Charactersare one of video game’s most important aspects, not only because they act as our avatars but also because they provide a context for our adventures.
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Whether they are our representatives in a particular world or the NPCs that accompany us,they have become a vital part of the gameplay and narrative of practically all interactive experiences.
However, many work in groups of two, creating a shared identity where it’s difficult to think of one without the other.
Although they aren’t so common, they are memorable when done well, just as you may see in thislist of the ten most famous video game duos.
102B and 9S
The Most Tragic Love Story
Franchise(s)
Most prominent appearance
NieR: Automata
NieR: Automatais a video game with many components that havetranscendedthe video game itself, with its characters among the most prominent.
Specifically,2B’s relationship with 9S is one of the most genuine bonds we’ve seen in the last couple of years, with a naturalness that is easy to connect with.
Even after the anime, their relationship has become closer, positioning themselves as an iconic duo that represents the interactive medium like few others.
Although it hasn’t reached the popularity of other members on the list,NieR: Automatahas managed to break its niche status to becomea full-fledged phenomenon in the gaming community.
9Ratchet and Clank
Inseparable Icons
Ratchet and Clank
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
Considering both of their names appear directly in the series' title, it’s impossible to think of iconic duos without thinking ofRatchet and Clank.
The lombax and the robot have become two of Sony’s most recognizable faces,accompanying all of its consoles,from the distant PlayStation 2 to the current PlayStation 5.
Even through their portable variants,Ratchet and Clank are a symbol of platform games and the video game industry, whose personality and familiarity have made them accessible to all kinds of players.
Especially afterRift Apart, the duo has established itself within the industry, achieving as much recognition as it has deserved for many years.
8Master Chief and Cortana
Human, All Too Human
The nature of the relationship betweenCortana and Master Chiefhas been discussed countless times over the years, but there’s definitely an unbreakable bond.
If it weren’t for this duo,Haloprobably wouldn’t feel half as special as a franchise. Watching them grow up together and go to hell and back so many times has developedan affinity that’s tough to compare to other duos.
Their relationship feels authentic like no other, blurring the lines between what it means to be human and elevating the discussion even beyond the series itself.
Regardless of what Halo’s current state is, it’s undeniable that Cortana’sand Master Chief’s connectionhas been the IP’s foundation and without them,nothing would be the same.
7Joel and Ellie
The Weight of Fatherhood
The Last of Us
The Last of Usis a narrative masterpiece, with its numerousplot twistsand incredibly written characters that really make you feel the harshness of living in a post-apocalyptic world.
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Thus,Joel and Ellie have become a vivid representation of human action in circumstances of absolute danger. Watching them develop their connection as father and daughter in a destroyed world is indescribably magical.
From the small interactions between levels to the big plot points, the dynamic always feels real and believable, written to near perfection.
Even without adding the impact thatThe Last of Us' television adaptation brought with it,Joel and Ellie are two tremendous characters who cannot be understood without each other.
6Nathan and Sully
Couple of Thieves
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
I’ve said incessantly I’m not a fan ofUncharted, but I can’t deny I love the dynamic betweenNathan Drake and Victor“Sully”Sullivan.
Especially in the first games, where I feel like the gameplay doesn’t hold up the weight of each installment on its own,watching them develop their bond was by far the most interesting thing.
Thanks to their charisma and long shared history, every situation they go through feels even more interesting, no matter how implausible it is. Their ability to turn the most worrying contexts into fun events is mystical, to say the least.
Elena Fishercould also have been a perfect choice for the duo with Nathan, but the treasure hunter’s relationship withSullyseems equally or even more memorable to me.
5Kratos and Atreus
Family Above Gods
God of War
God of War: Ragnarök
For over a decade,KratosfromGod of Warwas a loner who didn’t believe in connections or bonds, which madeAtreus' existence even more striking.
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Of all the wonders the Norse saga introduced, seeing the Ghost of Sparta become a mature figure compared to his Greek version, thanks to his son, was the most phenomenal.
The dialogues they have on the boats, the assistance Atreus gives him in combat, and the joint story they carry out are simply memorable,achieving sensations the original trilogy never could.
Although Kratos was always an icon, the development he achieved during his last installments with Atreus (and vice versa) makes theman unforgettable duo.
4Ryu and Ken
A Historic Rivalry
Street Fighter
Street Fighter 2
I’ve never been aStreet Fighterfan in my life, but if there’s one duo in the fighting genre that epitomizes the word iconic, it’sRyu and Ken.
While most notable rivalries are rooted in pure dislike, their friendship and camaraderie have managed to stand the test of time.
We could even call it the healthiest rivalry in the history of video games, whose bond evokes a healthy interpretation of competition and how to push others to be better.
Without being a regular fan of the franchise, I’ve always been moved by the stories of Ryu and Ken, whose faces are so easily identifiable that even people outside the industry know who they are.
3Dante and Vergil
An Endless Love–Hate Relationship
Devil May Cry
Devil May Cry 3
“Brothers in a love-hate relationship” is one of the most common tropes in the history of stories, but it works wonders forDante and Vergil.
Over a couple of decades, these two have been through all kinds of circumstances,becoming a versatile duo that has antagonized mutually as much as they have supported each other.
TheDevil May Cryinstallments have gone deeper and deeper into their brotherhood, transcending the original vision to give greater depth to a connection that is more than just rivalry.
Being the most well-knownhack-and-slashseries in history,Dante and Vergil stand as one of the most iconic duos in gaming, although this is also because of their innate style and personality.
2Link and Zelda
Interconnected Lives
The Legend of Zelda
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Nintendois a company known for many reasons, but I would say one of the main ones is its ability to create memorable characters that stand out with ease.
Therefore, it’s easier to understand the popularity ofLink and Zelda, whose bond is essential toThe Legend of Zelda’s existence as a video game and as a story.
Without Link, there’s no avatar through which to carry out the series’magnificent adventures, and without Zelda, there’s no strength to fight on each of our journeys.
Whether it’s a love relationship or not, which I have always loved that is open to players' interpretation,it’s impossible to deny that Link and Zelda are one of the pioneering duos in the industry.
1Mario and Luigi
Duo’s Purest Definition
Nothing in the video game industry represents the concept of a duo more thanMario and Luigi,undoubtedly the most famous pair in the entire interactive medium.
AlthoughMariois the major figure and his prominence is never questioned, it’s difficult to imagine a dimension in which Luigi isn’t also a character of immeasurable value.
The inequality in the participation quotas of both plumbers may detract from their status as a duo, butin terms of popularity,equaling them is an unattainable task.
If Mario is the face of video games, having Luigi as his partner already says a lot. However, when we add the dedication Nintendo has given to the green character over time,we know that there is no other option for first place on this list.
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