The 10 Most Useful, Charismatic, and Cute Pets in Video Games

NPCs are allies, enemies, or simply there to fill the world with life and color. Among the most common NPCs in a game are pets. Animals, whether pets, common and typical of a region or kingdom. Dogs, cats, chickens, horses, cows, or goats. Or sometimes wild animals, wolves, bears, and crocodiles, which can be enemies or are simply there to bring nature to life.

But not every pet in a video game is just decoration. Many of them play an essential role in gameplay: they aid in combat, distract enemies, heal the player, or unlock secrets. And when this is combined with charisma, cuteness, and good design, the result is an unforgettable companion.

Below, a selection of the 10 most useful, cute, and charismatic pets in games, not including horses, mounts (which are generally used only for movement), Pokémon, or Digimon (which cannot always be classified as pets, since the entire game mechanics revolve around them). And, if you have any questions or have a pet that we missed, just leave it in the comments.

The Palicos are one of the greatest successes of the Monster Hunter franchise. They’re anthropomorphic kittens that accompany the player on missions and have practical functions in the gameplay, not just as visual support.

Palicos can specialize in different styles, such as healing, trapping, bombarding, or even distracting. They attack monsters, set traps at strategic points, and apply defense and attack buffs. In Monster Hunter Rise, for example, players can configure their Palicos with specific abilities, choose the type of support they want, and even customize their armor and weapons.

In solo hunts, they're practically indispensable. Beyond that, their charisma is undeniable: in addition to their stylized appearance, they have their own cutscenes and even participate in the camp kitchen. And how can you not love these little creatures carrying you back to camp, knocked unconscious, with the cart?

Dogmeat appears in several titles in the Fallout series, but it’s in Fallout 4 that he gains his definitive moment. In a world ravaged by nuclear war, Dogmeat isn't just a companion dog—he's a loyal and functional partner. He can sniff out hidden enemies, locate items in the environment, and directly confront mutants or marauders.

The player can control him with simple contextual commands, such as "fetch," "wait," or "go to that point." Furthermore, he doesn't occupy the human companion slot, allowing him to be present alongside another ally. The relationship between the player and Dogmeat is built without dialogue, but with great emotional impact, especially given the hostile world.

The bond with Dogmeat ends up being one of the few moments of humanity within the brutality of the Fallout universe. And if he dies, the player becomes John Wick himself.

Chorizo is, by far, one of the most adorable pets Ubisoft has ever created. He's a dachshund (the famous "sausage dog") who uses a wheelchair to get around, and this alone makes him unique in terms of appearance and charisma. But it's not just looks.

In Far Cry 6, Chorizo is one of the "buddies" (or "animal friends," as the game calls them) that the player can use to gain tactical advantages during missions. His main function is to distract enemies, which is great for players who prefer stealthy approaches. As your bond with Chorizo evolves, new abilities are unlocked: he can mark hidden items, help regenerate the player's health, and even dig for valuable resources.

His presence on the battlefield, even without causing damage, is as impactful as that of an armed companion. He changes the pace of the mission, offers practical advantages, and, to top it off, wins over anyone with his happy face and lively barks. Lucky for the enemies, Chorizo is a dachshund. Imagine if he were a Pinscher?

Trico is one of the most iconic characters of the PlayStation generation. He's not a pet in the traditional sense, but he fills that role with ease. In The Last Guardian, Trico is a mythical creature, a cross between a cat, a dog, and a bird, with unpredictable behavior, but progressively more reliable as the player interacts with him.

The difference lies precisely in this semi-autonomous behavior. Trico hesitates, feels fear, refuses to obey in some situations, and reacts emotionally to danger. This makes the relationship with the player more organic. Throughout the game, Trico helps the protagonist overcome obstacles, reach unreachable platforms, fight shadowy enemies, and solve puzzles that require cooperation.

It's a rare example of a pet and companion with both narrative and playable weight. It's not just a "cute animal," but a living part of the game's mechanics and emotion.

