Arguably the most iconic Green character in all video game history is Mario's brother Luigi. The plumber's cowardly younger brother originally debuted in the arcade game in 1983 Mario Bros., even before the duo became super. Although this incarnation of Luigi was just a simple palette swap of Mario for Player 2 to use, Luigi has evolved into a much more complex character through his own adventures in games like Luigi's mansion and New Super Luigi U. However, Luigi isn't the only famous green video game character in existence, and these 10 other gaming icons have come to represent the best of the color's use throughout the medium's history.
Video game myths that felt like chasing a four-leaf clover
These five captivating video game myths from decades had gamers spending hundreds of hours on wild goose chases (sometimes literally).
Cactuar: Final Fantasy's Iconic Foe
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First appearance: Final Fantasy 6 — 1994
Debuts in the fan favorite Final Fantasy 6Cactuar has become another base enemy Final Fantasy franchise and is one of its most famous mascots. The design of this creature blends the ancient Japanese Haniwa figures with a traditional saguaro cactus plant. While cactuars have primarily been terrifying foes in the Elder Final Fantasy game, with the ability to deal massive damage with their 10,000 Needles attack, they have also been used as friendly summons throughout the franchise, such as in Final Fantasy 8 and Final Fantasy 7 Remake.
Cactuar has appeared in 49 Final Fantasy game and 16 non-Final Fantasy games, incl Mario Hoops 3-on-3, Dragon Quest 10and Monster Hunter: World.
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Chie Satonaka: Persona 4's Chariot Social Link
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First appearance: Personas 4 – 2008
Personas 4 players will quickly get to know Chie Satonaka as they live their daily lives as they attend Yasogami High School and explore the mystery of the Midnight Channel. Chie represents Personas 4s Chariot Arcana Social Link while being a physical and ice magic user through its Persona, Tomoe. An iconic part of Chie's design is her green jacket, which provides a nice contrast to the rest of the Personas 4s investigative team and their color palettes.
Jade: Beyond Good and Evil's IRIS Network Operative
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First appearance: Beyond good and evil – 2003
Beyond good and evilThe main character Jade has a strong connection to the color green just by her name. The photojournalist turned IRIS agent is recognizable by her green jacket, which is accentuated by her green headband and lipstick. Throughout Beyond good and evilJade serves as a beacon of hope for the orphans she cares for at the lighthouse, which plays into the color green's symbolic meaning of hope and prosperity. Jade has been confirmed to return Beyond Good and Evil 2but the sequel's status is still up in the air nine years after it was officially unveiled.
King K. Rool: Donkey Kong's recurring nemesis
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First appearance: Donkey Kong Country — 1994
Donkey Kong's Kremling nemesis often steals the show in the games he appears in, portraying the main villain in the original Donkey Kong Country trilogy (as his Kaptain K. Rool and Baron K. Roolenstein personas in the second and third games), sought to steal Kong's banana horde. Most recently, King K. Rool appeared as a twist antagonist in Donkey Kong Bananaappears in the 11th hour after DK and Pauline defeat Void Kong. In addition to that, K. Rool's green reptilian view can be found as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and the 2008 baseball spin-off Mario Super Sluggers.
Lae'zel: Baldur's Gate 3's Githyanki Companion
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First appearance: Baldur's Gate 3 – 2023
A more recent addition to the pantheon of beloved green video game characters is Githyanki Lae'zel, who appears as a party member in Baldur's Gate 3. The yellow-green Githyanki race is known to be brutal warriors and conquerors of the Prime Material Plane throughout Dungeons and dragons lore. IN Baldur's Gate 3Lae'zel starts out as the Fighter class and excels in the Battle Master subclass, and her character arc can be one of the most morally complicated quests in the game for players who make it to the end.
Link: The Legend of Zelda's Hylian Hero
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First appearance: The Legend of Zelda — 1986
Aside from Luigi, Link is probably the most iconic green character in gaming history. Ever since the original The Legend of Zelda In the game, Link can be recognized by his green tunic and cap, which complements the elegant Master Sword that is a staple of his character design. Although newer games like Breath of the Wild and The tears of the kingdom put Link in a blue tunic by default, players can still access his classic green outfits from games like Ocarina of time and Twilight Princess.
Lucio: Overwatch's Support Hero DJ
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First appearance: Monitoring — 2016
A central part of the original Monitoring the list that debuted in 2016 is Support Hero Lucio, who sports a neon green outfit complete with futuristic green skates. This Brazilian-based member of Overwatch moonlights as a DJ, and his in-game kit allows him to use his music to passively heal and buff teammates. Lucio's speed, passive healing, and ability to “boop” enemies off the edge of a map make him incredibly fun Monitoring character to play, and his distinctive green outfit cements him as a modern green gaming icon.
Master Chief: Halo's Spartan Commando
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First appearance: Halo: Combat Evolved – 2001
The most decorated veteran of the UNSC and icon of the FPS genre, John-117, better known as Master Chief, is Halos legendary protagonist. The green Spartan armor that Master Chief wears makes him one of the most recognizable characters in gaming history and has helped Halo franchise retains its identity for nearly 25 years. This armor is so integral to the core of Master Chief's character that Halo franchise rarely shows him without it. Having earned nearly every medal known in the UNSC and fighting threats like the Covenant and the Flood, it's safe to say Master Chief is proud of his green video game characters.
Rayquaza: Pokemon's Sky High Legendary
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First appearance: Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire – 2002
The legendary Sky High Pokémon Rayquaza debuted as an optional battle atop the Sky Pillar in Pokemon Ruby and Sapphirebut later became the focus of the conflict between Groudon and Kyogre in Gen 3's third entry, Pokemon Emerald. This Dragon/Flying-Type creature has become a fan-favorite over the years, due in part to the incredibly powerful Mega Evolution it received in Gen 6, and by having one of the best Shiny variants in Pokémon franchise. Rayquaza also plays a central role in Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha SapphireThe post-game Delta episode, where players ride atop the creature to battle Deoxys in outer space.
Yoshi: Mario's beloved companion
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First appearance: Super Mario World —1990
Luigi isn't the only iconic green character to come from Mario franchise. Mario's rideable companion, Yoshi, has become a central part of Mario the world while developing a series of their own games. After debut in Super Mario World on the SNES, Yoshi would continue to play in the game's sequels, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Islandwhere he must help Baby Mario find his brother, Baby Luigi. The Yoshi the series is still going strong today, med Yoshi and the Mysterious Book will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 later in May. Although Yoshis come in a variety of colors, green is Yoshi's original color and the one most closely associated with the dinosaur.
Yoshi will debut on the big screen for the first time in Super Mario Galaxy movieand will be voiced by Donald Glover.
