In this article, I’ll take a look at some of the best sidekicks to appear in any video games. I’ll explain why I think they deserve a spot on this list. Like any list, it’s purely subjective. I’d love to hear your thoughts as to whether somebody else deserves to be on this list or if one of these entries doesn’t deserve their spot, so please do comment below. Also note that each entry has been added in no particular order. It’s not a countdown.
1) CL4P-TP/“Claptrap”, Borderlands.
A good sidekick knows that their primary purpose isn’t to be cool. After all, they wouldn’t want to outshine the main hero. Sidekicks do often provide comic relief though and few do it better than the hilarious CL4P-TP from Borderlands. Okay, so he does create a Claptrap army and try to destroy you. So perhaps he’s technically not the most useful sidekick. But he’s so endearing, so when he returns to you in Borderlands 2, it’s still tough to stay angry at him.

2) Luigi, Mario games.
It wouldn’t be right to do a video game sidekicks list without including Luigi. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to find that such an act is against the law. I have personally always found Luigi to be more of an endearing character to Mario. It is partly Luigi’s cowardice that makes me love him as a character. This was part of what made me like the Luigi’s Mansion games. Fingers crossed they make a third one someday.

3) Ellie, The Last of Us.
Wise beyond her years, Ellie is arguably the most well-written entry on this list. Her relationship with Joel was very believable and made the game’s ending all the more amazing. I can’t wait for The Last of Us Part II.

4) Clementine, The Walking Dead: A Telltale Series, Season 1.
Clementine is a similar entry to Ellie, in that she is a child growing up in a harsh post-apocalyptic world. There is no time for innocence. You must teach her how to survive. It was nice to see Clementine go on to become the star in season 2. However, I personally preferred Season 1 partly due to the bond between her and the main character, Lee Everett. I’m still hoping that we’ll eventually see Clementine as an adult character in a later Walking Dead season.

5) Elizabeth, BioShock Infinite.
As the majority of BioShock Infinite is basically an escort mission, it could have been very frustrating. However, in addition to being a likeable character who you actually care about, Elizabeth is both extremely powerful and useful, opening portals and throwing you supplies.

6) Garrus, Mass Effect trilogy
Garrus is your best bro and a potential romance option in Mass Effect 2 if you’re a female Shepard. Despite playing Mass Effect as Fem-Shep, I couldn’t bring myself to romance Garrus. Not because I didn’t like him but because I didn’t want to risk romance ruining a good thing. He was my constant companion throughout the original Mass Effect trilogy. I love you, Garrus! Hmm…maybe I should do a Garrus romance play through after all…

7) Elika, Prince of Persia (2008)
I love the banter between the “Prince” and Elika. And just like Elizabeth from BioShock Infinite, Elika is another powerful entry. She constantly saves you from death throughout the game. How’s that for a useful sidekick?

8) Weighted Companion Cube, Portal
There are very, very few video games which make you develop a deep emotional attachment to an inanimate object. But the Weighted Companion Cube is special. It is the closest thing to a friend and ally that you have in Portal, helping you to solve puzzles. And as Ronan Keating sang, “You say it best when you say nothing at all.”

Was your favourite video game sidekick on this list? If not, who is it and why do they deserve an entry? Please comment below and let us know.
So, I hope that you liked this article. If so, you may be interested in the RPG Morality article. Alternatively, you could read the Worst RPG bosses ever article instead.

8 responses to “The greatest video game sidekicks of all time”
If those rumored Spyro remakes are real, those would be a good place to start. Otherwise you could play Spyro the Dragon, Ripto’s Rage, and Year of the Dragon if you want a more platform/collect all the things focus. For a more story/combat focus, play the reboot series: The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning, The Eternal Night, and Dawn of the Dragon.
There are a few others, but these are the ones I personally recommend.
How about Tails? Quiet, unassuming, can lift you to place you can’t reach and take hits for you and/or grab the last ring on the screen in a suicide jump thanks to his invulnerability. What a champ.
Nice list, Rakuyo. I think that like Claptrap, Daxter may be another which walks that fine line – amusing some people, annoying others.
Ah, Deekin! Yes, Elhanan, he was a nice companion. I’d actually forgotten about him until you mentioned him though.
To be honest Fallenangel700, I’ve not played the Spyro games yet. In the era when they originally were at their peak, I favoured Ratchet & Clank, Jak & Daxter & Crash Bandicoot instead. I may give one of the newer titles a go someday. Is there a specific one you’d recommend?
Thanks for taking the time to post those suggestions, lordherpie. Yes, it was a tough call between Wheatly and the Companion Cube. I just appreciated being made to care about a block & as it amused me that it had happened, it made my list.
Mordin was another of my favourite characters. I especially liked his musical number. But Garrus was there all the way, so my bond with him felt more special.
I can definitely see your points with Cortana and Pikachu. If I’d extended the list by another two, they’d probably have used up those slots. I did consider using them in the initial list.
Speaking of Garrus… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPbB4qfsA14” rel=”nofollow
How about Spyro’s pal, Sparx? In the first games, dude tanks hits for you and retrieves eggs Spyro would never be able to reach. In the reboot series, he provides gameplay guidance, moral support, and humorous commentary.
My nominee is Deekin; the Kobold Bard from the Neverwinter Nights expansions by Bioware. When delving into RPG’s, as a rule I tend to work alone. Sometimes this is for simplicity, but also most follower AI is annoying. Deekin remains an exception (one of the first) simply due to the added humor in his banter, along with his usefulness.
I’ll add some:
Issun (Okami)
2B or 9S, depending on the playthrough (Nier Automata)
Daxter (Jak and Daxter series)
Ashley Graham (Resident Evil 4)
Agro (Shadow of The Colossus)
I fully expected Portal on the list… But i actually expected Portal 2’s awesome Wheatly. He fulfilled the cliche role of funny sidekick with a funny british accent and actually played a part in an awesome and hilarious plottwist just before the end of the game.
Another game that made sense to me was Mass Effect, but again i would have picked another character; Mordin Solis. He was… special.
, don’t think that even was an option right? lol).
While probably not as badass as Garrus, he was a very original character with a unique way of speaking… fast, analytical. unlike anything else i can think of in a computergame. i loved him (not that way
ClapTrap and Eliie were indeed awesome.
My honorable mentions:
Rachel Alucard’s bears or cats…wtf are they… in BlazBlue (fighting game):
This character (ab)use(s) her side-kick bears in combat by forcing them into uncomfartable looking transformation, and in the inbetween dialogues in the story mode Rachel treats them very cruel, and they are the not-so-smart never-learning-to-shut up idiot sidekicks. I found it awesome that their personalities really showed during the gameplay (which is quite a feat in a fighting game imho).
Otacon in Metalgear series:
In MGS (PSX) he was this clumsy scientist who pissed himself wehn scared, but troughout the series his character developed a lot and he actually becomes a useful addition and a very loyal one for solid snake’s team.
Rush from Megaman 3;
.
Off course when this came out videogame characters were not often personalities, but i think this is the first one in living memory that left an impression as a sidekick… a robot dog who can turn into a submarine or hoverboard? explain to me why he isnt awesome
Others i’d consider that don’t much explaining:
Cortana (HALO) who was awesomely voice acted,
Lance Vance (GTA Vice city) was an awesome sidekick until he… well you know…that sneaky weazel.
Pikachu (Pokemon) is actually way, way, way cooler than the protagonist of the series, Ash.
Jaunty for Shadowman was pretty awesome too. the little tophat wearing snake had a small role but his ability to fit sarcasm into 50% of his dialog made him quite memorable, even if the rest of the game hardly was.
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