Welcome Back to the Stage of History: Talking Time's Top 60 Video Game Characters Smashdown

[LBD_Nytetrayn]

Well if we're being really maximalist here, don't forget Battle Network. And he DID create Zero who has been killed at least once, canonically...

Different Mega Man and Wily from a different timeline, and I don't know that Mega Man and Zero ever fought.

Being really maximalist would be including things like the cartoons and manga/comics, or just anything Light has touched who beat Wily.

 

[Issun]

#48

Cecil Harvey (Final Fantasy IV)
41 Points, 2 Votes, Highest Vote: #8 (Daikaiju)
​

Smash Potential: Being able to switch between Dark Knight and Paladin would be pretty sick.

Stories in RPGs had been slowly evolving, from Ultima IV through Phantasy Star II, but Final Fantasy IV might be the first time a game in that genre that had a story and characters that looked like what we would come to expect. Cecil's journey is a big part of that. Starting out as a Dark Knight in service to the King of Baron, after ruthlessly attacking a peaceful village for its crystal, Cecil begins to question his orders. What follows is an honest to gosh character evolution, albeit a fairly simple one, but the stoic but righteous Cecil and hos relationships with his friend Kain, his girlfriend Rosa, the girl Rydia whom he saves from his own final heinous act on behalf of his king, and many others, as well as his symbolic change to a Paladin, a knight of light, is still pretty neat today, but it was a revelation in 1991.

 

[Issun]

#47

Tron Bonne (Mega Man Legends Series)
41 Points, 2 Votes, Highest Vote: #2 (LBD_Nytetrayn)​

Smash Potential: Yeah, she was a Spirit in Ultimate, but imagine leaping around the arena throwing Servbots at everyone.
Our second Sky Pirate on this list , Tron is the middle child of the Bonne family, who consistently antagonize Mega Man Volnutt throughout his adventures, though she does become an ally eventually and even develops feelings for Megs. She is strong willed and high strung, and often overconfident, though she is an incredibly handy mechanic.
From LBD_Nytetrayn:

Teenage Air Pirate, genius, mech pilot, and the first Mega Man character to get their own spin-off. Among various other vehicles and creations of her own design, she pilots the Gustaff, a mech of formidable firepower and strength, and commands an army of Servbots -- essentially forebearers to the Minions, and much more pleasant to watch. She also has a crush on a certain blue-armored Digger, but you won't find her admitting it.​

 

[Violentvixen]

imagine leaping around the arena throwing Servbots at everyone.

Takes me back to Marvel vs Capcom 2

 

[Torzelbaum]

Takes me back to Marvel vs Capcom 2

Some of the last few entries have made me wonder if this is v Capcom in addition to Smash.

 

[WildcatJF]

Some of the last few entries have made me wonder if this is v Capcom in addition to Smash.

Don't get me started! Oh I've dreamed of so many Capcom crossovers...

 

[Issun]

#46

Chris Lightfellow (Suikoden III)
43 Points, 2 Votes, Highest Vote: #11 (Kirin)​

Smash Potential: She’s an accomplished knight, good with a sword and water magic.

Chris i a knight of Zexen, a kingdom in the setting of Suikoden III. She is stalwart, loyal, and tries to do the right thing. Depending on what scenario you start with, your first encounter with her may not portray her in the most flattering light, which jibes with Suikoden’s tendency towards complexity in its characters. The incident in question does haunt her, though, and she ends up going on her own quest, playing a pivotal role in the story. I think opinions are pretty split on whether Chris or Geddoe is the best protagonist in the game, but for me it’s Chris Lightfellow.

 

[Issun]

#45

Wario (Mario Series)
44 Points, 2 Votes, Highest Vote: #7 (Purple)
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Smash Potential: Another reoccuring fighter, Wario is fast in the air, strong on the ground.

Originally an antagonist for Mario in Super Mario Land 2, Wario soon got his own game and took off as one of the biggest second tier Nintendo IPs out there, from Wario Land to WarioWare. Greed is his defining trait, and he doesn’t go much beyond that, but his design is fun and a big part of his appeal, I think, is that his games tend to be wonderfully weird.

 

[Torzelbaum]

Smash Potential: Being able to switch between Dark Knight and Paladin would be pretty sick.

It worked in Dissidia.

 

[Kirin]

Oh hey, finally a couple from my list! Tron is just a great "villain" who's not really particularly evil, just doing her best in the role she's been dealt. (One of the big gaps in my gaming history is that while I love the world of MML I've never actually *played* the two main games, but I have played Misadventures and it is just a delight.)

And then Chris, a great character in a series with literally hundreds to choose from. I only wish we got more time with her, but even sharing the spotlight with three other protagonists in the same game, she still gets a solid personal journey in.

 

[Peklo]

I was the other Chris vote. She gets to enjoy two killer character designs, and the player-directed aspect of picking her as succeeding the Flame Champion or not is a great thematic wrinkle in the game's narrative that affects all the protagonists. Liking her as much as I do is also just the general end result of featuring in a game that I think had the best writing of Murayama's career.

