This week's Sundays with Sagat is a little different. For one, it's the start of a two-part crossover with this other video series on Destructoid. Secondly, this is one of the only episodes in the series to get an accompanying feature-length post as well.
Sagat thinks that we need more overweight videogame protagonists, and I'm here to show him that we've already got plenty. Behold my list of the best of the best of the rotund videogame characters OF ALL TIME.
The big guy from Ice Hockey is one of my favorite video characters ever. Sure, he promulgates the idea that obese people are slow, violent punching bags, but he's also really good at hockey. His slap shot is sublime, and he can easily beat the tar out of the two other classes in the game.
It also makes a awesome sound when he bounces someone off of his belly.
Wario (Wario Land, WarioWare)
Approximate Weight: 275 pounds
Like Earthquake from the Samurai Showdown games, Wario is a chubby, mean, greedy, and flatulent dude. He's pretty much Mario, but evil, and fatter. Is Nintendo telling us that there is a proportional relationship between how fat you are and how evil you are? Maybe.
One thing is for sure, though -- Mewtroid in WarioWare is pretty much the best thing anyone has ever made ever.
Mary Ivonskaya (Tobal series)
Approximate Weight: 308 pounds
The Wii balance board would allow Mary to play Wii Fit, but just barely. Her self esteem would likely take a hit in the process, as the thing would surely call her obese. I know how you feel, Mary. Maybe that's part of why I find you so attractive. I relate with your fat struggle.
It also has to do with the fact that, despite your reported weight, you still have a rockin' hourglass figure. In fact, it's sort of hard to believe that you're 308 pounds. If you look that good, and are more than 100 pounds heavier than I am, you either have really dense muscle tissue, or you were weighed on Jupiter when your demographic data was collected for the manual of Tobal No.1.
Mamma (Loaded series)
Approximate Weight: 513 pounds
Mamma may be an enormous, developmentally disable psychopath who alternately dresses like a baby and a giant bunny while indiscriminately murdering everyone that gets in his way, but...
Yeah, that's all I got.
Rufus (Street Fighter IV)
Approximate Weight: 408 pounds
Rufus does a lot of things right. For one, he defies the "slow fat guy" stereotype. He's one of the fastest, and most deadly, characters in Street Fighter IV. He's also an egomania-driven food addict who is thought to symbolize both the arrogance and the obesity epidemic in the United States.
Sadly, now that Yun and Yang are in Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition, a lot of tournament players are already swapping out Rufus for either of those faster, prettier, and easier-to-use characters. Still, Rufus will always represent the brief, shining time when the "weird fat guy" was on top of the world, or at least, on top of the world of Street Fighter.
Anyone who eats too much (Metal Slug series)
Approximate Weight: 345 pounds
Starting with Metal Slug 2, grabbing too many food pick-ups would cause you to suddenly get super fat. This fat status causes you to become slower and easier to hit, but on the bright side, your gun gets fat too, causing it to shoot fat bullets. Being fat also gives you the ability to attack your enemies with a fork. I guess that's some sort of crack at fat people? Like they are cannibals, or fork lovers, or something? Actually I hadn't thought about it until just now. I was too busy thinking about how awesome the Metal Slug series is and how it has some of the best sprite animation ever. I don't know if anyone will ever top Metal Slug 3. Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike comes close, but it doesn't quite get there.
Wait, what were we talking about again?
I guess that's my list, folks. I hope you liked it. There are a lot of other overweight characters I could choose, but they're either fit enough to have four-pack abs (like E. Honda), are basically appetite personified (like Quina Quen and Pac-Man) or are just blatantly gross and bad (like the Boomer and that guy from Heavy Rain). It's pretty tough to find overweight characters who play a central role in videogames who are not slow, stupid, mean, food-obsessed, or all of the above. Donut Drake is the only other one I can think of, and apparently, that whole thing was supposed to be some sort of joke.
I don't claim to be a world expert on this topic, though. Maybe I'm missing something. Did I overlook your favorite fat videogame character?
Jonathan Holmes is the most lovable Associate Editor on Destructoid. Catch him on videos, original editorials, and on back episodes of the Destructoid Show and MTV's Road Rules. Jonathan is a retro gamer's gamer.
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Isn't having more fat people as main characters close to promoting it? We don't need that, better to use art as a place to promote ideals than lower the bar to make weak-willed people feel a bit better about themselves for a second with lies.
@ phoebus- Well, what we're doing now in our culture, namely promoting self loathing and discrimination against the overweight, certainly isn't doing much to curb the obesity problem in the US.
Every dangerously overweight person I know has told me that they feel like they'll never be as "skinny as the should be", and therefore, they aren't even going to bother. If our standard for beauty for males and females weren't so ridiculously high, and ridiculously specific, I think things would be better for people all around.
