Top 10 Video Game Dads

Top 10 Video Game Dads

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Fathers can be largely under-represented, especially in the virtual world. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our Top 10 Dads In Gaming. We'll only be ranking actual fathers on this list, and not father figures. As usual, we're limiting this list to one per franchise, and beware of spoilers.

#10: Eli Vance “Half Life 2” (2004)

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Losing his wife in a horrible incident that occurred in their research facility, Eli's daughter Alyx is all he has. A survivor of the original Black Mesa incident, Eli now serves as a key member of the human resistence against the combine. Near the final act of Half-Life 2, Eli is captured by the combine and taken to Nova Prospect, forcing Gordon and Alyx to mount a daring prison rescue to get him back.

This father may have took the whole “tough love” complex a bit too far. Driving his own son to despise him with his relentless mocking and overall lack of affection, the Blitzball all-star consistently shamed Tidus for never reaching his unrealistic expectations. Later in the game, it's revealed Jecht's whole angle was to toughen him up in hopes that he would become better than him, but with Jecht's inability to express himself, it doesn't come off well received. It isn't until Jecht becomes sin that Tidus is forced to confront his father and reconcile their differences.

#8: Harry Mason “Silent Hill” (1999)

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Let's just say if your dad is willing to search the nightmarish streets of Silent Hill for you, he might deserve a father of the year award. Unfortunately, Harry Mason didn't receive the honor, but he did receive some interesting information concering his adopted daughter being a demon child incarnate. Despite the adversity he faced or who he believed his daughter might be, Harry found no feat too frightening to stop him from saving his daughter Cheryl.

Who needs law enforcement when your city is being governed by this former wrestler? Once the Mad Gear gang kidnaps Haggar's daughter Jessica, they demand a ransom from the Metro City mayor. Being the “hands-on” type of father he is, Haggar takes matters into his own hands and takes down the entire gang singlehandedly, whilst cleaning up his city in the process. We'd strongly advise against any further abduction plots, because as was proven, Mike Haggar will find you, and he will kill you.

#6: Bowser “Super Mario Bros.” (1985)

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It's always touching to see a father's kids want to join the family business. Bowser is the father to his eight Koopalings if you include Bowser Jr, whom have all adopted their father's desire to take down Mario. Together they command the Koopa Army, and can often be found holed up in airships and his various castles. Out of all the Koopa King's loyal children, he favors his youngest son, Bowser Jr., the only one he’s ever clearly showed affection for.

#5: James “Fallout 3” (2008)

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Raising a child as a single parent is never easy, especially when you have to raise that child in an underground atomic bunker. Accepting a deal to become the Vault's new physician in return for a safe place to stay and to raise his kid, James temporarily abandons his plans to purify the wasteland’s water. Despite the sub-optimal conditions, James provides everything he could for his child, giving them the best upbringing he was capable of. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s voiced by Liam Neeson.

#4: John Marston “Red Dead Redemption” (2010)

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Outlaw cowboys can make good fathers too, especially when they give up their life of crime for the wellbeing of their family. John's dark past haunted him even after escaping and moving his wife and son to a new ranch. He's first blackmailed into killing his old gang members in return of his family's safety, only before the Bureau of Investigation deems him still at fault for his crimes and undeserving of freedom. When he and his family is cornered, he orders his son to escape with his mother. John goes out in a literal blaze of glory to ensure the government would no longer torment his wife and son.

Ethan has demonstrated unreal tenacity in hellish journey he underwent to rescue his son from the Origami Killer. Having lost his first son in a car accident, and his wife leaving him as a result, Ethan's naturally rather protective of his second son Shaun. When Shaun gets kidnapped, Ethan proves his willingness in doing anything it takes to save his son, and we mean anything.

When it comes to the apocalypse, your family and loved ones are all you really got. Kenny realized this real soon and developed all-for-one complex when it came to protecting his wife Katjaa and son Duck. There was nothing too over the top when it came to their safety, even when it involved the sacrifice of another's life. When Duck gets infected, Kenny tries to hide it for as long as possible … problem which eventually catches up to him and his wife in a terrible way. Before we unveil our pick for Top Dad In Gaming, here are a few honorable mentions: Heihachi “Tekken” (1994) King of all Cosmos “Katamari Damacy” (2004) Giovanni Auditore “Assassin's Creed II” (2009) Comstock “Bioshock Infinite” (2013)

#1: Joel “The Last of Us” (2013)

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Though we don't spend too much time with Joel and his daughter Sarah in the intro sequence of the game, their devout bond is most certainly felt. Sarah inevitably doesn't make it and the heartbreaking scene of him holding his lifeless daughter left us all speechless. Despite Ellie not being Joel's actual daughter, their treks and closeness later in the game demonstrated his tendency to project his late daughter through the fourteen-year-old survivor. We did say we were excluding father figures, but since Joel is still technically a father, his role as Ellie’s protector is all the more paternal. Do you agree with our list? What video game character did you think was the best dad? For more awesome Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.