The Most Iconic Siblings in Video Games

There’s no shortage of unforgettable characters in the world of video games. Whether or not they’re the hero, the villain or a more neutral area, so many names have become etched into players’ memories. Yet, many of these characters didn’t get where they are on their own. Some had that special someone at their side: be it a partner, an ally, a rival, a foe, or in this case, a sibling.

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It doesn’t matter if it’s through blood or a strong connection, brothers and sisters have fought alongside one another as equals, or against one another as enemies in dozens of video games. So, call it love, call it friendly competition, call it rivalry, call it whatever — these memorable siblings left a mark in gaming history and it’s time to see which are the most iconic.

10

John Marston & Arthur Morgan

Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a long wagon ride of emotional moments, yet what most players will always remember is the bond between John and Arthur. The two may not have been related by blood, but both were raised together by Dutch and his gang for fifteen years, learning the ways of being an outlaw.

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As the oldest, Arthur acted like the big brother of the gang. Sometimes that meant working with John on heists, other times it meant giving him a hard time. When the chips were down, however, Arthur was there for John and his family. And if you were playing as an honorable Arthur, their final interaction probably left you in tears. Arthur Morgan may not have been around for the original Red Dead Redemption, but the prequel shows how much Arthur played a role in shaping John into the man he would become.

9

Timmy & Tommy Nook

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

They’re from the world of Animal Crossing, they’re the nephews and pupils of Tom Nook and they know how to make a sale. They’re Timmy and Tommy Nook. Since the first game, these two youths have been helping their uncle manage his enterprise, and with each game, Timmy and Tommy’s roles have expanded.

In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, they’re the first to greet the player and help them start their island duties. From the Resident Services Tent, Timmy handles the sales and purchases while Tommy offers advice to the player. Once the tent gets upgraded, however, you can find the pair overseeing Nook’s Cranny shop. Say what you will about Tom Nook, but he’s certainly taught these two the ins and outs of the trade. At the rate they’re going, maybe one day Timmy and Tommy will be starting their own businesses.

8

Kazuma Kiryu & Akira Nishikiyama

Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut

Starting as orphans with nothing, Kazuma Kiryu and Akira Nishikiyama looked after one another as sworn brothers. When Shintaro Kazama took them under his wing and became their father figure, their lives were forever changed as they were soon brought into the Yakuza life. For a while, things were going well for them.

They had fun drinking, singing karaoke together and getting into all kinds of trouble, but when the events of Yakuza 0 occurred, it was the first time they had to go their separate ways. Framed for a crime he didn’t commit, Kiryu left his Yakuza family to search for the truth on his own. When Kiryu needed him the most, however, Nishiki came to his aid, and the two fought the Dojima Family. Even Nishiki himself has said that whenever he’s fighting alongside Kiryu, he feels invincible, which makes their falling out in Yakuza Kiwami all the more heartbreaking.

7

Sans & Papyrus

Undertale

They may look like a pair of kooky skeletons, but don’t let their appearances fool you. Sans and Papyrus are both gifted with magic and incredible power. But because one is a lazy bones and the other is an energetic pasta maker, the worst they’ll do is kill you with kindness, puzzles and silly puns.

Despite their differences, Papyrus does care for his brother, wanting him to show more backbone in their activities. Sans might be lazy and enjoy annoying Papyrus with his endless puns, but he also cares for his brother and supports his efforts, so long as they don’t interfere with his naps. Considered the most iconic characters in Undertale, Sans and Papyrus steal the show when you first encounter them outside the ruins. Though both are tasked with capturing a human, the two brothers seem to do a better job in slowing you down with their shenanigans.

6

Chris & Claire Redfield

Resident Evil – Code: Veronica

Among the many Resident Evil protagonists, Chris and Claire Redfield have assumed the role for several games now. It seems saving the world from zombies, mutated abominations and unhinged Umbrella operatives runs in the family. What’s so funny is that, despite both being champions of survival horror, the brother and sister are rarely seen together.

