Video game sidekicks run the gamut of usefulness and interest. They have to deal with everything the heroes or villains have to, but it gets amplified for them as they are often tasked with handling a large number of foes. They are never going to be as strong or as useful as the main hero- which makes all of their duties that much harder.
Sometimes the addition of a sidekick is great. They add another layer to the game at hand, making sure it doesn't feel cold and empty. They can bring humor, alternative perspectives, a helping hand, sarcastic remarks, or mere companionship to a game. But they are not always a welcomed addition. Sometimes, they're in the way, obnoxious, and get a bad reputation really fast.
10 They Rarely Get To Be Heroes Themselves
Most of the time, the sidekicks are there entirely to support the hero. They help protect them, keep them on the right track, and fill in the skill gaps they have. It isn't very common when one of the sidekicks gets to step it up and really save the hero.
Rarer still is them getting the opportunity to become a hero themselves, even if they were part of the group that helped save the day. They have to be alright with someone else getting all of the credit, even if they couldn't have done it alone.
9 It's Easy For Them To Fall Into The Trap Of Being Annoying
Not every character is built to be a major player in a game. Sometimes their lot in life is to just be there and occasionally help out where it's needed. That means they can easily fall into the trap where they are more annoying than useful, such as when they are constantly getting in trouble or treating late-game areas as if they were still part of the tutorial.
It's worse when the game tries so hard to force players to be fond of them but they have so little sustenance that they might as well not even exist. Then they just enter the pool of reasons for a gamer to not like having followers, sidekicks, and everything else.
8 They're Seen As Tools For Their Boss
A sidekick's only job is to be there to support their employer, be that the protagonist or the antagonist. They find items, stall opponents, and are even sometimes used as fodder. With that in mind, they are often just used as a tool for those that keep them around.
Once in a while they have lines against it or prove themselves more useful, but it's not all that common. A good sidekick is something to be treasured, and it seems like very few bosses seem to appreciate them as they should be.
7 They Don't Get To Look As Cool
The sad fact of the matter is a sidekick is not going to be the one in the spotlight, so they don't get to be as flashy and cool as those who are. Their colors get dulled, their outfits are less fancy, and their budget goes elsewhere.
It's upsetting, but that way the player can focus better on who they are supposed to be paying attention to rather than someone else. There are always exceptions to the rules, but for the most part, a sidekick just doesn't get to be as interesting looking as the others.
6 Rarely Do They Get To Make Their Own Decisions
Everything is up to the player when it comes to a game. The story is only going to progress as fast as the player can get through it, and oftentimes they also get to choose who comes along with them, who does what, and they almost always get the final say in how things go along.
That means that if a sidekick happens to be around, they don't always get a say in what happens. It is present all the time, with nervous sidekicks being dragged along regardless of their objections just because they are useful down the line. They're not the hero, so they don't get to be the one who makes the decisions.
5 They're Fodder Especially If They're The Villain's Sidekick
A sidekick is always going to be the first one thrown out into danger and the last one called in. This is especially true to sidekicks and minions of villains, who just love to get things done without getting their own hands dirty.
They are almost always replaceable, so it doesn't matter how many are gone through in a particular area. There will always be someone else to fill in the gap, stall, and be forced to deal with the danger so their boss doesn't have to.
4 They Tend To Provoke Strong Reactions From Those Around Them (Including Players)
Followers and sidekicks have a terrible reputation. They get in the way, they rarely are useful, and are usually more trouble than they are worth. So if a sidekick can actually break the status quo and make a name for themselves, they are something special.
There's a pretty big divide within the gaming community about their favorite sidekicks and followers. They're either loved or hated, with no real in-between. Even more neutral opinions have a condition or a hidden unless that would only make them better.
3 They Often End Up As Plot Devices
Sidekicks have the unfortunate standing of being close to their boss, which means that they are going to get thrown through the wringer in order to get them to do something about it. So many games have the beloved sidekick getting captured, ending up in terrible situations, or generally needing to be bailed out in order to propel the plot forward.
Even when they aren't, they are also used to provide information, obtain items, or perform tasks deemed too menial for their boss to do. They do a lot of work in helping the plot move on, but they don't get a lot of credit for it.
2 Only Once In A While Do They Get To Be Useful
Sidekicks often take up space. It's hard to want to keep them around when they offer no real benefit in many situations or are even trying to force the hero to do things in a way that takes more time and effort.
Only once in a while is there a game where the sidekick gets to step it up and really be useful for longer than a few moments of the plot. Usually, they are just causing trouble and making matters more difficult to deal with.
1 They Are Constantly In Danger
A hero's sidekick is going to be targeted by the villain as an easy way to get them to submit to their awful power. A villain's sidekick is going to be targeted by the hero as a stepping stone to get to their boss. In the end, if there is a sidekick, they are just going to be targeted.
That means that even though they aren't really the most important character around, they are going to be in constant danger as things try to pick them off in order to progress their stories. It's harsh, but it's true.