Random Video Game Character Generator With Debut Game and Year
Draw five video game characters at a time, each with the game they first appeared in, its release year and one line we wrote.
Random Video Game Character Generator With Debut Game and Year: how it works
Press the button and five video game characters come up, each with the game they first appeared in, its year and one line on who they are. The list holds 386 characters from 271 games, from a yellow dot-eater of 1980 to an expedition engineer of 2025. Every one began in a game, not a film or comic.
Run a roster draft
Set the count to 10 and draw. Two players take turns claiming a card until the draw is empty, then each argues why their five would win a kart race or a quiz night. Tap Fighting games first for a draft of brawlers.
What the game and the year mean
Each card names the first game the character appeared in and the year that game was first released anywhere. A brief cameo before a full debut is ignored, as is a same-year tie-in novel. The two chip rows combine, so 1990s plus Fighting games draws only the 30 fighters of that decade. The 1990s chip is the largest with 134 characters and the 2020s the smallest with 17. Last checked 18 September 2026.
Tips
For a trivia round, press Hide all debuts and score a point each for the game and the year.
Redesign challenge: tap 1980s, draw 1 and sketch them as a 2020s game would, or shrink a 2020s hero to 16 by 16 pixels.
The page address keeps your decade, genre and count, so a friend who opens your link draws from the same filter.
Questions and answers
Why does a card name an older game than the one I know?
The card names the game where the character first appeared, often not the one that made them famous. Mario's card reads Donkey Kong (1981), the arcade game where he debuted as a carpenter. The cap and moustache date from it too: they spared the designer from drawing hair and a mouth.
Why does this random game character generator skip some famous heroes?
They began somewhere else: a character who started in a novel, comic, film, toy line or television series is left out, even when games made them famous. Real people are out too. No franchise has more than five names, spin-offs counted with their parent. The lines are clean, but some of these games carry an 18 rating, so check the age rating before you buy or play one.
Can I use random game characters for a costume or a story?
Yes. The page is text only, but each line gives a hat, a colour, a weapon or a job. For a costume, press 10 and lock the ones a room would recognise. For a story, draw 2 from different decades or add a random anime character .
All 386 characters
Show all 386 characters
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
1980s 58
Adol Christin Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished (1987). Red-haired adventurer, the hero of nearly every game in the series. Alex Kidd Alex Kidd in Miracle World (1986). Boy who breaks rocks by hand and beats bosses at rock paper scissors. Alis Landale Phantasy Star (1987). Young woman who sets out to avenge her brother and overthrow the tyrant King Lassic. Alucard Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (1989). A vampire lord's half-human son, who fights against his own father. Big Boss Metal Gear (1987). Legendary soldier and Snake's commanding officer, revealed as the enemy leader. Bill Rizer Contra (1987). Commando sent to an island to stop the Red Falcon organisation. Billy Lee Double Dragon (1987). Martial artist who fights a street gang to rescue Marian, with his brother Jimmy. Blinky Pac-Man (1980). Red ghost, the one that chases Pac-Man most directly. Bomberman Bomberman (1985). Bomb-making robot who escapes an underground factory hoping to become human. Bonk Bonk's Adventure (1989). Bald cave boy who attacks with headbutts from his oversized head. Bowser Super Mario Bros. (1985). Fire-breathing king of the Koopas, a huge spiked turtle and Mario's arch-enemy. Bub and Bob Bubble Bobble (1986). Green dragon Bub and blue dragon Bob, who trap enemies in bubbles and then pop them. Carmen Sandiego Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? (1985). Master thief in a red hat and coat, chased around the world. Clyde Pac-Man (1980). Orange ghost who heads for Pac-Man, then wanders off when he gets close. Dirk the Daring Dragon's Lair (1983). Knight out to save Princess Daphne from a dragon, in a laserdisc cartoon you steer. Dizzy Dizzy – The Ultimate Cartoon Adventure (1987). Egg in boxing gloves who tumbles through puzzle adventures. Donkey Kong Donkey Kong (1981). Giant ape who carries Pauline up a building site and rolls barrels down at Mario. Dr. Wily Mega Man (1987). Mad scientist and former colleague of Dr. Light, out to rule the world with stolen robots. Duck Hunt Dog Duck Hunt (1984). Hunting dog who laughs at the player after a missed shot. Frogger Frogger (1981). Frog who must cross a busy road and a river of logs to get home. Ganon The Legend of Zelda (1986). Link's arch-enemy, a boar-like demon whose human form is Ganondorf. Gilius Thunderhead Golden Axe (1989). Dwarf with a battle axe out to avenge his brother. Glass Joe Punch-Out!! (1984). French boxer with a record of 1 win and 99 losses, the first opponent you meet. Gray Fox Metal Gear (1987). Top agent of FOXHOUND, later rebuilt as the Cyborg Ninja. Joe Musashi Shinobi (1987). Ninja who rescues kidnapped children from a criminal syndicate. Ken Masters Street Fighter (1987). Ryu's American best friend and sparring rival, who fights in a red gi. King Hippo Punch-Out!! (1987). Huge crowned boxer from Hippo Island whose weak spot is his stomach. Link The Legend of Zelda (1986). Silent hero in a green tunic who wields the Master Sword against Ganon. Little Mac Punch-Out!! (1987). Small 17-year-old boxer from the Bronx who takes