Top 7 Video Game Sidekicks

Aug. 22 8:21 AM by Ladyluck

Every video game hero that we have is out to save us from the ultimate evil. But many of those great video games also have a sidekick, and without the sidekick many of our heroes would not make it through the toughest points. Sometimes they provide us with some humor, or maybe they provide advice.

Sidekicks are more important that people tend to think. Batman had Robin. Ren had Stimpy. But people tend to leave the sidekicks out, and not give them the dues they deserve. So here's to you sidekicks: My Top 7 List of Video Game Sidekicks.

7. Snott - Maybe not the most well known sidekick, but Snot definitely deserves a mention. Who sidekick is he, you may ask. Well he is the beloved sidekick of the one and only Earthworm Jim. Not only did he help Jim cross the gaps but Snot made easier landings for Jim, by acting as a parachute. Not to mention he won many bungee-jumping contests with the evil Major Mucus.

6. Diddy Kong - Making his gaming debut in Donkey Kong Country for the Super Nintendo. He's the wannabe nephew of Donkey Kong from the Kongo Jungle on Donkey Kong Island and is known for his red hat and shirt. He's acrobatic, can kick an enemy's butt, and is just trying to be a hero like his uncle. Diddy Kong has more than made a name for him self. He might not be perfect, but he is a great sidekick!

5. Kazooie - Kazooie made her debut in Banjo-Kazooie for the Nintendo 64. She is the bird that can do pretty much everything you want her to do. She can fly, float, peck, jump really high, and even carry Banjo on her back. Now that's one tough bird. Banjo got lucky with this sidekick.

4. Tails - Some gamers may find him annoying, but Tails is definitely one of the best sidekicks of all time. He's helped Sonic since 1992. Although Tails may not be quite as cool as Sonic, he's got an ability that Sonic does not. Tails can fly! With that wonderful ability he became a great advantage to Sonic! Now how many sidekicks can do that??

3. Clank - Making his debut in Ratchet and Clank, Clank has become more relevant in each passing game. Clank is able to modify and transform himself. He can tuck his head, arms and legs into his body and attach to Ratchet's back and be worn like a backpack. He can also store objects much bigger than himself in the hatch in his chest, to help Ratchet carry various weapons and items. With multiple types of modifications, and always adding new ones, Clank has a wide array of functions to help out with. He is methodical in his thinking, which easily counters Ratchet's reckless side. Clank is a great character and a very able bodied sidekick and adds the more logical side of the Ratchet and Clank team.

2. Daxter - Nobody can forget the Daxter, the biggest wise-ass sidekick of them all. We first met him in Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy. Once a braggart turned ottsel we all know and love. During the first game, Daxter did all the talking, and as the games progressed so did Daxter. Daxter is filled with wisecracks, and is incredibly loyal to Jak. He did so well that the PSP even created a game for him, although he is looking for Jak. But I have to say the best thing that happened for Daxter was falling into that vat of Dark Eco. Without it, I doubt he would have been the same Daxter we all love.

1. Yoshi - Screw Luigi, he did the same things as Mario. Yoshi is the cool and useful sidekick to Mario. Yoshi wasn't just a sidekick, but also a main character in some games (Just to name a couple: Yoshi Island, Yoshi Touch and Go). Yoshi first appeared in Super Mario World on the Super Nintendo as the well unusual steed for Mario. He is an incredibly useful sidekick. While riding around on his back, Mario had several advantages, including taking a hit without hurting your health. Yoshi could throw eggs, and with that long tongue eat almost anything in sight. Yoshi could eat enemies or fruit, not to mention spit fire. But what makes Yoshi the number 1 sidekick is his goal of keeping Mario from harm. Even when he was the lead character of his own game. SO Rock on Yoshi, and Keep up the Great work.

Comments

Before I saw the selections, I thought you might put the dog from Earthworm Jim in there, I think his name was Pete. Yoshi FTW!

Only one I don't agree with is tails - He helps in no way at all, He just gets in the way - the only sidekick worse than him is that stupid girl in ICO. I remember having to stop running to the goal, thus increasing the time it took to complete the level, just to wait on that stupid fox to catch up.

Rest seem fair though, I just have a horrific loathe for tails in the far depths of my soul.

Snott was awesome but how can Yoshi be #1? Sure he's cute and I usually always pick him in all Mario Kart games but he's maybe #3 at best. The sounds of the Yoshi's from Yoshi's Story still annoy me. I can't believe you also left out Max from MDK! He would make swiss cheese out of half of the characters here with his guns.

Aku Aku! the mask from Crash Bandicoot. I always liked him.

yoshi is by far the best.

pfft, Yoshi just gets on my nerves. It's all opinions though.

Clank is clearly the best.

Yes Yoshi owns all!

What about Otacon?

Dom from GOW was a preety good sidekick.

tail is aslo smart

luigi gets no respect at all

Great list!

yoshi FTW, but tails is also cool. excellent blog.

sweeet

no Luigi?!

I can't say anything since Yoshi happens to be my favorite of all time. I mean, just like the description says up there: not only was his job to protect Mario, but he can handle enemies all by himself. I'm sure there are other sidekicks out there who are just as capable, but when you think about who's been a loyal sidekick for time...Yoshi pretty much has that one in the bag. There were loads of things that Yoshi could do for Mario when the two were together.

I liked Tails, but he was rather slow in a few games I've played. I think it was in Sonic and Tails when you were Sonic and Tails would follow you through the board; it was so annoying having to wait for him or even worse, when you were trying to beat Robotnic (or Dr. Eggman) he would get in the way when you were jumping obstacles. I died a lot playing that game. But he was still pretty useful at times.