Our Favorite Metal Sidekick
Many video games wouldn’t be what they are without their crucial robot sidekicks, right? And there are so many to choose from. The human desire to attach emotional meaning and feelings to beings that are meant to be objective, logical, and otherwise emotionless is a constant conversation in media, with many game developers choosing to make these metalheads lovable parts of their franchise.
1. BD-1
This adorable droid unit shows up in Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor, accompanying Cal Kestis as he travels across the Galactic Empire. His dog-like mannerisms are not only adorable but also useful, as he scans enemies, holds healing tools for Cal, and can hack imperial machinery.
2. HK-47
Another Star Wars droid, appearing in the Knights of the Old Republic and Galaxies games. He’s classified as an assassin droid who was created by Darth Revan, who executed potential threats to the Empire before being captured by the Jedi Order.
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3. Mega Man
This titular character has been a well-loved staple of the video game community for over 50 years, first appearing on the NES in 1987. While the games themselves are challenging, Mega Man is considered kind, just, and a robot with strong emotions.
4. Clank
Officially known as XJ-0461, this adorable robot appears in the Ratchet & Clank Series. His charming, intellectual, and curious personality makes him Ratchet's perfect opposite, while his emotional storyline and valued friendship make him a lovable character.
5. Connor
Appearing in Detroit: Become Human, Connor is one of the three playable protagonists you control in the game. His human-like demeanor, the constant push and pull of agency, and his complex character arc are what set him apart from the many other droids on this list.
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6. Astro
The titular character from the game Astro Bot, you control this Wall-E-esque character as he makes his way across the galaxy to save lost robots. The game is considered a gorgeous, modern take on platformer games, while Astro’s playful and delightful personality makes him an instantly lovable character.
7. GLaDOS
This famous superintelligent computer system appears in the Portal franchise, and she hasn’t been forgotten since. From her snappy comebacks to her antagonistic ways, GLaDOS is a complex villain with excellent writing and character design.
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8. Claptrap
This anthropomorphic robot appears in the Borderlands series, often appearing as an NPC. He’s overenthusiastic, self-centered, and cowardly, but continually stays a loyal friend and companion. His desire for friendship and found family is really what makes him so special.
9. Liberty Prime
Liberty Prime appears in the Fallout series. Originally constructed to serve as a weapon in the United States Army, he never actually saw any battle. Players love liberty for its comic relief, pro-American propagandic jokes, and for its usefulness throughout the world.
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10. BT
More commonly known as BT-7274, this beast of a robot appears in Titanfall 2. He is known for having a very strong relationship with his pilot, Jack Cooper, which is a key element of the game’s storyline. He is often considered one of the most compelling characters in modern gaming history.
11. Robo
Appearing in the game Chrono Trigger, Robo was created to assist humans as they fight against their potential demise. He has several abilities, from lasers to bombs to healing practices, which make him a very useful character in the game. However, fans really love him for his natural curiosity about humanity and his endearing nature.
12. Blade Wolf
This dog-like robot appears in the Metal Gear series. With vicious weapons, like a chainsaw, knives, a rail gun, and extendable claws, Blade Wolf can also speak to the players. He plays an important role as a companion to Raiden, is highly intelligent, and has a great sense of humor.
13. Mineru’s Construct
Appearing in Tears of the Kingdom, this robot hosts the ancient royal miner as she aids Link in his battle against Ganondorf. While the suit is useful for traversing the depths, its mineral story is now personified in a character, which makes it so lovable.
14. Jack
Jack appears in the Tekken game series. While his model, a huge, powerful fighter droid, is often associated with mindless destruction, Jack and other models appear to have gained some sentience and even have a soft spot for their creators.
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15. Nick Valentine
This detective droid appears in the game Fallout 4. As the owner and sole detective of the Valentine Detective Agency, players can recruit him to their party to aid in quests. His film noir aesthetic, well-written personality, backstory, and cynical demeanor make him a welcome addition to this well-loved game.
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16. Metal Sonic
Created by Doctor Eggman, Metal Sonic is the antithesis of the heroic and charming character he is designed after. While constantly trying to prove he is better than Sonic in just about every way, his complexity and rivalry with the hero bring us back to him every time.
17. Victor
This security robot appears in the game Fallout: New Vegas. He acts as an agent for the ruler of New Vegas and has a unique ability to hop between different units. Players love him for his cowboy-esque persona, friendly nature, and mysterious background.
18. Dog
While his name is Dog, his character is anything but. Dog appears in the Half-Life series, built as a protection bot for Alyx Vance. The dog is over two meters tall, can walk on his hind legs, and has the ability to pick up heavy objects if needed. While intelligent and powerful, fans love him for his classic, canine-like loyalty.
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19. Bastion
Appearing in the game Overwatch, Bastion is often considered a gentle giant, whose high survivability rate makes him an excellent choice for team play. He’s strong, strategic, and offers unique gameplay to fans who are looking to shake things up.
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20. Mettaton
Appearing in the indie game Undertale, Mettaton is the sole star of the Underground. His entertaining TV-show-host personality and loyalty to his friends make him a complex character who is fun to fight and even more fun to chat with.