It wasn’t until Resident Evil – Code: Veronica that fans finally got a proper reunion. When searching for her brother, Claire winds up captured by Umbrella and taken to Rockfort Island. After a long and grueling journey battling another T-virus outbreak, Chris and Claire reunite and take down Wesker and Alexia. Seems the only times these siblings are ever allowed to meet is when something’s trying to kill them.

5

Kitana & Mileena

Mortal Kombat 1

Feuding is common among families, but when it comes to feuds in Mortal Kombat, they can be deadly. Originally an only child, Kitana was given a sister through cloning and terrifying experimentation, resulting in Mileena, an unhinged killer with a sharp-toothed smile that could light up a butcher’s shop. Despite declaring Kitana her sister, Mileena is often trying to murder her in virtually every game.

It wasn’t until the timeline was restarted for Mortal Kombat 1 that the two were given a more wholesome relationship. Where there were once two fighters trapped in a never-ending blood feud, there were now two sisters who cared and fought for one another. Nice as it is to finally see them happier, knowing the Mortal Kombat franchise, it won’t last. Mileena will always be a killer with razor-sharp teeth and Kitana will always be ready to challenge her.

4

Sonic the Hedgehog & Tails the Fox

Sonic Frontiers

This Sega duo has been going on adventures since they were 16-bit sprites. They may not be related, or even of the same species, but between Sonic’s speed and courage, and Tails’ flying and ingenuity, they’ve been an ultimate team fighting evil for years. Of all their games, however, it was during Sonic Frontiers when the two shared a heartfelt but important moment of bonding.

As Tails and their friends were trapped in Cyberspace, Sonic was racing across the islands to free them. In a moment of weakness, Tails confides in Sonic and asks if he’s a burden to him, reflecting on his past mistakes. Shocked by such a question, Sonic reminds Tails of his achievements, proud of how much he’s grown, even referring to him as his little bro. You can call them brothers or best friends, but as the old saying goes, friends are the family we choose for ourselves.

3

Solid Snake & Liquid Snake

Metal Gear Solid (1998)

Created by the Les Enfants Terribles project, the twin snakes were bred to become the perfect copies of the world’s greatest soldier, Big Boss. One went on to become a hero who would save the world from Metal Gear, codenamed Solid Snake. The other became consumed with a lust for revenge and tried to destroy the world with Metal Gear, codenamed Liquid Snake.

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Despite their shared origins, the twin brothers wouldn’t meet until the events of Metal Gear Solid (1998). Time and time again, Liquid tried to destroy his brother and prove he was the superior soldier, but despite the odds, Solid Snake endured. Their final confrontation is not only remembered as one of the most iconic moments in the franchise, but is widely regarded as one of the best battles from the PlayStation 1 era.

2

Dante & Vergil

Devil May Cry 5

When siblings fight, it leaves a messy room. When Dante and Vergil fight, it leaves a whole city in ruins. Known as the Sons of Sparda, the twins were born as half-demons with incredible powers. One wields the Yamato and takes things too seriously, the other wields the Rebellion and doesn’t take things seriously enough.

All Vergil wants is power and to defeat his brother. As for Dante, he just wants pizza and to have his brother back. Sadly, they’ve fought so many times that it’s the only memory they have of each other anymore. Their unending rivalry came to a head when Vergil returned in Devil May Cry 5, having committed several atrocities to regain his power. With Nero’s help, Dante and Vergil managed to somewhat patch things up before departing into the demon world, where they’ve remained, constantly fighting demons to see who can outclass the other.

1

Mario & Luigi

Luigi’s Mansion 3

No one can beat the Super Mario Bros. The saviors of the Mushroom Kingdom have always had each other’s backs, no matter which game they’re starring in. It’s true that Mario gets more attention and has far more bravado when it comes to facing danger, but that doesn’t make Luigi any weaker. After all, if it’s Mario that needs rescuing, Luigi’s always there to save him.

Even when Luigi was scared out of his wits during Luigi’s Mansion 3, the green plumber pressed on, battling ghosts and horrors to save his friends from the menacing King Boo. In the end, Mario might be the mascot of Nintendo, but he will forever be Luigi’s loving older brother, making them the most iconic siblings in gaming.

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