Dogs make our lives better. They make our virtual lives in video games better, too. And that’s something to celebrate, especially on National Video Games Day, which happens on September 12th every year.
Sometimes the canines we meet in video game adventures are friends, sometimes they’re foes, and sometimes they’re heroes.
From loyal to lovable, creepy to courageous, here are some of the most awesome pups from your favorite video games!
1. The Duck Hunt Dog
How many humans do you know who would taunt someone with a gun aimed at them?
The Duck Hunt Dog, in the 1984 title for the NES, ridiculed your terrible marksmanship with a point and laugh that haunted your nightmares, but he bullied you to greatness.
He’s routinely named one of the most annoying video game characters of all time. But if you miss his jeers, he’ll still kick your butt in the Super Smash Bros. series.
2. Rush From The Mega Man Series
Your best friend can’t transform into a submarine or a hoverboard, but Mega Man’s pooch, Rush, sure can.
Sometimes this pup can even fuse with Mega Man to make him Super Mega Man — and you thought “mega” was as good as it gets.
With coils, jets, transformations, and healing abilities, Rush is one helpful hound.
3. Cerberus From Resident Evil
What’s more terrifying than a mansion full of undead humans trying to murder you? Well, outside there’s a zombified Doberman ready to pop his head through the door and make you throw your controller through your television in fear.
Try to leave again and the game will tell you, “It’s too dangerous to go outside!” That’s right, a house full of zombie people isn’t as dangerous as these hell hounds.
4. General Pepper From The StarFox Series
No relation to the doctor of the same name, General Pepper is the leader of the Cornerian army and hires the StarFox team to fight Andross, the mad scientist.
He’s the “Hound In Chief” who gives valuable intelligence, tells you to come back in one piece, and isn’t afraid to fly into battle himself from time to time.
5. Poppy From The Samurai Shodown Series
Poppy is a pooch who’s willing to jump into the fray when her human, Galford, can’t get the job done on his own — which seems to be all the time.
In fact, in many of the games, Galford’s attacks lie entirely on Poppy’s doggy shoulders. And in true loyal friend fashion, she sacrifices herself to save her best friend.
You can’t buy that kind of companionship — unless you can afford a video game.
6. PaRappa From PaRappa The Rapper
PaRappa wasn’t caught up in the East Coast-West Coast rap feud. He just wanted to do what any young pup wants to do: impress a girl.
His motto was simple. “I gotta believe!” And so he did.
He kick-punch-chopped and rapped his way into our consoles and our hearts, and he showed us if you’re willing to take lessons from an anthropomorphic onion, a moose, a frog, and a chicken, you can rap, too — probably.
Dogmeat From Fallout 4
An apocalyptic wasteland can be a lonely place, but it’s a little more bearable when you have a loyal German Shepherd Dog to accompany you.
Dogmeat’s tracking skills and companionship come in pretty handy, and the pup even knows how to “fetch” helpful items. It’s rare to find such unconditional love after an apocalypse!
Which other video game dogs belong on the list? Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
