The 10 Most Iconic Video Game Heroes

A good story is nothing without a hero, a protagonist who can carry the narrative when needed and capture the audience’s attention with charisma. This is true for any kind of storytelling, but it is especially important in audiovisual works like video games.

The gaming world is full of protagonists and heroes, but the ones who truly left their mark on generations are much rarer. In this article, I will highlight the most memorable video game heroes, considering their charisma, design, backstory, development, and of course, my personal taste.

This is not a ranking from worst to best, but a list of ten heroes who best fit the criteria above.

Mario - Super Mario

Perhaps the greatest hero and the most recognizable figure in gaming, Mario shaped the childhood of countless players. Even people who have never played a video game have probably seen the face of the famous Italian plumber. His design is friendly and iconic, and his voice and catchphrases are just as distinctive. Super Mario is a milestone in gaming history, and there is no doubt that the franchise’s protagonist is the main reason for its success.

Link - The Legend of Zelda

Link is to The Legend of Zelda what Mario is to Super Mario. The key difference is that Link follows the Hero’s Journey much more closely, as a young orphan with a destined future and the responsibility of saving the world. He is the classic courageous warrior, sword and shield in hand, ready to face the forces of darkness and rescue the princess.

Sonic - Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic was Sega’s answer to Nintendo’s Mario in the 1990s. A blue hedgehog who is fast, impatient, impulsive, and determined to fight injustice, Sonic battles the evil Dr. Eggman to protect the world.

His design was made to be simple, recognizable, and appealing to children, something easy to love and remember. Sega succeeded, creating a rival worthy of Mario. Today, Sonic remains a popular character with many adaptations across different media, even being recognized as one of the fastest figures in pop culture, often compared to speedsters like DC Comics’ The Flash.

Lara Croft - Tomb Raider

Tomb Raider became a landmark franchise in the 1990s and 2000s, with its iconic protagonist Lara Croft, an adventurous and fearless woman with near-superhuman abilities and a heroic aura that captured the imagination of players everywhere. She is often seen as a female counterpart to Indiana Jones.

Lara was not only a strong example of female representation at a time when it was sorely needed, but she also helped shape the future of the industry and opened the door for other influential franchises.

Samus Aran - Metroid

Before Lara Croft, the 1980s introduced Samus Aran, a heroine who faced countless alien threats in the Metroid series. Drawing inspiration from the Alien films, Samus was revealed at the end of the first Metroid game to be a woman inside the power suit, a twist that had a huge impact at the time. The game was praised not only for its atmosphere and gameplay but also for its story and groundbreaking protagonist.

Kratos - God of War

Kratos is another character who defined his era. The protagonist of God of War is closer to an anti-hero, a tormented man driven by vengeance against the Olympian gods. Kratos battles monsters, legendary mythological creatures, and even gods themselves to achieve his revenge. In later games, however, he takes on the role of a father trying to leave his past behind, giving us one of the most impressive character arcs in video game history.

Dante - Devil May Cry

Few characters can match the charisma and presence of Dante, the star of Devil May Cry. Dante is a half-demon demon hunter, the son of Sparda, a legendary demonic warrior. His design is striking, his arsenal of weapons stylish, and his personality unforgettable. Cocky, witty, and always ready with a joke, Dante is one of the most entertaining and memorable heroes of his time.

Leon S. Kennedy - Resident Evil

Resident Evil has several strong protagonists, but none as iconic as Leon Scott Kennedy. First introduced in Resident Evil 2, Leon began as a rookie cop on his first day at work, immediately facing a zombie apocalypse. Teaming up with Claire Redfield, he fought to survive, rescue others, and uncover the truth behind the outbreak.

Years later in Resident Evil 4, Leon returns as a federal agent tasked with rescuing the president’s kidnapped daughter, only to find himself in the middle of a political conspiracy led by a sinister cult.

Leon is the type of hero who always does the right thing and puts others before himself. He is a standout character who delivered some of Resident Evil’s greatest moments.

John Marston - Red Dead Redemption

Red Dead Redemption is full of compelling characters, but John Marston is the perfect archetype of the outlaw cowboy, a true Robin Hood of the Wild West. His design is iconic, his story captivating, and stepping into his role as a bounty hunter was a dream come true for many players when the game was released in 2010.

Geralt of Rivia - The Witcher

At first, I wanted to avoid including characters who came from other media, but Geralt in the games is so different from his counterpart in the books (and so brilliantly portrayed) that leaving him out would have been impossible. Geralt of Rivia is one of the most complex and nuanced protagonists in gaming, raising moral questions that only The Witcher series has explored with such mastery. The character and franchise left a lasting impact on the industry and changed how stories are told in games.

Geralt is a witcher, a genetically mutated monster hunter who kills beasts and nightmares for coin, all while being considered a non-human in a world where non-humans are hunted and despised. He is cynical, pragmatic, and often cold, but as we follow his journey (and make choices for him), we see that he has a heart as human as anyone else’s.

The Witcher is a masterpiece of gaming, and Geralt is a phenomenal protagonist with charisma so unique that it is nearly impossible to replicate or surpass.