Finding a truly quality pair of parents is a surprisingly difficult task in the world of gaming. Many of the most famous characters of all time have barely ever mentioned their parents – if they even have any by the time their stories begin. That doesn’t mean there aren’t still plenty of unique parental relationships throughout the history of gaming.
While what makes a pair of parents “the best” may bring thoughts of love and caring to the minds of many gamers, the parents that are truly the best aren’t necessarily always the nicest and most loving. Sometimes the best parents are the ones that impact a story in ways that no one could have foreseen.
10 Griel & Elena – Fire Emblem
While Elena doesn’t make a physical appearance in the main Fire Emblem series and Griel meets a rather unfortunate end, it’s the couple’s tragic backstory that helps to add to the incredible characterization of Ike in Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn.
The couple spent years on the run from a tyrannical rule before they had their children. After an unfortunate mistake, Griel is driven mad and kills Elena, but in her final moments, she forgives him. The backstory of his family helps gamers connect even more with the fierce protector Ike becomes.
9 Sindel & Shao Kahn – Mortal Kombat
The history of Sindel has been a bit all over the place throughout the lengthy Mortal Kombat timeline. Sometimes she’s painted as a devoted wife to her Edenian husband, but more recently it’s been revealed she was a bit darker all along.
While the histories are a bit messy nowadays, most gamers agree that it’s cool to see a unique power couple like Sindel and Shao Kahn, even if Shao Kahn isn’t Kitana’s biological father. The two made a dangerous pairing that nearly resulted in Shao Kahn’s domination of the realms.
8 The Birkins – Resident Evil 2
With various ways to experience the events of Resident Evil 2, the actual relationship of the Birkins has become a bit confusing. Regardless of whether they are painted as uncaring mad scientists or tragic figures, it’s hard to argue that without either scientist the events of the games wouldn’t be quite as exciting.
The virologists were working on the T and G-Viruses, one of which William Birkin would end up infecting himself with. Both he and Annette Birkin are antagonists of sorts, and that comes across with their relation to their daughter Sherry. They may not be the most wholesome parents, but they sure are interesting.
7 Ethan & Mia – Resident Evil 7
Players got to experience the relationship between Ethan Winters and Mia Winters for the first time in Resident Evil 7. While they weren’t parents in that game, the entire story did a lot to show what Ethan was willing to go through for Mia.
During the events of Resident Evil Village, Ethan and Mia have their child Rosemary, and of course, that leads to the events of the game. Ethan’s perseverance toward saving his daughter, and Mia’s situation by the end of the game prove that each parent is strong in their own right, especially when seeing the game’s closing scenes.
6 Hojo And Lucrecia – Final Fantasy 7
The pairing of Hojo and Lucrecia is actually a heartbreaking one for fans of Vincent and Dirge Of Cerberus. While the long and tangled love story literally required various games to fully flesh out, the union between Hojo and Lucrecia is one of the most twisted and important in the series.
After the mad scientist Hojo injected a set of Jenova cells into a pregnant Lucrecia, she would eventually go on to give birth to one of the series most iconic villains, Sephiroth. Without these two and their sometimes arguably loveless relationship, Final Fantasy fans would have never gotten an incredible villain.
5 Pac-Man & Ms. Pac-Man – Pac-Man Series
Two of the oldest video game heroes that are still incredibly popular today are Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man. The duo has an incredibly long list of games that they’ve featured in over the years, and some even revolve around their relationship.
Of course, at some point, a Mr. and Mrs. are bound to start a family, and that’s exactly what they did with Pac-Jr. And Pac-Baby. The family is even bigger than that and seeing the parents go on adventures to help their family is always something players around the world find endearing.
4 Jack & Marguerite – Resident Evil 7
While Jack and Marguerite from Resident Evil 7 are two of the more grotesque parents in gaming, it’s hard to deny just how much their inclusion in the game improves the quality. Both characters are eerie in their own right and offer some incredibly fun boss fights.
While they do foster a rather terrifying family dynamic, the fault isn’t even their own, but instead what they became subject to. It may be a brief moment, but being able to experience a moment of lucidity with Jack during RE7 is one of the more touching moments of the entire experience.
3 Yuichiro & Haruka Hikari – Mega Man Battle Network
The parents of Lan Hikari in the Mega Man Battle Network series of games are two of the least talked about parents in the world of gaming. While Yuichiro is a brilliant scientist and Haruka is a stay-at-home mom, both care deeply for their son Lan.
The most touching thing is the fact that they were actually supposed to have had another child, but things didn’t go as planned. Yuichiro then put in the effort to see their child live on as what would become that universe’s Mega Man and Lan’s best friend.
2 Cody & May – It Takes Two
For many, It Takes Two came out of nowhere and immediately had a significant impact on gamers who are fans of co-op games. The pair are sadly on the brink of a divorce at the opening of the unique game.
The events of the game let players spend time with the two parents as they reshape and grow their bond together. Thankfully, by the close of the game, the pair have a new outlook on their relationship with one another and they do their best to reassure their daughter.
1 Johnny Cage And Sonya Blade – Mortal Kombat
Way back when the original Mortal Kombat was released, it was entirely possible that most gamers never would have imagined a world where the pompous Johnny Cage and always serious Sonya Blade would end up together.
In the most recent iteration of the Mortal Kombat mythos, the pair must have at least had a few happy years together as they ended up with their now-iconic daughter Cassie Cage. While their daughter is a hero in her own right, both Johnny and Sonya are viewed as two of the greatest champions of Earthrealm.
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About The Author
Cameron Miller (40 Articles Published)
Cameron Miller is a writer with over five years of creative writing experience – both personally and for clients around the world. To date, has written four full-length novels ranging from 49,000 words on the low end to 99,000 words on the high end. Cameron is deeply involved in daily pop culture, and what he affectionately refers to as nerd culture.