Sure, but that's like saying we shouldn't have movies or books with overweight characters. That would be stupid. Whether anybody likes it or not, videogames are (among many other things) a storytelling medium. It's not about making people feel better about themselves or promoting a certain body image; it's about telling interesting stories with varied and diverse characters. Also, it's not a binary choice (all gorgeous or all average), the point of the video is to suggest that both can coexist.
Clearly he hasn't played "Beyond Good and Evil": <a href="http://beyond-good-and-evil.ubi.com/beyond-good-and-evil-hd/en-US/Game-info/characters/peyj/index.aspx">Pey'j</a>
Being a big guy myself, I concur with this article. As for promoting obesity? I don't see how fat protagonists would do that. I am trying to lose weight, not for aesthetics, but for health. Also, I'm 315+ pounds. Holmes, put me in a game.
Isn't having people solve all their problems with violence promoting violence ?
On topic:
To be honest: As a fat person, I'm a lot more annoyed by stereotypical portrayal of obese people (like bully or stupid comic relief) in films or TV series than in video games.
What I'd really like is more variety when it comes to video game characters in general, not necessarily more obese people (though they are statistically underrepresented in media).
We probably don't need more fatties, but average and slightly overweight people wouldn't be bad. Once you reach the level of morbidly obese it kind of gets hard to remain polite or tactful. It'd be nice to see a game with some schmuck who isn't built like a model and isn't forced to eat for the camera or huff and puff like they were out of shape. As a matter of fact, if they could write a character in who was average person without sizing them up it'd probably be great, not that I see it happening.
Not sure what's so complicated about this. It's not about making people feel better about themselves (unless I'm grossly misinterpreting the video). It's about having more variety among videogame protagonists.
How about Fatman from MGS2? contrary to the slow sterotype he was quite fast and tough on his skates and explosives, though not exactly positive but since you don't mind including Mamma...
tell me, Holmes, why are the 'F' words censored in this video when the opening to Sundays with Sagat has an uncensored 'F' word in it? I don't really care, just wondering if there was a reason. Also, I love you Holmes, you rule and I wish you were still hosting Destructoid's daily news show.
P.S. WHY MUST YOU PUT THAT VIDEO IN THE BACKGROUND!? DAMMIT HOLMES!
@ smang- Vampire Savior is awesome. I'd say that those are some of my favorite sprite drawings ever, as well as character designs.
For actually animation though, Metal Slug 3 and 3rd Strike are smoother and more expressive on the whole.
@ RankCrusher- That's actually not an F-bomb in the Sunday's with Sagat intro. It's actually "funk" as in "funk dat".
Thanks for not hating me! Without you, I'd stip doing stuff. For real. I was just thinking "Ah, no one really likes these videos, I guess I'll stop making them.", but because of you, I'll make at least a couple more.
That was one thing I really liked about character creation in Saints Row 2, with the exception of the extremely lacking selection of voices, you actually got to CREATE a character.
Sure a lot of games with body customization have a 'weight' slider, but at best you'll be able to get a slightly pudgy guy. If weight adjustment is even available to Female characters it usually will represent an average weight, healthy woman when maxed out (Which is a bit distressing.)
Saints Row 2 does not pull shit shit, for all its unrealistic, over the top game-play it has a remarkably robust character creation engine that allows for extremely realistic people (and also extremely, disturbingly unrealistic people.)
You can be yourself, or something slightly resembling yourself, but with a British accent, and you (YOU!) can run around being a total and complete bat-shit crazy bad-ass.
I thought Piggy was disgusting and I can't stand him. It's a design concept, guess they got me there.
On the other hand, I played San Andreas as fat dude and had fun. So, gaming industry, convince me. But not with characters like Piggy! The fat Nathan Drake version was pretty cool and fun. ^^
The only thing that turns me off about Mary is her hair. Kinda looks like play-do's been squeezed onto her head.
I believe she could have an hourglass-like figure. I've seen some pretty big and sexy ladies. Plus she's obviously got some muscle under there that would prbly add to her overall weight.
Where's the fat son from Heavenly Sword?? He was like a flesh-ball. Presumably with balls.
XD I certainly wouldn't mind seeing a little more variety in my games, especially shit coming out of japan. Honestly, that rail thin crap creeps me out. I've never really understood how someone could find the holocaust look attractive.
I'd pay to see a chunky character who's not just there for comic relief.
Holmes! Awesome article and video! I was playing the Dragon Age 2 demo the other day and lamented at how all the males and females basically shared the same body type. In the beginning when you are escorting your family from danger your mother has the same banging body that a normal, young, female npc would have. Flemeth too! And she's supposed to be hundreds of years old.
There are some minor differences for main characters but basically there just aren't enough varieties to body types in games that strive to be realistic!
This was also a problem with Fallout 3 and Oblivion. These games really need to figure out a way to do people of various builds and sizes. I realize with equippable armor/clothing it presents problems but it looks so horrible that everyone is the same damn size and body type.
I realize a lot of games are some form or power fantasy or ideal reality when it comes to how it presents characters (like movies or comics) but vidya game characters don't have to be really, really, ridiculously good looking to win.
