It shouldn’t be controversial to say that Nintendo has one of the most recognizable casts of characters in history. Mario, Luigi, Donkey Kong — it wouldn’t be surprising to me if these (and more) characters from the digital archive of Nintendo stood toe-to-toe with characters like Bugs Bunny and Michael Mouse.
But, it’s time to put up or shut up. It’s time to figure out who is definitively* the best characters in Nintendo’s admittedly impressive catalog. I can almost promise you’ll see characters on this list that you personally wouldn’t have picked, and that’s OK. That only means you should drop your picks and let us know who you’d have selected in the comments below!
*not in any way proven to be definitive
Top 10 Best Nintendo Characters of All Time
10. Waluigi
Original Game: Mario Tennis (2000)
I would feel very upset if I wasn’t able to invite Waluigi to the party after he got totally snubbed for inclusion in the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate roster.
To be honest, I understand he was made primarily to be a foil to Luigi as Wario is to Mario, but he’s been criminally underused to this point and deserves — dare I say — his own game. Justice to Waluigi!
9. Bobby the Bob-Omb
Original Game: Paper Mario: The Origami King (2020)
I won’t lie, this pick was one feverishly made by another member of the Destructoid staff, and at first, having never played Paper Mario: The Origami King, I was skeptical.
But, after doing a cursory amount of research on this lovable scamp, I have been convinced that not only has Bhomas the Bob-omb been wholly underrated by the general Nintendo community, his sacrifice need not be made in vain. I would take a bullet for Bombert the Bob-omb, as I’m sure he would for me.
8. Edelgard Von Hresvelg
Original Game: Fire Emblem: Three Houses (2019)
It wouldn’t be a list of Nintendo characters without at least one Fire Emblem character. Don’t believe me? Just ask Masahiro Sakurai!
But, in all seriousness, Edelgard is another pick from another member of the Destructoid staff, because despite my best intentions, playing a Fire Emblem game is a task that I might not get around to until I’m on my deathbed. I went with it, though, primarily because she seems to be a morally ambiguous character, and I tend to love those kinds of characters.
To add, we don’t get a whole lot of realistic, albeit anime-inspired, characters whose morals are questionable in a game by Nintendo, so that right there makes me want to start playing Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
7. Fox McCloud
Original Game: Star Fox (1993)
It’s time to discuss one of the OG animal mascots himself — the one, the only, Fox McCloud. I believe his reputation speaks for himself, and earns him a place on this list because even if his creators seem to have abandoned him, I am very confident his fans most certainly never will.
Plus: I grew up in an era where “do a barrel roll” was one of the funniest memes imaginable, and it inspired by classic “Star Fox: Space Oddity” parody by Brentalfloss, which continues to go down as one of my favorite video game-inspired tracks of all time.
6. Ness
Original Game: Earthbound (1994)
I know, I know — for a Mother representative, Ness might seem pretty basic. But, until Nintendo finally releases Mother 3 on an official basis, Ness is gonna have to cut it.
I also can’t think of many other characters who’d beat the one literally named after a Nintendo console. Plus, he looks like he’d bring a bat to an ESP fight, and that both makes me not wanna mess with Ness, and make sure he’d be my friend at all costs. There’s also a small chance he might end up being Sans.
5. Marshal
Original Game: Rhythm Heaven Fever (2011)
I am not legally allowed to make a list of the best Nintendo characters without adding a representative from the Rhythm Heaven series.
I landed on Marshal (who is joined by Cam and Miss Ribbon by default) because anytime I see him, I am reminded of Night Walk, which might be one of the most fun and emotionally devastating final levels of a rhythm game I have ever played. And I’ll die on that hill. Plus, look at that face! It’s so adorable!
4. The Hero of Winds (a.k.a. Wind Waker Link)
Original Game: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2002)
I really relate with the version of Link found in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Because I, too, am just an ordinary guy who, if I was given a green outfit and told it was my business to save the world, would be more than a little petty about it.
In all seriousness though, this iteration of Link is probably the most expressive and I feel that helps me to believe he’s a real person with wants, needs, and goals.
3. Kirby
Original Game: Kirby’s Dream Land (1992)
I can’t think of a more recognizable little ball of pink goo than Kirby themself. I can also highly relate to the almighty gourmet king because I, too, will eat almost anything in sight.
No, but I really do like Kirby as a character, even if my main experience with him comes from Super Smash Bros. They’re a light, versatile combatant that helps me feel like I know what I’m doing, even when no, I really, really don’t know what I’m doing.
2. Samus Aran
Original Game: Metroid (1986)
Samus has taken on a life of her own over the nearly forty years since the original Metroid. I appreciate how she is somehow able to perfectly maneuver through any obstacle for that long and not get back pain. If I had to roll up into a ball and be perfectly able to control direction and speed, I would’ve tapped out after Metroid 2: Return of Samus.
That said, the fact that there is a whole other character who is just a dark variant of Samus and they call her Dark Samus proves my point. She’s pretty elite, and we definitely need a Metroid movie starring Hunter Schafer or Elizabeth Lail. Don’t even @ me.
1. K.K. Slider
Original Game: Animal Forest (2001) / Animal Crossing (2002)
It shouldn’t need to be said, but K.K. Slider is one of the coolest characters in any Nintendo property.
I mean, let’s be completely honest — he’s a talking dog who has chosen the path of the musician, his voice is iconic to the point where his songs are only second in terms of recognizability to Splatoon, and the way he talks makes me wish he were my dad.
To add, in the most recent Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the entire game’s campaign is predicated on you making a cool enough island that K.K. will want to come out and perform there. If that doesn’t just scream ‘cool’ to you, then you might wanna have your radar checked.
