It’s safe to say that the 1990s had an immense impact on the video game industry, as this landmark decade was responsible for some of the most incredible titles and moments in the history of gaming. In addition to the outstanding games and hardware released, the 90s were also a turning point for characters, as the decade produced some truly fantastic heroes, many of whom have stood the test of time and remain icons in the industry today.
When it comes to characters, however, it’s important for them to evolve, as they risk staying stagnant and stuck in the same lane forever. And these characters did that in spades, as many of them were able to evolve well beyond the low-poly polygons that the 90s were known for, into fully realized individuals. These characters have been ranked based on their evolution and who they are today, as well as their overall contribution to the world of video games.
1 Zack Fair
Protect Your Honor, As SOLDIER!
Despite only briefly appearing during a few key scenes of the original Final Fantasy 7 for the PS1 in 1997, Zack Fair has slowly but surely emerged as one of the franchise’s most complex, consistently evolving figures. The mysterious, black-haired figure that first showed up during one of FF7‘s numerous flashbacks would go on to define the Compilation of Final Fantasy 7 and serve as one of the most outstanding heroes in the continuously expanding universe of Gaia.
Zack’s first appearance is steeped in intrigue, but as the layers were peeled back and players saw him for what he truly was, he evolved from a catalyst for Cloud’s story into one of the most compelling characters in the FF7 universe. His noble sacrifice in the original FF7, as well as his incredible role during the finale of Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Rebirth, are simply outstanding, while his solo effort during the events of Crisis Core further solidifies him as one of the most complicated heroes in video games.
2 Knuckles
The Stoic Echinda Has Evolved Into One Of Gaming's Greatest Anti-Heroes
After first appearing during the chaotic opening moments of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Knuckles the Echidna is initially presented as an antagonist who stands in opposition to the lightning-fast blue hedgehog. But as the game progresses, players begin to fully understand exactly who Knuckles is, and his alliance with Sonic and the rest of the crew to resist Dr. Robotnik formed one of gaming’s most iconic partnerships over the decades.
As Knuckles began to evolve over the years, he grew into one of gaming’s most fantastic anti-heroes, as his methodology and personality stand in sharp contrast to Sonic. His ongoing friendship with Amy Rose has also grounded him, creating a character that feels much more honest and natural. Knuckles is a charismatic, battle-tested warrior who has changed quite a bit from his first appearance in Sonic 3, but has evolved into one of the franchise’s most endearing figures.
3 Jill Valentine
The Raccoon City Survivor Is One Of Gaming's Most Iconic Heroines
As Jill Valentine creeps through the ominous halls of the Spencer Mansion during the first Resident Evil game, the historic PS1 survival horror game that launched in 1996, her descent into madness takes a massive toll on her. Although she manages to survive the nightmare spawned by Albert Wesker and Umbrella, she leaves the mansion forever changed, which would echo loudly throughout both the franchise and Jill’s subsequent appearances.
When Jill returns during the events of Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, she has evolved from the woman who barely escaped a crumbling mansion with her life into a hardened warrior. Her time with S.T.A.R.S. and the horrors of the Spencer Mansion have changed her, and Jill’s hard times continue, as her desperate quest to flee a doomed Raccoon City is hampered at every turn by a killing machine known as Nemesis. Jill Valentine has gone through a lot, and with her rumored return for the upcoming Resident Evil: Requiem in 2026, this iconic survival horror heroine may not be done just yet.
4 Kain
The Coin Landed On Its Edge
In terms of video game vampires, there may not be one more well-known or beloved than Kain, the charismatic on-again, off-again protagonist of the Legacy of Kain franchise. First appearing in Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain for the PS1, he has slowly transformed from a power-mad force of nature into a complex, multilayered anti-hero that is at odds both with his own doomed fate and the uneasy alliance with his former friend Raziel.
Both men spend the entirety of the Legacy of Kain series in a constant, never-ending struggle with the tides of fate and their destined end points. Kain’s introduction as a noble who becomes a vampire is just the start of his journey, as he teeters the line between all-out villain and a pawn to the destiny that shackles him. Kain feels like a character from classic literature, a man steeped in centuries of fictional history that has shaped him into one of gaming’s most complex anti-heroes.
5 Leon Kennedy
From Rookie To Survivor, Leon Is Resident Evil's Most Relatable Hero
The harrowing events of Resident Evil 2 have shaped Capcom’s survival horror franchise more than any other entry, as the destruction of Raccoon City created a sense of scale and despair that defined the series moving forward. And right at the heart of the city’s apocalyptic endgame is Leon Kennedy, a rookie cop who couldn’t have picked a worse time for his first day on the job, as he’s thrown right into the fire alongside Claire Redfield.
After witnessing the cataclysmic end of Raccoon City, Leon found himself in a perilous state, where his knowledge of Umbrella’s wrongdoings put him into even more dangerous situations moving forward. Forged by the dramatic events that changed the world of Resident Evil, Leon was elevated from a rookie cop having a bad day into one of gaming’s most dependable, sturdy heroes. His sense of humor, charisma, and unrelenting compassion are all incredibly admirable traits, and they were all born from his legendary first appearance in 1998.
6 Lara Croft
A Feminist Icon And Gaming's Greatest Heroine
If there’s any video game character that defines the 1990s, it’s Lara Croft. The star of the Tomb Raider franchise was one of the biggest stars of the decade, as Lara graced video games, magazine covers, blockbuster feature films, and comic books. But while Lara may have been awkwardly defined as a sex symbol in the early days, Lara’s best days were ahead of her, as she would ascend beyond that to become gaming’s most prominent feminist icon and a symbol for change in the industry.
Evolving beyond the snarky adventurer into something more truthful, Lara would find her place as a strong-willed, independent hero who was driven by curiosity and the unexplained. During the Survivor Trilogy, Lara Croft would become the woman she was destined to be, showcasing just how far she had come in nearly three decades. Lara’s transformation into one of the industry’s most legendary female heroes is a fascinating one, and one that has seen her go through numerous ups and downs to finally emerge as the in-depth examination of heroism that she has become. Lara is set to return to video games in an upcoming Tomb Raider game developed by Crystal Dynamics.
