Throughout the many video games a lot of romantic relationships have been created to propel stories forward or develop characters further. Relationships within video games have been very popular among gamers for example Tali’Zorah from Mass Effect and Aela from Skyrim. However some gamers have personal choices of what characters have the best relationship and not all of them are optional. From all the games I’ve played these are the 5 relationships that stood out:

1. Mario and Peach
 

Since 1985 Mario has defeated many enemies, traveled thousands of miles, and eaten a vast amount of mushrooms all for his beloved Princess Peach. Spawning a large amount of different adventures in various platforms and consoles Mario has encountered many adversaries and difficulties.  Conquering every area using a combination of new and old tactics in order to pursue the culprit has always encouraged the notorious red plumber. It’s clear that there is no challenge great enough for Mario whether it is jumping over large gaps, performing a turn based battle on a theater stage, or Bowser once again kidnapping Princess Peach he will come for her.

2. Cloud Strife and Tifa Lockhart
 

Final Fantasy 7 was the first title to use 3D computer graphics and is one of the most popular RPG’s of all time, spawning sequels, prequels, and movies. In addition Final Fantasy 7 hosted an array of popular characters, the two most significant figures being the protagonist Cloud Strife and his childhood friend Tifa Lockhart. Cloud suffered from an array of personal torments that persisted throughout Crisis Core to Advent Children and Tifa has always been provided emotional support and comforted Cloud through his most difficult times. Although an intimate scene display their relationship was cut from Final Fantasy 7 the bond between the relationship between Cloud and Tifa is nevertheless one of the strongest one’s in video games. It also helps that Tifa is my favorite female character of all time.

3. Lloyd Irving and Colette Brunel
 

In 2004 Tales of Symphonia Lloyd Irving accompanied his long-time friend, Colette Brunel, and her guardians as she fulfills her destiny by regenerating the world’s mana by unsealing five temples. During the beginning of the game Lloyd views her as a good friend but goes to great lengths to make her happy. During many of the cut-scenes that the two are alone both of them share small outburst that they care for one another deeply. However in the middle of the Journey of Regeneration Lloyd is upset that Colette begins to lose her humanity and didn’t tell him, while she is willing to sacrifice herself for the greater good Lloyd refuses to accept this and attempts to save her regardless. Lloyd shows that although he was unsure about Colette he is more than willing to show on what he cannot say. In an optional scene in Dawn of the New World Lloyd tells Colette that he loves her, but the player can choose other options which I didn’t like.

4. Master Chief and Cortana
 

Despite being a genetically modified Super Solider and the other a virtual A.I. construct Master Chief and Cortana have made some incredible accomplishments together, while developing a relationship that rivals any other. In Halo: First Strike their relationship started off bumpy, with both questioning the other ability. Despite this rocky start at the end of Halo 3 they were responsible for saving the galaxy multiple times and being the predominant reason for ending the Human Covenant War. The relationship between the two have become almost human and now with the upcoming release of Halo 4 Cortana’s lifespan is about to end. Will Master Chief be the same now that his closest ally is about to die, will she sacrifice herself for him as she has done before, will he attempt to save her, or accept her fate?

5. Wander and Mono
 

How much would you be willing to sacrifice for the person who you care about the most? In Shadow of the Colossus a boy named Wander indirectly answers this question when he steals an ancient sword, travels to a forbidden land, and makes a deal with the devil to save his love Mono. Without question or any regard to his own personal safety Wander locates and eliminates 16 deadly beasts with nothing but his bow, sword, and horse. Although there is little dialogue about Mono or Wander and they never speak to one another for the entire game Team Ico was able to construct a setting that will make you care for these two by the end of the game.