Pac-Man may be the first iconic video game character which came out of the 1980s. There were other icons before, but Pac-Man changed gaming forever. From there, video games made mascots for a while to associate their brands with because that's how games worked in the 80's and early 90's. As the industry evolved, mascots became more rounded characters with epic stories attached to them.
These characters have become more than icons thanks to their adventures. If they stood in reality, it would be hard to bask in their glow because of their achievements. These characters aren't necessarily the BEST characters ever written, but they are some of the most legendary characters in video games which everyone knows and who have been through the ringer more than once. It doesn't matter if they talk or not because actions speak louder than words.
Cloud Strife
Amnesia can't hold him back
Of all of them Final Fantasy characters out there Cloud best represents the franchise. Cloud is the main character of Final Fantasy VII, who was part of a legendary group of soldiers within the Shinra organization aptly named SOLDIER. He left due to moral differences and became an eco-terrorist within the organization AVALANCHE to help save the planet.
With his blonde hair, nonchalant attitude and giant sword, Cloud is an iconic hero who is flawed but experienced in the field. He also has a kind soul, even if it is buried deep under his angst. These features are only the tip of the RPG iceberg.
Kratos
Killer Of Gods
Kratos became the supreme soldier of the Greek gods in God of War series. However, as fables often do, Kratos was betrayed by the gods and tricked into killing his own wife and daughter. He was then cursed to wear their ashes as a kind of badge to remember what he fought for: revenge.
Through everyone God of War Kratos was unrelenting in his ferocity against the gods, leaving no stone unturned until he achieved godhood himself and used it to take down the pantheon of Olympus. Who could be more legendary than the god slayer?
Master Chief
Finisher Of Fights
Master Chief was part of the Spartan program in Halo series. Spartans are super soldiers, raised from childhood to be the best of the best through rigorous training, enhancement potions and heavy armor.
Unfortunately, after the fall of Reach, a planet besieged by the alien Covenant, Master Chief became the only surviving Spartan, thus becoming humanity's only real hope in the war against the Covenant. Battle after battle, it always looked like Master Chief was done, but he kept getting up to finish the fight.
Link
A silent hero
The Legend of Zelda
- Released
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February 21, 1986
- ESRB
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E For everyone for mild fantasy violence
Link is usually the protagonist The Legend of Zelda games. There are several games with continuity between sequels. The link is in the same character The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomfor example. But basically most of the links in Zelda games are different versions of the character.
They look and act alike; they are all brave heroes who rarely speak more than mumbles. Armed with a variety of tools and a master sword, Link is always ready to put evil back in its place, and even though he can't speak, his actions speak louder than words.
Mario
From Plumbing To Galaxy Running
Mario is easily the most famous video game character of all time, debuting earlier but becoming popular in 1985 Super Mario Bros. He's basically Nintendo's mascot and breadwinner, and has served as the hero in dozens of titles, not counting various RPGs and sports spinoffs.
Along with his brother Luigi and sometimes other friends, Mario is constantly tasked with going after his rival Bowser, who will either kidnap Princess Peach or find some artifact that will turn him into a powerful villain. Even though Mario is technically just a plumber, he's not one to back down from an adventure.
Sonic The Hedgehog
I have to go fast
Sound is like Mario's counterpart, Sega's mascot that debuted in Sonic the Hedgehog in 1991. Sonic has more recognizable abilities than Mario because his schtick is super-fast and he doesn't need mushrooms or other power-ups to make his legs lightning fast.
Usually Sonic has to stop Dr. Robotnik in kidnapping animals and turning them into mechanized villains, but this story may change between games. Sonic's behavior can also change between iterations, including the cartoons and movies, but he always shows a kind spirit to his friends and his sense of justice is unmatched.
Samus Aran
Bounty hunter across the galaxy
Samus is another hero of few words who also has a fancy set of armor like Master Chief. However, unlike Master Chief, Samus is a bounty hunter who goes after aliens who are basically space pirates. Most Metroid the records find Samus alone in one place, alone, traversing ancient ruins in search of her rewards.
Even as she flies alone on cold, distant planets, Samus is dedicated to her mission to stop the worst chaos in the galaxy. It's become a trope between the sequels that Samus always gets energy from her last adventure, but she still marches around in a weakened state. She's just cool like that.
The big boss
A legendary soldier
The big boss is called, among other things, a “legendary soldier” in Metal Gear series. He first became known after the events of zr Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eaterwhere he went from Naked Snake to Big Boss and earned the title due to the harrowing events he survived. While working with the US government on several other missions, Big Boss eventually establishes a group of mercenaries as a haven for all soldiers to gather in one place called Outer Heaven.
His legacy was carried on by his cloned sons, each of whom were considered his successors, but Solid Snake is the one who became the dominant hero rivaling his father, Big Boss. Just like Metal Gear the series in general is a long story, but Big Boss has certainly seen it all.
Leon S. Kennedy
From rookie beginnings
Leon is not the longest serving hero in Resident Evil franchise, as he first became a protagonist in Resident Evil 2. Back then, he was just a rookie who was transferred to a new department when there was a zombie outbreak in Raccoon City. Along with Claire Redfield, Leon survives and saves as many people as he can.
His career is going forward Resident Evil 4where he becomes a special agent. RE4 is the franchise's most legendary entry, which in turn helped Leon become the franchise's most legendary protagonist. From fighting zombies to villagers with tentacles, Leon has done it all and survived every time.
Lara Croft
Tomb Raider
Lara Croft became an icon during the PS1 era as an icon for female heroes everywhere. Although preceded by Samus, Lara had a more in-your-face attitude that was charming and sassy at the same time. Just like her name Tomb Raider the series suggests that Lara is an archaeologist/adventurer who dares Indiana Jones– as an adventure to find rare artifacts.
Armed with a variety of tools and her iconic twin pistols, Lara fights her way through ancient tombs and fallen cities on her own. Even though the character has been rebooted several times, one thing remains true: Lara is an agile performer who cannot be underestimated.
