What’s higher than a standout online game character? A standout online game pairing. Whether or not we’re reminiscing over a wonderful conflict in personalities, waxing nostalgic over a time-tested tag group who work collectively flawlessly, or contemplating a few of gaming’s freshest forays into character duos, there’s rather a lot to like.
Possibly it is two individuals introduced collectively by destiny to save lots of the world from an historic evil. Possibly it is sibling plumbers making an attempt to save lots of a kidnapped princess. Regardless, emotional bonds or iconic standing come to fruition, and the player-duo attachment follows. With a whole lot of pairings to select from, listed here are the highest 17 character duos in video video games.
Up to date on October 22, 2022 by Quinton O’Connor: 17 could be an odd quantity for a gaming checklist (or any checklist, for that matter), however we simply could not assist ourselves — we added a number of new entries and occurred to hit this digit. We hope you may benefit from the modifications, and are available away with a deeper appreciation for the most effective duos in gaming.
There shall be spoilers. In the event you’re unfamiliar with a sure pairing, and have an intention to ultimately play their video games, our recommendation is to skip over that entry simply in case.
17/17 Booker And Elizabeth – BioShock
From the esteemed BioShock collection comes Booker and Elizabeth. Booker DeWitt, a PI and the protagonist of 2013’s BioShock Infinite, first meets Elizabeth trapped in her tower. They escape it collectively and make the most of Elizabeth’s skill to govern tears to different realities to fight enemies on Monument Island.
Booker was really despatched to retrieve Elizabeth and convey her to New York Metropolis. After a revelation between a life-altering choice Booker makes and Elizabeths from different realities, the connection between Booker and Elizabeth takes an intriguing flip.
16/17 Cynthia And Garchomp – Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum And Pokemon Sensible Diamond & Shining Pearl
We all know what a few of you might be considering. “Cynthia and Garchomp? Actually? Why not Ash and Pikachu?” Do not get us mistaken. The Ash/Pikachu pairing is timeless. However we’re trying on the video games, fairly than the anime, and whereas Pokemon Yellow admittedly exists, it is one thing of a forgotten offshoot in comparison with the Sinnoh video games and their Swap-era remakes.
What makes Cynthia and Garchomp work so properly is their highly effective teamwork, each in the course of the climax of the Staff Galactic storyline and the battle for the Sinnoh League Championship. Pokemon has a handful of comparable examples, together with Lance and Dragonite within the Johto video games. N and both Reshiram or Zekrom are one other honorable point out, although gamers of Black & White know that their relationship is a bit… distinctive.
15/17 Jak And Daxter – Jak And Dexter
Jak and Daxter was among the many earliest examples of teenage angst coupled with enjoyable and fascinating fight on the PlayStation 2. Oh, and a loudmouth sidekick besides. Daxter is an ottsel that was once human. Some would blame Jak for this alteration, however that is a dialog for an additional time. Jak and Daxter are shut pals all through a lot of the franchise.
For instance, in an occasion the place Jak turns into vengeful, who brings him again to the sunshine? Daxter does. On the flip facet, when Daxter turns into imprisoned for over two years, Jak does not surrender his seek for him. Jak and Daxter are joined on the hip, and their bond is integral to the collection.
14/17 Banjo And Kazooie – Banjo-Kazooie
Banjo-Kazooie is named among the best collectathon video games. Between the 2 of them lies a pleasant friendship. Banjo takes in Kazooie, a purple breegull who adorably likes to hunt refuge inside Banjo’s backpack.
As anticipated, Banjo is an skilled Banjo participant, and Kazooie, you guessed it, can play a imply kazoo. Whereas Banjo is a well-kept and well mannered honey bear particular person, Kazooie is a loud wisecracking hen poking her head out of Banjo’s backpack to offer anybody a bit of her feathery thoughts.
13/17 Kratos & Atreus – God Of Battle
Kratos and his son Atreus are central to 2018’s God of Battle and its sequel, God of Battle: Ragnarok. Present gamers will know of the Ghost of Sparta’s exploits, however Atreus’s introduction is comparatively new. After Atreus’s mom’s loss of life, Kratos and Atreus are just about compelled right into a life or loss of life endeavor atop a mountain.