on opponents far bigger than he is. Luigi Mario Bros. (1983). Mario's taller twin brother in green, who began as the second player's character. Mario Donkey Kong (1981). Moustached hero in a red cap, first seen as a carpenter climbing girders to reach an ape. Mega Man Mega Man (1987). Blue robot boy built by Dr. Light who takes the weapon of each Robot Master he beats. Miner Willy Manic Miner (1983). Miner who works his way through twenty caverns while his air supply runs down. Mother Brain Metroid (1986). Giant brain in a glass tank that controls the Space Pirates' base on Zebes. Ms. Pac-Man Ms. Pac-Man (1982). Star of a sequel that began life as Crazy Otto, an add-on kit for Pac-Man machines. Pac-Man Pac-Man (1980). Yellow circle with a wedge for a mouth who eats dots in a maze and runs from four ghosts. Palutena Kid Icarus (1986). Goddess of Light and ruler of Angel Land, imprisoned by Medusa in the first game. Peter Pepper BurgerTime (1982). Chef who builds giant burgers while chased by a hot dog, an egg and a pickle. Pinky Pac-Man (1980). Pink ghost who aims for the spot just ahead of Pac-Man to cut him off. Pit Kid Icarus (1986). Young angel who fights with a bow to rescue the goddess Palutena. Pitfall Harry Pitfall! (1982). Jungle explorer who swings on vines over crocodiles to collect treasure in 20 minutes. Popo and Nana Ice Climber (1985). Two climbers in parkas who smash their way up icy mountains with mallets. The Prince Prince of Persia (1989). Nameless hero with one hour to escape the dungeons and stop the vizier Jaffar. Princess Peach Super Mario Bros. (1985). Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom, whom Bowser kidnaps again and again. Princess Zelda The Legend of Zelda (1986). Princess of Hyrule and bearer of the Triforce of Wisdom. Q*bert Q*bert (1982). Orange creature with a tube nose who hops around a pyramid of cubes and swears in symbols. Ridley Metroid (1986). Dragon-like leader of the Space Pirates and Samus's oldest enemy. Roger Wilco Space Quest (1986). Space janitor who keeps saving the galaxy more or less by accident. Ryu Street Fighter (1987). Wandering martial artist in a white gi and red headband who throws Hadoken fireballs. Ryu Hayabusa Ninja Gaiden (1988). Ninja of the Dragon lineage who travels to America to avenge his father. Samus Aran Metroid (1986). Bounty hunter in a powered suit; the first game's ending revealed she was a woman. Simon Belmont Castlevania (1986). Vampire hunter who storms a castle armed with the whip Vampire Killer. Sir Arthur Ghosts 'n Goblins (1985). Knight who loses his armour when hit and fights on in his boxer shorts. Sir Graham King's Quest (1984). Knight sent to find three lost treasures of Daventry, who becomes its king. Slime Dragon Quest (1986). Smiling blue blob shaped like a water drop, the mascot of the series. Solid Snake Metal Gear (1987). Operative sent alone into the fortress of Outer Heaven to destroy the weapon Metal Gear. Taizo Hori Dig Dug (1982). Digger who tunnels underground and defeats monsters by pumping them full of air. Trevor Belmont Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (1989). Ancestor of Simon Belmont who can recruit one of three companions.
1990s 134
Abe Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee (1997). Mudokon factory slave who learns his kind is next on the menu and escapes. Aerith Gainsborough Final Fantasy VII (1997). Flower seller from the slums of Midgar, the last of the ancient Cetra. Akira Yuki Virtua Fighter (1993). Bajiquan martial artist, the lead of the first 3D fighting game. Aku Aku Crash Bandicoot (1996). Floating witch doctor mask that shields Crash from a hit. Albert Wesker Resident Evil (1996). S.T.A.R.S. captain in dark glasses, secretly working for the Umbrella Corporation. Atrus Myst (1993). Writer of special books that link to other worlds, betrayed by his two sons. Axel Stone Streets of Rage (1991). Ex-police officer and martial artist who takes on a crime syndicate bare-handed. B.J. Blazkowicz Wolfenstein 3D (1992). Allied spy who fights his way out of Castle Wolfenstein. Banjo Diddy Kong Racing (1997). Easy-going brown bear who raced here a year before his own adventure with Kazooie. Blanka Street Fighter II (1991). Green-skinned wild man from the Brazilian jungle who can electrify his body. Blaze Fielding Streets of Rage (1991). Former police officer who fights a crime syndicate with Axel Stone and Adam Hunter. Bubsy Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind (1993). Bobcat out to get his yarn balls back from aliens. Captain Falcon F-Zero (1990). Bounty hunter and racing champion who drives the Blue Falcon. Charizard Pokémon Red and Green (1996). Orange dragon-like fire-breather, the final form of the starter Charmander. Chris Redfield Resident Evil (1996). S.T.A.R.S. marksman and former Air Force pilot. Chun-Li Street Fighter II (1991). Interpol officer with lightning kicks, out to avenge her father. Claire Redfield Resident Evil 2 (1998). College student who comes to Raccoon City looking for her brother Chris. Cloud Strife Final Fantasy VII (1997). Spiky-haired mercenary with a huge sword who joins a fight to save the planet. Coco Bandicoot Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back (1997). Crash's clever younger sister, a computer whizz. Commander Keen Commander Keen in Invasion of the Vorticons (1990). Eight-year-old genius Billy Blaze in a football helmet. Conker Diddy Kong Racing (1997). Red squirrel who began as a cute kart racer before starring in games of his own. Conrad B. Hart Flashback (1992). Agent who wakes up on Titan with no memory. Crash Bandicoot Crash Bandicoot (1996). Orange bandicoot, an escaped lab experiment who spins his way through enemies. Croc Croc: Legend of the Gobbos (1997). Crocodile raised by the furry Gobbos, off to save them