They’ve got a friend in you
Sometimes you need a friend to succeed against the greatest foes. Just like Woody & Buzz in the Toy Story films, you can also have great companions in gaming.
They’ll guide you to the next location, give your character moral support, or sometimes even support you in battle. Here are the best companions in gaming history, ranked.
10. Midna (The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess)
The most memorable companion in The Legend of Zelda series is Midna. Her cheeky nature intrigues you as she gives a sly grin whenever you question her motives. That laugh is still in the back of my head too, even though I played Twilight Princess over a decade ago. Seriously, Nintendo, bring Twilight Princess HD to the Switch already.
She also helps Link turn into a wolf and take out foes in one fell swoop. Whenever the emotional track “Midna’s Lament” plays, you also remember the moments in which the character is on the brink of death. You care about the character and want to make sure she’s safe. That’s a sign of a great companion.
9. Donald & Goofy (Kingdom Hearts)
As you’d expect from Mickey’s best pals, Donald & Goofy are extremely loyal to Sora. They were tasked with following the key in the first game and have since grown a strong relationship with the keyblade wielder. Goofy surprisingly acts as the voice of reason in the group, giving the teenager advice, while Donald becomes the irrational-but-kind comedic relief. They’re extremely helpful in the games, healing Sora whenever he’s in trouble or teaming up for powerful attacks like Trinity Limit and Duck Flare, among others. They’re even looking for their lost friend in the Kingdom Hearts IV reveal trailer within the darkness of Hades’ Underworld.
8. Pey’j (Beyond Good & Evil)
One of the best companions in gaming that very few have heard of is Pey’J. He’s the uncle of the protagonist Jade in Beyond Good & Evil. He’s a charming little pig that provides humor along the way as he encourages Jade to follow through on her plans. Without a father, Pey’J becomes that figure for her, providing valuable advice to the heroine. He’s also a technical whiz, building elaborate boots that lift him off the ground and help Jade solve puzzles. Play Beyond Good & Evil and realize how cool Pey’j is in this game.
7. Sully (Uncharted series)
Someone that’s always been there for Nathan Drake through thick and thin is Sully from the Uncharted series. Seeing potential in the youngster, Sully practically raised him to become a treasure hunter from when Nate was a teenager. During Nate’s adventures, Sully has hilarious banter with the protagonist as he keeps up with the death-defying platforming ahead, despite his age. He’s very loyal and treats Nathan Drake like a son. Their relationship is very sweet, and this comradery makes Sully one of the best companions in gaming history.
6. Atreus (God of War series)
The father-son relationship in the Norse-era God of War series is impeccable. Before Kratos teamed up with Atreus, he was ferocious, blunt, and, quite frankly, lacking in depth. However, as the relationship grew between Atreus and Kratos, the walls of his stoicism began to crumble. He finally began to care about the well-being of someone’s safety, and it showed another side of the Greek god. It strengthens further in God of War: Ragnarok as Kratos learns to give his son more freedom and lets Atreus become who he wants to be. The natural progression of this father-son dynamic is astonishing and should be praised. Other than the story elements, Atreus is helpful with setting up attacks for his dad and can cause damage with his bow and arrows.
5. Kazooie (Banjo-Kazooie series)
There are few other platforming duos that are more iconic than Banjo and Kazooie. In the Nintendo 64 era, they were the bee’s knees as Kazooie helped the bear climb tough hills and glide across Treasure Trove Cove. The speech between the characters is endearing, even though Kazooie can be irrational from time to time. They also appeared as an exciting duo character in the Super Smash Bros. series. Hopefully, one day, Microsoft will finally remake Banjo-Kazooie or even develop a new entry for the Xbox Series X and S. Let’s cross our fingers.
4. Ellie (The Last of Us Part 1)
There is a reason why Ellie is featured on the front of the cover rather than Joel. In The Last of Us Part 1, she is a key component of why the game has connected to so many fans around the world. This companion, like Atreus, grows throughout the adventure as she begins to trust her father figure and is trusted to wield a gun to protect herself. Through her funny humor and sharp wit, Ellie is a great counterpart to Joel’s furious nature. They work together as a duo so well, which makes the sequel devastating. By the end of the game, we truly believe how much Joel cares for Ellie due to the horrendous acts he pulls against the Fireflies to save her.
3. Clank (Ratchet & Clank series)
Clank is a quirky robot that stands (or hangs on) by Ratchet’s side (or back). With his goofy laugh, the robot offers funny remarks about Ratchet’s adventures. The two play off each other well as Clank provides the brains of the operation, while Ratchet is the brave warrior taking out waves of enemies with his cavalcade of guns. Their friendship is believable, and both the lombax and the robot go out of their way to help each other. Sometimes, it’s even to their detriment, as we see in Rift Apart.
2. Tails (Sonic the Hedgehog series)
Despite his young age, Tails is a genius inventor that helps Sonic in every way he can. Their friendship is endearing and has led them to many adventures, especially in the original Genesis/Mega Drive trilogy. One of the coolest moments is when Tails pilots the Tornado and escorts Sonic in Sky Chase Zone. In Sonic Heroes, he also helps Sonic and Knuckles fly through the air and land on the other side of hard-to-reach platforms. Sonic and Tails’ friendship is like the hedgehog looking after a little brother; it’s adorable. Tails is easily one of the best companions in gaming.
1. Luigi (Super Mario series)
Mario’s longest companion and brother, Luigi, has always been by his side. As a fellow plumber, he has assisted Mario through many levels, fought goombas with his brother in the portable RPG series Mario & Luigi, and win tennis games as a duo. He was also successful in saving Mario in Luigi’s Mansion, despite his huge fear of ghosts. While Mario and Luigi don’t have the depth of Joel and Ellie’s relationship, they are inseparable in the hearts and minds of many Nintendo fans around the world. Luigi’s shy personality matches well with Mario’s brave and upbeat quirks. It’s evident from the movie adaptation of the series that Mario and Luigi are an amazing team in the final battle against Bowser.
