Summary

How does onedefine a bear? Merriam-Webster states a bear is “any of a family…of large heavy mammals of America and Eurasia that have long shaggy hair, rudimentary tails, and plantigrade feet and feed largely on fruit, plant matter, and insects as well as on flesh.” That sounds about right to me.

Now that I think about it, gaming is chock full of bears. Several of them have made a pivotal impact on video games as we know them today. I can name nine famous game characters with shaggy hair, rudimentary tails, plantigrade feet, and an omnivorous diet right off the top of my head.

Freddy Fazbear jumpscares Mike Schmidt, a security guard at Freddy Fazbear’s pizzeria, in Five Night’s At Freddy’s.

9Freddy Fazbear

I learned about Freddy Fazbear and the gang from a coworker whose pre-teen son was obsessed withFive Nights At Freddy’s. After watching FNAF videos on YouTube, I’m concerned about this disturbed child.

Then again, my generation burnt civilians alive playing GTA 3, which is arguably worse.

Monokuma’s demon eye glows red while he laughs maniacally against a cracked red background in Danganronpa V3.

Freddy Fazbear is one of gaming’s rising stars. His franchise features20 video games, dozens of books, and a feature filmproduced by Blumhouse starring Josh Hutcherson. When you’re that famous, who cares if you chomped some child’s head off?

8Monokuma

I’m a bit of a weeb, so I go hard for Monokuma. This demonic robotic teddy bear has everything going for him: super-strength, global influence, and raunchy quips that will make you spit out your coffee. He’s arguablyone of gaming’s most treacherous villains. I mean, making kids kill each other. That’s next-level messed up.

Despite his demented lore, Monokuma has less pull in the gaming industry.Danganronpais a niche series.Visual novels are a niche genre. I’ll proudly wear my Nagito Komaeda t-shirt anywhere, but it’s always a surprise when someone recognizes it. So, as much as I’d love to place Monokuma higher on this list, that just ain’t happening.

Teddiursa runs forward with a cheerful expression on their face in this still from the Pokemon anime series.

7Teddiursa

As a millennial,Pokemonwas a foundational part of my childhood. I had achunky binder full of cardsand watched the first movie in awe as Mewtwo graced the silver screen. Some gamers make the transition from Pokemon kids to Pokemon adults. I am not one of them. It’s not for lack of interest. There are just too many Pokemon now. How do I keep up?

I’m thankful that one of my besties is a Pokemon adult who has helped me stay somewhat in the loop. He said I would love Teddiursa, and damn it, he’s right. This happy little cublooks like a plushie come to life. I want to hold them close to my heart. And I’ll protect them like a den mother would her cub. Teddiursa is my new best friend in a world we must defend!

Kuma displays dominance over his opponent before a match at Ortiz Farm in Tekken 8.

6Kuma

If you grew up in the ’90s, you understand that one of the main reasons to playTekkenwas to fight as ‘the bear.’ I’m talking, of course, about Kuma, a mainstay character since the series’s inception.

Fun fact: Kuma refers to two Tekken characters. The first Kuma, featured in Tekken 1 and 2, died of old age. His son, Kuma II, carries on his legacy.

Banjo and Kazooie run toward a golden puzzle piece while holding on to a purple Jinjo in Banjo-Kazooie.

Kuma is a magnificent, super-intelligent bear. He understands rudimentary Japanese, communicates with hand signals, and has developed a unique style of martial arts, Kuma Shinken. Now that I think of it,Kuma is more accomplished than I, or most humans, will ever be. He gets all of my respect.

5Banjo

Imagine glowing up from a side character in a racing game toheadlining a famous N64 platformer, thus becoming the face of your development studio. Of course, I’m referring to Banjo, the mild-mannered, laid-back, banjo-playing anthropomorphic bear from theBanjo-Kazooieseries. You can’tmention Rare without this humble heropopping into conversation.

There’s a lot to love about Banjo. But this bear’s kindness and love for his sister, Tootie, is my selling point: that, and his love for pizza and naps. I feel you all too well, Banjo. Many people do. That’s likely why gamers go ballistic when Banjo and his feathered companion make a cameo in anything.

Halsin stands wearing a pair of orange and green briefs against an image of his bear form from Baldur’s Gate 3.

4Halsin

Most people imagine elves as slim, spritely creatures with pingy tenor voices. (You know, twinks.) Then, I encountered Halsin, a wood elf Druid from the smash-hitBaldur’s Gate 3. This red-skinned buff zaddy broke all of my expectations (that’s before he broke my back out, of course).

Halsin is most notorious in the gaming community for his intimate romance scene. When he gets aroused, this muscle bear transforms into aliteral grizzly bear. You may choose to mate with Halsin in bear form if you like. And that’s proof that D&D players are, without a doubt, the horniest people on the planet Earth.

Brian stands in front of a lake shirtless with his affable dog in Dream Daddy.

3Brian Harding

Dream Daddyis one of the best queer visual novels out there. The art style is charming, the writing is witty and heartfelt, and there are mini-games you’ll struggle to walk away from. However, the main attraction is, of course, the dads. There are seven datable dads in total. One person in particular may argue that he’s the best: Brian Harding.

Brian is Dream Daddy’sresident ginger teddy bear (beard, belly, and all). While his claws may come out when bragging about his prodigal ten-year-old daughter, Daisy, he’s never a poor sport. Brian is the kind of dude who encourages you to push your limits and reach your full potential, like your favorite sports coach. And get this: Brian’s a dog dad (I’m totally sending him a woof on Scruff)!

Wario gives a big grin while wearing his biker gear in this artwork from WarioWare: Get It Together.

2Wario

Oh,Wario, there’s no one quite like you (and definitely no one as gassy). This hefty dude fits the bear template to a B. Wario’s facial hair is abundant, his WarioWare wardrobe looks akin to something you’d see at The Eagle (the bar, not American Eagle), and that badonkadonk couldsmother you in your sleep!Mario is a lowly cub in comparison.

No shade, Mario. I’m a proud cub who would date you anytime.

Zangief poses in his original wrestling tights from Street Fighter 2 in this screenshot from Street Fighter 6.

Wario may have initially been a villain, but he transformed into the hippest friend you know over the past two decades. Wouldn’t you want to hang out with a biker who owns a microgame company? Okay, so his farts are near-fatal. Maybe he’s lactose intolerant or something. Don’t judge.

1Zangief

Introducing the GOAT of all bears, Zangief: The Red Cyclone! ThisStreet Fighterhas every trait that makes the perfect bear:coarse body hair, a huskular physique, a mustache that would make Freddy Mercury blush, and tights that belong at a circuit party. Zangief is the first bear I ever encountered in a video game, and it’s likely your first, too.

Zangief is an excellent role model, whether you’re looking for a father figure or daddy material. This Renaissance man is just as strong mentally as he is physically.Russia’s renowned wrestleris an avid reader (and looks pretty spiffy in his reading glasses, by the way). If I came across this gentleman on the apps, I’d definitely swipe right (or swipe in a 360-degree motion—that’s a fighting game joke for you normies).