from Baron Dante. Crono Chrono Trigger (1995). Silent red-haired swordsman who stumbles into time travel at a fair. Deckard Cain Diablo (1997). Elderly scholar of Tristram who identifies items for the hero. Doctor Eggman Sonic the Hedgehog (1991). Egg-shaped mad scientist, also called Dr. Robotnik, who turns animals into robots. Doctor Neo Cortex Crash Bandicoot (1996). Mad scientist with an N on his forehead, the villain who created Crash. Dogmeat Fallout (1997). Loyal dog who joins the player as a companion in the wasteland. Doomguy Doom (1993). Nameless space marine who fights demons on the moons of Mars. Earthworm Jim Earthworm Jim (1994). Ordinary earthworm turned hero when a robotic super suit falls on him from space. Ecco Ecco the Dolphin (1992). Bottlenose dolphin searching the seas for his pod after a waterspout carries it off. Eevee Pokémon Red and Green (1996). Small fox-like Pokémon known for its many branching evolutions. Elaine Marley The Secret of Monkey Island (1990). Governor of the island, and far more capable than the hero. Falco Lombardi Star Fox (1993). The team's brash ace pilot, a bird with a sharp tongue. Fox McCloud Star Fox (1993). Fox who leads a mercenary team of Arwing fighter pilots. Freddi Fish Freddi Fish and the Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds (1994). Yellow fish detective, partnered with Luther. Frog Chrono Trigger (1995). Knight turned into a frog, who wields the legendary sword Masamune. Fulgore Killer Instinct (1994). Cyborg built by Ultratech to win the tournament. G-Man Half-Life (1998). Figure who hires Gordon for an unknown future job and later wakes him from stasis. Garrett Thief: The Dark Project (1998). Master thief trained by the secretive Keepers. Geese Howard Fatal Fury: King of Fighters (1991). Crime boss of South Town, the man the Bogard brothers are after. George Stobbart Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars (1996). American tourist in Paris caught up in a Templar mystery. Gex Gex (1995). Wisecracking gecko and television addict who gets pulled into the TV. Gordon Freeman Half-Life (1998). Silent physicist in a hazard suit whose best-known weapon is a crowbar. Gruntilda Banjo-Kazooie (1998). Witch who kidnaps Banjo's sister Tooty to steal her beauty. Guile Street Fighter II (1991). US Air Force major who throws Sonic Booms, out to avenge his friend Charlie. Guybrush Threepwood The Secret of Monkey Island (1990). Young man who arrives on an island with one wish: to be a pirate. Haohmaru Samurai Shodown (1993). Swordsman who, with Nakoruru, is one of the two flagship characters of the series. Heihachi Mishima Tekken (1994). Ruthless head of the Mishima Zaibatsu and host of the King of Iron Fist Tournament. Iori Yagami The King of Fighters '95 (1995). Kyo's bitter rival, who fights with purple flames. Ivy Soulcalibur (1998). English noblewoman whose sword breaks apart into a whip. Jacky Bryant Virtua Fighter (1993). Racing driver who fights with Jeet Kune Do and searches for his sister Sarah. Jago Killer Instinct (1994). Tibetan warrior monk guided by a tiger spirit. James Pond James Pond (1990). Fish secret agent, a spoof of a famous film spy. Jazz Jackrabbit Jazz Jackrabbit (1994). Green rabbit with a blaster who sets out to rescue Princess Eva Earlong. Jigglypuff Pokémon Red and Green (1996). Round pink Pokémon whose song puts everyone who hears it to sleep. Jill Valentine Resident Evil (1996). Member of the police unit S.T.A.R.S. who is trapped in a mansion full of monsters. Jim Raynor StarCraft (1998). Frontier marshal who becomes a rebel leader. Jin Kazama Tekken 3 (1997). Kazuya's son, trained by his grandfather Heihachi, who carries the Devil Gene. Johnny Cage Mortal Kombat (1992). Hollywood action star who enters the tournament to prove his stunts are real. Kane Command & Conquer (1995). Charismatic leader of the Brotherhood of Nod. Kasumi Dead or Alive (1996). Runaway ninja who left her clan to find her brother. Kazooie Banjo-Kazooie (1998). Sharp-tongued red bird who lives in Banjo's backpack and does his flying for him. Kazuya Mishima Tekken (1994). Fighter thrown off a cliff as a child by his father, whom he enters the tournament to beat. King Dedede Kirby's Dream Land (1992). Self-styled king of Dream Land, a penguin-like bird who swings a big hammer. Kirby Kirby's Dream Land (1992). Pink puffball who inhales enemies; copying their powers came a game later. Klonoa Klonoa: Door to Phantomile (1997). Long-eared dream traveller who grabs enemies with a wind ring. Knuckles the Echidna Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994). Red echidna who guards the Master Emerald on Angel Island and can glide. Ky Kiske Guilty Gear (1998). Knight and swordsman who wields lightning, Sol's rival. Kyo Kusanagi The King of Fighters '94 (1994). High school student and heir to the Kusanagi clan, who fights with flames. Lammy Um Jammer Lammy (1999). Shy lamb who turns confident the moment she has a guitar in her hands. Lara Croft Tomb Raider (1996). English archaeologist who explores ancient tombs, often with a pistol in each hand. LeChuck The Secret of Monkey Island (1990). Ghost pirate captain who is in love with the governor, Elaine Marley. Leon S. Kennedy Resident Evil 2 (1998). Rookie police officer whose first day on the job is the day Raccoon City falls. Lester Knight Chaykin Another World (1991). Young physicist sent to an alien planet when lightning strikes his experiment. Liu Kang Mortal Kombat (1992). Shaolin monk who wins the tournament and becomes the champion of Earthrealm. Lucca Chrono Trigger (1995). Inventor whose teleporter accident sets the whole adventure going. Magus Chrono Trigger (1995). Dark wizard of the Middle Ages who is really the lost prince of an ancient kingdom. Manny Calavera Grim Fandango (1998). Travel agent in