Contributed by: Whitney Meers
Throughout gaming history, the number of playable male video game characters has always been grossly larger than the number of female playable characters. And, even where there are female characters, many of these ladies have been featured in the types of games that are marketed only to females – games involving flowers and hearts, and that, unsurprisingly, don’t sell very well. But, there are some video game vixens who really know how to kick ass. These are the gals who can break your heart… or your neck.
Here, I’d like to recognize a few of them, and offer a few words about what they’ve taught me.
Samus Aran – Metroid
It’s 1986, and like millions of other kids, you’re finally nearing the end of Metroid. As you finish the last level, you intently watch the end of the game when your expectations are thrown for a loop – Samus is a female.
Samus taught me that life is full of surprises. You have to expect the unexpected, because you never know what you’re going to get. But, I’ll add that in real life, it would be incredibly uncomfortable to have to find out that the man I’m enamored with is actually a lady.
Princess Peach – Super Mario Brothers
Princess Peach always looks fabulous in her pink dress, as she spends the days trapped in Bower’s Castle. But when she’s not incarcerated against her will, she’s playing soccer, or karting, or playing tennis, or doing any of dozens of other activities, always giving Mario and his pals a run for their money. Sounds like a pretty awesome girlfriend, doesn’t it?
But, the most important lesson I’ve learned from Princess Peach is that the further you get away from a guy, the harder he’ll fight to get you back.
Ms. Pac Man – Ms. Pac Man
Ms. Pac Man sure knew how to one-up Pac Man. In her time, she was more popular and more fun than her predecessor, and she milked it by becoming a pop culture icon. Ms. Pac Man held her own in a (Pac) man’s world, and paved the way for many female characters to come. And despite all this, she still found time to get married and have a kid, too. Remember Pac Jr., anyone?
Sonya Blade – Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat‘s breakout female packed a mean punch. Sure, she’d lure you in with her stunning looks and her fit frame – but without warning, she’d suddenly shock you with her signature move – the kiss of death.
Sonya taught me the true value of being female in a man’s world. She also taught me that if any man ever messes with me, I can always just rip his heart out.
Chun Li – Street Fighter II
This street fighting champ showed that there is power in mastery… this tiny lady could do some real damage. What she lacked in size, she made up in skill and precision. At the outset, she had two strikes against her – not only was she female; she was also a minority. But Chun Li went on to show that no matter race, creed, color or gender, you can still destroy your enemies with the right combo moves.
Lara Croft – Tomb Raider
In 1996, the developers of Tomb Raider decided to counter the convention of male dominated video game characters by putting a powerful female in a leading role. Risky? Perhaps. But pepper her with sex appeal and loads of violence, and you have a Quentin Tarantino film in the making. Or, in this case, Lara Croft in Tomb Raider.
Lara Croft showed me that beauty might only be skin deep, but it’ll help you sell a hell of a lot more units if you’re marketing those units to teenage boys. Put an action-adventure game on top of that, and no one really cares whether the lead is male or female… as long as there’s enough reckless violence involved.
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