Top 25 Greatest Video Game Characters of Each Year (2000 - 2024)

Top 25 Greatest Video Game Characters of Each Year (2000-2024)

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the greatest video game characters of each year this century. We did our best to avoid repeat characters and franchises, but sometimes you just have to stick with the classics. Light spoiler warning for some games ahead.

#25: Skull Kid

“The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask” (2000)

If Ocarina of Time was The Godfather, then Majora’s Mask is The Godfather Part II. Kicking off the millennium with a masterpiece sequel that has fully stood the test of time, Nintendo proved that they could get dark and weird like their more mature competitors, thanks to the sad, complicated mask-donning villain Skull Kid. He’s one of the creepiest and most formidable foes Link has faced to date, and his scarecrow-like design wearing the titular Majora’s Mask has made him a timeless icon. Please put him in the next Smash Bros., Nintendo.

#24: Master Chief

“Halo: Combat Evolved” (2001)

While not the first globally popular first-person shooter, Halo: Combat Evolved absolutely revolutionized the genre. This is thanks mostly to John-117, better known as Master Chief. The badass Spartan has become one of the most recognizable video game characters in history, and is beloved by anyone who’s played an Xbox. His dark green armor and yellow visor give off an air of mystery surrounding the Chief, his proficiency with various iconic weapons is unmatched, and voice actor Steve Downes’ performance will go down in history as one of the greatest ever.

#23: Sora

“Kingdom Hearts” (2002)

When Kingdom Hearts was originally revealed, like many others, we were pretty skeptical. Square Enix of Final Fantasy fame and Disney collaborating for… an RPG? Luckily, the doubts were quickly laid to rest once we got our hands on controlling series protagonist Sora, a young Keyblade wielder from the Destiny Islands, who sees himself thrust into an unlikely adventure spanning countless worlds. He even changes form in some of these worlds, like Halloween Town where he, Donald, and Goofy sport their best spooky costumes, or Atlantica, where they all look at home under the sea. His strength of heart and duty to his friends make Sora’s story the epitome of the Hero’s Journey, and his skills with the Keyblade are absolutely iconic. Here’s hoping Kingdom Hearts 4 brings this sort of feeling back.

#22: Soma Cruz

“Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow” (2003)

Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow on the GameBoy Advance broke from tradition, and many die-hard fans weren’t convinced. Symphony of the Night has long been considered the best in the series, so this had a high bar to reach, but boy did it reach it. Playing more like an RPG than other entries with the Soul system and wide variety of weapons, the biggest (and best) departure from the classic formula is in its protagonist, Soma Cruz. Soma is a high school exchange student in 2035 Japan who is mysteriously transported to Dracula’s castle and fights to save his fellow student and friend Mina. Soma’s white hair and trenchcoat create one of the sleekest hero designs in the series, and his appearance in later titles solidified him as a fan favorite.

#21: Gordon Freeman

“Half-Life 2” (2004)

Dr. Gordon Freeman of the Black Mesa Research Facility is another unlikely hero that gets thrust into a complicated worldwide battle for the fate of the planet. Packing an arsenal of memorable and iconic weapons, like the crowbar and the Gravity Gun, Freeman is a full-on badass sci-fi hero that FPS fans have grown to adore over the years. He has this unassuming look thanks to his glasses, but that just adds to his charm as one of the greatest video game heroes this century.

#20: Leon S. Kennedy

“Resident Evil 4” (2005)

The king of cheesy one-liners since Resident Evil 4’s original release in 2005, U.S. Agent Leon S. Kennedy is arguably the survival horror franchise’s most popular character. His second outing here in not-Spain is his best, as he sasses and scoffs his way through the game to rescue the president’s daughter, Ashley. Goofiness aside, he’s also a certified badass and handles a wide array of different weapons, excels in close quarters combat, and suplexes motherf*****s left and right. Luckily for us, the 2023 remake made sure to keep his silly characterization around, one-liners and all.

#19: Amaterasu

“Okami” (2006)

Capcom’s answer to the Legend of Zelda series, Okami is an action-adventure game with a gorgeous cel-shaded art style. Set with a backdrop of Japanese mythology, players take control of Amaterasu, goddess of the sun and adorable doggy. She wields the Celestial Brush, an ancient tool used by the gods that you can use to draw on your screen in real time for various effects. A cult classic of that era, Okami is widely available to play almost anywhere, and in 2024, Capcom and creator Hideki Kamiya announced a sequel, so now’s the perfect time to familiarize yourself with one of the best doggos in gaming.

#18: Nathan Drake

“Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune” (2007)

Naughty Dog’s first foray into their globetrotting, swashbuckling adventure introduced Nate, Sully, Elena, and the gang, who all became one of the most memorable casts of characters up to that point. Nate’s quippy one-liners and sarcastic demeanor are bolstered by voice actor Nolan North’s performance, and his parkour and firearm skills make him even more impressive. Four main titles and a couple of spin-offs have solidified Nathan Drake onto many fans’ Mount Rushmore of video game heroes. Oh, and why does nobody comment on the absolute mass murder Drake commits in every game? Good lord.

