If it ain’t cute, I don’t want it. The real world is already full of grizzled warriors and intimidating villains. When I delve into video games, I’d rather surround myself with characters that make me feel warm and fuzzy. Cuteness takes on many forms, and different people have varying definitions of what’s cute for them – but some characters are so adorable that nobody can possibly deny it. As a scholar of cuteness, I set out to find these overwhelmingly lovable characters in the realm of gaming. From Pokémon to Final Fantasy, here are the 35 cutest video game characters ever created.
35. Paolumu – Monster Hunter: World
One of the cutest things in the animal kingdom is the Honduran white bat, a tiny ball of white fur with a funny nose that’ll make even the most jaded person go “aww.” Monster Hunter’s Paolumu is a lot like an oversized Honduran white bat. This flying wyvern could pass for a cotton ball if you weren’t paying attention – a huge cotton ball. Its wings are rounded and unique, and the way its comparably tiny face pokes out of the fur is in equal parts cute and funny. Even though it’s adorable, I’d advise keeping your distance. Once it bares its fangs and goes into combat mode, your heart’s warm, fuzzy feeling will be quickly replaced with fear.
34. Tonberry – Final Fantasy Series
Another adorable critter you shouldn’t lower your guard around is the Tonberry, a bizarre Final Fantasy enemy that first appeared in FFV and quickly became a series staple. This small humanoid fish can be seen carrying a lantern and a fearsome-looking knife in almost every FF game. What makes them so cute is their somewhat vacant expression, small frame, and the stark contrast between their cutesy design and the menacing kitchen knife. Something else that draws me to the Tonberry is the implication that a Tonberry society exists somewhere. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have knives, lanterns, and distinctive robes.
33. Jack Frost – Megami Tensei Series
Speaking of cute recurring enemies, consider Jack Frost from the Megami Tensei series. After appearing for the first time in Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei II back in 1990, this frosty demon has grown to become the face of the SMT franchise and its publisher, Atlus. It’s based on an English mythical figure said to be responsible for frosty weather, much like Jack Frost from Rise of the Guardians. Like the Tonberry, Jack Frost walks the line between cuteness and horror. It looks like a rounded snowman dressed as a court jester, but something about its face is slightly sinister. Still, it’s more adorable than fearsome and deserves a spot in our ranking.
32. Napstablook – Undertale
Napstablook is at the same time one of the most famous characters in Undertale and one of the cutest. This music-loving ghost can usually be found in his home in the Underground, working on his music or just lying down and “feeling like garbage.” They’ll even invite the player to join them, prompting one of my favorite scenes in the game. Napstablook’s cuteness stems from two primary sources: his simple “floating blanket” design and his strangely relatable personality. It’s impossible to be happy all the time, but even in our darkest moments, humans (and monsters) find a way to connect with others – even if that’s just lying down and listening to sad music together.
31. Clank – Ratchet & Clank
Something about quirky robots like Clank makes some people lose their marbles and start gushing about how cute they are. If I had to guess, it’s the contrast between the “serious” advanced robotic technology and Clank’s off-beat, somewhat silly personality. Clank reminds us that being different from everyone else can be a good thing if you’re allowed to fully embrace your uniqueness. He might be considered a “defective” warbot, but he’s an outstanding hero.
30. Weighted Companion Cube – Portal
If you think it’s a stretch to call an inanimate object like this oversized paperweight a “character,” you clearly haven’t played through the original Portal. The Companion Cube is given to protagonist Chell to help her complete test chambers requiring stuff like holding down a button. Eventually, you’re forced to incinerate the Companion Cube to continue your adventure, but neither Chell nor the player ever fully recover from that loss. One look at the Cube should be everything you need to understand why so many of us find it adorable. It even has a heart on every face!
