Who’s got time to hit the bar in this economy? The one place I haven’t had a hard time finding company is video games. From everyone’s favorite waifus to the most dashing husbandos, we’ve seen a dramatic rise in attractive video game characters getting lots of attention. So if you’re still on the lookout for a male character that makes your heart go “doki doki”, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s meet the 20 hottest & most popular husbandos in video games right now.
20. Link
Game Series: The Legend of Zelda You can’t really get to know someone without talking to them. But if there’s one silent hero you’d want to date regardless, it has to be Link. Making small talk with Link must be more than a little bit challenging, but judging by Midna, Mipha, Paya, and Zelda’s apparent interest in Hyrule’s most bad-ass bachelor, he must be a blast to be around. Link is one of the very first husbandos gamers ever had contact with. He wasn’t the first dude in gaming, but who wants to fawn over Pac-Man or Donkey Kong?
19. Kratos
Game Series: God of War Some people like them tough and rough around the edges – and some people get a kick from the idea that their partner could tear them apart any second. Kratos is one of the most brutal and powerful men in gaming. He single-handedly ended the Greek world by bringing down almost every major god in its pantheon, and he’s in the process of doing the same to Norse mythology – but now, he’s doing it to protect his family. Before becoming the grizzled father figure seen in God of War (2018), Kratos was also famous for his sexual prowess. Every major game in the series included at least one quicktime event where you’d press keys and listen to delighted ladies praising the Spartan’s skills.
18. Dante
Game Series: Devil May Cry Kratos may be big and strong. But one thing he doesn’t have is a sense of humor. Dante, on the other hand, might have too big of a sense of humor. Even in the bleakest situations, this half-demon, half-hottie has a wealth of jokes and witty remarks to cut through the tension. Dante seems to put a lot of time into his styling when he’s not hunting down demons to avenge his mother and protect the human world. We’ve seen him grow from a cocky swordsman in DMC3 to a hot DILF in DMC4 and beyond.
17. Diluc
Game Series: Genshin Impact Do you like Bruce Wayne and cute anime guys? Then you’ll love Diluc. This fiery gentleman can provide protection, stability, and access to the best wines in the entire region surrounding Mondstadt – after all, he owns the biggest winery around. Still, you’ll have to accept that some nights, you’ll spend alone. Diluc is committed to protecting Mondstadt under cover of night, becoming the Darknight Hero. I know it’s a lot to take in. But look at this total anime hottie. He’s worth the trouble for sure.
16. Cloud Strife
Game Series: Final Fantasy Cloud is one of the most famous and influential characters in gaming, and his recent appearance in Final Fantasy VII Remake has only increased his popularity. Back in the day, he stole hearts with his calm and collected personality coupled with an angst-filled backstory. Nowadays, his appeal has evolved far beyond the typical sulky JRPG protagonist. The remake let us see a bit deeper into his personality – the part he shows when there are no enemy soldiers around – and it’s just as dreamy as his looks. Plus, he looks great in women’s clothes.
15. The Prince
Game Series: Prince of Persia Few characters had gamers drooling all over themselves like The Prince of Persia in the days of The Sands of Time. He was a daredevil, running straight into danger to strike at the enemy’s heart and cover himself in honor and glory. His witty quips whenever you died and as the story progressed were simply a pleasure to listen to and evoked the image of the prince holding a drink instead of a sword. Regrettably, his character became progressively darker and more callous from Warrior Within onward. Some people like that, but I feel like he lost some of his magic.
14. Ezio Auditore
Game Series: Assassin’s Creed If you’re looking for a sophisticated gentleman whose charms endure even into old age, Ezio Auditore da Firenze is your man. The Assassin’s Creed franchise wouldn’t be what it is today without this playboy’s charm carrying the saga throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s. And most of us have fond memories of rebuilding the Assassins from the ground up alongside Ezio. He’s also one of those characters that only gets better with age. The young lad from AC2 was charming. But the man we see in AC: Brotherhood blows him out of the water, and AC: Revelations showed us Ezio had aged like fine Italian wine.
13. Prompto
Game Series: Final Fantasy While every male character in FFXV could elicit passionate feelings from the audience, Prompto takes the lead with his bright and juvenile personality. Plus, some people love a dude with a camera. Prompto is the heart of the party – the adventuring party, that is. His constant effort to take the best pictures during the trip helps the gang create fond memories of the places visited and the foes defeated. He’s as hot as he’s sweet, but he’s also in love with the most desirable woman in Eos – Cindy Aurum. If you think you can compete with this bombshell mechanic, Prompto is a fine husbando.
12. Ignis
Game Series: Final Fantasy While most FFXV players prefer Prompto, I can’t possibly include the photographer without giving the real best boy a chance to shine. If Prompto is the heart of the party, Ignis is the brain. He doesn’t just look competent and reliable – he lives by those traits. He’s the groups’ GPS, the cook, the survival expert, and a real friend – the mom friend, to be exact. A dangerously hot dude who can clean and cook and has connections to the government? Count me in.
11. Zagreus
Game Series: Hades Zagreus is a bit like Kratos. They’re both Greek, they both put mythical creatures to sleep, and they’ve both escaped from Hades – though it took Zagreus many more attempts. The Prince of the Underworld is a rebellious young man who dreams of freedom from his father’s oppressive rule – something a lot of us can relate to. Luckily, most of us don’t have to spill as much blood as Zagreus on our coming-of-age journey to heal the family trauma, but we can definitely feel inspired by his tenacity. He’s a bit cocky. But for the most part, Zagreus keeps his head off the clouds and his (flaming) feet on the ground – well, the underground.
