The 15 Best Character Crews In Video Games

Image via Complex Original

Video Game: Jet Set Radio

The GGs were the good guys. They defended the streets of a futuristic Tokyo with a pair of inline skates, and an arsenal of spray cans. From leader Beat to the ghetto blaster-wielding Combo, the GGs encompassed a crew of teenage badasses that enjoyed tagging, and dancing to Rob Zombie and Jurassic 5. They indirectly taught us about the importance of individuality and creativity. Plus, they made inline skating cool at a time when skateboarding was supreme.

Video Game: Gears Of War

Big, bad and brutal Gears of War's Delta Squad did not take any crap. They brought new meaning to packing heat (the Lancer is probably one of the greatest fictional weapons ever) and protected the fictional planet Sera for three entire games. Sadly, we lose some members along the way: Dominic Santiago, siblings Anthony and Ben Carmine and Mihn Young Kim. But their contributions helped remaining Delta Squad members in defeating the Locust. We traveled with Delta Squad through the good and bad times, and their legacy will be remembered for years to come.

Video Game: Pokemon Red, Blue And Yellow

Memories of multiple restarts, flipping off your Game Boy screen and boastful brags when you were the first among your circle of friends to beat this notorious video game clique, should come to mind. The first generation Elite Four (Lorelei, Bruno, Agatha and Lance) were the best Pokemon trainers for a couple of reasons. Aside from having some of the strongest Pokemon the game had to offer, each trainer showcased a level of skill and strategy not present in any of the game's gym leaders. The Elite Four has undergone several member changes since its first appearance in 1998. But no generation will ever compare to the first one.

Video Game: Batman: Arkham Asylum

The Joker, Bane, Victor Zsasz, Killer Croc, Poison Ivy and Scarecrow. This collective of Batman antagonists sent players on a frightening journey throughout Gotham City's Arkham Asylum, challenging our Dark Knight both physically and mentally. Seriously, Scarecrow's hallucinogenic distractions--while somewhat difficult--were undeniably creative. And fighting an oversized, Titan-filled Joker? Classic. Batman: Arkham Asylum dispelled the belief that comic books turned into video games will always suck, and the game's villainous clique contributed to that.

Video Game: Star Fox

What was great about the Star Fox team (besides the fact that they were animals) was how proficient they were as mercenaries. Controlling Arwings, defeating rival mercenary group Star Wolf team and destroying multiple biological weapons, the Star Fox team saved the entire Lylat System. Sure, Falco was a douchebag at times ("You're getting better, Fox," "Back off Fox") and saving Slippy's sorry behind was annoying. But without them the game would not be as memorable or fun. And don't worry Peppy, we did not forget you. ("Do a barrel roll!")

Video Game: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Carl Johnson experiences an assortment of problems in San Andreas. But he gets by with a little help from his family and friends. CJ's clique becomes pretty well-rounded by the end of the game: there's siblings Sweet and Kendl Johnson, business partner Wu Zi Mu, semi right-hand man Cesar Villapando, rapper Madd Dogg (who CJ manages) and a few other characters. Sure, CJ loses childhood friends Big Smoke and Ryder in the process. But with their betrayal came new alliances that worked out in CJ's favor.

Video Game: God Of War

Often times the only way to describe the God of War series is with one word: epic. Not only are you brutally slaying mythical beasts but you're slaying Olympian Gods and Goddesses. It was just cool seeing them come to life. Ares' larger-than-life stature, Zeus' incredible lightning power and Hades' soul-sucking abilities, showed us the Olympian Gods and Goddesses in ways that our mythology/history classes could never do. Yeah, most of them die. But each one certainly added to Kratos' strenuous journey in different ways.

Video Game: Resident Evil

Excluding Albert Wesker (karma came back to him tenfold), the S.T.A.R.S. team was pretty incredible. Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Rebecca Chambers, Barry Burton--the list goes on. Although most of them died before a sequel was even released, they will always be remembered for contributing to Umbrella's downfall. Each member either offered a different perspective into Resident Evil's apocalyptic world, or saved us from rocket launcher-wielding monsters and overly large snakes. Thanks for the protection, S.T.A.R.S.

Video Game: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Extremely powerful and essential to Link's adventure, the seven sages played a crucial part in Ocarina of Time. They helped Link imprison Ganondorf after all, and helped Link gain access to Ganon's Castle. Although we had to go through a lot to awaken the sages, it all paid off when we delivered that final blow to Ganondorf and saved Hyrule from absolute destruction. We could not have done it without you, sages.

Video Game: Sonic Adventure

Sonic the Hedgehog and his buddies from Sonic Adventure do not get as much credit as they should. Of course there's Sonic, Tails and Knuckles, but the inclusion of Amy Rose, Big the Cat and E-102 Gamma was really cool. Through this clique we were able to experience the game's main narrative through different perspectives. And once we completed each story we were able to play as the badass himself: Super Sonic. Maybe next time Doctor Eggman. Until then, don't mess with Sonic's clique.

Video Game: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Ah, Cobra Unit. Like most antagonist groups a part of the Metal Gear Solid universe, Cobra Unit was as intriguing as they were deadly. From The Pain's pied-piper abilities with hornets to The Sorrow's supernatural powers, Cobra Unit featured an ensemble of characters that truly put our gaming abilities to the test. Seriously, what other clique has a 100-plus year-old sniper that can sneak up behind you, and shoot you at point-blank range? Cobra Unit showed Naked Snake no mercy until the very end, and we will always hate/love them for it.

Video Game: Kingdom Hearts

You know when Square Enix (then Square) announced this game your inner seven year-old went crazy. The idea of fighting otherworldly creatures alongside Goofy, Donald Duck, Jack Skellington, Ariel, Peter Pan and other Disney protagonists, was a concept too great to ignore. Traveling through different Disney settings while accompanied by different Disney characters, allowed us to relive our childhood experiences and change some of the classic stories we grew up with. After all, how cool was it to fight Oogie Boogie with Jack by your side? Exactly.

Video Game: Final Fantasy 7

Final Fantasy VII redefined RPGs and it could not have done that without its ensemble of playable characters. Cloud Strife, Barret Wallace, Tifa Lockhart, Vincent Valentine and others, appealed to RPG veterans and noobs alike. Of course their appearance had something to do with it (Cloud's super-sized sword and Barret's gun hand immediately come to mind) but it was the use of strategy that made the experience memorable. It was enjoyable to learn about each character's history but it was even better helping them achieve a common goal: kicking Sephiroth's ass.

Video Game: Metal Gear Solid

There was a level of complexity and mystery to each member of FOXHOUND, that kept players captivated until the game's grand finale. They were not your average antagonists: there were stories to them that made us empathize with their situation, and gave us an example of the psychological pains that come with war. They were also badass. You know you talked about Psycho Mantis' memory card reading, controller moving powers for weeks. And remember when Revolver Ocelot trolled us about knowing if we used the auto button feature on our controllers? Hideo Kojima is a master at creating great stories with great characters, and FOXHOUND is proof of that.

Video Game: The Mario Bros. Franchise

Duh. They're the definitive video game clique: Mario, Luigi, Toad, Yoshi and Peach. (Sorry Daisy, Toadette, Toadsworth and others.) People from different generations have grown up with these guys, and--for most us--were our first taste of what video games had to offer. They're literally everywhere. When Mario, Luigi, Toad and Yoshi are not saving Peach, they're destroying each other's cars (Mario Kart), competing for stars (Mario Party) and kicking balls (Mario Strikers). Whenever you see these guys together you know you're in for a treat. Which only emphasizes their long-lasting and iconic importance.