29. Makar – The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
The Koroks are among the cutest races in the Zelda universe. Descended from the humanoid Kokiri from Ocarina of Time, these small forest spirits with wooden bodies and a leaf for a face protect the forest island where the Deku Tree lies. Their diminutive bodies, short appendages, and unreadable facial expression make them all charming, but Makar takes the title of “cutest Korok” for several reasons. Makar is the tiniest Korok, with a comically round body and the most endearing leaf face among his people. He’s also very talented and can play the violin like a champ – though it looks more like a cello next to his small frame.
28. Classic Sonic – Sonic the Hedgehog
Nowadays, Sonic presents as more of a cool bad-ass than a cute character, but that wasn’t always the case. Back in the 2D side-scrolling platformer days, Sonic had a much cuter design with shorter appendages and even bigger eyes relative to the rest of his body. Most importantly, he had an adorably round belly – maintained dutifully by gorging on chili dogs. This version of Sonic came back to the forefront in 2011 with the release of Sonic Generations, where the old cutesy Sonic and the current cool and athletic version get together to save the day.
27. Gomez – Fez
Hailing from indie puzzle-platformer Fez, Gomez is an all-white 2D humanoid whose world is flipped upside-down (or, rather, turned to the side) when he learns about the third dimension. Gomez gains the power to navigate the 3D world from a magical red fez hat that also makes him look adorable. Gomez is white and pixelated by himself, and you’d forget about him quickly. With the fez, however, he projects a memorable image. He’s a modern 8-bit icon!
26. Junimos – Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is full of cute characters with lovely personalities that’ll cleanse your soul of all those bad vibes you’ve accumulated in your 9 to 5 desk job. Despite the fierce competition, the Junimos are definitely the cutest. These playful nature sprites have taken up residence in the abandoned Community Hall, waiting for a hard-working farmer to complete various “item bundles” in exchange for magically finishing town restoration projects. The Junimo look sort of like living apples with tiny stick arms and legs. They come in every color of the rainbow, and their tiny pixelated faces are too cute to be true.
25. The Prince – Katamari Damacy
A lot of us can relate to the high expectations of less-than-ideal parents. And few gaming characters have it as bad as The Prince from Katamari Damacy. As the son of the King of All Cosmos, the roughly 15cm tall Prince is often tasked with cleaning up after his father or participating in his crazy schemes. Despite being so small, the Prince isn’t afraid to put in the work for the sake of others, especially if it involves rolling up stuff into giant round clumps. It’ll take a while before the Prince takes over the cosmos – but in my heart, he’s already a #ShortKing.
24. Toadette – Super Mario Series
Introduced as the perfect racing partner for Toad in Mario Kart: Double Dash back in 2003, Toadette quickly rose in popularity until becoming one of Nintendo’s most recognizable female characters. Her cuteness and pristine fungi braids may make you think Toadette spends all of her time working on her appearance. Still, games like Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker and New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe show us a more adventurous and thrill-seeking personality. The overwhelmingly positive fan reaction to this feminine shroom helped Toadette become the first Marioverse spin-off character to grow into a playable character in the main series.
23. The Pikmin – Pikmin
From the day you’re born, people constantly remind you to eat your vegetables – but that might not be the best course of action if you’re stranded on an unknown planet. After all, you never know when those alien vegetables will spring to life and help you repair your ship. The Pikmin are named so because of their similarities to Pikpik carrots, a delicacy from Captain Olimar’s home planet. Even he must have found these animated versions of his favorite vegetable adorable. The big eyes, the innocent expression – and that leaf! You’d have to be a monster to eat these cuties.
22. Medli – The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
The Zelda franchise is full of attractive ladies for players to fawn over. But none are as adorable as Medli from The Wind Waker. This beak-nosed gal is a member of the Rito – a tribe of flying avian people descended from the Zora seen in Ocarina of Time. In that sense, Medli is a bit like the Wind Waker’s Princess Ruto – minus the royal lineage. She’s easily one of the most helpful characters in the game. Not only does she assist you in ridding Dragon Roost Island of Gohma, but she goes on to become the Sage of Earth and helps you clear the Earth Temple.
