Mario and Princess Peach (Mario 64)
We’ve been cheering for this couple since they were tiny, little pixels on our Nintendo screens. Mario and Princess Peach are a staple in every gamer’s wardrobe of memories, and we can never get enough of them. Jumping down pipes, dodging red shells and running after 1UP mushrooms like a mad man, Mario makes Disney princes look tame! You rode in on a white horse? I rode in on a friggin’ Yoshi. How about that, huh?
Even though Princess Peach should have invested in a taser after the 20th time she got captured, we secretly enjoy rescuing the beautiful damsel in distress. Plus, if a small, overweight, Italian plumber can bag a hot princess, that gives hope for the rest of us. Right?!
Cloud and Aerith (Final Fantasy VII)
Final Fantasy VII’s Aerith and Cloud were responsible for many of our manly sobs. Yes, Aerith Gainsborough and Cloud Strife are one video game pairing that still leaves a pang in our hearts after so many years. The beautiful, bubbly flower girl and the broody, stubborn ex-soldier seemed an unlikely match at the beginning of the game, but watching the chemistry unfold left our pixelated hearts warm with joy! I mean, who flirts by making your crush dress up as a girl?
The most pivotal point of Final Fantasy VII? The unexpected death of Aerith. Who can forget the chilling moment Sephiroth plummets down from the sky, his Masmune sword aimed straight for the helpless Aerith? Just like Cloud, we could only look on in utter shock… Queue: Nobuo Uematsu’s ‘Aerith’s Theme’ and we’re a blubbering wreck on the floor. In an age where emotional engagement through games was still growing, Final Fantasy VII pioneered the idea that games could truly move you. And boy, were we moved!
Solid Snake and Meryl… and various other ladies on Codec (Metal Gear Solid)
Although never officially an item, Solid Snake and Meryl take the term ‘bad-ass’ to another level. A fiery, red headed rookie and a stealthy, smooth soldier, Meryl and Snake’s dynamic was one of admiration, flirtation and defiance. Kicking genome soldier butt (whilst also appreciating Meryl’s butt), Metal Gear Solid pays tribute to the James Bond genre; Snake saving the world from nuclear destruction with a pretty, young femme fatale by his side.
Let’s also not forget Snake’s brilliantly bad chat up lines on Codec. In between fighting his evil twin brother, and taking down massive Metal Gears, Snake would pretty much hit on EVERY female he came across. Who can forget the famous sexual tension between him and Mei Ling? “I can’t believe I’m being hit on by the famous Solid Snake!” Yeah, me too, darling… Me too.
You and other players (Journey)
Unlike other games mentioned, Journey does not explore in-game relationships. Instead, it does something incredibly special… allowing you to FORM relationships instead. You begin as a small, red cloaked figure, peering out into a never ending sandy abyss. Your destination? A mountain, far away in the distance. What’s that chirping noise? Oh, look! It’s another red cloaked figure! Then the magic really begins. Floating, flying, chirping and chiming, you and your companion will scatter through the deserts, swim through the deepest oceans and trudge through snowy cliffs to reach your final destination. By the end of it, you’ll find yourself attached to this stranger, and slightly sad it’s all over. Journey is not a game; Journey is an experience.
Naked Snake and The Boss (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater)
Long before Solid Snake came stealthily sneaking onto our screens, there was one woman. A woman whom the entire Metal Gear Solid franchise owes itself to. The Boss: a legendary soldier and The Mother of Special Forces. The story between Naked Snake (AKA Big Boss) and The Boss is one that has captivated fans for years. To keep it short and sweet for you guys, Naked Snake is Solid Snake’s daddy. He was also The Boss’ disciple. Think Jedi and Padawan with a load of CQC thrown in the mix. The two went through life as comrades in battle, developing a kind of mother/son relationship, with frustrating hints of something more romantic (thanks for that one, Kojima).
In one of the greatest and most heart breaking twists in video game history, Naked Snake is forced to kill The Boss, a ruse set up by the government to avoid taking blame for a nuclear attack. The Boss is viewed as a traitor by the rest of the world, while Snake is praised a hero, taking the life of the only woman he loved.
“Snake… you’re a wonderful man. Kill me now. There’s only room for one snake and one boss”.
Her final mission complete, this tragic event triggers Naked Snake’s fall from grace, leading to a mind-blowing story that has kept us so engaged with the Metal Gear Solid series over the last 25 years.
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So, there we have it guys – my favourite video game romances. What are some of your favourites?]]>
