The family that plays together stays together, and that can certainly be said for a whole host of different video game characters. Many games offer a variety of different characters for players to portray, but a certain few offer a selection from a full family or clan to pick from.
It's not the most common occurrence, but it is remarkable how many families have starred in their own video game adventures. From a pair of brothers from Brooklyn stomping on Koopas and Goombas to a long line of whip-wielding vampire slayers, these families have been bringing bonding to the gaming world for years.
The Bergsons (Children Of Morta)
Although they might be a relatively new cast of characters, the theme of the family unit plays a huge role in the identity of Children of Morta. The game itself is a retro roguelike with Diablo-like elements, but that's only the bare minimum of the game's description. The fighter, ranger, and mage classes are there, but in the guise of members of the family members instead of random adventurers.
Between the dungeon runs and boss battles, the player is transported back to the Bergson's mansion, where each of the family members can be seen contributing in their own way to fight the Corruption or simply living in the massive house. Sometimes it's the subtle things that tell the most story.
The Royal Families (Fire Emblem Series)
Nintendo's beloved tactical RPG might have expanded to Game of Thrones levels, but it wouldn't be complete without a selection of armies to command. Beginning with the royal families of Altea in the original series and spanning into Three Houses, the series has all the trimmings and trappings of a medieval-styled drama.
Royal families battling oncoming invaders can be seen in multiple chapters of history, and relationships forged and formed during the heat of battle can greatly affect the storyline. Easily one of the deeper RPGs from the developer, it's understandably considered one of the most character-driven entries in the genre.
Geralt, Yennifer, and Ciri (The Witcher)
Family is not always created by blood or bond, sometimes it can be the result of a magical surprise. Case in point, Geralt, Yennifer, and Ciri in the iconic Witcher series of games. Based on the book series of the same name, the relationships formed between the three characters are crucial to the narrative, and neither the books, games, nor the Netflix series forgets that.
Geralt, naturally, is the key player in these relationship dynamics. Seeing him as both a lover for Yennifer and a father for Ciri allows him to express different sides from his monster-slaying career, and it makes him all the more relatable and enjoyable for the player/audience.
Desmond’s Ancestors (Assassin’s Creed)
Altair, Ezio Auditore, and Desmond Miles all have one thing in common, a lineage of protecting the world from the wrath of the Templars. The core entries in the original Assassin's Creed series featured a family of assassins spanning the centuries from the medieval crusades to Renaissance-era Italy, and it gave the series its original identity.
Ezio's chapters are undoubtedly the strongest of the bunch, but Desmond wouldn't exist if it wasn't for Altair's actions in the first game. The way the ancestry plays as a bonding agent across the series is what made it stand out before the introductions of pirates, pharaohs, and Vikings, not that many are complaining.
The Lin Kuei And Shirai Ryu (Mortal Kombat)
Taking heavy inspiration from the over-the-top kung-fu movies of yesteryear, the iconic Mortal Kombat series would be simply incomplete without a pair of rival ninja clans ready to tear each other to pieces. Representing the Shirai Ryu and the Lin Kuei respectively, Scorpion and Subzero have been having an all-out blood feud since the '90s.
Although the two have reconciled their differences in the newer entries of the series, ninjas fighting ninjas will never go out of style in fighting games. With the introduction of characters like Takeda and the cyborgs into the mix, the clans have only expanded since the arcade days.
The Kongs (Donkey Kong 64)
Donkey and Diddy Kong might have headlined the series on the SNES, but once the N64 came onto the scene, players were given a whole clan of Kongs to play with in Rare's beloved platformer series. DK and Diddy are still up for fun, but they're also joined by Lanky, Chunky, and Tiny Kong coming along for the ride.
Cartoon logic dictates to never get between an ape and a bunch of bananas, and a family of apes undoubtedly proves extremely difficult for the Kremlings and other critters that try to ruin their day. With a variety of skills and special moves to navigate across various platforming challenges, it's simply too much fun for two kongs alone.
The Belmonts (Castlevania Series)
From Leon to Trevor to Simon, the Belmont Clan has been in the business of monster-slaying for years. Any time Dracula and his famous castle rear their ugly heads, the Belmonts are there with chain whips and holy water, ready to take on any undead minions and classic monsters the Castlevania world can dish out.
Simon Belmont might be the most famous member of the Belmont family, but the likes of Trevor and Richter have had their time in the spotlight as well. Either way, action-platforming fans have a whole family to scratch that vampire-hunting itch.
The Koopalings (Mario Series)
Bowser set the bar for Nintendo's big-bad-boss monsters, but when his collection of Koopa spawn started running amuck in the Mushroom Kingdom, things started to change.
Making their debut in the third entry of the Mario series, Iggy, Larry, Ludwig, Lemmy, Morton, Roy, and Wendy have been making trouble for the plumbers and their princess since 1988, and they've hung around ever since. Joined by Bowser Jr. in Super Mario Sunshine, the family of troublemakers has only grown.
The Mario Brothers (Mario Series)
The gaming world as players know it wouldn't be the same without the contributions of Mario and Luigi. Easily the first family of the video game realms, the Mario Bros. have been the face of Nintendo for decades and have shown no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
There's practically not a gamer around that doesn't know the name of Mario and Luigi, especially with over 129 titles in their library. From jumping on Koopas on a regular basis to tearing up the race track on Rainbow Road, they've done more than enough to earn a place in the gaming hall of fame.