#17: Sackboy

“LittleBigPlanet” (2008)

PlayStation and Media Molecule’s puzzle platformer LittleBigPlanet stole the hearts of players with its charming design, immersive creation tools, and of course, its adorable playable cutie pie, Sackboy. Imagine Oogie Boogie from Nightmare Before Christmas, only little and not disgusting. Sackboy is one of PlayStation’s most popular mascots for a reason, appearing in numerous other games, and paving the way for future platformers like Astro Bot to have success on the system.

#16: Ezio Auditore da Firenze

“Assassin’s Creed II” (2009)

Ubisoft Montreal’s sophomore outing in their epic historical series sees protagonist Ezio Auditore da Firenze take up the mantle, this time scaling the rooftops of Renaissance-era Italy. The series has seen many notable Assassins come and go, like Edward Kenway and Altaïr, but Ezio is far and away the most iconic, with deep character development and a strong presence throughout multiple games, not to mention his skills as an Assassin.

#15: John Marston

“Red Dead Redemption” (2010)

Rockstar Games's rootin’ tootin’ Wild West shootin’ epic is one of their greatest games, thanks mostly to protagonist John Marston. A former outlaw forced into hunting down his old gang, Marston’s adventure takes him all over the American West, taking on other gangs and riding horses in a similar vein to Rockstar’s other powerhouse franchise, Grand Theft Auto. John’s character development is a masterclass in writing, and the gut-wrenching ending in which he meets his demise has gone down in video game history as one of the best moments of all time.

#14: GLaDOS

“Portal 2” ( 2011)

Taking place in the same universe as the Half-Life games, Valve’s first-person puzzle platformer wowed players with its intricate design and hilarious writing. GLaDOS, or Genetic Lifeform and Disk Operating System, is the game’s villain, and is quite the contemptuous computer system. After being destroyed by protagonist Chell in the first Portal, GLaDOS makes her return to wreak havoc across the Aperture Science Enrichment Center, constantly getting in your way, trying to kill you, and dropping hilariously dark dialogue.

#13: Vaas Montenegro

“Far Cry 3” (2012)

Did Vaas ever tell you the definition of insanity? If you’ve played Far Cry 3, then you’d know that this monologue and actor Michael Mando’s performance lend themselves to one of the greatest villain portrayals in all of video games. The brother of primary antagonist Citra, Vaas clearly has a few screws loose and terrorizes you throughout the entirety of the game, offering up quite the challenge physically and mentally… at least up until you kill him.

#12: Joel Miller

“The Last of Us” (2013)

Naughty Dog’s latest titanic IP, The Last of Us, is a post-apocalyptic survival horror game with one of the most tragic main characters ever. Joel Miller, in the opening moments of the game, loses his daughter Sarah during the initial outbreak, leading him to close himself off emotionally. Fast forward 20 years, and Joel still hasn’t reconciled the loss of his daughter and has become a smuggler in the authoritarian government that has since taken over. Then comes Ellie, a preteen girl who is immune to the infection plaguing the world, who Joel needs to deliver to scientists to potentially save the planet. We won’t go into the details here, but Joel and Ellie’s journey of sneaking around clickers and taking out bad guys is one of poignance, selfishness, and personal growth, and is well worth your time.

#11: BJ Blazkowicz

“Wolfenstein: The New Order” (2014)

In 2014, first-person shooter pioneer Wolfenstein made its glorious return thanks to MachineGames and Bethesda Game Studios. Longtime protagonist and all-around badass William “BJ” Blazkowicz is back as well, mowing down Nazis and doing so with a smile on his face. Despite the balls to the wall nature of its gameplay, The New Order actually tells a deep and personal story with BJ at the center, extending into 2017’s Wolfenstein: The New Colossus where, and yes I’m serious, BJ gets his freakin’ head cut off and then reattached. If that’s not iconic then I dunno what is.

#10: Geralt of Rivia

“The Witcher III: Wild Hunt” (2015)

The titular White Wolf in CD Projekt’s massively successful video game adaptations of Andrzej Sapkowski’s fantasy novels has quickly become one of the most popular characters in recent memory. His raspy voice and dry demeanor are weirdly charming and relatable, and his monster hunting skills thanks to his role as a Witcher make him a force to be reckoned with, especially in his third outing from 2015. Geralt of Rivia is forced to track down his adopted daughter Ciri, sending him on an epic quest full of magic, monster slaying, sexual tension, and so much more.

#9: BT

“Titanfall 2” (2016)

Generally agreed by gamers as having one of the best first-person shooter campaigns in recent memory, Titanfall 2 is an epic sci-fi tale that sees players not only battle on foot, but in huge mech suits called Titans. BT-7274 is one such Titan, who protagonist Jack Cooper forms a deep connection with after losing his mentor. BT is an easily lovable companion, using the three Vanguard-class protocols to protect Jack and get them both through the story in one (or I guess two) pieces. He also brings a bit of levity to the game, giving us some tension breaks with a few good laughs.

