Top 10 Best Supporting Video Game Characters

The cat-eared and (in the English localization) Welsh-accented Nia from Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is initially featured as a quite cynical and unfriendly supporting character in the game’s earliest moments but gradually mellows out to a considerable degree (with even some implied romantic feelings for main protagonist Rex that goes to an…”interesting” place I won’t spoil). Likewise, despite her markedly standoffish behavior, Nia is quickly promoted to a central party member who becomes embroiled (and even plays key roles) within the larger narrative – including a major identity reveal.

9. Rush (Mega Man [Multiple Games])

Developed by Dr. Light to serve as a special backup unit for Mega Man, the dog-based robot Rush (purportedly derived from the name “Lassie” or “Patrasche”) has the ability to take on multiple other configurations to assist in various traversal scenarios: the most popular forms being Rush Coil, Rush Jet, and Rush Marine from Mega Man 3. And while Rush is admittedly more of a set of gameplay mechanics than a supporting character in his own right, his adorable design and unwavering loyalty to Mega Man are very endearing…despite the odd choice to have him speak in certain ancillary media.

8. The Merchant (Resident Evil 4, 2005 / 2023)

Known by many Resident Evil fans as that “omnipresent, pirate-sounding fellow,” the so-called “Merchant” gladly sells and buys all kinds of weapons, ammo, health items, and other assorted treasures to/from main RE4 protagonists Leon and Ada in both the 2005 original and 2023 remake versions of the game. Even though the Merchant is a fairly comical but charmingly bizarre and eccentric figure who quickly earned heightened memetic status within the franchise, his true identity remains an unresolved mystery – albeit one that doesn’t necessarily impact the overall series mythos.

7. Deputy Wheeler (SH: Homecoming, 2008)

Featured as a prominent supporting character in 2008’s Silent Hill: Homecoming (which I semi-recently discussed in another article), the off-kilter but dutiful James Wheeler is an appointed deputy sheriff from the game’s initial location of Shepherd’s Glen. Wheeler appears multiple times to assist protagonist Alex Shepherd in various ways (even helping the latter in taking down a sizeable monster) while also peppering his lines with dry humor and goofy attempts at cop movie-esque “one-liners.”

6. Silk (Cotton [Multiple Games])

Essentially looking like – and effectively serving the purpose of – an unabashedly “hotter and sexier” version of Tinker Bell from Peter Pan, the diminutive (but quite shapely) Silk from the farcical Cotton shoot-’em-up franchise acts as a supporting character to the games’ titular witch. However, putting aside the fairy’s obvious fanservice focus, Silk is actually a pretty entertaining character who constantly has to trick Cotton into going on adventures (and also provides backup fire during stages).

5. Trip the Sungazer (Sonic Superstars, 2023)

Initially featured as a comedically ineffectual “antagonist” in the (disappointingly) underwhelming Sonic Superstars, supporting character Trip the Sungazer is noteworthy for introducing a brand-new female and non-mammalian cast member into the overarching Sonic the Hedgehog franchise (with both categories being fairly limited in their entries). Trip’s extremely clumsy and shy nature – as amplified by a very cute design that’s covered up by armor for a large part of the game – makes her all the more appealing and endearing as a character…and one I actually wouldn’t mind seeing again.

4. Igon (Elden Ring: SotE, 2024)

Making an appearance as an NPC (and briefly recruitable ally) in the expansion campaign Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, “Drake Warrior” Igon is found gravely wounded by (and very loudly cursing the name of) the legendary Bayle the Dread. This particular supporting character not only gained near-instant popularity for his English voice actor’s extremely theatrical and boisterous line readings, but also for his completely over-the-top, Captain Ahab-esque hatred for the ancient drake.

3. Yoshi (Super Mario Bros. [Multiple Games])

As with Rush from the “classic” Mega Man series, Yoshi from the Super Mario Bros. gaming franchise originally debuted in 1990’s Super Mario World as something more of an in-game mechanic giving players additional traversal and offensive capabilities (though given some later – but fairly simple – characterization in future entries and supplemental material). However, Yoshi’s similarly adorable design and wonderfully cheery demeanor made him a fan-favorite cast member who continues to be loved and cherished over 30 years later (and with his own spotlight adventures).

2. Midna (TLoZ: Twilight Princess, 2006)

And much like Nia from Xenoblade Chronicles 2, new character Midna from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess starts out as a very prickly and self-serving individual who eventually warms up to the main protagonist and becomes more of a deuteragonist in her own right as the story unfolds (also including a major identity reveal). Midna’s primarily impish and disrespectful behavior in the game’s earlier sections is a stark difference from Link’s overly helpful (and talky) fairy companions from Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask, as well as the equally meddlesome “Fi” from Skyward Sword.

1. Trico (The Last Guardian, 2016)

Ending things here with one last character that also straddles being in-game mechanics and a deuteragonist, the gigantic creature known as “Trico” featured in 2016’s The Last Guardian is simultaneously a travelling partner, mount, and means of defense for the unnamed boy that players actually have direct control over. Again, while Trico is initially distrustful and hostile towards the boy at the very beginning of the game, the two slowly form a charming bond to help each other take on the various perils presented throughout the sprawling Nest (including the mysterious “Master”).