Performances Fans Love
In the world of video games, the right voice actor can elevate or take away from a gaming experience. But some voice actors go so far in their performances that they leave fans awe-struck and impressed. With that in mind, here are 20 of the greatest all-time vocal performances in gaming history.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America on Wikimedia
1. Neil Newbon
Neil Newbon truly stole the show as the effervescent, charismatic, and secretly tortured vampiric rogue Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3. His voice acting made each interaction with Astarion an emotionally weighted gut-punch of unpredictable banter. Admirers of the character specifically highlighted how quickly the actor could flip the mood from hilarious to heart-wrenching within the span of seconds.
Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America on Wikimedia
2. Tara Strong
Tara Strong is known for voicing numerous famous characters, including Harley Quinn in the Batman: Arkham series and Bubbles from Powerpuff Girls. In titles like Batman: Arkham City, she perfectly captured Harley's crazy yet heartfelt tone. Strong's range still sets the bar for exceptional voice acting in games.
3. Idris Elba
Idris Elba’s portrayal of Solomon Reed in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty added a new layer of depth and gravitas to the already vibrant world of Night City. His performance was immersive, allowing players to experience the essence of a big-screen experience within the context of an interactive video game. The way he balanced strong, emotional moments with the chaotic energy of Night City was remarkable.
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4. Christopher Judge
Christopher Judge's performances as Kratos in God of War and God of War Ragnarök were a masterclass in seething anger, grief, and tenderness. With a gravelly voice and laconic delivery, Judge imbued a mythological brute with a core of vulnerable humanity. Judge's portrayal of Kratos showed that video game acting can stand toe-to-toe with any movie melodrama.
5. Camilla Luddington
Camilla Luddington reimagined Lara Croft in the reboot trilogy Tomb Raider. Luddington's performance ranged from a traumatized survivor to an action hero. As Lara, she charted a vulnerable but indomitable young woman's journey to becoming a legend.
6. Norman Reedus
Norman Reedus plays Sam Porter Bridges in Death Stranding. His understated and tired performance echoed the loneliness of the game's surreal journey. Reedus lent the bizarre, emotional experience realism as film and gameplay blurred.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America on Wikimedia
7. Ashly Burch
Ashly Burch's portrayal of Aloy in Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West cemented her as one of the most powerful lead voices in gaming. She imbued the character with wonder, humor, and soul, making the journey of this digital warrior her own. Aloy became a fully realized, relatable, and endlessly inspiring character, in no small part thanks to Burch's dedication.
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8. David Hayter
David Hayter's raspy, instantly recognizable voice as Solid Snake became synonymous with stealth gaming itself. Snake's low-key intensity, punctuated by occasional deadpan asides, gave him an ageless cool. Hayter's voice would become so iconic that it would be difficult to envision Snake without it.
9. Laura Bailey
Laura Bailey took on the role of Abby in The Last of Us Part II and gave one of the most heart-wrenching performances in video game history. Bailey expertly conveyed Abby's anguish, remorse, and eventual redemption. Her dedication to the character won her critical praise and established her as one of the best in the business.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America on Wikimedia
10. Ellen McClain
Ellen McClain's voice performance as GLaDOS in Portal and Portal 2 is deadpan, yet gushing with sarcasm, bitterness, and an endearingly demented sweetness. Her steely, measured performance was key to elevating a sassy computer program to gaming icon.
Daunorubicin at English Wikipedia
Cropped by McGeddon at English Wikipedia. on Wikimedia
11. Stephen Russell
Stephen Russell has had a long and storied career, but his most famous role to date is probably as the grumpy, sarcastic, enigmatic master thief Garrett from the Thief series. His gravelly, measured tones and perfect comic timing in such a low-key stealth game became legendary. He would also eventually voice the Corvo Attano character for the sequel Dishonored 2, where his subdued voice carried a much more stately tone.
12. Xanthe Elbrick
Classically trained with a powerful, resonant voice, Xanthe Elbrick portrayed the female Sith Inquisitor in Star Wars: The Old Republic. Known for her dramatic prowess and distinctive vocal quality, Elbrick infused the role with a blend of intimidation and poignancy, reflecting the character's inner turmoil and conflicted nature. Her theatrical background and expressive vocal range allowed her to deliver performances that were both larger-than-life and intimately relatable, making her a memorable presence in the Star Wars gaming franchise.
13. Nolan North
Nolan North as Nathan Drake in the Uncharted series became the quintessential modern action-adventure hero. With his rapid-fire quips, emotionally honest voice, and easygoing delivery, North's Drake consistently feels like a real person, not just a character.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America on Wikimedia
14. Troy Baker
Troy Baker gave Joel an unforgettable emotional heft in The Last of Us and its sequel. His gritty, vulnerable portrayal of a damaged man in search of salvation resonated with millions of players. Baker's ability to portray everything from tenderness to rage helped make the game's storytelling iconic.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America on Wikimedia
15. Jennifer Hale
Jennifer Hale's portrayal of Commander Shepard created a new standard for player agency. Her Shepard was strong, empathetic, and forceful. Hale's performance made Shepard's leadership indelible. Hale made players care about every decision they made in the Mass Effect series.
Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America on Wikimedia
16. Roger Clark
As Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2, Roger Clark gave one of the most nuanced performances in gaming history. He played out Arthur's internal struggle with quiet grace, humor, and heartbreaking honesty. Clark's work helped turn a gritty Western into an emotional epic.
17. Matt Berry
It's difficult to imagine Worms Revolution's cacophonous battles without Matt Berry's patented high-pitched, dry, overconfident narration. The actor/comedian's exaggerated delivery has made countless battles played out in the Worms series sound like profound and amusing proclamations. Soon, he'll be using his same booming delivery on Bane in Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight.
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18. Mark Hamill
Mark Hamill's portrayal of The Joker in the Batman: Arkham series was downright terrifying. He balanced manic laughter with a sinister, feline intelligence that came to define the character for years. Hamill's performance erased the line between animation and game excellence.
19. Briana White
Briana White's performance as Aerith Gainsborough in Final Fantasy VII Remake was truly heartwarming. She brought such warmth and optimism to the character that made Aerith's story all the more impactful. White's portrayal of Aerith was full of hope, capturing the essence of the character.
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20. Melina Juergens
Melina Juergens’ portrayal of Senua in Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is visceral, cathartic, and human. Juergens played a woman afflicted by psychosis with vulnerability and bravery. Her performance was deeply immersive, earning accolades and altering perceptions of mental health in games.