21. Prinny – Disgaea Series
Since we’re already discussing birds, let’s talk about my favorite JRPG mascot: the Prinnies. These unusual penguin-looking demons are a staple of the Disgaea franchise. They’re the lowest-ranking demons in the netherworld, primarily employed as slave labor and punching bags by the other demons. Prinnies house the soul of evil humans, stuffed inside these penguin-like costumes to pay for their crimes and eventually be reborn. However, the unstable nature of the human soul makes them liable to blow up if handled too roughly – a common occurrence in a Prinny’s life. Despite so much misfortune, Prinnies keep a relatively bright outlook on life. As long as they get some fish to eat and don’t get blown up, they’re happy to serve, dood.
20. Desco – Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten
Desco is another painfully cute demon from the Disgaea franchise that definitely deserves a spot on any cuteness ranking. The name DESCO stands for Death/Extermination Submersible Combat Organism. She’s a man-made demon meant to become the “ultimate final boss” – though why she needs to be an adorable little girl to achieve that is beyond me. It’s not only her looks, either. Desco is all about that little sister appeal, calling the main character “Big Bro” once you earn her trust. Don’t let yourself be fooled by her cute looks and child-like personality, though. Her powers are no joke, and she’ll most likely become one of the strongest characters in your party.
19. Chibiterasu – Ōkamiden
Shinto Goddess of the Sun Amaterasu was portrayed as a badass white wolf in Ōkami, introducing many uninformed Western gamers to this Japanese deity. While the white wolf form from the original game was already lovely, this super-deformed “chibi” version takes it to the next level. Chibiterasu is actually the son of Amaterasu and the protagonist of Nintendo DS spin-off Ōkamiden. Despite his tiny size, he can protect the land just as well as his mom. The only thing cuter than a dog is a puppy, am I right?
18. Dogs – Nintendogs
Nintendogs was one of the most bizarre but also genius experiments Nintendo carried out to help players get the most out of the console’s tactile capabilities. The game lets you raise your own virtual puppy, not only by pressing buttons but by directly interacting with your v-dog through the touch screen. Going on a walk, playing fetch, and even giving your dog a bath are the main ways we bond with real-life dogs, and this game really captured the magic. Most of us had a genuine emotional connection with our dogs despite knowing that they were nothing but ones and zeroes.
17. Tabby Slime – Slime Rancher
I’ve owned both cats and dogs throughout my life, but I’d stick with felines if I had to choose. I’m crazy about cats, so I picked the Tabby Slime to represent the gooey critters from Slime Rancher in this cuteness competition. Every single slime in that game is adorable. Their faces are so cute, I almost feel guilty locking them in cages to harvest their droppings. Almost. However, it really doesn’t get any cuter than the Tabby Slime. I mean, look at those ears! The tail! It’s almost too much. Somebody call the cuteness police!
16. Morgana – Persona 5
Another lovely cat I couldn’t overlook is Morgana, the mascot of Persona 5 and one of Joker’s tightest pals. Though the feminine-sounding name and squeaky voice might make you think otherwise, Morgana is actually a male cat – or, rather, that’s the form they take throughout most of the game. I’d be spoiling all the fun if I explained what Morgana really is (and why they can turn into a minivan) – but let’s just say that being a charming big-eyed cat is a great way to get good-hearted people to trust you. Morgana’s cuteness isn’t all appearances, though. His personality is just as adorable – as you’ll see in his heartfelt moments with Joker, and his attempts at romancing Ann Takamaki.
15. The Knight – Hollow Knight
Although the main artistic inspirations for most of Hollow Knight’s design are “death” and “bugs,” Team Cherry managed to include many cute characters – chief among them the Knight himself. At the beginning of the game, it’s hard to imagine how this cutesy little thing could face the horrors of Hallownest armed only with a broken nail. Never judge a book by its cover, right? The tiny, enigmatic Knight packs a punch – enough to purify this corrupt place if guided by some very skilled thumbs.
