Image via Complex Original
Intro
There are a lot of tough guys in video games, which is to be expected with all the world saving to be done. Still, it takes a certain class of character to ooze the sort of confidence to make every move cool, collected and full of confidence.
They may be a little different or quirky, but that distinction just sets them ahead of the pack even further. From cool clothes and hair, to sheer bravado and personality, these are the 10 game characters with infinite swagger.
Manny Calavera
Manny Calavera
Game: Grim Fandango
Swag Quote: As a rule, I never touch anything more sophisticated and delicate than myself
Manny Calavera is dead but that doesn’t seem to faze him. Trapped in purgatory he wanders around the Land of the Dead, full of departed souls making their way to the Ninth Underworld. With cues from Casablanca and other film noir classics, Manny’s character is one of pure style.
He’s Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart rolled into one sarcastic undead Mexican skeleton stuck ushering others to the great beyond. With his off-white suit and constant chain smoking, Manny wouldn’t look out of place in the swankiest lounge clubs. Also, where most men would lose some of their appeal being dead, Manny’s grows. What’s there to be afraid of when you’ve already lost your life?
John Marston
John Marston
Game: Red Dead Redemption
Swag Quote: It ain’t no secret I didn’t get these scars falling over in church
He may not be the fanciest horseman in the West, but you won’t find one with more confidence. Stuck between his old life as a murderous gun for hire and his new one as a government man sent to take down his former companions, John is a complex guy.
He’s got a soft spot in his heart for his family and his dog, but the rest of the world can enjoy the cold hard taste of his disdain, or the cold hard taste of his rifle. It’s not until the end of the game that we finally see just how unwaveringly confident this man is, creating one of the most badass finales to a game this generation. John Marston, we tip our hats.
“Gay” Tony Prince
“Gay” Tony Prince
Game: GTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony
Swag Quote: 45 years old and I get my kicks doing blow with 17 year old kids
It takes one hell of a man to control Grand Theft Auto’s Liberty City. Many have come and many more have failed trying to capture even the smallest block of the massive concrete jungle. There are the few who can grab on to a piece of the action though, and a few less who can keep it for any length of time.
One of these men is ‘Gay’ Tony Prince, the king of nightlife in Liberty City. He owns all the best clubs, drinks all the best champagne and has all the best cars money can buy. He’s a snappy dresser, a smooth talker, and doesn’t take shit from anyone.
The only thing that’s keeping him out of the top of the list is his crippling Tony Stark-esque substance abuse problems and his self-destructive tendencies. Still, even with all the pain killers and cocaine he’s got more swag than most ever will
Irvine Kinneas
Irvine Kinneas
Game: Final Fantasy VIII
Swag Quote: Sharpshooters are loners by nature... We hone our instincts, pour our whole being into a single bullet
What happens when you take Sawyer from Lost, slap a cowboy hat on him and teach him how to unhook a bra with a sniper rifle from 200 yards away? You get Irvine Kinneas, one of the most understated but stylish characters in the Final Fantasy series. He’s a smooth talker, has an interesting history and doesn’t dress like an androgynous 15-year old.
He can be a little brooding at times, but that only makes the girls like him more. Most importantly though, he’s good at what he does. There has never been a better marksman in the history of the games, and you can guarantee that when Irvine takes the shot, he never misses.
PaRappa the Rapper
PaRappa the Rapper
Game: PaRappa the Rapper
Swag Quote: In the rain or in the snow, I got the Funky Flow
He’s the youngest character on this list, but PaRappa the Rapper has the best rhythm by far. It doesn’t matter who, what, when, where or why; if you want a freestyle battle, PaRappa is ready. He can drop a beat any time of the day, blow your socks off and walk away.
He’s got a distinct urban style but doesn’t act street, he’s friendly polite and helps everyone around him. A lot of you may not think good deeds and good attitudes are stylish, but I dare you to challenge PaRappa to a rap battle; he will shut you down.
The King of All Cosmos
The King of All Cosmos
Game: Katamari Damacy
Swag Quote: The sky is not pretty at all. It’s rough and masculine
It’s easy to develop a Sisyphus complex when your father is the rainbow spandex clad eccentric ruler of all the stars and heavens. The King of All Cosmos is a man with infinite power and responsibility, but he just doesn’t give a damn.
Katamari Damacy literally starts with The King of All Cosmos destroying entire solar systems because he’s drunk off his ass and knows he can send his pathetic little son to fix it all afterwards. I’ve heard some pretty cool Friday night stories, but The King of All Cosmos is one dude who can seriously party rock.
DJ Professor K
DJ Professor K
Game: Jet Set Radio Future
Swag Quote: I’m gonna bust into your head through your cute lil’ ears and blow your mind with my sexy voice
The streets of Neo Tokyo are ruled by the evil Rokkaku police who want to stamp out all forms of creative expression and freedom. The GGs fight for control of the districts of Neo Tokyo with graffiti and rollerblades.
Their ear to the ground though is DJ Professor K who spins the tracks that make all the little rebels groove. In between sets he dishes out vital information and does it all in his velvety voice. Even when he’s serving up bad news, you can’t help but feel like everything’s going to be okay as long as he’s got hands on the mic.
Guybrush Threepwood
Guybrush Threepwood
Game: The Secret of Monkey Island
Swag Quote: You call yourself a pirate? You fight like a dairy farmer!
When your archenemy is a ghost-pirate-zombie, you’d think your primary weapon would be something really quick and really sharp. That’s true for Guybrush, but it’s not exactly what you’re thinking. Sure, he can cross swords with anyone who challenges him but his real weapon is his rapier wit.
There’s nothing more swag than tricking your enemies into undoing themselves, giving you more time to sit back and spend some quality time with your favorite wench. Guybrush is also gaming’s MacGyver; give him a pulley and a rubber chicken and the dude can get out of any situation. Let’s also not forget that he can play one heck of a mean banjo.
Travis Touchdown
Travis Touchdown
Game: No More Heroes
Swag Quote: This isn’t a battle anymore; it’s a mother*cking war!
Travis is the ultimate otaku nerd. He loves video games, professional wrestling and anime featuring magical underage school girls. On top of all that, he’s got a totally rockin’ beam katana that would put any Skywalker to shame and currently holds the world’s highest professional assassin killstreak.
With his dorky T-shirts and patent red leather jacket, Travis is the ultimate geek chic hitman. He’s accepted that he’s into some dorky stuff, but doesn’t let that faze him. In fact, his love for all things oddball has been incorporated into his fighting style. Without skipping a beat Travis will powerbomb legions of goons before hacking them to bits like an unstoppable Sith lord.
Garcia F*cking Hotspur
Garcia F*cking Hotspur
Game: Shadows of the Damned
Swag Quote: My name is Garcia F*cking Hotspur, hunter of demons and slayer of pandejos like you!
It takes a man with a lot of swag to brave the depths of hell for the woman hell. Dante’s Inferno showed us one man’s journey, but Shadows of the Damned showed us the same journey handled by a total boss.
With his slick leather jacket – complete with Joy Division lyrics inscribed on the sleeve – Garcia takes down anything in his way with his massive talking Boner. Oh, that’s not gross… That’s the name of his gun; a sarcastic skeleton weapon that grows and extends as it gets more powerful. It may be a little phallic, but Hotspur can pull it off with incredible style because he’s just that kind of guy.