10. Big Boss
Game Series: Metal Gear It’s hard to tell what Metal Gear’s Big Boss would be like outside of war. He’s defined by it, and that’s… actually kind of hot. But Big Boss is much more than just a hot, grizzled old man with an eyepatch. John, Naked Snake, Vic Boss, Ishmael… they’re all labels we put on an ideal, on a symbol. This Legendary Soldier embodies revolution, tenacity, principles, and effort. He’s the kind of figure men look up to whenever a task seems too big for them to overcome. He’s inspiring, and he looks great smoking a cigar.
9. Joker
Game Series: Persona 5 Known as Ren Amamiya by anime watchers, Joker is the leader of the Phantom Thieves – a vigilante organization bringing down the hammer of justice on corrupt adults by sneaking into their minds and changing their hearts by force. He has a relaxed and aloof personality that’s a hit with the ladies, and he can keep his cool under pressure like few others. If you want a kind but decisive partner who’ll put his life on the line to keep you safe, Joker is the one.
8. Alistair Theirin
Game Series: Dragon Age Alistair is the first real friend and companion you meet in Bioware’s Dragon Age: Origins (unless you’re boring and start as a human noble). As the story progresses, you get a deeper look into the character’s personality. Beyond the witty comments and sarcastic humor, there’s a heart that’s too pure for this world. He’s soft and inexperienced – but he has the drive to push through and become one of the great warriors and leaders of his time. Depending on your choices, Alistair may even become the king. If you’re swayed by noble titles, it doesn’t get any better than that.
7. Chrom
Game Series: Fire Emblem Another dreamy guy from gaming that proudly carries a noble title is Chrom, the Prince of Ylisse and the main character in Fire Emblem: Awakening. Awakening was the first Fire Emblem to put its characters and plot above its gameplay. That’s not to say the game isn’t fun, but that getting to know its characters deeply and piecing together the narrative is vital to the experience. As such, Chrom was written as one of the most magnetic heroes in Fire Emblem. He’s a bit reckless and impulsive, but his heart is always in the right place. And he has the bravery and leadership needed to achieve victory and peace. Plus you can actually live out your romantic fantasies with Chrom by making your in-game avatar female.
6. Joel
Game Series: The Last of Us Joel stands out not for lordly titles or grand achievements, but for being a relatable dude surviving an unimaginable situation. He shines for his resilience and his commitment to being a good father. It’s hard not to fall in love with Joel, romantically or otherwise. Seeing his life come crashing down around him at the beginning of the zombie apocalypse despite his best efforts is profoundly moving. It makes you invested in the character almost instantly. We see how this cynical survivor is slowly replaced by the great father that lies dormant within him throughout The Last of Us. It’s like watching someone come back from the dead and become the post-apocalypse’s #1 dad.
5. John Marston
Game Series: Red Dead Redemption Red Dead Redemption’s John Marston stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Joel as an admirable family man who’s forced into a life of violence to protect those he cares about. Still, there’s something about John that’s irresistibly sexy. It may be the manly scars on his face, or just the fact that he’s a cowboy. But looking at John shoot his revolver sends a shiver down my spine. As the main character in a Rockstar game, we see John murdering scores of gunmen with a bone to pick with him – but deep down, all he wants is to be left alone to live in peace with his family.
4. Garrus Vakarian
Game Series: Mass Effect There’s a good amount of gods, demons, and other super-human beings among the most coveted bachelors in gaming – but what about aliens? Garrus is a romanceable companion in BioWare’s critically acclaimed Mass Effect series. He’s a Turian – part of a militaristic society that values discipline and service above all else – and his dominant, no-nonsense personality definitely reflects that. With skin as hard as iron, and an even harder will, Garrus is a fan-favorite among the Normandy’s crew. As they say, there’s no Shepard without Vakarian.
3. Cullen Rutherford
Game Series: Dragon Age Another military-minded and disciplined character from BioWare that’s risen to fame as a romance option is Cullen, a Fereldan templar knight from the Dragon Age series. Cullen has been around since DA: Origins, first as a supporting character, then as a full-fledged companion commanding the Inquisition’s military forces in DA: Inquisition. Templars are often seen as the mages’ oppressors in Thedas, but Cullen has learned much throughout the saga. Despite having lived countless horrors at the hand of mages, he believes they deserve freedom and a chance at happiness – with some minor safeguards, of course. In Inquisition, we get to see Cullen struggling to quit Lyrium – an addictive magic substance Templars use to better stand up to the mages. It’s hard not to feel proud of his efforts every step of the way.
2. Geralt of Rivia
Game Series: The Witcher Anyone who’s played through The Witcher 3 (or watched the recent Netflix series) knows exactly why Geralt of Rivia is so high on the list. Geralt is the epitome of manly appeal. He’s reliable, a quick thinker, strong like an ox, and has the body of a Greek god – all features you’d love to find in your husbando. The Netflix series gave us a ton of fanservice thanks to Henry Cavill, but the game doesn’t stay behind. Hell, the game opens with Geralt sitting in a bathtub being a total hunk. You don’t know when a giant magical beast is finally going to get him. But until then, Geralt is the obvious video game husband for many fans.
1. Mario
Game Series: Super Mario This list is full of great choices – but can anyone compete with Mr. Video Games himself? Mario is at the top of the dominance hierarchy when it comes to men in video games. He’s known worldwide as the face of the medium – with a goal of overtaking even Mickey Mouse in fame. And every time he makes an appearance, he goes above and beyond to achieve his goals. When it comes to status and reliability you can’t do better than Mario. Plus this Italian plumber is bound to know the best pizza joints in town. He might even take you down to Tuscany to sample traditional pies through one of his handy green pipes. Rockin’ a powerful dad bod and a killer mustache, Mario is a fine virtual specimen and a stellar husbando.