#8: Link

“The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" (2017)

Nintendo’s reinvention of their legendary series also reinvented its longtime protagonist. Link, the silent, strong hero of legends passed down, has a new arsenal of moves and weapons at his disposal in his first open-world adventure. Having the freedom to go wherever and do whatever whenever you want breaks from the traditional Zelda norm, and Breath of the Wild is all the better for it. Link uses a ton of new weapons that aren’t just his traditional sword, and can don a wide variety of armor to suit any given playstyle. We’re dying to see how Nintendo can take Link to new heights after this game and Tears of the Kingdom.

#7: Kratos

“God of War” (2018)

In his first few games, Kratos was an extremely unlikable, crass, violent protagonist that was hell-bent on vengeance. Fast forward to 2018, and the titular God of War is once again a father, living secluded in the Norse woods with his son, Atreus. The two are grieving the loss of Faye, Kratos’s wife and Atreus’s mother, with the goal of spreading her ashes atop the highest mountain in all the Nine Realms, the game’s main objective. Throughout their adventure, Kratos of course rips enemies to shreds like you’d expect, but goes through some of the best character development we’ve seen in any piece of fiction, slowly softening up and bonding with his son. Is someone cutting onions in here?

#6: Cal Kestis

“Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order” (2019)

Cal Kestis, a young Padawan being trained under Jedi Master Jaro Tapal, is one of the very few survivors of Order 66, the Emperor’s vile plan to eradicate all Jedi from the galaxy. In his adult years, Cal is hiding out on the planet Bracca, trying to survive until confronted by Darth Vader’s Inquisitors. These Jedi Hunters serve as the main antagonists of the game, giving Cal a great excuse to show off his skills with the Force and a lightsaber, and he sure delivers. He’s quickly become a favorite of many longtime Star Wars fans, and his portrayal by actor Cameron Monaghan is a huge contributing factor.

#5: Johnny Silverhand

“Cyberpunk 2077” (2020)

Lead singer of punk band Samurai and known activist, Robert John Linder, AKA Johnny Silverhand, is one of Night City’s most legendary Edgerunners since blowing up Arasaka’s corporate headquarters. Upon his death, his consciousness was uploaded onto the Relic engram, which in Cyberpunk 2077 is implanted into protagonist V’s head. Johnny then serves a major role in the story, offering you advice and even taking over V’s body for some of his own fun. Keanu Reeves’ portrayal is another in a long line of amazing celebrity performances in video games, and his “you’re breathtaking” moment from E3 2019 will go down in history as one of gaming’s best.

#4: Lady Dimitrescu

“Resident Evil Village” (2021)


The internet was obsessed with the big lady when trailers for Resident Evil Village started dropping, and with good reason. Maggie Robertson’s portrayal of Lady Dimitrescu earned her a Game Award for Best Performance, and it was well earned - the smooth, pompous demeanor of the vampire mistress gave Ethan Winters a run for his money, forcing him to sneak about her castle, and the her final transformation was grotesque and over the top, just like you’d expect from this series.

#3: Malenia, Blade of Miquella

“Elden Ring” (2022)

You might have heard us talk about Malenia over on MojoPlays a lot, but there’s a good reason for that. She’s one of the hardest and most badass Soulslike bosses of all time, thanks to an iconic design and tragic backstory. Cursed by the Scarlet Rot, her body is in a constant state of decay, giving off an extremely intimidating appearance. In combat, she wields a massive blade, and her swipes take up most of the screen. She’s become both an icon and a meme, and is one of this console generation’s best villains. For more on Malenia’s lore and backstory, check out our video on her Complete Origin Story.

#2: Astarion

“Baldur’s Gate III” (2023)

Neil Newbon’s Game Award-winning performance as Astarion is just a raindrop in the larger puddle of amazing performance in Baldur’s Gate III, but his character is far and away the most iconic. The high elven vampire Rogue is found very early on in Act 1 and can join your party from the get go. His Charlatan background shines through in his characterization, leaning on charm, cunning, and wit to navigate conversations. In battle, Astarion is proficient in Rogue-related weapons like longbows and swords, and is a worthy addition to any party.

#1: Louis Guiabern

“Metaphor: ReFantazio” (2024)

Metaphor: ReFantazio tells an epic tale full of politics, identity issues, acceptance, and tolerance, and the game’s main villain brings these and more to the forefront of the game’s story. Count Louis Guiabern is an extremist and part of the clemar tribe, this world’s most common and ruling ethnic group. He’s a powerful, cunning, and unforgiving villain, as seen in his many boss encounters and bid to be chosen as the realm’s next king, but he’s more than just his linear motivations will lead you to believe. By the end of the game, I found myself empathizing with Louis a bit, thanks to the stellar writing and performance by voice actor Joseph Tweedale.

It’s been a quarter century of some of the most iconic video characters, and these are just the ones we could fit on this list. Let us know what iconic characters you hope to see in the near future in the comments below.