I think there is room for both style and a more accurate representation of real life. And when each is used properly, they can make their respective games better.
Also, awesome use of that old casio keyboard demo. I had one that sounded just like that only it played Rick Astley. No joke.
OMG!! How the hell can I concentrate on what you were saying, when there was noting but hot guys standing behind you with big johnsons as far as the eye can see. Wait... what were you saying.
Considering that most games depict a lot of physical activity, it just makes sense for the hero to be in good shape. Unless it's a cartoon styled game, making them overweight would would do nothing to harm the suspension of disbelief.
If you are going to put a woman in any game I play make her thin and attractive please. I see tons of ugly fat chicks everyday out in the real world. Why would I want to see more of the same when I play games. Being fat for the most part barring a medical condition can be fixed. Sure it takes self discipline and is hard, but it can be achieved for 80% of people. If you feel bad about being fat and don't have a serious medical condition diet and exercise, I feel sorry for no one who has eaten them self into a fat sloppy mess.
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Contest:
5:00 PM on 03.08.2011 | 
Every dangerously overweight person I know has told me that they feel like they'll never be as "skinny as the should be", and therefore, they aren't even going to bother. If our standard for beauty for males and females weren't so ridiculously high, and ridiculously specific, I think things would be better for people all around.
That's the weapon Snake uses to bust out of Jail in that one section of MGS3.
Sure, but that's like saying we shouldn't have movies or books with overweight characters. That would be stupid. Whether anybody likes it or not, videogames are (among many other things) a storytelling medium. It's not about making people feel better about themselves or promoting a certain body image; it's about telling interesting stories with varied and diverse characters. Also, it's not a binary choice (all gorgeous or all average), the point of the video is to suggest that both can coexist.
He's also a pig. He's a very likable pig, just like Piggy in in Enslaved, he's still not that positive of a depiction of overweight "people".
I also thought of including Kirby on the list, but he's not even sort of a person.
That's Jitterbug by Wham.
Google it, I DARE YOU
Isn't having people solve all their problems with violence promoting violence ?
On topic:
To be honest: As a fat person, I'm a lot more annoyed by stereotypical portrayal of obese people (like bully or stupid comic relief) in films or TV series than in video games.
What I'd really like is more variety when it comes to video game characters in general, not necessarily more obese people (though they are statistically underrepresented in media).
Not sure what's so complicated about this. It's not about making people feel better about themselves (unless I'm grossly misinterpreting the video). It's about having more variety among videogame protagonists.
I <3 Donut Drake.
Well, not normal, but you know...
P.S. WHY MUST YOU PUT THAT VIDEO IN THE BACKGROUND!? DAMMIT HOLMES!
For actually animation though, Metal Slug 3 and 3rd Strike are smoother and more expressive on the whole.
@ RankCrusher- That's actually not an F-bomb in the Sunday's with Sagat intro. It's actually "funk" as in "funk dat".
Thanks for not hating me! Without you, I'd stip doing stuff. For real. I was just thinking "Ah, no one really likes these videos, I guess I'll stop making them.", but because of you, I'll make at least a couple more.
You rule.
Sure a lot of games with body customization have a 'weight' slider, but at best you'll be able to get a slightly pudgy guy. If weight adjustment is even available to Female characters it usually will represent an average weight, healthy woman when maxed out (Which is a bit distressing.)
Saints Row 2 does not pull shit shit, for all its unrealistic, over the top game-play it has a remarkably robust character creation engine that allows for extremely realistic people (and also extremely, disturbingly unrealistic people.)
You can be yourself, or something slightly resembling yourself, but with a British accent, and you (YOU!) can run around being a total and complete bat-shit crazy bad-ass.
khach san sai gon
On the other hand, I played San Andreas as fat dude and had fun. So, gaming industry, convince me. But not with characters like Piggy! The fat Nathan Drake version was pretty cool and fun. ^^
I believe she could have an hourglass-like figure. I've seen some pretty big and sexy ladies. Plus she's obviously got some muscle under there that would prbly add to her overall weight.
Where's the fat son from Heavenly Sword?? He was like a flesh-ball. Presumably with balls.
I'd pay to see a chunky character who's not just there for comic relief.
Thanks for more SWS :3
There are some minor differences for main characters but basically there just aren't enough varieties to body types in games that strive to be realistic!
This was also a problem with Fallout 3 and Oblivion. These games really need to figure out a way to do people of various builds and sizes. I realize with equippable armor/clothing it presents problems but it looks so horrible that everyone is the same damn size and body type.
We need variety! All shapes, all sizes!
I think there is room for both style and a more accurate representation of real life. And when each is used properly, they can make their respective games better.
Also, awesome use of that old casio keyboard demo. I had one that sounded just like that only it played Rick Astley. No joke.
He's easily the best fat guy video game character ever. I feel like an ass for forgetting him. Maybe he'll get his own post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFhwN-MUPuw&feature=related