Summary
Nintendohas ruled the console scene since 1983. In the decades since the launch of the NES, the company has created countless iconic video games and dozens of memorable characters - including some of the most beloved heroes and antagonists in gaming.
But among the many Nintendo mascots are legends who truly stand out. The company’s colorful cast ranges from courageous heroes to adorable side characters and formidable villains, each of whom is just as lovable as when they debuted. The timelessness of these characters is what makes Nintendo’s games so magical. But who is the best of the best?
Updated on Jun 05, 2025, by PJ Molloy:Nintendo doesn’t often make new IPs, but the company’s legacy of characters is as impressive as ever. We’ve added a few more of the very best Nintendo heroes and villains.
12Skull Kid
The Most Sympathetic Zelda Antagonist
The mischievous and childish Skull Kid is the most tragicZeldavillain. Abandoned by everyone and left to shiver in the rain, his loneliness made him a target of the vicious Majora. Under the mask’s influence, Skull Kid’s anger and heartbreak rapidly increase, leading to his plan to crash the moon into Termina.
Skull Kid’s complexity comes from the fact that he’s not evil but rather a hurt child granted powers beyond his comprehension. While he hasn’t returned to the Zelda series in a long time, his scarce appearances left a memorable and heart-wrenching legacy.
11Pit
An Upbeat Yet Naive Protagonist
Only Pit has the optimism to sing a happy tune while annihilating hoards of demons. The young angel from Kid Icarus is much cheerier than you’d expect from the Captain of Palutena’s Guard. His childlike wonder and naivete (he can’t read, for one) put him among the most upbeat Nintendo protagonists.
Pit strikes the perfect balance between epic action hero and comic relief. Watching him break the fourth wall or gleefully jump into a hot spring only to mercilessly defeat god-like villains a minute later is what makes Kid Icarus Uprising incredible.
10Samus Aran
An Epic Galactic Bounty Hunter
TheMetroid series has many great characters, but none compare to its protagonist, Samus Aran. She’s the most feared bounty hunter in the galaxy, known for being stoic, rebellious, and capable of single-handedly eliminating an entire alien race.
However, underneath her gruff exterior is a compassionate heart, making her unwilling to kill an innocent baby Metroid despite the Galactic Federation’s orders. She is fearlessly and unapologetically faithful to her morals, and thanks toMetroid’ssuperb storytelling, she doesn’t need to utter a word to convey what she’s thinking.
9Cranky Kong
Breaking The Fourth Wall Since 1994
Cranky Kong’s grumpy personality perfectly showcases Rare’s sarcastic sense of humor. DK’s father (or grandfather, depending on the game) is famous for breaking the fourth wall. When he’s not rambling about today’s new-fangled 3D graphics or complicated controls, he’s bragging about beatingDonkey Kong Countryin under an hour with only one life.
Before his days of begrudgingly handing out advice, he was chucking barrels at Mario in the Donkey Kong arcade game, making him the first-ever Nintendo villain. Fortunately,he went from baddie to heroover the years, finally becoming playable in Tropical Freeze.
8Luigi
From Second Player To Main Character
Who says there’s anything wrongwith being player two? Originating in a supporting role, Mario’s brother became a main character inLuigi’s Mansion, which cemented his scaredy-cat personality. The green plumber endeared himself to Nintendo fans by conquering his fears to save his sibling, which led to many heartfelt moments performed expertly by Charles Martinet.
Luigi is arguably the most versatile Nintendo character, capable of hilarious and wholesome interactions. Whether he’s relaying his nonsensical adventures in Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door or yearning for his brother’s approval in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, the iconic Boo hunter never fails to be charming.
7Kirby
The Cutest Nintendo Character
IsKirbyan innocent puffball or a hungry god of destruction? The jury is still out. What’s certain is that he’s an adorable bundle of positivity andthe friendliest video game character. Whenever someone needs help, the star warrior is always there with a smile and an enthusiastic “Poyo!” to brighten their day.
Kirby’s famous copy ability makes him stand out from other Nintendo heroes. There’s almost nothing he can’t inhale to gain remarkable powers. You haven’t seen anything until you’ve witnessed him use a giant flame sword to stab a terrifying shadow enemy, all while sporting a cutesy grin.
6Zelda
A Princess Who Packs A Punch
Zelda is the princess everyone wants to be - or the one everyone wants to play as. While her lack of playable status is disappointing, she contributes plenty to the series as a supporting character.
As the owner of the Triforce of Wisdom, Zelda often uses her wit to create masterful disguises, ranging from the mysterious Sheik from Ocarina of Time to the fearless pirate Tetra from Wind Waker. Plus, in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, she plays a more significant role in helping Link save Hyrule.
5Link
The Legendary Hero Of Time
Despite being a silent protagonist, Link is far from bland. The beloved Hero of Time from The Legend of Zelda is characterized by his boundless courage. Whether rescuing his sister from Ganondorf or hunting high and low for Triforce pieces, he always stands fearlessly, Master Sword in hand.
Over the years, Link has proven that there are no lengths he won’t go to save Hyrule. He’s willing to enter uncharted territory, venture to alternate dimensions, and even traverse time. He’s the hero all other main characters should look up to.
4Fox McCloud
There’s No One Better At Barrel Rolls
Nintendo isn’t known for space operas, which makes theStar Foxseries stand out. The main character, Fox McCloud, is a sassy, confident, hotshot pilot and mercenary group leader. He inherited the team from his father, James McCloud, and strives daily to live up to his legacy.
Fox has a strong moral compass and refuses to take jobs that don’t uphold justice. Plus, he cares deeply for his home planet, Corneria, and will do anything to keep it safe. Mario may hop between planets sometimes, but Fox and his crew have been fighting among the stars since 1993.
3Princess Peach
A Blossoming Protagonist
The damsel in distress trope is long outdated, and thankfully, Peach’s character has evolved since her days of getting kidnapped. The Super Mario Bros. Movie did wonders for her personality, depicting her as tough, clever, sassy, and a competent leader of the Mushroom Kingdom.
Princess Peach Showtime fleshed her out even more, allowing her to transform into a swordfighter, detective, and more. However, Peach was a capable hero long before the Nintendo Switch. For instance, her iconic float ability made her the best playable character in Super Mario Bros. 2 and Super Mario 3D World.