Ikaros is Kassandra's (or Alexios') eagle in Assassin's Creed Odyssey. Although other eagles have played this role in previous games in the franchise, Ikarus stands out as he functions as a tactical reconnaissance system, essential for planning any mission. Calling him activates an aerial view of the field, where you can mark enemies, identify resources, locate chests, define infiltration routes, and even predict patrol movements.

Ikaros's presence completely changes the player's approach, allowing for safer choices and more refined strategies. This isn't a cosmetic feature or a random ability: Ikaros is a central part of the gameplay from the very beginning. He's what transforms a blind invasion into a well-executed tactical mission.

Furthermore, he visually possesses presence and personality, with fluid movements, distinctive sounds, and recurring interactions with the protagonist. A vital tool and a great companion.

BD-1 is one of the greatest achievements of Jedi: Fallen Order. This tiny droid, perched on Cal Kestis's shoulders, isn’t only visually appealing but also extremely useful. Throughout the game, BD-1 unlocks locked doors, activates panels, displays holograms of the map, and, most importantly, administers healing injections at critical moments.

The way the player interacts with him is simple and intuitive, and his constant presence alongside the protagonist creates a sense of true partnership. Even without speaking, BD-1 conveys emotions through sounds, movements, and behavior.

There are moments of pure tension when he hides, and others when he steps forward to defend the player. He provides both technical and emotional support. You can also customize him with colors and accessories, strengthening your bond throughout the journey.

Genshin Impact has several characters with pets that are an active part of their abilities, making them more than just decorative elements. These pets appear during skills or bursts and directly affect combat.

Examples of pets include Xiangling's Guoba, a fire-breathing teddy bear that deals area damage with the Pyro element. Fischl, in turn, summons Oz, a crow that automatically fires electrical attacks, maintaining constant damage on the field. Yaoyao has Yuegui, a bunny that heals allies with small Dendro radishes. Arataki Itto summons Ushi, a mini-cow that attracts enemy attention and deals Geo damage. Amber uses Baron Bunny, which draws aggro and explodes with Pyro after a few seconds. Collei summons Cuilein-Anbar, a kitten-shaped pet that spins around and applies area-of-effect Dendro, among other things.

These pets are integral to each character's playstyle and make a difference in team composition, elemental reactions, and even board control. They are functional, strategic, and have an extremely charismatic appearance.

D-Dog, also known as DD, is one of the most versatile and memorable companions in Metal Gear Solid V. Found as a puppy, he can be taken back to the base and trained. Over time, he becomes a partner in infiltration missions, with specific functions that directly impact the mission's success.

D-Dog can detect enemies, mark targets on the map, distract guards, and even silently eliminate enemies with the right equipment. Additionally, he can be equipped with items such as bulletproof vests or night vision, depending on the player's style.

D-Dog's charisma is another highlight: he barks, wags his tail, interacts with Snake, and demonstrates constant loyalty. In a game where almost everything is cold and tactical, D-Dog offers an emotional and affectionate layer without losing his usefulness.

Rush is the robot dog that accompanies Mega Man in various stages of the series. Unlike other pets that have a single function, Rush changes form throughout the game: he can be a spring to reach high platforms, a hoverboard to cross chasms, a submarine for aquatic stages, and even armor in some games in the franchise.

His presence offers mobility and flexibility that change the player's approach to level design. Furthermore, his friendly and lively appearance creates a contrast with the futuristic and often dark style of the Mega Man universe.

Rush not only accompanies the player, but also creatively adapts the gameplay, always offering a new function. He perfectly embodies the idea of a functional pet: an ally who expands the player's possibilities rather than simply following them around.

Meeko is a dog that can be found in a secluded cabin in the vast world of Skyrim. He has no lines, no magical powers, and no direct connection to the main story. But what he does have is loyalty and usefulness.

By accepting Meeko as a companion, he follows the player, attacks enemies, and helps in simple encounters. He also serves as a distraction, as enemies often attack him first, giving the player time to react. Beyond that, his presence brings an emotional element to the game.

In a world as impersonal and mechanical as Skyrim, Meeko represents a pure form of companionship. He has no special abilities, but he fulfills his role efficiently and provides a sincere connection for those who enjoy exploring the world with a friend by their side.