10 BEST Dads in Video Games
10 Best Dads in Video Games
Welcome to MojoPlays and today we’re honoring not only the Dads who raised their children from birth but also the video game Dads that stepped up and fully gave themselves over to the primal urge to protect the young.
Bowser
“Super Mario” (Series) (1985-)
Bowser might not immediately be the first Dad you think of when it comes to video game Dads, but he is actually a very devoted father to his fiercely loyal son Bowser Jr. Bowser isn’t the best role model, spending his time kidnapping princesses and battling his plumber nemesis in every sport under the sun, but Bowser Jr. is always right by his side learning from his father, bad habits and all. Sure Bowser can seem a bit aggressive or stern, but Bowser Jr. knows his father loves him and seems to enjoy pushing his buttons. Even with all his bad behavior, Bowser is a faithfully devoted and loving father, giving his son everything he could hope for and every advantage to be able to take over the Mushroom Kingdom on his own one day.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowser
John Marston
“Red Dead Redemption” (2010)
We don’t get to see much of John being a father until near the end of the game, but everything he did up to the moment he reunites with his family was done to ensure their safety. The little time we get to see John with Jack, he tries his best to connect with his son, something most fathers can relate to as their children outgrow the constant need for them. Having given up his life as an outlaw to live a normal life, John struggles to leave the past behind him and hopes to build a better future for Jack. Ultimately, the only real connection John can have with Jack is through his heroic sacrifice that allows Jack to escape with his mother, Abigail. Sadly, it’s through this sacrifice that John unfortunately sends Jack down a similar path to his own, turning him into the very outlaw John never wanted him to be.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Dead_Redemption
https://youtu.be/FHCxvxkaIpY?si=kP0ecZHFBOKjh8R6
Geralt
“The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” (2015)
Honestly the most surprising thing to come out of Geralt’s adoption of Ciri through The Law of Surprise was just what a caring and doting father he turned out to be. Since Witchers are unable to have children, Geralt never dreamed of having any kids of his own until Ciri was thrust into his life. Geralt immediately took Ciri under his wing and began training her to be a warrior and Geralt himself proves to be a better father than Ciri’s biological one. Despite his reputation and gruff exterior, when it comes to Ciri, Geralt is a big old softie and it’s his devotion to Ciri that allows the others around him to bond and grow together into an unconventional family. Whenever Ciri is involved, you’d better pray you don’t stand between Geralt and his daughter.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Witcher_3:_Wild_Hunt
Kazuma Kiryu
“Yakuza” (Series) (2005-)
Players might be more familiar with Kazuma solving problems with his fists than being a stable father figure, but throughout the entirety of the Yakuza series, Kazuma not only becomes a father figure for many, but even becomes the owner of the Sunflower Orphanage and a stand-in father to all the children. Kazuma balances his work life and his brutality with preparing meals for the many children and even comes out of retirement in order to keep “his kids” safe. Frankly much of what drives Kazuma’s actions throughout the Yakuza series is to keep his orphanage and the children safe and give them a better life. Kazuma might rarely crack a smile, but beneath that cold and brutal exterior beats the heart of a man who always wanted to be a Dad but never made the time, so he instead created his own family.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakuza_(franchise)
Lee Everett
“The Walking Dead” (2012)
As a former teacher, Lee Everett naturally knows how to nurture and protect children, but his unexpected relationship with Clementine hits a bit closer to home. From the moment the two meet at the start of the end of the world, Lee takes Clementine in, attempting to shield her from the many new horrors of the world and guide her how to survive and protect herself. Despite the circumstances, Lee still hopes for Clem to have a normal life and allows her to be a kid whenever possible. It’s only thanks to Lee’s guidance and fatherly love that Clementine can survive in a world without him. Right up until the end, Lee continues to teach Clem how to live a good life and survive against overwhelming odds and in the end makes the ultimate sacrifice to ensure her safety, only hoping she took his teachings to heart and was able to go on without him.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Walking_Dead_(video_game_series)
Barret Wallace
“Final Fantasy VII Remake & Rebirth” (2020-24)
