Summary
Video games draw you in through their main characters, but occasionally, a series will introduce a rival character. The rival usually serves as a foil to the main character, often having a cooler design and stronger moveset, challenging the hero as they start as enemies. As enemies, they provide agreat boss fightand use similar attacks to the characters we control.
Rivals seldom become part of the hero’s supporting cast, but when they do, you can play them in current or future entries to a series. Here are the best video game rivals who become playable.
Chrono Trigger
Chrono Triggerisone of the best sci-fi RPGswith a story based on time travel and changing destiny. The main protagonist, Crono, encounters many residents from different eras who can become friends or foes. One of Crono’s first encounters in 600 A.D is with an anthropomorphic sword-wielding frog named Frog. Frog’s arch-nemesis is a powerful sorcerer named Magus, who is the leader of the monsters and who was the one to curse him in his frog form.
Later in the story, you learn that Magus came from further into the past, as he is accidentally brought back to 12,000 B.C. After a few more encounters, Frog is given the choice to fight Magus one last time or walk away. Choosing the latter will have Magus join your party, along with his powerful abilities.
Bayonetta
Jeanne, Cereza’s childhood friend, plays a vital role in theBayonettaseries. She is immediately introduced as a foe, testing Cereza’s abilities as an Umbra Witch. Further down the story, it is revealed that Jeanne is being mind-controlled by Balder, and once defeated, she rejoins her former friend.
Once beaten the game and earned platinum, Jeanne is unlockable for story mode. Essentially an alternate skin for Bayonetta, she has the same abilities as our protagonist. She even has the same voice as Bayonetta in cutscenes.
The King of Fighters ‘95
Heir to the Yasakani Clan, Iori inherited a curse that gave him the ability to have pyrokinetic skills, similar to his rival, Kyo. Along with these flames came a curse to die at a young age as his clan, along with Kyo’s, participated in defeating Orochi.
Iori can use the same fire abilities as Kyo but with the additional ability to paralyze its victims when the purple flames make contact. Iori also has a serious personality, which is a stark contrast to Kyo’s cocky nature.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth
Starting as a prosecutor during the firstAce Attorneygame, Miles Edgeworth was known for his perfect win streak, as he made it a point to find a way for a guilty verdict. He suffered his first loss against his childhood friend, Phoenix Wright, prompting him to quit his profession before later returning.
Miles Edgeworth got his spin-off series after the first Ace Attorney trilogy ended. In Ace Attorney Investigations, Edgeworth is taken out of the courtroom and into the field as he can interact with his environment to find clues towhat happened in each case.
Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
Childhood friend and rival to Sora, Riku was always competitive towards his friend, which was made more apparent when both separated from Destiny Islands. While both wanted to find their friend Kairi, it was Riku who strayed from this mission to fuel his hunger for power once he found out that Sora had been chosen to wield a Keyblade. Riku then becomes corrupted by the power of Ansem, which Sora later defeats.
Riku has had many playable appearances since his debut. Although he’s similar to Sora, he has stronger attacks and can move around faster than Sora.
Street Fighter 2 Turbo
Although he is not Ryu’s main rival, he is still one heck of a foil to him as he is part of Ryu’s ability to use the Satsui no Hado. Akuma is also the younger brother of Ryu and Ken’s master, Gouken.
A hidden character in Street Fighter 2 Turbo, Akuma uses many of the same abilities as Ryo. He is essentially a glass cannon, as he deals a lot of damage but also takes twice as much. His moves are stronger, like the double Haduken and Wrath of the Raging Demon.
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3
Wario takes all of Mario’s traits and diminishes them. Wario is a greedy, rude, and muscular plumber who cares about wealth, making him the Super Mario Land 2 villain. After Mario beat him down at the end of Mario Land 2, he reformed himself a bit as he starred in his series, starting with Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land.
In the Wario series, Wario’s controls are similar to Mario, except he has moves highlighting his strength, such as shoulder dashing and lifting objects over his head. His games involve collecting treasure to make Wario content.
Mega Man X
Mega Man X3
Although Zero begins the series as a mentor-type character for X, even advising him not to attempt to fight dangerous foes, Zero can see how formidable X is when he defeats Sigma. Since then, they have worked side by side, each gaining new abilities and weapons. Eventually, Zero is killed and brought back as an opponent on more than one occasion. He was also given his own series — Mega Man Zero.
While Mega Man X3 was Zero’s first playable appearance, it was cut short as he was only playable during the game’s intro. He is equipped with the same abilities as X, but with the added Z-saber for close-up melee attacks. In Megaman X4, Zero has his campaign and plays only using the Z-saber.
Sonic The Hedgehog 3
Sonic and Knuckles
In Sonic 3, Sonic and Tails travel to an island that falls out of the sky when Dr. Robotnik’s space station crash-landed on it. Once Sonic and Tails arrive, they run into Knuckles, who attacks them while stealing all theChaos Emeralds. Eventually, they beat Knuckles, who Robotnik brainwashed.
Knuckles was playable in Sonic and Knuckles, a direct continuation of Sonic 3. He plays similarly to Sonic, except he can break through certain walls, glide in the air, attach to walls, and climb on them. He starred in his own game with Knuckles’ Chaotix. He’s been a staple character for the Sonic series.
Devil May Cry
Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition
The twin brother of Dante, Virgil, is a demon/human hybrid who fully embraces his demonic nature. He craves power and is frequently frustrated with Dante, who would instead embrace his humanity. Dante first encounters Virgil as Nelo Angelo, a servant of Mudis. After Dante beats him, he is seen inDevil May Cry 3, where he is defeated again by Dante.
In Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition, Virgil becomes playable, and he has similar combos to Dante, but has faster moves as he can perform quick slashes with his Yamato Kitana.
