Gaming's Legendary Characters
Black protagonists have long brought depth, power, and originality to the gaming world, from pixelated pioneers to modern-day icons. They've been shaping gaming history for years. Yet their contributions have often gone underappreciated, overshadowed by louder narratives. Today, we spotlight 20 such characters who’ve broken barriers and left lasting marks on players worldwide. If you’re ready to rediscover these legendary gaming protagonists, this lineup is your gateway.
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales - Launch Trailer | PS4, PS5 by PlayStation Asia
1. Carl "CJ" Johnson
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was a blockbuster that defined a generation of open-world gaming. Its protagonist, Carl "CJ" Johnson, had a story exploring loyalty and corruption, brought to life by rapper Young Maylay in a landmark vocal performance.
CJ (Carl Johnson) - It Was A Good Day by Foosmoke
2. Lee Everett
Lee Everett steps into the role of a protective father figure for young Clementine, a redemptive path for the former professor during the apocalypse. In The Walking Dead: Season One, the player's moral choices forge a complex character that is celebrated for breaking common gaming stereotypes.
Lee Everett's Best Moments in The Walking Dead - Playing Dead by IGN
3. Miles Morales
As the first Black lead of a major console launch title, Miles Morales brought significant Afro-Latino representation to gaming. Starring in Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, he uses unique powers like Venom Strikes in a game that has sold over 4.1 million copies.
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales - PS4 Trailer by PlayStation
4. Blade
The iconic Marvel superhero Blade leapt into his own PlayStation game in 2000, tying into the popular movie. This third-person action title lets players control the famous vampire hunter as he battles through various dark and foreboding environments.
Blade [PS1] Longplay Walkthrough Playthrough Full Movie Game [4K60ᶠᵖˢ UHD🔴] by Kawaii Games
5. Aveline De Grandpré
The Assassin's Creed franchise broke new ground with Aveline de Grandpré, its first female protagonist. In Liberation, the African-French assassin fought Templars and freed enslaved people in 18th-century New Orleans, ultimately providing vital representation for the massive series.
Assassin's Creed Liberation HD Walkthrough - Part 1 - Aveline de Grandpré by AFGuidesHD
6. Marcus Holloway
From the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area, brilliant hacker Marcus Holloway used his tech-savvy skills to fight corporate corruption in Watch Dogs 2. His story explored digital privacy and social justice, which made him a celebrated and positive Black lead in modern gaming.
Watch Dogs 2 - Intro - Meet Marcus Holloway (4K) by Willzyyy
7. Colt Vahn
The witty and charismatic Colt Vahn stars in the critically acclaimed game Deathloop. Trapped on Blackreef Island and hunted by an assassin, his quest to break a repeating time loop helped the popular title earn multiple "Game of the Year" awards.
8. Lincoln Clay
A Vietnam War veteran seeking revenge, Lincoln Clay's story in Mafia III unflinchingly confronts racism during the Civil Rights era. The game received acclaim for its mature narrative, showcasing a compelling anti-hero who builds his own crime family from scratch.
Lincoln Clay - The Betrayed War Hero by Cynic
9. Nilin
With the power to steal and remix people's memories, Nilin is the "Errorist" protagonist of 2013's Remember Me. This notable Black female lead fights the powerful Memorize corporation in a sci-fi action game celebrated for its innovative and unique memory-altering mechanic.
Nilin Defeats Kid X-Mas 4K 60FPS UHD #rememberme #dontnod #bossfight by StarChildGamer
10. Afro Samurai
Iconic actor Samuel L. Jackson voices the main character in the Afro Samurai game, which expands on the story from the popular anime series. His quest to avenge his father's demise was praised for its stylish cel-shaded art and intense, fast-paced swordplay action.
Afro Samurai - Full Game Walkthrough (Xbox 360) Gameplay by AJBRUN
11. Michael LeRoi
The 1999 cult classic Shadow Man starred Michael LeRoi, a former English student turned voodoo warrior. One of the earliest Black protagonists in 3D action-adventures, he hunted serial killers in both the real world and the dark realm of Deadside.
Iceberg | Shadow Man by The EisenBerg Experience
12. Layla Ellison
After an incident at a research facility, biomedical student Layla Ellison gained incredible telekinetic powers in the game Redfall. One of four playable heroes, she uses a psychic umbrella to fight vampires in this modern cooperative first-person shooter.
Redfall - The Telekinetic Threat | Layla Hero Trailer by Bethesda Softworks
13. Adam Hunter
In the 16-bit beat 'em up era, Adam Hunter was a standout Black lead in 1991's classic Streets of Rage. The former police officer battled a powerful crime syndicate, returning as a playable character in the 2020 sequel.
Daft Punk Guy VS Adam Hunter - Streets of Rage 4 (Hard Difficulty) by Giorgi Tetunashvili
14. D'arci Stern
A precursor to modern sandbox action titles, the 1999 game Urban Chaos featured D'arci Stern as its protagonist. She played a rookie police officer in the Union City Police Department, tasked with fighting the nihilistic "Wildcats" gang across the city.
Urban Chaos (4K & 50FPS) Upscale test by HDBacon
15. Akuji
Murdered on his wedding day, the voodoo priest Akuji must travel through the underworld to redeem his soul in Akuji the Heartless. This 1999 PlayStation title was an early example of a Black protagonist leading an action-adventure game.
16. Bayek Of Siwa
As the last official Medjay of Ancient Egypt, Bayek of Siwa's tragic story of revenge anchored Assassin's Creed Origins. An emotional and well-realized protagonist, he went on to co-found the Hidden Ones, the very first Assassin Brotherhood in the series.
Assassin's Creed Origins: Bayek of Siwa by Pixel Cooks
17. Franklin Clinton
Among the best-selling video games, Grand Theft Auto V features Franklin Clinton as one of its three main protagonists. His story provides a grounded and modern perspective on life in Los Santos that follows his rise from a life of petty crime.
GTA 5 : Franklin Found The Scariest Ghost In GTA 5 ! (GTA 5 Mods) by Flight Gamer
18. Adéwalé
First introduced as a quartermaster in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Adéwalé later became a protagonist in the Freedom Cry expansion. Born into slavery, he joined the Assassins and fought tirelessly against the 18th-century slave trade in a powerful story.
Full Story of Adéwalé | Assassin’s Creed by Don Critic
19. James Heller
Seeking revenge for his family, U.S. Marine Sergeant James Heller becomes the super-powered protagonist of Prototype 2. His motivation is to hunt down Alex Mercer, the lead of the previous game, which makes him a notable Black protagonist in a major action title.
Prototype 2 Ending Boss Fight - Alex Mercer v James Heller by Daniel Royal
20. Axel Foley
Eddie Murphy's iconic character, Axel Foley, was the star of the 1990 Beverly Hills Cop video game. An early example of a film character leading a game, this side-scrolling action title let players control him across four different levels.
