Hispanic Heritage Month is right here, and what higher method to kick off the season than to look again at a few of the most iconic Hispanic online game characters? From heroic protagonists corresponding to Spider-Man’s Miles Morales to unforgettable facet gamers like Jackie Welles of Cyberpunk 2077 and villainous favorites like Sombra from Overwatch, there is no scarcity of wonderful Hispanic characters in gaming.
Hispanic illustration in video video games has gone from sidekicks and villains to main heroes and scene-stealing, beloved icons. Here are a few of our favorites…
Carlos Oliveira (Resident Evil 3: Nemesis)
While Carlos could share the highlight with sequence protagonist Jill Valentine in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis and its subsequent remake in 2020, he’s solely been in a single sport since (three if you happen to rely The Umbrella Chronicles). His heroic demeanor, tragic backstory as a toddler soldier, and snazzy haircut make him not solely one of many standout characters within the sequence, but in addition some of the memorable heroes in a franchise filled with iconic protagonists and villains. Here’s hoping we see Carlos once more someday…
King (Tekken)
It takes loads to face out in a sequence filled with characters which are each memorable and downright distinctive. King is a luchador who, in contrast to a typical Mexican wrestler, swaps a standard luchador masks for a jaguar masks and in some iterations of the Tekken sequence has a critically fashion-forward sense of fashion. While King’s look could also be goofy in a sequence full of massive, goofy and eccentric characters, he’s primarily based on two real-life masked wrestlers: Japanese legend Satoru Sayama a.okay.a. Tiger Mask and Fray Tormenta, a Catholic priest who took a facet job as a luchador as a way to elevate cash for his orphanage. While King would not communicate a lot within the sequence exterior of the occasional growl — which is okay as a result of everyone in Tekken is a little bit of a weirdo — his character is a love letter to lucha libre. That’s made King not solely some of the immediately recognizable and iconic characters in Tekken, however in preventing video games as a complete.
Reyna (Valorant)
Reyna shouldn’t be solely an immediately recognizable character in Valorant, but in addition some of the standard characters within the sport in keeping with participant knowledge and group curiosity. While the Mexican native sports activities the same coloration palette to Sombra from Overwatch, that’s the place their similarities finish. Reyna’s skills and play-style are actually what makes her pop in Riot’s shooter as a consequence of her steep however rewarding studying curve and her general fascinating character. While she might not be probably the most uniquely designed feminine in a style filled with various and enjoyable characters, Reyna’s recognition amongst gamers has made her not solely a optimistic Hispanic character, however a feminine gaming icon as effectively.
Rico Rodriguez (Just Cause)
What would a listing of memorable and iconic Hispanic online game characters be with out the wingsuit-flying, grapple hook-using, harmful drive that’s Rico Rodriguez from the Just Cause sequence? The Mexican-born CIA super-soldier turned sworn enemy of gravity and physics is a simple entry into this checklist as a consequence of him being the embodiment of a tricky however likable motion hero who’s each masculine and likewise relatable. If you wish to expertise a enjoyable sandbox of issues blowing up, and a cool and likable character, then Rico is your man.
Sombra (Overwatch)
Sombra, a.okay.a. Olivia Colomar, is one in every of Overwatch’s antagonists and a member of the terrorist group Talon. While she could be related to the “unhealthy guys” in Overwatch’s story, she’s far out of your typical mustache-twirling, evil super-villain. Sombra’s story makes her kind of a insurgent with no trigger relatively than somebody who’s simply unhealthy for the sake of Overwatch’s want for villains. The Mexican orphan who turned a brilliant hacker can be standard with gamers as a consequence of her skill to swiftly and stealthily disable enemy groups and dish out an honest quantity of DPS together with her trademark SMGs. With her trademark look, partaking backstory, and standard play-style, Sombra is a wonderful Hispanic illustration in a sport filled with various and larger-than-life characters.
Jackie Welles (Cyberpunk 2077)
With Night City primarily based on a dystopian amalgamation of Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, it’s not shocking to see a heavy Chicano affect on town, its individuals, and its tradition. From the fashionable however violent Valentinos gang to its Latino radio station and areas like El Coyote Cojo, it is not arduous to see why a personality like Jackie Welles works so effectively on this distinctly Latino metropolis. From the sport’s first actual trailer to the tip of its first act, Jackie is a outstanding a part of V’s story and is a wonderful instance of how video video games can create impactful characters which are deeply rooted of their tradition with out coming off stereotypical and disingenuous. From Jackie’s informal mix of Spanish and English when speaking to V, to his curiosity within the non secular and supernatural “massive brother” arc, it is simple to see why this gun for rent is such an necessary character in a world filled with vibrant and unforgettable gamers.
Miles Morales (Spider-Man)
What else may be stated about Spider-Man that hasn’t been stated one million occasions already? While Miles Morales has solely not too long ago turn into as effectively generally known as Peter Parker, he’s turn into a mainstay in Marvel’s roster of superheroes and stars in one in every of PS5’s greatest video games. Miles is the definition of what it means to be an iconic and glorious illustration of a Hispanic character; from his carefree and excited angle to his unforgettable black Spidey swimsuit to his distinctive set of powers, he’s his personal Spider-Man to make sure. The Afro-Latino of Puerto Rican descent superhero has not solely turn into some of the necessary superheroes of late, but in addition some of the iconic heroes in video video games together with his co-starring function within the extremely anticipated Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.
Those have been seven iconic Hispanic characters in video video games. Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know within the feedback under, and for all the things else Hispanic Heritage Month, hold it locked to IGN.