14. Madeline – Celeste
Celeste is a very wholesome and heartwarming game in and of itself, but its protagonist – Madeline – takes it to the next level. This tiny Canadian lady is cute in all of her forms – both her artwork and her in-game sprite. She’s just so small and precious… and the more you learn about her past and her internal conflict, the more you want to hug her and tell her she’s doing great. Madeline is an inspiration for anyone struggling with anxiety and depression, but also to short kings and queens who want to climb tall mountains regardless of their vertical measurements.
13. Klonoa – Klonoa Series
The video game mascot war was fierce when Klonoa: Door to Phantomile was released in 1997. There were hedgehogs, bandicoots, and lizards running around every major console, and the list of cute animals still left unexploited was shrinking rapidly. The great minds at Namco figured that, instead of choosing just one species, they’d take the best characteristics of the most lovely animals and make a mascot based on that. Is Klonoa a cat? A dog? A bunny? We’ll never know – and it really doesn’t matter. All I know is that Klonoa blew my mind when I was a kid – and I wish there were more new games starring this long-eared cutie.
12. Isabelle – Animal Crossing Series
Animal Crossing is bursting with cute anthropomorphized critters like Antonio the Anteater, Ketchup the Duck, and the famous Egyptian feline Ankha – but none are cuter than Isabelle. This sugary sweet Shih Tzu was introduced in Animal Crossing: New Leaf as the Major’s assistant. In other words, she’s the reason your town didn’t collapse into chaos while you spent your time picking up shells at the beach and burying traps around the homes of undesirable villagers. Isabelle was a hit with audiences, which earned her a significant role on every Animal Crossing game since New Leaf – and even a spot in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s fighter roster.
11. Starfy – The Legendary Starfy
The Nintendo DS lent itself to extensive use and abuse. I never left my home without my DS – and that gave me time to play a ton of obscure games. One of them was 2008’s The Legendary Starfy – an action-platformer starring the most adorable star-shaped sea creature you can imagine. The Prince of Pufftop is a baby-faced hero who always carries a smile. Even his in-game sprite is painfully cute, which guarantees you’ll always put down the DS with a warm feeling in your heart. Starfy has been a thing in Japan since 2002, but only the fifth game in the franchise ever made it abroad. I guess they thought the main character was too cute for Western audiences?
10. The Luma – Super Mario Galaxy
Starfy may look like a star, but his home is deep beyond the waves. If you want to see cuteness in space, you’ll have more luck in Super Mario Galaxy. The Luma are a mysterious species of star-shaped sprites that make their home in the Comet Observatory with Rosalina, who they regard as a mother figure. These adorable little angels are all about helping others and seem exclusively interested in spreading love and companionship. They’ll go as far as to sacrifice themselves for the good of their friends and the rest of the galaxy, which is deeply heartwarming. There’s nothing cuter than putting love and effort into your friendships, right?
9. Lulu – League of Legends
The Yordles are famous among League of Legends characters for their wacky antics and adorable appearance. These furballs come in all shapes and colors – and though they’re ridiculous at times, they’re just as capable in combat as any of the more “serious” LoL characters. I was very conflicted about which Yordle should get to represent them in the ranking, but then I watched Tales of Runeterra: Don’t Mess With Yordles, and the answer became clear. Lulu takes the wacky and unpredictable nature of Yordles to the next level, unleashing merry chaos on the unsuspecting with her immense magical power. The giant witch hat is the icing on the cake.
8. Ilo & Milo – Ilomilo
Fans of Billie Eilish will no doubt remember the song “ilomilo” from her debut album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? What you might not know is that the song – a mid-tempo jam about separation and loneliness – is actually based on Billie’s experience playing 2021 mobile puzzler ilomilo. This puzzle game charges the player with helping two outrageously cute baby/cherry-like characters find each other and share an emotional hug. It’s easy to see how this charming title could have inspired Billie to write an entire song. You need to do something to process that cuteness overload, right?
