world.
Name the fighter!
Ringing Killer Instinct back into the spotlight once more, we have another member of its original roster. We won't give away her name, but we will direct your focus to her clothing, particularly its colors. Her name is a reference to something that's green like her attire, and it also somewhat describes her fighting style. That's all we'll give you for now, it's up to you to fill in the rest using only your memory. Don't use Google, or we'll make sure this fighter finds you.
Name the fighter!
We're at the final three features on our list, and this one's a super sombre ninja from the Mortal Kombat series. Any fan of the game will recognize this character instantly, and the appropriate button push will be imminent. If you're a true fan, you might even know the bizarre origins of his name. In fact, this character's name is the backward spelling of the names of the two people who created the Mortal Kombat series. Did that give it away?
Name the fighter!
For lucky number 44, we've decided to deviate from the ultra popular fighters that we've been featuring in order to introduce a little obscurity. This is supposed to be a test for real nerds only, so if you're an actual geek, you'll have no problem recognize this busted, anime looking fighter. He's the protagonist of his respective series, Guilty Gear, which is a hell of a game, for sure. We're almost done here - can you name this nutty fighter?
Name the fighter!
Last but certainly not least, we have one final character from Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. series. When this character first burst onto the fighting game scene, it was on the Game Cube in Super Smash Bros. Melee. He regrettably skipped the third iteration of the smash series, but delighted fans when he was featured as a downloadable character in Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U. Let's see if you can keep up that perfect score! Name this last fighter.