Don’t let Barret’s rough and rugged exterior fool you, beneath all those muscles and firepower, he’s nothing but a big old teddy bear to his adopted daughter Marlene. The recent remakes of Final Fantasy 7 give further depth to Barret and Marlene’s relationship and the tragic story of how the two became a family. Although it breaks his heart, Barret knows in order to secure a future for Marlene, he needs to leave her behind no matter how dangerous the mission becomes. Barret’s ultimate goal is to leave the world for his daughter better than the one he lived in, which is something every parent can sympathize with. Watching the tonal shift between when Barret is addressing Avalanche, particularly when he’s annoyed with Cloud, versus his interactions with Marlene are adorable and show just how much he loves that little girl with all of his big old heart.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_VII_Rebirth
Ethan Winters
“Resident Evil Village” (2021)
Few dads have sacrificed like Ethan Winters. After narrowly surviving the Bakers, Ethan is once again thrust into hell, this time against vampires, werewolves and things that don’t even have categories to save his infant daughter Rose. Torn literally apart, Ethan battles through the many supernatural horrors, uncertain if Rose is even alive or can be saved, but he is going to kill everything in his path until he finds her. Ethan embodies everything a father strives to be, sacrificing literal life and limb to protect his child from the horrors of the world. And in the end, it’s his undying love for Rose that saves her and not even death can stop him from watching over his baby girl as she grows. Bonus shout out to Chris Redfield for stepping into the fatherly role after Ethan’s heroic sacrifice as well and teaching Rose to protect herself from all the dangers Chris knows are out there.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resident_Evil_Village
https://youtu.be/lJ_-_T05SOE?si=l2ghEWGYwcxXibTF
Hugh
“Pragmata” (2026)
The newest entry in the Dad game genre, Hugh’s relationship with Diana is the most “Dad-Like” we’ve ever gotten to be in a video game. While yes, the primary goal of Pragmata is surviving the Cradle and escaping back to Earth, it’s the little moments in between that are the most meaningful. Diana is free to play back at the Shelter and players can even gift Diana remnants of Earth for her to mess around with. Hugh and Diana even bond outside of conflict with Diana’s curiosity about Earth bringing up Hugh’s memories of his childhood and life back on Earth. Through these interactions, both Hugh and the player fall in love with Diana, almost immediately wanting to protect her from all the dangers of the Cradle and let her live a normal life as a child. Hugh becomes Diana’s fierce protector and despite his claims he never wanted kids, clearly makes an exception for Diana.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pragmata
Kratos
“God of War” (2018) & “God of War Ragnarok” (2022)
We don’t really get to see much of Kratos as a father during the Greek era, but the few snippets we do see, he was a devoted father to young Calliope who loved him dearly. God of War 2018 gave us a much closer look at Kratos’ parenting style and to call it distant would be an understatement. Kratos clearly cares for Atreus but is too guarded to allow himself to embrace fatherhood again, until he nearly loses Atreus. This marked a turning point in their relationship and the aftermath of this new relationship only grew in the sequel Ragnarok, as Kratos fights with Atreus’ growing curiosity and desire to forge his own path and Kratos’ inherent need to protect the only family he has left. Kratos is the strong, firm but always supportive father we all wanted growing up. Allowing Atreus to find his own path but holding tight to the bond they share.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_of_War_(2018_video_game)
Joel
“The Last of Us Part 1” (2022)
When you think of a video game Dad, chances are Joel is one of the first to come to mind and for good reason. After the tragic loss of his daughter on Outbreak Day, Joel became a shell of himself, closed off from nearly everything and everyone. Until he met Ellie. During their trek across the U.S. Joel’s demeanor softens and his protective instincts take over from simply protecting Ellie as part of his job, to protecting her as his connection to his old self and the Dad he used to be. Ellie could never replace Sarah, but she healed a part of Joel that he had closed off and brought out the fatherly instincts that were always there waiting for the right child to break down the walls and allow him to be the father he always wanted to be once again.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_of_Us_Part_I
Who was your favorite video game Dad and who reminds you the most of your Dad or the Dad you want to be? Share your picks in the comments.
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