7. The Chaos – Sonic Adventure Series
If there’s one thing the 4Kids intro to the 2003 anime Sonic X taught me, it’s that Sonic “gotta go fast.” Many characters and concepts in the Sonic series just haven’t been able to keep up with the blue blur’s breakneck speed, the Chaos among them. These cute baby-like beings are one of the primary reasons why the late-90s/early-00s Sonic Adventure games are so fondly remembered. Raising these adorable little critters and watching them evolve according to what animals they played with and what character they liked best was just mind-blowing. New fans and series veterans should definitely check out this official animation for a refresher on why Chaos are sweetest little things.
6. Pikachu – Pokémon Series
If this was a list of the most famous cute characters in gaming, Pikachu would be at the top of the list with an insurmountable lead on second place. Even my rural small-town grandma knows what a Pikachu is! This electrical rodent rose to fame as the face of the franchise since the release of the Pokémon anime back in 1997. One look at those red cheeks and plump body is all you need to know why people love Pikachu so much.
5. Mimikyu – Pokémon Series
Mimikyu’s original form is probably too terrifying to describe – but you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Deep inside, all Mimikyu wants is to make friends! Hoping to siphon some of the love poured on Pikachu by humans and Pokémon alike, this Ghost-type Pokémon hides inside a self-made Pikachu costume. Regrettably, it’s not very convincing. According to the Pokédex, Mimikyu spends a lot of time crying inside the costume. Don’t worry, little guy. I think you’re plenty cute!
4. Chocobos – Final Fantasy Series
The one thing that finally sold me on the Final Fantasy franchise when I was younger was that, instead of horses, they ride these giant chicks called Chocobo. This adorable birdie became the de facto mascot of the franchise after being introduced in 1991’s Final Fantasy IV. As its popularity grew, it became increasingly important in merchandising and even got its own spin-off series, including underrated gems like Chocobo Racing and Chocobo’s Dungeon. This noble beast has a cute edge that cuts deep and makes you want to ruffle its feathers like your life depended on it.
3. Yoshi – Super Mario Series
Yoshi was initially introduced as a convenient side-kick to help Mario reach his full potential (or just a high ledge) by giving them a ride. With time, Yoshi left behind their role as a beast of burden to take their rightful place as one of Mario’s friends and an irreplaceable part of the Marioverse cast. Whether it’s the green Yoshi that we all know and love or any of their multi-colored siblings seen in titles like Yoshi’s Story and Yoshi’s Wooly World, these friendly dinosaurs will steal your heart with their adorable faces and funny sound effects.
2. Kirby – Kirby Series
This pink blob from Planet Popstar has been stealing hearts since the release of Kirby’s Dream Land in 1992 – though he was gray at the time. Kirby is famous for his copy ability, which lets him reproduce the skills and appearance of enemies he swallows to give them a taste of their own medicine. This often leads to adorable combinations, especially in the Super Smash Bros. franchise. Still, it’s hard not to find this round pink marshmallow adorable even without the copy ability. Kirby is the distilled essence of what makes something cute. He’s small, he’s round, he has big eyes – and he’s pink! It’s kind of unfair if you think about it.
1. Moogles – Final Fantasy Series
Is there anything more adorable than a Moogle, kupo? These furry cuties have been a major part of Final Fantasy’s appeal since their initial appearance in the Japanese-exclusive Final Fantasy III from 1990. Their design resembles an adorable koala, evidenced by the distinctive square nose. Still, creator Koiichi Ishii didn’t stop there. Tiny bat wings, cat ears, and a fuzzy red pom-pom sticking out from their head like a cutesy antenna make the Moogle extra cute, kupo. Did I mention they end every sentence with “kupo”, kupo? It’s so adorable it hurts, kupo!
