Mario, Link, Donkey Kong, Kratos, and Sonic the Hedgehog, are just a few faces that grace the gaming hall of fame. From as early as the mid-80s, the virtual realm has played host to a wide variety of colorful characters. Adventurers, warriors, tricksters, these heroes have taken players on many grand and marvelous journeys, but some have unfortunately been all but forgotten.
For every Sonic the Hedgehog, there's a Bubsy the Bobcat. Some have simply been lost to time, others to poor sales, but even then there are still some that shine brighter than others. And it's high time they received a little recognition.
Frogger (Frogger)
Frogger will always be a staple of the arcade cabinet, but it has been many moons since gamers have seen the little green goober sprinting across the highway. Apart from an appearance on the Apple arcade, a true-blue Frogger has been somewhat lacking.
Though his game might be a tad repetitive, it's still been gobbling quarters to this very day. One would think he'd get the kindness of a Switch port at the very least.
Bub and Bob (Bubble Bobble)
Gamers probably know of these two little guys, but might not know their name or origin. And no, it's not Bust-a-Move. Bub and Bob are the two baby dragons that the player controls in the addictive arcade title, Bubble Bobble.
A pair of bubble-belching baby dragons sounds like the cutest idea for videogame characters on paper, and while they have had a recent entry in 2019, they're not as popular as one would think.
Thor, Questor, Thyra, and Merlin (Gauntlet)
Before the days of Diablo, Torchlight, and Hades, there was Gauntlet. One of the first and best dungeon-crawlers ever released, Gauntlet covered all the fantasy bases with players taking up the roles of Thor the Warrior, Questor the Elf, Thyra the Valkyrie, and Merlin the Wizard.
The game did receive a remake in 2014, but even certain hardcore fans of the franchise only know the characters by their vocations instead of their names. It's definitely a game that deserves a second chance for modern gamers.
Q*Bert (Q*Bert)
Like Frogger, Q*Bert was once one of the pinnacle examples of a classic arcade hero. He's had his own TV show, remake, and even a cameo in Wreck-It-Ralph, but he's just not as popular as he once was.
He arguably even rivaled the likes of Pac-Man in his day but lacks his counterpart's longevity. Q*Bert's unique puzzle adventures could definitely find an audience today if only given the chance.
Tapper (Tapper)
Often imitated, cloned, and recreated, Tapper is a ridiculously addictive yet insanely simple arcade title where players serve beer/root beer to oncoming waves of customers. The player takes up the apron of the mustachioed Tapper and must satisfy their thirsty patrons before they get too rowdy.
Players have more than likely popped a quarter into the machine or played a recreation of this title, but more than likely don't even know the barkeep's name.
Meat (Mortal Kombat 4)
Though not necessarily a videogame hero, Meat is a character that definitely earns a spot of recognition simply due to the character's bizarre nature. The Mortal Kombat series has always been notoriously graphic but when one of the characters is a skinless meat man, that will definitely get someone's attention.
Meat is essentially a skinless human being, dripping with gore and viscera. A failed Shang Tsung experiment, he achieved his humanity after winning the events of MK4 and literally shapeshifted into obscurity.
Bucky O’ Hare (Bucky O’ Hare)
He might be the poor man's Rocket Raccoon, but Bucky O'Hare had one of the most beloved NES games under his belt at one time. A cartoony sci-fi platforming game, Bucky O'Hare was a game ahead of its time.
With multiple routes, characters, and impressive action seen on the system for the time, it's a wonder that Bucky hasn't seen an upgrade for modern consoles. He could certainly give Mega-Man a little competition.
Chuck D.Head (Decap Attack)
Decap Attack is weird, and that's putting it lightly. Players take up the role of Chuck D. Head, a reanimated mummy who can, as his name implies, throw his severed skull at attackers in this strange and surreal Sega platform title.
Honestly, it's not such a stretch to see why this character fell into the abyss of obscurity, but his game is still a highly-recommended experience. Even if it is a bit out there.
Opa-Opa (Fantasy Zone)
Never has a sentient spaceship been so adorable. Before the days of Sonic the Hedgehog, one of Sega's first characters was the Tweety-Bird-esque Opa-Opa. While the visuals might be sugary sweet, it's definitely one of the most challenging titles on the Sega Master System.
Unlike most shoot-em-up titles, Fantasy Zone features more adventure-style elements that give it its own identity. Ports of this title are available, and certainly worth a play for retro fans.
Sparkster (Rocket Knight Adventures)
And at last, Sparkster the Possum tops the list as one of the most sorrowfully forgotten characters in gaming history. How did a possum in a suit of armor that wields a rocket-powered sword not become more popular?
While Sparkster's game did receive a fully-rendered remake on the PS3, he's not been heard from in quite some time. With its plethora of retro-inspired titles, the armored critter would certainly thrive on the Nintendo Switch.