The 7 Most Charismatic Supporting Characters in Video Games
We’ve written about heroes, heroines, and villains in video games, but there’s another type of character that holds great importance in some games: supporting characters. Their level of importance varies depending on the game, but some of them end up being even more charismatic than the main protagonist. They often have different strengths that complement the hero and help them achieve their goals. Here’s our selection of standout supporting characters in gaming, but the discussion continues with your comments.
VICTOR "SULLY" SULLIVAN (Uncharted)
Uncharted is more than just shootouts, adventures, impossible jumps, and breathtaking graphics—it’s a narrative masterpiece worthy of comparison to Hollywood’s best works. The richness of the relationships between its characters is simply unforgettable, and one stands above the rest...
What would Nathan Drake be without good ol’ Sully? The tireless, veteran treasure hunter isn’t just a partner in adventure for Drake—he’s the closest thing to a father figure after Drake’s lonely, family-less childhood. Their paths crossed in the most unexpected way, and since then, there hasn’t been a temple, ghost town, or Caribbean island they haven’t explored together.
This special father-son bond (inspired by the one we saw years ago with Indiana Jones and his father, Henry Jones) is especially clear in Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. Sully never hesitates to follow Drake to the ends of the Earth, even if it means risking his life. To him, Drake is like a son, and for him, Sully—despite his age—is willing to risk everything and face the most terrifying enemies imaginable. All while puffing on his trusty cigar.
ROMAN (GTA IV)
Roman is probably the most charismatic supporting character in the GTA series. His addiction to alcohol and women, combined with his knack for getting into trouble, sets off most of the major events in GTA IV. He’ll drag you out partying, to strip clubs, to play pool and darts, introduce you to girls, leave you stumbling around drunk, and—above all—force you to face the most dangerous guys in Liberty City.
He might seem like a bit of a disaster, but he’s the only person Niko trusts blindly—and for good reason. Despite his womanizing ways, he does eventually fall in love. Of course, the woman he falls for just had to be the mistress of his old mob boss... More trouble...
GTA IV gives you two possible endings. In one, Roman dies; in the other, Kate (Niko’s love interest) dies. Trust me, there are plenty of women out there, but cousins like Roman? Few and far between. Send her to the grave!
KNUCKLES THE ECHIDNA (Sonic)
The stubborn, headstrong, and fiery red echidna wasn’t always Sonic’s friend—in fact, in Sonic 3, he was an enemy. Tricked by Robotnik, Knuckles believed Sonic was trying to steal the Master Emerald. Once he realized his mistake (in the cleverly designed Sonic & Knuckles cartridge), he teamed up with Sonic and Tails to fight their real enemy: the egg-shaped doctor.
Knuckles is one of the strongest characters—not as fast as Sonic, but far more powerful. His weapons are his hands—or more precisely, his knuckles. Two of them have sharp spikes that can deal serious damage. He can also glide using his dreadlocks for a short time and is skilled in martial arts. Sonic and Knuckles clash constantly—they’re polar opposites with little in common—but when it counts, their friendship shines, and they fight together to stop Robotnik’s tyranny.
Sonic 3 (1994) was his debut, though only as an enemy. He became playable in Sonic & Knuckles (1994—a unique cartridge that let you plug in previous Sonic games to replay them with new features). By then, he’d seen through Robotnik’s lies and joined Sonic’s cause.
MILES "TAILS" PROWER (Sonic)
Every hero needs a loyal friend—someone who’s there to help when things go wrong or a jump goes badly. Sonic is no exception, and by his side is the adorable Tails.
This two-tailed fox made his debut after Sonic decided never to go solo again following the beating he took in the first Sonic on the Sega Genesis. For his second crusade against Robotnik, he called on his best friend—practically a brother. Tails’ twin tails give him the ability to fly, which comes in handy for Sonic—how else would he reach those high platforms? Tails can carry Sonic while flying, though only for a limited time.
Sonic 2 (1992) was his first appearance. Initially, he wasn’t a selectable character, but if you played with a second controller plugged in, a second player could control him. Since then, he’s been a staple in almost all of Sonic’s adventures. By Sonic 3, he was playable solo.
Here’s a fun fact about Tails in Spain: he shares a voice actor with one of the most beloved TV characters from the '80s—Espinete. Chelo Vivares voiced Tails in animated series like Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic X, making the adorable Sega character share a voice with the iconic pink puppet.
ZEKE JEBEDIAH DUNBAR (inFAMOUS)
Zeke Dunbar isn’t your typical sidekick who just laughs at the hero’s jokes. No, in both inFAMOUS games (and its expansion, Festival of Blood), Zeke plays a crucial role in shaping Cole MacGrath’s journey—helping him understand his situation and harness his newfound powers, whether for good or evil.
Despite his appearance, Zeke isn’t the type to sit back and let things happen. He wants to leave his mark on the world—maybe even change it. After the Thunderstone explosion and the chaos that followed, Zeke (despite his rocky history with law enforcement) volunteered to help the police, especially during the Dust Men’s attack on the prison holding their leader, Alden.
A bad decision from Zeke sets off a chain of events that makes him question everything—even his friendship with Cole. But at his core, Zeke is as human as any of us—prone to temptation but a valuable ally when needed. His rudimentary engineering skills gave Cole his signature weapon (a conduit for his electric powers), but Zeke isn’t afraid to grab a gun and jump into the fray either.
To Zeke, Cole is more than a friend—he’s a brother. And his past mistakes only prove that, deep down, he’s just trying to do the right thing.
LUIGI (Super Mario Bros.)
Luigi, Mario’s younger brother, is the ultimate supporting character—always in his brother’s shadow, except for the rare times he takes the spotlight.
In his classic green overalls, Luigi first appeared in Mario Bros. (1983), then as Player 2 in Super Mario Bros. Back then, he was identical to Mario except for his color. As the series evolved, Luigi became taller, thinner, and more athletic—with an even better jump.
After his debut as the second player, he appeared countless times—always as the co-op option, except in Mario Kart, where he was just another racer. His big break as a solo hero came with Luigi’s Mansion (GameCube), where the timid plumber fought ghosts to rescue Mario from the clutches of the evil King Boo. A sequel, Luigi’s Mansion 2, also arrived on the Nintendo 3DS.
Either way, Mario’s story wouldn’t be the same without Luigi—and that makes our green-clad understudy the real hero, at least for a day. Long live Luigi!
CYAN GARAMONDE (Final Fantasy VI)
Every character in Final Fantasy VI deserves a spot here, but we’ve chosen the heroic Cyan Garamonde—king of Doma, a nation at war with the Empire. A just and honorable samurai, he fights using bushido, making his katana skills essential to the team. His techniques are powerful, but each requires waiting for an energy bar to fill.
One of the defining moments of his life is the tragic death of Doma’s citizens—including his wife and son—poisoned by Kefka. The rage and sorrow consume him, leaving him obsessed with revenge. Over time, he learns to trust his allies (even Celes, a former Imperial soldier) and finds solace in protecting Gau, an abandoned child he grows to care for like a son.
There are lighter moments too—like when he’s caught writing love letters (in his old-fashioned samurai speech) to help a soldier woo his sweetheart. But his most emotional arc comes in Doma Castle’s ruins, where he confronts spirits feeding on his grief. In the end, he makes peace with his loss, restoring his faith in life.
Cyan’s story is unforgettable—one of Final Fantasy VI’s most compelling characters. You haven’t played FFVI? What are you waiting for?
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