The video game industry is prone to endless innovation that’s allowed it a strong advantage over other mediums of entertainment. The formula, capabilities, and technology that are present in video games continue to evolve and offer up experiences that would have previously been impossible. There are many factors that help a game or franchise find an audience, but relatable and entertaining gaming protagonists are a crucial ingredient.
Video games can indulge in solo campaigns or engaging multiplayer and co-op experiences, but there are also occasions where a game incorporates a trusty sidekick that can’t be controlled. There have been some very popular non-playable video game sidekicks throughout the years, some of which audiences wish they could have also controlled.
10 Halo’s Cortana Is Master Chief’s Trusted, Expansive A.I. Companion
Microsoft's Halo shooter series has evolved in incredible ways and expanded upon its lore far beyond the original trilogy. Master Chief is typically the Halo protagonist, and early on one of his most valuable forms of support is Cortana, a comprehensive artificial intelligence system. Cortana is the voice of the earlier Halo titles. Cortana's relationship with Master Chief transforms in taxing ways, and their complex relationship is one of the franchise’s most rewarding dimensions. Cortana is omnipresent throughout Halo, but getting to control her and experience a different style of gameplay would have given the original games even more depth.
9 BioShock Infinite's Elizabeth Is A Powerful Piece Of A Generational Puzzle
The BioShock trilogy remains a masterpiece of storytelling and world-building, and BioShock Infinite ditches the underwater world of Rapture for Columbia's floating city. BioShock Infinite stars Booker DeWitt, but he gains Elizabeth as a vital ally who's one of the smarter and more fully-formed non-playable companions. Admittedly, players do get a brief opportunity to control Elizabeth, albeit only in the second episode of BioShock Infinite's Burial at Sea DLC. It's a welcome gesture, but the environment is so different, and Elizabeth's stealth-based gameplay creates a very different experience than what's present in BioShock Infinite.
8 Ocarina Of Time's Navi Is Never Afraid To Offer Link Sound Advice
The Legend of Zelda series has done remarkable work with the versatile ways in which it’s continued Link’s story and built a multi-layered universe with parallel canon. The Nintendo 64’s Ocarina of Time is still considered a defining moment in the franchise.
Link receives guidance and help from a fairy companion, Navi, throughout Ocarina of Time. Navi’s insistent nature has become a bit of a joke in its own right, but it’d actually be a lot of fun to control Navi in small doses. A whole fairy mechanic where Navi investigates small spaces could have worked.
7 Star Fox’s Slippy Toad Is A Frantic Teammate Who’s Ready For The Big Time
Star Fox’s creative spin on space combat and rail shooters benefit from their eclectic cast of characters, and each member of Team Star Fox has a distinct personality. It’s easy to poke fun at Slippy Toad, the most frantic member of the group, but he’s not without his charms. Nintendo’s crossover fighting series, Super Smash Bros., has given a lot of support to Star Fox, and characters like Falco and Star Wolf have become playable. However, there’s arguably more that could be done with Slippy Toad, whether as a fighter or through his own mission in a mainline Star Fox title.
6 Crash Bandicoot's Aku Aku Possesses Powerful Magic That Deserves A Bigger Showcase
The Crash Bandicoot platformer series were fundamental titles back on the original PlayStation. Crash is frequently given guidance by Aku Aku, a mask that's possessed with the spirit of a witch doctor. Aku Aku functions as a mentor figure to Crash and friends, but his powers are so unique that he'd be so much fun to briefly control. Curiously, there is a wide range of Crash Bandicoot spin-off games, like Crash Team Racing and Crash Bash, but even in these titles, Aku Aku fills the role of tutor and guide rather than actually becoming someone the player can control.
5 Earthworm Jim’s Peter Puppy Represents A Torturous Dynamic That Could Improve Gameplay
Earthworm Jim is one of the stranger action-adventure platformer series of the '90s, but the hero and his world’s creativity even led to an animated series. Earthworm Jim himself is an anomaly with no shortage of unique skills, but he’s frequently accompanied by Peter Puppy. Peter Puppy is usually depicted in an escort mission capacity.
The adorable dog can transform into a hideous beast when he experiences stress. The games effectively turn Peter Puppy into a compelling punishment, but the opportunity to play as him and dispense a rampage of violence on enemies would have been an entertaining change of pace.
4 Metal Gear Solid V's Quiet Sets A New Precedent For Heightened Heroes
Hideo Kojima is one of the few true auteurs working in the video game industry. His revolutionary Metal Gear Solid games helped popularize the stealth genre. The series is also known for ridiculous characters who contain names like Hot Coldman and Decoy Octopus. Metal Gear Solid V’s Quiet sets a new precedent in ridiculousness. The sniper breathes through her skin, which means she has to keep most of her body exposed. Quiet is briefly playable, but only in the Forward Operating Base online missions. Bringing her skillset into the main game would have highlighted a whole new style of gameplay.
3 Phoenix Wright’s Maya Fey Is An Essential Part Of The Attorney’s Operations
The quirky Phoenix Wright series employs a visual novel aesthetic to engage in thrilling courtroom dramas and mysteries. The Phoenix Wright games have expanded to include more characters and highlight many unique perspectives. Phoenix’s most trusted support is Maya Fey, a plucky spirit medium. Maya is essential to Phoenix’s casework, but she never gets to steal the show. Phoenix Wright himself has surprisingly become a playable character in certain Capcom crossover fighters. Maya is sometimes along for the ride as an extension of Phoenix’s character, or as support, but never on her own. It’s long overdue.
2 Mega Man's Proto Man Is The Robot’s Counterpoint Before Zero
Mega Man 3 is an important entry in the Capcom series for the fact that it introduces Proto Man. The character is first recognized as Break Man, only for Dr. Light to reveal that he’s actually Mega Man’s older brother. DLC for Mega Man 9 gives into temptation and makes Proto Man playable, as well as the PSP remake of the original game, Mega Man: Powered Up, but it’s not the same. A playable Proto Man in Mega Man 3 would have pushed the franchise in a fascinating direction.
1 Twilight Princess' Midna Has The Most Personality Out Of Any Of Link’s Sidekicks
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess takes some big swings for the Nintendo franchise, largely with Link's new ability to transform into a wolf-version of himself. Through this odd quest, Link is helped by Midna, a mysterious member of the Twili who is often as inscrutable as she is helpful. Midna does eventually become playable in the out-of-canon Hyrule Warriors series, but the musou-type action game essentially turns every prominent Zelda figure into a playable character. Midna's appearance in Hyrule Warriors feels disposable, whereas controlling her in Twilight Princess would carry actual weight and add more to Link's adventure.