The appearance of Sox in Pixar's Lightyear has reignited interest in robot characters. Robots have long been a staple in popular culture, especially in science fiction. Video games are no exception to this, as proven by characters like Claptrap from Borderlands and Aigis from Persona 3, both of whom have captured the hearts of gamers everywhere.
The concept of sentient pieces of metal and bolts going on adventures has always fascinated video-game developers and players alike. Gamers who are looking for the next robot video game to play are in luck, as Ranker users have sorted out some of the most iconic video games that feature robots.
Note: Ranker lists are fan-voted, live, and continue to accrue votes, so some rankings may have changed after this publishing.
Mega Man X4
Mega Man is one of the most recognizable robot characters in video game history. The fourth entry in the Mega Man X series, Mega Man X4 sees Mega Man X and Zero participate in a war between other Hunters and a group of Reploids called Repliforce.
In the game, players can choose to control either Mega Man X or Zero, and the storyline changes depending on the protagonist they choose. The action platformer was thoroughly enjoyed by Mega Man fans since it has the signature side-scrolling gameplay seen in previous games in the series and introduces the beloved robot character to the world of 32-bit.
Overwatch
One of the best multiplayer online battle arena games today, Overwatch has a variety of fun heroes and characters, with some of them being classified as robots. The game groups the players into two teams that need to capture the opposing team's flag and bring it to their base.
Heroes such as Echo, Orisa, and Bastion fall under the robot category. The world of Overwatch is also littered with artificially intelligent androids called Omnics, which are said to have helped in cementing economic equality according to the game's lore. Gamers looking for a co-op title filled with robots should add Overwatch to their list.
Ratchet & Clank
The Sony exclusive franchise Ratchet & Clank has one of the best robot companions in video game history. In 2016, developer Insomniac Games remade the first game in the Ratchet & Clank series. While Ratchet is the main playable character in the game, Clank does provide the player with weapons and gadgets for difficult missions.
Fans of the series adore Clank for his calculated and level-headed personality, as this allows them to get some much-needed break from the headstrong and brash Ratchet.
Armored Core
FromSoftware might be most known for their Soulsborne games like Elden Ring and Bloodborne, but they've also released a video game that features robots and powerful mechs. Their third-person shooter game Armored Core follows the story of a mercenary mech pilot who works for various clients, who then pay in credits that can be used to upgrade their robot combat units.
Armored Core was well-received by critics for its in-depth customization options and smooth local multiplayer gameplay, which was considered revolutionary at the time.
Mega Man 3
The Mega Man franchise has plenty of excellent titles that are beloved by gamers all over the world. The third entry in the original Mega Man series is notoriously difficult but still offers plenty of fun, robot-filled mechanics to gamers who are willing to take a crack at it.
As a direct sequel to Mega Man 2, the game chronicles Mega Man's mission to find the parts of a peace-keeping robot in order to stop Robot Masters that have run amok. Gamers who want to take on Mega Man 3 should brace themselves as they need to be super precise with their jumps and attacks if they want to be victorious against the Robot Masters.
Zone Of The Enders
One of the best games by renowned game auteur Hideo Kojima, Zone of the Enders is a hack-and-slash game with third-person shooter elements. The narrative of the game centers around Leo Stenbuck, a colonist who uses a mecha to protect his home and people.
What's remarkable with Zone of the Enders is that the mechas are intricately designed and can do other things than fighting, like skating and flying. The game is considered to feature the best graphics found on the PlayStation 2 and was commended for its 3D camerawork.
Mega Man 2
Riding on the back of its predecessor, Mega Man 2 sees the return of the robot boy as he fights Dr. Wily and his powerful Robot masters such as Quick Man, Crash Man, Air Man, and Metal Man. To easily triumph against the nefarious scientist, players need to figure out the best configuration to take on the Mega Man 2 bosses.
Mega Man 2 received high praise from critics for its improved visuals, better sound design, and new power-ups. However, some did feel that the difficulty was significantly dialed down compared to its predecessor.
Mega Man Legends 2
Released for the PlayStation, Mega Man Legends 2 chronicles the titular character's quest to find the Mother Lode, which can supposedly provide unlimited power and energy. In his journey, Mega Man is accompanied by the genius mechanic Roll Caskett and the monkey side character Data.
The game introduces new mechanics to the Mega Man series, such as the lock-on system, lifter ability, and special damage. The game was warmly received by gamers and critics for its improved gameplay, better controls, and more exciting boss fights.
Mega Man X
Mega Man X is the game that launched the titular character into the 16-bit world. Released for the SNES in 1993, Mega Man X serves as a prequel to the original Mega Man series and introduces sentient robots known as Reploids. In the game, the main character must prevent the haywire robot Sigma from wiping out the human race.
Fans of the series found Mega Man X's storyline to be more mature and engaging, while still retaining the signature gameplay elements that made the original franchise a hit such as challenging boss fights and exciting platforming stages.
Mega Man Legends
Mega Man Legends brings the iconic robot boy into the 3D world, albeit featuring a different incarnation of Mega Man. The Capcom action-adventure game puts the spotlight on Mega Man Volnutt, who is tasked with exploring the underwater ruins on Earth.
Mega Man Legends departs from the original series not only through its main character but also with its mechanics as it ditches platforming segments and allows gamers to explore the 3D world. The game's plot, setting and graphics were positively noted by both gamers and critics.