Since the original release of the PlayStation console back in 1994, we’ve seen many amazing characters appear in front of our screens, and this is all thanks to Sony. This article takes a look at some of the most iconic game characters to-date, however, that’s not to say that we won’t be introduced to many more in the coming years, because we will. So, let’s begin a trip down memory lane.
Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy VII)
Cloud is so famous that a large portion of his fans have never even played Final Fantasy VII. It’s easy to see why, though- the guy has awesome spiky hair, wears an undeniably cool outfit, and wields one of the most iconic weapons of all time. Seriously though, if you’ve never played FFVII, be sure to check out the remake that’ll be hitting the PS4 soon.
Lara Croft (Tomb Raider)
One of the most iconic video game characters period, Lara Croft got her start on the original PlayStation and has been successfully raiding tombs ever since. While the quality of Lara’s franchise has had its ups and downs (and let’s all just pretend that Angelina Jolie never dual wielded those pistols), she’s definitely making a comeback now, ready to serve as the first crush of a whole new generation.
Sephiroth (Final Fantasy VII)
The other side of the FFVII coin and definitely the second most famous character in the entire franchise, Sephiroth also wields an awesome but totally impractical sword and has long white hair and a cool, calm, overwhelmingly evil personality that makes him totally terrifying. Let’s not forget he’s responsible for shocking the pants off millions by (SPOILER) actually killing one of the main characters of the game, which is still a bold move for a developer to make.
Sora (Kingdom Hearts)
Kingdom Hearts definitely had a really weird premise, but it worked so well. For those unfamiliar with the franchise, it combines Final Fantasy-esque characters and themes with the world of Disney. That’s right, Sora uses a giant blade (which looks like, and doubles as, a key) and teams with Goofy and Donald Duck to rid the world of darkness and save King Mickey. It was really easy to put yourself in the shoes of Sora and the whole series makes for one unforgettable experience.
Dante (Devil May Cry)
From the way that he talks to the way that he fights, Dante is just a straight-up badass. I mean, he’s a half angel-half demon that rides a motorcycle and wields massive swords and dual pistols. He wears his sunglasses inside and he’ll laugh in the face of the devil himself… what’s not to love?
Nathan Drake (Uncharted)
Nathan Drake is a wisecracking, tomb raiding, modern day Indiana Jones who seemed at first to be a somewhat generic character, but has since stolen the hearts of PlayStation gamers around the world. Nate is the guy that guys want to be and girls want to be with- he’s smart, he’s brave, he’s handsome… but he’s definitely not without flaws, and watching his relationships unfold throughout the Uncharted series has really been a treat.
Jak & Daxter
As the stars of one of the best 3D platformers of the PS2 generation, Jak & Daxter made for an awesome duo. They were introduced to us during a time when the market was full of these types of games (Banjo Kazooie, Ratchet & Clank, etc.), but there was just something about them that kept drawing us back… that should come as no surprise, seeing as how they were dreamt up by Naughty Dog (also responsible for two other characters on this list).
Ratchet & Clank
Just because J&D was so good doesn’t mean that the other major 3D platformer on the PS2 wasn’t amazing as well. Ratchet & Clank introduced us to a hilarious and equally badass duo of Ratchet, the last surviving member of his species, and Clank, the loveable robot sidekick. The pair is so easy to get behind as they use hilarious weapons to foil nefarious plans and crack jokes the whole way through.
Kratos (God of War) 
Kratos is the God of war, which pretty much makes him even more badass than Dante. He’s been through so much and has, each time, come out even stronger. His thirst for vengeance is seemingly insatiable, and he is willing to go to any lengths to get it. He’s big, he’s brutal, he’s got awesome weapons and a sweet tattoo- what’s not to love?
Crash Bandicoot
If PlayStation were to have a mascot like Nintendo’s Mario or Xbox’s Master Chief, chances are it would probably be Crash Bandicoot. It’s been quite a while since we’ve seen a decent game starring our favorite orange marsupial, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t still hold a special place in the hearts of those who remember the good old days on the PS1; the days that showed us what the world of 3D gaming was truly capable of. Which are your favorites? Let us know in the comments below.
I’m Nate, PS4 gamer and freelance writer from Denver… I like to game, obviously, as well as hike and camp and all of that stereotypical stuff! My favorite game of all time is GTA: San Andreas, but I love playing Diablo 3 with my girlfriend!