Every protagonist needs some kind of antagonist for the gamer to work against when they step into the shoes of their hero in their favorite videogames. The same idea applies to all entertainment mediums that try to tell a story. It works particularly well in gaming because the player emotionally and physically invests in the game’s characters and storylines even when it’s told in the most simplistic way.
A good rivalry between two characters whether they have mutual respect or hatred of each other can definitely make it more interesting for the player. Having two characters that are in direct opposition to each other with their own motivations are what make these rivalries so much fun. Let’s take a look at 10 of the best rivalries in gaming.
10 Metal Gear Solid - Solid Snake Vs. Liquid Snake
Released in 1998 on the PlayStation, Metal Gear Solid was a genre-defining stealth-action directed and written by Hideo Kojima for Konami. Despite the limitation of the console, Kojima managed to create a game with unrivaled cinematic flair.
Kojima’s love for cinema and action films is on full display when it comes to developing the inevitable showdown between cloned twins Solid and Liquid Snake. Taking a page out of the 80s and 90s martial arts movies Solid and Liquid the brothers have an iconic bare-knuckle fight reminiscent of Jean-Claude Van Damme at his peak.
9 Street Fighter - Ryu Vs. Ken
The Street Fighter series began in 1987 in the arcades and it included both Ryu and Ken as rivals and friends. The rivals have become cultural icons in the gaming industry and the most recognizable characters in the series have appeared in every single entry in the series.
Ryu and Ken both studied under the same martial arts master but followed very different paths, Ken simply enjoyed a challenge and even pursued acting while Ryu took on the mantle of a wandering warrior discovering new challenges. Despite their differing paths, the two friends maintained a healthy rivalry.
8 Yakuza 2 – Kazuma Kiryu Vs. Ryuji Goda
The Yakuza series began on the PlayStation 2 in 2005 and there have been seven entries in the series featuring the Dragon of Dojima Kazuma Kiryu as its lead character. Every entry in the series has featured fantastic antagonists for Kiryu to face including his series-long rivalry-come friendship with Yakuza 0 co-protagonist Goro Majima.
The most memorable and evenly matched, however, was the battle of the dragons. Yakuza 2 arguably features Kiryu’s most deadly foe in Ryuji Goda the Dragon of Kansai. Goda has a sense of honor and respect for Kiryu and the build-up of their final showdown is one of the best in the series.
7 Tekken Saga - Jin Vs. Kazuya Vs. Heihachi
Since the first Tekken released on the PlayStation in 1995, fans have enjoyed the saga of the Mishima's who are likely to be the most dysfunctional families in gaming. The first game began with Kazuya throwing his father Heihachi from a cliff at the end of the tournament, and the family relationship only grew more complicated.
Heihachi survived and Kazuya had a son Jin Kazama who had inherited his father’s “Devil Gene”. After the battle between Jin and Kazuya, Heihachi betrayed his grandson for the said gene and the battle between three makes the Skywalker Saga seem like a children’s cartoon in comparison.
6 Grandia II – Ryudo Vs. Melfice
Grandia II was first released on the Sega Dreamcast in 2001 and the PlayStation in 2002 before getting remastered in HD for the Nintendo Switch in 2019. The game took on a more serious tone than its predecessor with its battle-hardened protagonist and mercenary for hire Ryudo.
One of Ryudo’s primary antagonists in the game is Melfice a fallen hero who became possessed by one of the Horns of Valmar. Melfice initially wanted the horn to destroy the forces evil but became an instrument for it instead. Obviously, this sets up the rivalry between the two master swordsmen and brothers but with the added complication of Melfice not being responsible for his actions.
5 Sonic The Hedgehog - Sonic Vs. Dr. Robotnik (Dr. Eggman)
The first Sonic the Hedgehog game released on the Sega Megadrive/Genesis in 1991. The games were released to compete against Nintendo’s own mascot character Mario as Sega’s Alex Kidd was too similar. Sonic is a much faster game and featured some of the most beautifully animated visuals at the time.
Of course for Sonic to become the hero he needed an evil villain to defeat and that was Dr. Robotnik. Robotnik was turning all of Sonic’s animal friends into mindless robots and it was the little blue hedgehog’s job to stop him.
4 Mortal Kombat - Sub Zero Vs. Scorpion
The controversial alternative to the Street Fighter series Mortal Kombat gave fans one of the most memorable rivalries in gaming, Sub Zero vs. Scorpion. Sub Zero is an ice ninja and Scorpion is a fire ninja and their bitter rivalry spans generations.
Sub Zero a member of the Lin Kuei Clan killed Scorpion of the Shirai Ryu Clan in combat. Scorpion returned from the grave to kill Zero in vengeance leaving Kuai Lang the younger brother of Sub Zero to take on the mantle in a quest for vengeance of his own.
3 Super Mario Bros. - Mario Vs. Bowser
One of gaming’s most famed rivalries has to be Mario and his arch-nemesis Bowser. The series began in 1985 on the Famicom with Mario Bros. but Bowser only appeared in the game’s multiplayer mode after he kidnapped Princess Toadstool – now better known as Princess Peach.
The two have battled across several games throughout many generations in some incredibly memorable boss fights. Of course, the story usually only ever consists of Mario needing to rescue Peach from the King of the Koopas.
2 Compilation Of Final Fantasy VII - Cloud Vs. Sephiroth
Released in 1997 for the PlayStation, Final Fantasy VII has become one of the most iconic Japanese RPGs of all time with a long-awaited remake arriving in April 2020. In addition to its great characters and story, many fans are drawn to one of the greatest rivalries in gaming between Cloud and Sephiroth.
There’s always something endearing about two great swordsmen destined to cross blades and Final Fantasy VII develops their relationship perfectly. The sense of satisfaction and hatred the player feels towards Sephiroth in their final showdown is just icing on the cake. Sephiroth’s torment of Cloud continued in the movie sequel Advent Children and he even appeared in the Kingdom Hearts series to make Cloud’s life a misery.
1 The Legend Of Zelda - Link Vs. Ganon
Link and Ganon began their rivalry in the first The Legend of Zelda game released in 1986. Along with Zelda, Link and Ganon are the wielders of Triforce and all three have appeared in every game at a different period in time.
Ganon has reappeared as an antagonist in many different forms but the battles have always been epic and memorable. Of course, it is always Link’s destiny to be the hero that defeats the powerful wizard but the development and anticipation the player feels in getting to that final confrontation is awesome.
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