Best Video Game Brothers
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Some say that blood is thicker than water, and the video game industry has seen plenty of both. There are a plethora of family feuds and sibling rivalries in video games that prove digital households can be every bit as complicated and difficult as real life. For decades, players have been able to witness some of the most emotional and intense stories in video game history – many of them centered around family.
Any video game historian knows that few family alliances have found their way into the core of a video game franchise like the love, loyalty, or simple hatred between brothers. Whether they’re working together to defeat a common enemy, or injuring innocent bystanders in order to resolve a grudge they’ve carried since the crib, brothers have established themselves as a great trope in game fiction.
Updated on September 26, 2023, by Alexandra O’Leary: Since this article was first published, a whole new generation of fan-favorite brothers have been introduced into the video game scene. It’s only right that these brothers are featured on this list, especially after the trials and challenges they’ve experienced. Some of the original entries on this list have also taken on new adventures, and deserve that information included. This article has been updated to reflect changes in the franchises and to include some newer entries.
13 The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Series
This band of brothers easily solidified themselves as some of the most lovable heroes in the world. Although there’s a chance these brave turtles aren’t blood-related, their upbringing coupled with their genuine loyalty to one another makes them a perfect example of video game brotherhood.
Not every game starring Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo has been a home run, but success or failure, the four brothers have been a package deal dating all the way back to their arcade days. Each of the half-shelled heroes is easily deserving of their own adventure, but audiences know that these guys are always better together.
12 The Lee Brothers – Double Dragon Series
Even though the Double Dragon franchise isn’t exactly known for its story and plot lines, Billy and Jimmy Lee are nevertheless brothers who deserve some recognition. These beat ’em up style games usually see Billy and Jimmy fighting for good, and besting criminals in the art of ‘Sou-Setsu-Ken’. Whatever the conflict, it’s clear that enemies will be left wishing they’d never crossed these battling brothers.
The Double Dragon brothers first debuted on the arcade scene but quickly made their way to almost every platform on the market. Often seen in near identical outfits, in their respective red or blue colors, Billy and Jimmy even starred in a cartoon series and a feature film. It’s no surprise that these two brothers are famous in the world of iconic video game families.
11 The Carmine Brothers – Gears of War Series
Unfortunately, original Gears of War players barely have time to get to know Anthony Carmine of the COG infantry – a well-meaning, if overeager cadet – before his tragic death in battle. However, this scene was not as simple as it seemed, but rather it marked the beginning of one of gaming’s most heart-wrenching family tragedies.
Soon enough, Anthony’s brother Benjamin would lose his life at the hands of the Locust forces, before Clayton – the eldest Carmine brother – would arrive to help the Delta Squad put an end to the Locust once and for all, in Gears of War 3. Featuring some of the most well-known weapons, gear, and storylines, the original three Gears of War games following the Carmine brothers will never be forgotten.
10 Paxton Fettel and The Point Man – F.E.A.R. Series
It’s easy to get distracted by all the specters, clone soldiers, and horrifying imagery of the F.E.A.R. series, but when getting right down to it, the franchise is just one long story about a pair of brothers. In this case, two brothers with some serious unresolved mother issues.
The historical twist of the original F.E.A.R. was the revelation that the game’s villain, Paxton Fettel, was not just an evil man with a mental link to the homicidal psychic Alma Wade, but also her son. The unnamed protagonist of the game, known as Point Man, also referred to Alma as ‘mother’ – meaning his target was, in actual fact, his brother. F.E.A.R. 3 put the family drama in center stage, presenting gamers with a brother-based story unlike any other.
9 Mega Man and Proto Man – Mega Man Series
Most Capcom fans will know the story of Dr. Light and his robotic creation, the titular hero Mega Man. But, before him was Dr. Light’s lesser-known, first prototype – aptly named Proto Man. Unfortunately, Proto Man’s design was not up to par, and instead of waiting around for Dr. Light to cut him open and make some upgrades, Proto Man fled from his father.
After that, he was adopted by Dr. Wily and hid his true identity, quickly becoming weaponized and featured as one of Mega Man’sgreatest foes. Although they began as enemies after discovering the truth of their brotherhood in Mega Man 3, Proto Man and Mega Man have been working together. A great outcome from a tale of sibling estrangement.
8 Sean and Carl Johnson – Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
The relationship between Sean ‘Sweet’ Johnson and Carl ‘CJ’ Johnson is a rightly complicated and layered one. In the case of these two video game brothers, a long history of hurt and disagreement has made them near strangers to each other. After the death of their youngest brother, CJ abandoned the Johnson family, something Sweet has had a hard time overcoming.
However, in true ‘blood is thicker than water’ fashion, the brothers realize that their personal issues can be put aside in the face of a common goal: protecting the Grove Street families and their neighborhood. The two learn to work together once more and have become some of the most beloved leads in the GTA series. They’re a great example of brothers enduring hardships and working together to accomplish a lot more than they ever did.