the Land of the Dead who sells journeys to the afterlife. Marco Rossi Metal Slug (1996). Soldier of the Peregrine Falcon Squad who drives the tank called Metal Slug. Marisa Kirisame Story of Eastern Wonderland (1997). Human magician in a witch's hat who rides a broom. Marth Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light (1990). Exiled prince of Altea who wields the Falchion. Master Hand Super Smash Bros. (1999). Giant floating white glove, the final boss of the crossover's single-player mode. May Guilty Gear (1998). Cheerful pirate girl who fights by swinging a huge ship's anchor. Meta Knight Kirby's Adventure (1993). Masked swordsman with a strict sense of honour, sometimes rival and sometimes ally. Mewtwo Pokémon Red and Green (1996). Psychic Pokémon created by scientists from the genes of Mew. Minsc Baldur's Gate (1998). Ranger who travels with Boo, a hamster he calls a miniature giant space hamster. Nakoruru Samurai Shodown (1993). Ainu priestess who fights alongside her hawk, Mamahaha. Navi The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998). Fairy sent by the Great Deku Tree to guide Link on his quest. Ness EarthBound (1994). Boy in a red cap with psychic powers who fights with a baseball bat and a yo-yo. Nights Nights into Dreams (1996). Flying jester-like being who helps two children through their dreams. Otacon Metal Gear Solid (1998). Engineer Hal Emmerich, an anime fan who designed Metal Gear REX. Pablo Sanchez Backyard Baseball (1997). Small Spanish-speaking boy whose batting and running made him the series icon. PaRappa PaRappa the Rapper (1996). Paper-thin rapping dog in a beanie whose motto is I gotta believe. Peppy Hare Star Fox (1993). Veteran rabbit pilot whose advice to do a barrel roll became an internet meme. Pikachu Pokémon Red and Green (1996). Yellow electric mouse with red cheeks, the mascot of the whole franchise. Pimple Battletoads (1991). Biggest and strongest of the three toads, kidnapped by the Dark Queen in the first game. Proto Man Mega Man 3 (1990). Mega Man's older brother, a red robot with a shield who announces himself by whistling. Putt-Putt Putt-Putt Joins the Parade (1992). Small purple car who goes everywhere with his dog, Pep. Rash Battletoads (1991). Toad who sets out with Zitz to rescue Pimple and Princess Angelica from the Dark Queen. Rayman Rayman (1995). Hero with no arms, legs or neck, whose hands and feet float beside his body. Reimu Hakurei Highly Responsive to Prayers (1997). Shrine maiden of the Hakurei Shrine who settles supernatural incidents. Revolver Ocelot Metal Gear Solid (1998). Gunslinger who loves revolvers and plays every side against the others. Richter Belmont Castlevania: Rondo of Blood (1993). Vampire hunter who sets out to rescue his beloved Annette. Ristar Ristar (1995). Star-shaped hero who grabs enemies with his stretchy arms. Ryo Hazuki Shenmue (1999). Teenage martial artist in 1986 Yokosuka searching for the man behind his father's death. Ryo Sakazaki Art of Fighting (1992). Kyokugen karate fighter searching South Town for his kidnapped sister Yuri. Sarah Bryant Virtua Fighter (1993). College student from San Francisco, brainwashed into hunting her brother Jacky. Sarah Kerrigan StarCraft (1998). Psychic Ghost agent captured by the Zerg and remade as the Queen of Blades. Scorpion Mortal Kombat (1992). Undead ninja in yellow who drags opponents in with a spear and shouts Get over here. Sephiroth Final Fantasy VII (1997). Silver-haired former SOLDIER with a very long sword, the villain of the game. Sir Daniel Fortesque MediEvil (1998). Skeleton knight, wrongly remembered as a hero, who gets a second chance to earn it. Sketch Turner Comix Zone (1995). Comic book artist trapped inside the pages of his own comic. Slippy Toad Star Fox (1993). The team's mechanic and inventor, a toad who often needs rescuing. Sol Badguy Guilty Gear (1998). Bounty hunter with a fiery blade who hunts the living weapons called Gears. Sonic the Hedgehog Sonic the Hedgehog (1991). Blue hedgehog in red shoes who runs at supersonic speed and spins into a ball. Sonya Blade Mortal Kombat (1992). Special Forces officer who enters the tournament while chasing the criminal Kano. Sparkster Rocket Knight Adventures (1993). Opossum knight in armour who fights with a sword and a rocket pack. Spyro Spyro the Dragon (1998). Small purple dragon who charges with his horns, breathes fire and glides. Sub-Zero Mortal Kombat (1992). Ninja in blue who freezes his opponents with ice, Scorpion's great rival. Susumu Hori Mr. Driller (1999). Son of Dig Dug's hero, who drills down through coloured blocks before his air runs out. Tails Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992). Young fox, real name Miles Prower, who flies by spinning his two tails. Terry Bogard Fatal Fury: King of Fighters (1991). Street fighter in a red cap, out to avenge his adoptive father. ToeJam and Earl ToeJam & Earl (1991). Two alien rappers from Funkotron collecting the pieces of their crashed spaceship. Toro Inoue Doko Demo Issyo (1999). Small white cat with an upright posture, used as a mascot for PlayStation in Japan. Ulala Space Channel 5 (1999). Pink-haired space reporter who out-dances aliens live on air. Vault Boy Fallout (1997). Smiling cartoon mascot of the Vault-Tec company, known for his thumbs up. Vectorman Vectorman (1995). Robot made of orbs, left behind to clean up a polluted Earth. X Mega Man X (1993). Dr. Light's last creation, a robot with free will who becomes a Maverick Hunter. Yoshimitsu Tekken (1994). Sword-wielding leader of the Manji Clan, who also appears in the Soulcalibur games. Zeratul StarCraft (1998). Protoss Dark Templar, a shadowy warrior. Zero Mega Man X (1993). Red Maverick Hunter with long blond hair and a beam sabre, built by Dr. Wily. Zool Zool (1992). Ninja from the Nth Dimension.