 

[Baudshaw]

#47

Tron Bonne (Mega Man Legends Series)
41 Points, 2 Votes, Highest Vote: #2 (LBD_Nytetrayn)​

Smash Potential: Yeah, she was a Spirit in Ultimate, but imagine leaping around the arena throwing Servbots at everyone.
Our second Sky Pirate on this list , Tron is the middle child of the Bonne family, who consistently antagonize Mega Man Volnutt throughout his adventures, though she does become an ally eventually and even develops feelings for Megs. She is strong willed and high strung, and often overconfident, though she is an incredibly handy mechanic.
From LBD_Nytetrayn:

Ooh, the girl from the Gamechamp3000 profile! That makes sense ig

 

[Issun]

Have some stuff going on so entries will be posted Wed/Thu/Fri this week.

 

[Issun]

#44

Miles "Tails" Prower (Sonic the Hedgehog Series)
45 Points, 2 Votes, Highest Vote: #10 (Violentvixen)
​

Smash Potential: Smart, fast and has not one, but two tails.

Tails has been around nearly as long as Sonic, debuting in 1992's Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and while he, initially, could be more of an impediment than an ally due to the primitive AI of the time (see also Secret of Mana), he eventually became a beloved character. He is Sonic's closest friend, and his name is a pun that I assume everyone here knows already.

 

[Lokii]

Why isn't Tails in Smash?

 

[Issun]

Just want to say I apologize for the sporadic updates and some of the entries being shorter than I would have liked. I honestly didn't realize how many characters in the back half of the list I would not have that much to say about, but I've also seen what happens when list runners focused too hard on quality posts over getting the list out and, while I understand that mindset, I'd rather you all get to see who ranked where than burn out and have the list unfinished. Besides, as we go up the list the entries will probably get more involved as I'll have more things to write about the characters at the top.

 

[Peklo]

You're beholden to commenting on other people's preferences and in many cases niche interests, so don't sweat it. That's why I was glad to contribute a mouthful for entries that probably need that context, like Erika before.

 

[Issun]

Thanks. I do also owe WildcatJF for sprucing up the entries with his great art.

 

[WildcatJF]

It's all good! Interviews take time anyway!

In all seriousness, appreciate the offer to contribute and the kind words my friend.

 

[RT-55J]

Tails in Sonic 2 provides the perfect 2P mode for a younger sibling. The little guy doesn't need to worry about platforming or "lives." He can just move around, vibe, pretend to help, attempt to help, actually help, and even provide Sonic a nice lift. It's a surprisingly accommodating mode of play for any platformer, really.

 

[Issun]

#43

Strider Hiryu (Strider Series)
46 Points, 2 Votes, Highest Vote: #5 (WildcatJF)
​

Smash Potential: He can literally dodge bullets.

Strider is a fairly stoic protagonist, so there's not much to write about from a personality perspective. His long legacy, uber-cool design, and fun abilities have made him a landmark character for Capcom, even if he's not as recognizable as some of their other properties. Really, the best of his outings speak for themselves.

 

[Torzelbaum]

I had Strider at #21 on my list. Like Issun said he's not much of a conversationalist but damn is he cool to see and fun (but challenging) to play as.

 

[Issun]

#42

Victor "Sully" Sullivan (Uncharted Series)
47 Points, 2 Votes, Highest Vote: #8 (Pombar)
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Smash Potential: The old man still has a few moves in him.

Sully is Nathan Drake's ever present mentor and sidekick. Gruff and sarcastic, but also every bit as good-hearted as his friend Nate, his main contribution is bankrolling and assisting in his adventures. Much of Sully's gains are ill-gotten, as he is also a proud, card-carrying member of the loveable rogue club. He and Nate have been together for a very long time, as they encountered each other when Nathan was a child on the street. While Sully never fathered children, it's hard to deny that Nate is very much like a son to him.

 

[Issun]

#41

Professor Hershel Layton (Professor Layton Series)
47 Points, 2 Votes, Highest Vote: #6 (Daikaiju)
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Smash Potential: This reminds me of a puzzle!

The other famous fictional archaeologist with a distinctive hat, Layton is the consummate English gentleman who also manages to find himself in the midst of mysterious situations, always featuring puzzles to solve. He is ever accompanied by his protege, Luke, and his intelligent and fearless nature lend themselves well to adventure.

 

[Kirin]

Layton's a good one, might have had a shot at my list if I'd thought of him! I forget how many of those games I made it through before falling off of them, but it was quite a few.

 

[Patrick]

Layton is mostly just there to drive a nonsense plot and let me play a bunch of puzzles, but in Unwound Future he actually has a bit of personality. It was a nice change of pace! I still have not played 4-6, but they are on my list.

 

[nataeryn]

Hey, I was the other Sully vote!
I like Sully. Uncharted are ridiculous games and Sullivan is the most aware of his inherent silliness.

 

[Issun]

I voted for Nate but it is fun to have that guy who is Too Old For This Shit TM

Had Elena on my longlist. The series's Big 3 are all great.

 

[Violentvixen]

The Layton games were so fun and while the final twists were always bonkers it was a delight to explore and play. Really hoping the new steampunky-one is good, whenever it finally comes out...

 

[Daikaiju]

Layton 3 is one of those cases where the English title was much better than the original. Also I love, love, love the soundtracks.