On this journey, Kratos opens as much as Atreus in his personal manner and the bond between father and son blossoms on the battlefield. They combat one another and are available collectively as Kratos’ love for him and his mom turns into clear.
12/17 Donkey Kong And Diddy Kong – Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong is a third-generation chief of the Kong household on Donkey Kong Island. His nephew, Diddy Kong, occurs to be his greatest buddy. Whereas each give off the sensation of being a bit too foolhardy and brotherly, Donkey Kong is extra of a father determine for Diddy Kong.
In a single explicit occasion, the bond between them is entrance and heart. In Tremendous Smash Bros. Brawl Subspace Emissary Mode, Donkey Kong sacrifices himself to distance Diddy Kong from Bowser’s menace earlier than being turned to stone.
11/17 Lee And Clementine – The Strolling Lifeless
Lee and Clementine stole the hearts of players in all places in 2012’s The Strolling Lifeless. Surprisingly, Lee escapes sure loss of life because of the apocalypse, and he encounters Clementine, a younger woman on their own. He takes her in and protects her in any respect prices. Due to Lee, Clementine does not solely survive, however she learns within the coming new world.
After Lee’s demise, Clementine continues, holding onto every thing he taught her. Lee’s teachings, most of all, had been to consider within the good humanity. Ultimately, she darkens, however she by no means solely lets go of Lee and his teachings.
10/17 Ratchet And Clank – Ratchet And Clank
First gracing the screens for PlayStation gamers again in 2002, the only Lombax, Ratchet, met a crashed robotic, Clank. The 2 turned life-long greatest pals and launched into world-altering adventures stuffed with tech overhauls, emotional discoveries, intelligent and revolutionary fight, and boisterous comebacks.
And talking of comebacks, should you personal a PlayStation 5, their newest outing is not only a good recreation, however a technical showcase for the ability of current-gen {hardware}. Do test it out.
9/17 Alphinaud And Alisaie – Remaining Fantasy 14
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Within the earlier hours of Remaining Fantasy 14’s sprawling, ongoing story, gamers shall be forgiven for questioning why we have chosen twins Alphinaud and Alisaie as gaming duo. Certainly, all all through A Realm Reborn, they’ve just some scenes collectively, and their distinct model of fire-and-water personalities are removed from endearing. The truth is, it is not till Heavensward’s patch part that we see them collectively once more for longer than a blip.
However my oh my. As the sport’s writing grows in power, the Sharlayan Elezens’ dynamic improves exponentially. They’re nonetheless fire-and-water, however the variety you’ll be able to’t assist however smile over, and also you sense a deep and unflinching love between them that will require tissues on a number of events. It is memorable sufficient to beat these early struggles in characterization.
8/17 Grasp Chief And Cortana – Halo
John’s relationship with Cortana is the most effective a part of the favored Halo franchise, and it is not even shut. Grasp Chief is as adorned as they arrive, however with out Cortana, Chief wouldn’t solely be useless, however his human and emotional components could be close to non-existent. Cortana’s dedication and loyalty to Chief attain bounds past her programming.
When Cortana’s AI consciousness was on the point of collapse, John’s actions and relationship along with her introduced her again from that very brink. If nothing else can show her admiration for John, her remaining act was executed so to guard John regardless of herself.
7/17 Joel And Ellie – The Final of Us
The Final of Us instantly grabbed PlayStation homeowners with its darkish tackle humanity and ultimately revenge. After the loss of life of Joel’s solely daughter, Sarah, Joel comes right into a job transporting Ellie. From there, a father and daughter-like relationship not solely blossoms however falters and bends alongside the way in which.
In a manner, Ellie’s relationship with Joel is the driving drive of the sequel. Due to Joel and Ellies lasting bond, Ellie makes some choices within the finale of Half 2, saving her long-lasting remorse above all else.