2000s 99
Aigis Persona 3 (2006). Android built to fight Shadows who devotes herself to protecting the hero. Alistair Dragon Age: Origins (2009). Grey Warden and former templar trainee with a ready sense of humour. Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad Assassin's Creed (2007). Member of the Assassin order in the Holy Land during the Third Crusade. Alyx Vance Half-Life 2 (2004). Resistance fighter and hacker who travels with her pet robot, Dog. Andrew Ryan BioShock (2007). Business magnate who built the underwater city of Rapture. The Arbiter Halo 2 (2004). Disgraced alien commander given a second chance as his people's holy warrior. Bayonetta Bayonetta (2009). Witch who wakes after 500 years with no memory and fights angels with four guns. Beat Jet Set Radio (2000). Inline skater in the GG's, a gang that sprays graffiti across Tokyo-to. Bella Goth The Sims (2000). Wife of Mortimer Goth, whose disappearance in the sequel became a long-running mystery. Bentley Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus (2002). Turtle who is the brains of Sly's gang. Big Daddy BioShock (2007). Hulking figure in an old diving suit who protects the Little Sisters. Blathers Animal Crossing (2001). Owl who is the curator of the town museum and a keen palaeontologist. Captain Olimar Pikmin (2001). Tiny spaceman who crash-lands and enlists plant-like Pikmin to recover his ship's parts. Captain Qwark Ratchet & Clank (2002). Vain superhero who turns out to be more coward than hero. Chell Portal (2007). Silent test subject who escapes using a gun that makes portals. Chibi-Robo Chibi-Robo! (2005). Tiny household robot who tidies up and trails his own power plug behind him. Chie Satonaka Persona 4 (2008). Energetic classmate of the hero with a strong interest in kung fu. Clank Ratchet & Clank (2002). Small defective robot who rides on Ratchet's back and doubles as a helicopter pack. Claptrap Borderlands (2009). Robot whose look began as a challenge to draw the most generic robot design possible. Cole MacGrath Infamous (2009). Bike courier who gains electric powers when a package he is carrying explodes. Commander Shepard Mass Effect (2007). Human officer, male or female as the player chooses, who faces the Reapers. Cortana Halo: Combat Evolved (2001). Holographic computer intelligence who advises Master Chief. Crazy Dave Plants vs. Zombies (2009). Eccentric neighbour with a saucepan on his head who sells plants from his car. Dante Devil May Cry (2001). White-haired demon hunter in a red coat, with a sword and twin pistols. Daxter Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (2001). Jak's loudmouth best friend, turned into a furry ottsel. Desmond Miles Assassin's Creed (2007). Bartender who relives his ancestors' memories inside a machine called the Animus. Elena Fisher Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (2007). Journalist who starts out filming Drake's expedition for her show. Ezio Auditore Assassin's Creed II (2009). Young Florentine nobleman of the Italian Renaissance who joins the order. Faith Connors Mirror's Edge (2008). Runner who carries messages across the rooftops of a city under surveillance. Frank West Dead Rising (2006). Photojournalist trapped in a shopping mall for 72 hours. Garrus Vakarian Mass Effect (2007). Turian officer who quits the Citadel's security force to join Shepard's crew. GLaDOS Portal (2007). Sardonic computer that runs a testing facility and promises cake at the end. Heavy Team Fortress 2 (2007). Huge Russian with a minigun, the face of the game's nine classes. HK-47 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003). Assassin droid who calls every living being a meatbag. Ico Ico (2001). Horned boy locked in a castle who leads the girl Yorda out by the hand. Ike Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (2005). Leader of the Greil Mercenaries, a hero who is not of noble birth. Illidan Stormrage Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos (2002). Night elf demon hunter who became part demon himself. Isaac Golden Sun (2001). Young Adept from the village of Vale who sets out to stop four lighthouses being lit. Isaac Clarke Dead Space (2008). Ship systems engineer who answers a distress call from a mining ship. Jade Beyond Good & Evil (2003). Photojournalist who uncovers an alien conspiracy with her uncle Pey'j, a pig. Jaina Proudmoore Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos (2002). Human sorceress who leads the survivors of Lordaeron across the sea. Jak Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (2001). Silent hero trying to turn his best friend back to normal. JC Denton Deus Ex (2000). Agent enhanced with nanotechnology who uncovers a worldwide conspiracy. Joanna Dark Perfect Dark (2000). Agent of the Carrington Institute, codenamed Perfect Dark for her top training scores. K.K. Slider Animal Crossing (2001). Guitar-playing dog who performs once a week and hands the player a copy of the song. Kazuma Kiryu Yakuza (2005). Former yakuza, the Dragon of Dojima, who takes the blame for a crime to protect a friend. King of All Cosmos Katamari Damacy (2004). Giant king who destroys the stars by accident and sends his tiny son to rebuild them. KOS-MOS Xenosaga Episode I (2002). Blue-haired battle android built to fight the alien Gnosis. Kratos God of War (2005). Spartan warrior with chained blades who takes on the gods of Olympus. Krystal Star Fox Adventures (2002). Blue vixen with telepathic powers who joins the Star Fox team. Laharl Disgaea: Hour of Darkness (2003). Demon