7 Vergil and Dante – Devil May Cry Series
Although brothers may share almost the same DNA, it doesn’t mean they will become the same people. Brothers Dante and Vergil are the perfect example of how siblings differ in attitude, especially considering that Devil May Cry’s Dante is the protagonist and his brother Vergil is the antagonist. As the twin sons of the demon Sparda and human woman Eva, the demonic powers imbued in the two brothers are utilized in very different ways.
Vergil wasted little time and freely used his abilities to claim power and glory, easily rejecting his own humanity. Meanwhile, Dante embraced his human side and became openly against all that his brother stood for. But, brothers will always be brothers, and when it’s needed, Dante and Vergil are capable of working together. It’s complicated, but a few sibling relationships aren’t.
6 Nathan and Sam – Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Nathan Drake is the singular protagonist of the original Uncharted series, carrying its immense legacy on his back for over a decade. Despite the nature of his discipline, Nate has quickly become one of gaming’s most loved heroes. His brother Sam, a lovable rogue type with a questionable moral compass, is a driving force in Nate’s treasure-hunting life. Like all brothers, Nate and Sam’s relationship is a rocky one, beginning with a tough life of sacrifice and hardship. Nate is more trustworthy and ethical, but as the older brother Sam quickly took to lying and cheating his way through life in order to provide for himself and his younger brother.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s Endis a fantastic exploration of a brotherly relationship, including betrayals, loyalty, and heartbreak. Even though Nate loves his brother dearly, he is forced to consider the repercussions of once more blindly following him – like he did as a child. Those old habits die hard, but it’s evident by the end of the game that the Drake brothers are bonded for life through a genuine love for each other and a deep understanding of the trials they’ve undertaken. No matter the situation, when it comes down to it, Nate and Sam are always on the same side.
5 Naiee and Naia – Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
Often, brothers in video games are pitted against each other and shown as two warring sides. However, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is a touching example of genuine sibling affection and its central theme is the depth of familial bond. It isn’t too common to see brothers portrayed in such a careful and emotional way.
Executed to perfection, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons brings the bond between brothers to its actual gameplay mechanics. It may be a bit confusing to newer players, but its unique controls make its conclusion even more impactful. Any fans of the game will understand its importance in the video game sibling scene.
4 Sans and Papyrus – Undertale
These two quirky skeleton brothers have been fan favorites ever since gamers first encountered them in 2015, and their brotherly bond is immediately apparent. These silly Undertale icons keep players entertained with puns, puzzles, and endearing dialogue. Their teasing, affectionate relationship is likely relatable to siblings everywhere; both of them try to top each other but are ultimately happy to see the other one happy.
Sans takes on the role of the eldest brother, and it’s heartwarming to see how he facilitates Papyrus’ dramatic flair. They both worry for one another in specific ways that show how well they balance each other out. Players should beware of a bad time since Sans will fight to the death in order to protect his brother. Meanwhile, Papyrus picks up Sans’ slack, cleaning up after him and prompting him to be more productive. There’s no better example of a genuine, lighthearted brotherly bond than these two boneheads.
Casual fans of the series may not realize that brotherhood is at the heart of the Metal Gear Solid series, particularly since the lore can be very complicated. However, it began with a desire to preserve a hero universally acclaimed: Big Boss. The solution was the clone him, creating a variety of clones that are technically brothers.
The original twins, Solid Snake and Liquid Snake, lived up to their prophesied fates – with one destined to ruin the world, and the other destined to save it. But things get even more complicated when their third brother Solidus is elected US President. The three brothers range from heroic to villainous, but each of them has something players can sympathize with. After all, their conflicting motives all tie back to their ‘father’.
2 Joel and Tommy – The Last of Us
The Last of Us is one of the most impactful and celebrated video game titles of the 21st century. Its visuals, story, and gameplay have been acclaimed by critics and fans alike, and at the very core of the game is a story about family. Although the central relationship is between Joel and Ellie, the story begins with Joel deciding to help Ellie in order to reach his brother Tommy.
The relationship between Joel and Tommy is, at times, strained and complicated. It is evident to players that the two were very close but, in the face of a worldwide shutdown, eventually let the stresses of life fracture their bond. However, both Joel and Tommy are proven to be incredibly loyal to one another and ultimately their brotherly love trumps almost anything. They have a deep understanding that can only come from knowing and caring about somebody in a very genuine and selfless way – always able to find forgiveness and respect.
1 Mario and Luigi – Super Mario Series
The original, iconic brothers Mario and Luigi are easily the most recognizable siblings in video games. Since the earliest days of console gaming, the Super Mario Brothers have earned their fame by featuring in some of the most polished and beloved platformers ever made. Even their spin-off games, like Mario Kart and Mario Golf, have become household names.
Appearing on every Nintendo platform, as well as television and film, there’s no media that hasn’t seen these legendary brothers. Even though Mario might have taken the spotlight more than his brother, Luigi has still had several standalone games and is an instantly familiar name. It’s clear to gamers everywhere that Mario and Luigi are the very essence of gaming, and no other brothers have done it quite like them.
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