Whereas each characters are comparatively clever in their very own proper, Clank acts as a much-needed distinction to Ratchet. Clank is extra composed and measured, whereas Ratchet is extra responsive and audacious. The pair is commendable aside, however they’re fierce and scary as a group.
6/17 Nate And Sully – Uncharted
Each Nate and Viktor Sullivan are hardened, clever treasure hunters in Uncharted. Not solely is Viktor, in any other case often known as Sully, Nate’s companion in crime, but it surely’s secure to say he acts as a mentor and father determine for Nate as their relationship continues to develop.
Not solely did Sully assist Nate, however Nate additionally helped Sully grasp what he cared about in life; a household, a son. Though Sully hasn’t at all times made the correct choices, even involving Nate, he has at all times come again. The 2 share banter, tales, and even tears on occasion.
5/17 Hyperlink And Princess Zelda – The Legend Of Zelda
Again in 1986, Nintendo launched the world to Hyperlink and Zelda. Within the authentic Legend of Zelda, Hyperlink turns into Zelda’s hero, and the Triforce is held up in victory. From there, players get Zelda pleading to Hyperlink telepathically, rebuilding Hyrule, surviving facet by facet solely to depart with out sharing of their woes, and naturally, some situations of an implied romance.
Irrespective of the timeline, these two appear to seek out one another it doesn’t matter what and save the world. Whereas their relationship has grown extra layered in current video games, they by no means fail to play integral roles in one another’s lives and everybody else’s.
4/17 Sonic And Knuckles – Sonic The Hedgehog
With apologies to those that’d sooner say the true duo is Sonic and Tails — and positive, that is actually probably the most prolific — we discover the Sonic/Knuckles dynamic extra fascinating by far. Whereas Tails appears to be like as much as Sonic eagerly, and collectively they will do all kinds of issues, it is Knuckles whose extra abrasive and initially downright antagonist character brings our favourite sentient hedgehog to new heights.
From the second Knuckles crashes into Sonic and pilfers the Chaos Emeralds on Angel Island, to the Sonic Growth cartoon and past, Sonic and Knuckles’ interactions are enjoyable and fascinating. Apart from, Sonic bringing Knuckles ‘into the sunshine’, so to talk, is way extra fascinating than that complete Shadow shenanigan.
3/17 Ryu And Ken – Avenue Fighter
Avenue Fighter’s Ryu and Ken have stood the check of time as one of many oldest units of combatants in video video games. Ryu and Ken are childhood greatest pals skilled below their Grasp, Gouken. Ryu’s iconic headband was gifted to him by none aside from Ken.
Between the 2 of them, Ryu leans on Ken to maintain him keep agile each in thoughts and physique. Regardless of this, Ryu reigns supreme within the duo.
2/17 Mario And Luigi – Tremendous Mario Bros.
When discussing duos in video video games, the primary significant one to return to thoughts is at all times the Mario Bros. Mario and Luigi revolutionized video video games and taking part in collectively, at all times having one another’s backs whatever the bother.
Mario has set off on numerous adventures to save lots of Princess Peach and the Mushroom kingdom, whether or not he’s in the correct fortress or removed from it. Due to his brother, he by no means has to do it alone.
1/17 Kazuma Kiryu And Goro Majima – Yakuza
The Kiryu and Majima pairing is not simply excellent. It is excellent sufficient to outlast even Mario and Luigi, incomes the crown for greatest character duo in gaming. Yakuza followers do not simply obsess over their chemistry as a lot as Majima obsesses over Kiryu (which is rather a lot); we tend to submit out-of-context memes about them, unprovoked, wherever we go. “Right here comes that Yakuza fanatic,” some will say, warning others that their Discord server is about to grow to be chaotic.
Foils generally make for greatest pals. Stoic, idealistic, and completely honorable as Kiryu is, and wild, untamed, however surprisingly pragmatic as Majima absolutely is, there are numerous scenes all through the Yakuza saga demonstrating what makes them tick collectively. Many are humorous, however some are heartfelt. Heck, in a manner, they’re all heartfelt.
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