prince who wakes from a two-year sleep to find his father has died. Liara T'Soni Mass Effect (2007). Asari scientist who studies the vanished Protheans. Lloyd Irving Tales of Symphonia (2003). Swordsman who travels with his childhood friend Colette to save their world. Lucas Mother 3 (2006). Timid boy with psychic powers from the Nowhere Islands, in a game never sold outside Japan. Luke Triton Professor Layton and the Curious Village (2007). Layton's young apprentice, who can talk to animals. Marcus Fenix Gears of War (2006). Soldier released from prison to fight the Locust Horde. Master Chief Halo: Combat Evolved (2001). Towering supersoldier in green armour whose face is never shown. Max Payne Max Payne (2001). New York detective whose shootouts play out in slow-motion bullet time. Maya Fey Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (2001). Spirit medium in training who becomes Phoenix's assistant. Midna The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006). Imp from the Twilight Realm who rides Link in his wolf form. Miles Edgeworth Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (2001). Prodigy prosecutor, Phoenix's courtroom rival and childhood friend. Morrigan Dragon Age: Origins (2009). Shapeshifting witch of the Korcari Wilds, raised by her mother Flemeth. Mr. Resetti Animal Crossing (2001). Angry mole who lectures players who reset the game without saving. Murray Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus (2002). Pink hippo who drives the gang's van. Nathan Drake Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (2007). Wisecracking treasure hunter who claims descent from Sir Francis Drake. Neku Sakuraba The World Ends with You (2007). Antisocial teenager forced to play a week-long game in Shibuya. Phoenix Wright Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (2001). Rookie defence lawyer who turns trials around by shouting Objection. Prinny Disgaea: Hour of Darkness (2003). Penguin-like servant who says dood and explodes when thrown. Professor Layton Professor Layton and the Curious Village (2007). Top-hatted professor of archaeology and a perfect gentleman. Quote Cave Story (2004). Robot soldier who wakes in a cave with no memory. Rabbid Rayman Raving Rabbids (2006). Wild, screaming rabbit-like creature who causes chaos wherever it goes. Ragna the Bloodedge BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger (2008). Wanted man with a record bounty on his head, who fights with a huge sword. Ratchet Ratchet & Clank (2002). Lombax mechanic who fights with a big wrench and a growing pile of odd gadgets. Rathalos Monster Hunter (2004). Large fire-breathing red wyvern, often treated as the face of the series. Razputin Aquato Psychonauts (2005). Raz, a circus runaway who sneaks into a summer camp for psychics to become a Psychonaut. Red Angry Birds (2009). Round red bird flung from a slingshot at the pigs who stole the flock's eggs. Revan Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003). Former Sith Lord whose memory was wiped by the Jedi Council. Roy Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001). Young swordsman who fought here before his own Fire Emblem game came out. Sackboy LittleBigPlanet (2008). Small knitted figure with a zip, made to be dressed up however the player likes. Sam Fisher Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell (2002). Covert agent of Third Echelon, recognised by his night vision goggles. Shadow the Hedgehog Sonic Adventure 2 (2001). Black and red hedgehog created as the Ultimate Life Form, Sonic's brooding rival. Shantae Shantae (2002). Half-genie guardian of Scuttle Town who whips enemies with her hair. Sly Cooper Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus (2002). Raccoon master thief out to recover his family's stolen book. Soma Cruz Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (2003). Student who can absorb the souls of monsters and use their powers. Sora Kingdom Hearts (2002). Boy with a key-shaped sword who travels between worlds looking for his friends. Sylvanas Windrunner Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos (2002). Elf ranger-general raised as a banshee, later queen of the Forsaken. Tali'Zorah Mass Effect (2007). Quarian engineer on her Pilgrimage, always sealed inside an environmental suit. Teddie Persona 4 (2008). Hollow bear mascot found living inside the TV world, fond of bear puns. Tim Braid (2008). Man in a suit who can rewind time while he searches for a princess. Tom Nook Animal Crossing (2001). Tanuki shopkeeper who sells the player a house and then collects the loan. Tyrael Diablo II (2000). Archangel who sides with humanity against the lords of Hell. Urdnot Wrex Mass Effect (2007). Krogan mercenary and bounty hunter who becomes a leader of his people. Vergil Devil May Cry (2001). Dante's twin brother, who wants power above all else. Victor Sullivan Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (2007). Sully, Nathan's cigar-smoking mentor and partner in treasure hunting. Viewtiful Joe Viewtiful Joe (2003). Film fan pulled into Movieland who becomes a red-suited hero able to slow time. Vyse Skies of Arcadia (2000). Young air pirate of the Blue Rogues who sails a sky of floating continents. Wander Shadow of the Colossus (2005). Young man who must defeat sixteen colossi, riding his horse Agro. Yuna Final Fantasy X (2001). Young summoner on a pilgrimage to defeat the monster called Sin. Yuri Lowell Tales of Vesperia (2008). Former knight who takes justice into his own hands, travelling with his dog Repede.
2010s 78
2B Nier: Automata (2017). Combat android sent to retake Earth from an army of machines. 9S Nier: Automata (2017). Scanner android who specialises in hacking, 2B's partner. Adam Jensen Deus Ex: Human Revolution (2011). Security chief rebuilt with mechanical augmentations after an attack. Alan Wake Alan Wake (2010). Bestselling thriller writer whose wife vanishes on holiday in the town of Bright Falls. Alduin The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011). Dragon known as the World-Eater, prophesied to destroy the world. Aloy Horizon Zero Dawn (2017). Red-haired outcast hunter who takes down robot dinosaurs with a bow. Arthur Morgan Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018). Senior member of the Van der Linde gang in 1899. Astro Bot The Playroom (2013). Small robot who rescues the members of his crew scattered across different worlds. Atreus God of War (2018). Kratos's young son, an archer who can read the languages his father cannot. Baldi Baldi's Basics in Education and Learning (2018). Teacher with a ruler who chases players who get sums wrong. Beatrix LeBeau Slime Rancher (2017). Rancher who moves to a planet far from Earth, the Far Far Range, to raise slimes. Bendy Bendy and the Ink Machine (2017). Grinning cartoon devil from an abandoned animation studio. Byleth Fire Emblem: Three Houses (2019). Mercenary turned professor who picks one of three student houses to teach. Callie and Marie Splatoon (2015). Cousins and pop duo, the Squid Sisters, who read the news and announce the stages. Chloe Price Life Is Strange (2015). Max's blue-haired childhood friend. Clementine The Walking Dead (2012). Young girl found hiding in her treehouse, who grows up over four seasons. Connor Detroit: Become Human (2018). Android police investigator sent to hunt down deviant androids. Corvo Attano Dishonored (2012). Royal bodyguard framed for a crime against the empress he served. Creeper Minecraft (2011). Silent green creature that sneaks up on players and explodes. Crewmate Among Us (2018). Small astronaut doing tasks on a spaceship, unless they are secretly an Impostor. Cuphead Cuphead (2017). Cup-headed gambler who loses a bet with the Devil and must collect other debtors' souls. D.Va Overwatch (2016). South Korean former pro gamer who pilots a pink combat mech. Elizabeth BioShock Infinite (2013). Woman held in a tower in the flying city of Columbia who can open tears in reality. Ellie The Last of Us (2013). Fourteen-year-old who is immune to the infection that ended the old world. Enderman Minecraft (2011). Tall black creature that teleports and attacks when a player looks at it. Flowey Undertale (2015). Smiling golden flower who is the first character the player meets. Freddy Fazbear Five Nights at Freddy's (2014). Animatronic mascot of the family pizza restaurant where the game is set. Gomez Fez (2012). Flat white creature who is given a fez and discovers a third dimension. The Goose Untitled Goose Game (2019). Horrible goose who pesters an English village, stealing things and honking. Handsome Jack Borderlands 2 (2012). Vain, charming president of the Hyperion Corporation and the villain of the game. Hat Kid A Hat in Time (2017). Girl in a top hat who stitches hats for new powers and hunts her lost Time Pieces. Hornet Hollow Knight (2017). Needle-wielding protector of Hallownest who later got her own game, Silksong. Inkling Splatoon (2015). Kid who can turn into a squid and swim through ink. Isabelle Animal Crossing: New Leaf (2012). Cheerful Shih Tzu who works as the mayor's secretary. Jibanyan Yo-kai Watch (2013). Red cat spirit who haunts a crossroads and picks fights with passing trucks. Joel The Last of Us (2013). Smuggler hired to escort a teenage girl across a ruined United States. John Marston Red Dead Redemption (2010). Former outlaw forced to track down his old gang in 1911. Joker Persona 5 (2016). Transfer student on probation who leads the Phantom Thieves of Hearts. Kassandra Assassin's Creed Odyssey (2018). Spartan-born mercenary in ancient Greece. Kat Gravity Rush (2012). Amnesiac girl who can shift gravity, helped by a mysterious cat called Dusty. King Dice Cuphead (2017). Manager of the Devil's casino, with a die for a head. The Knight Hollow Knight (2017). Small, silent insect warrior who explores ruined Hallownest with a nail for a sword. Lee Everett The Walking Dead (2012). Former university professor who becomes Clementine's protector. Lucina Fire Emblem Awakening (2012). Princess from a ruined future who travels back in time disguised as Marth. Madeline Celeste (2018). Young woman climbing Celeste Mountain while facing her own anxiety. Mae Borowski Night in the Woods (2017). Twenty-year-old cat who drops out of college and returns to Possum Springs. Max Caulfield Life Is Strange (2015). Photography student who discovers she can rewind time. Meat Boy Super Meat Boy (2010). Red cube of meat who dodges saw blades to rescue Bandage Girl from Dr. Fetus. Mercy Overwatch (2016). Swiss doctor with a winged suit who heals and revives her teammates. Min Min Arms (2017). Fighter from a ramen shop whose stretchy arms are made of noodles. Monokuma Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc (2010). Half-white, half-black bear who names himself a school's headmaster. Morgana Persona 5 (2016). Talking cat who can turn into a bus and insists he is human. Mugman Cuphead (2017). Cuphead's more cautious brother, dragged into the same deal with the Devil. Octodad Octodad (2010). Octopus posing as a human man with a normal human family, including his wife Scarlet. Om Nom Cut the Rope (2010). Small green creature with one goal: to be fed candy. Ori Ori and the Blind Forest (2015). White guardian spirit who sets out to restore a dying forest. Papyrus Undertale (2015). Tall skeleton who dreams of joining the Royal Guard and cooks spaghetti. Princess Ida Monument Valley (2014). Silent princess who walks through buildings of impossible geometry. Pyra Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (2017). Living weapon called a Blade, who shares her life force with the salvager Rex. Reinhardt Overwatch (2016). Ageing German knight in powered armour with a rocket hammer and an energy shield. Sam Porter Bridges Death Stranding (2019). Courier who carries cargo on foot across a broken United States. Sans Undertale (2015). Short, laid-back skeleton in a blue hoodie who loves bad puns. Sekiro Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019). One-armed shinobi known as Wolf, sworn to protect a young lord. Shovel Knight Shovel Knight (2014). Knight who fights and digs with a shovel, out to rescue his partner Shield Knight. Shulk Xenoblade Chronicles (2010). Young researcher whose sword, the Monado, shows him visions of the future. Solaire of Astora Dark Souls (2011). Unusually friendly knight known for his Praise the Sun gesture, searching for his own sun. Spring Man Arms (2017). Boxer whose arms are long extending springs. Stanley The Stanley Parable (2013). Office worker who is guided, and mocked, by an unseen narrator. Steve Minecraft (2011). Default player character in a cyan shirt and blue trousers. Tiny Tina Borderlands 2 (2012). Thirteen-year-old explosives expert. Toriel Undertale (2015). Motherly goat-like monster who guards the Ruins and bakes pie. Tracer Overwatch (2016). Cheerful British pilot who can skip forward and rewind through time. Trico The Last Guardian (2016). Giant creature, part bird and part cat, who befriends a boy. Undyne Undertale (2015). Fish-like head of the Royal Guard, fierce in battle and loyal to her friends. Varric Tethras Dragon Age II (2011). Dwarf storyteller who carries a crossbow he calls Bianca. Wheatley Portal 2 (2011). Talkative robotic sphere who is much less clever than he thinks. Whisper Yo-kai Watch (2013). Yo-kai who serves as the hero's self-appointed butler and guide. Winston Overwatch (2016). Gorilla scientist who was raised on a base on the Moon.
2020s 17
Abby The Last of Us Part II (2020). Soldier whose story is played alongside Ellie's, so players see both sides. Astarion Baldur's Gate 3 (2023). High elf rogue and vampire spawn who can walk in sunlight again. Chai Hi-Fi Rush (2023). Would-be rock star with a music player fused to his chest, who fights in time to the beat. Elfilin Kirby and the Forgotten Land (2022). Flying creature who joins Kirby to rescue the captured Waddle Dees. Gustave Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (2025). Engineer of Lumière who joins the expedition to stop the Paintress. Jin Sakai Ghost of Tsushima (2020). Samurai who bends his code to fight the Mongol invasion of his island in 1274. Karlach Baldur's Gate 3 (2023). Tiefling barbarian with an infernal engine in place of her heart. Kena Kena: Bridge of Spirits (2021). Young spirit guide helped by small creatures called the Rot. Malenia Elden Ring (2022). Demigod swordswoman whose right arm is a katana-like blade, twin sister of Miquella. Noah Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (2022). Soldier and off-seer who plays a flute to send off the fallen. Oatchi Pikmin 4 (2023). Two-legged space dog who carries his rider and a squad of Pikmin on his back. Paimon Genshin Impact (2020). Small floating companion who guides the Traveler across the land of Teyvat. Ranni the Witch Elden Ring (2022). Witch whose long questline leads to one of the game's endings. Rivet Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (2021). Lombax resistance fighter from another dimension. Shadowheart Baldur's Gate 3 (2023). Half-elf cleric devoted to the goddess Shar. Stella Spiritfarer (2020). Ferrymaster who sails the dead to the afterlife with her cat Daffodil. Viola Bayonetta 3 (2022). Witch in training who fights with a sword beside her demon familiar Cheshire.
How this list was compiled: List chosen and every one-line description written for this site; nothing is copied from Wikipedia, a fan wiki or a publisher's page. Each entry was checked on 2026-09-18 against the English Wikipedia article for the named game and, where one exists, the character's own article or the series character list (those lists are indexed at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Lists_of_video_game_characters ; each article is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ plus the title, read through the Wikipedia API). Checked for every entry: that the character appears in the named game, the game's first release year, and each name, number, colour and role in the line. Year rule: the year the named game was first released anywhere, as given in its Wikipedia infobox. The named game is the first one the character appears in under that name. A brief cameo or guest slot ahead of a full debut is ignored (Doctor Eggman, Tracer), as is a tie-in novel or comic issued in the same year as the game (Master Chief, Cortana, Adam Jensen). Little Mac is dated by the 1987 game that first names him, Roy by the 2001 crossover fighter that reached shops before his own game, and Minecraft by its full release in 2011. Left out on purpose: characters who began in a book, comic, film, toy line or television series, real people, and leads taken straight from myth. Age ratings: every line is written to be clean, but the games are not all made for children, and some of these characters come from series that carry an 18 rating (Mortal Kombat, whose violence led to the founding of the ESRB, is one: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortal_Kombat ). Check a game's age rating before buying or playing it. Cap: at most 5 characters from any one franchise, spin-offs included. On 2026-09-18 Wikipedia described Donkey Kong, Yoshi and Wario as spin-offs of Mario (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshi_(video_game_series ), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wario_(series ), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donkey_Kong ), Final Fight as set in the Street Fighter universe, Final Fantasy as the parent franchise of Kingdom Hearts, Deltarune as sharing characters with Undertale, and Art of Fighting as set in the same universe as Fatal Fury with both casts meeting in The King of Fighters, so each of those clusters is counted as one franchise and holds five names or fewer. Banjo and Conker first appeared as guest racers in Diddy Kong Racing and are counted under their own series. Text only: no artwork, logos or character images. Checked against the Wikipedia articles named here on 2026-09-18: 386 characters from 271 games; details we could not find stated on Wikipedia were cut. Review interval: every 12 months, and sooner when a listed game is renamed or remade. Licence: own work
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