The one thing more important than gifts and good food during the Christmas season (as much fun as they are) is having friends and family to share the holidays with.  (After all, who else is going to give you those presents, ha ha!)  So it’s about time we listed some of the gaming relationships that have caught our eye, from inseparable duos to gruff mentors to unlikely father figures.  Many of those included below are also part of my old sidekicks list, but today, I’ll be expanding on their relationships first and foremost. 

• Banjo and Kazooie – These two are pretty much the ultimate platforming pair, with Banjo’s ursine strength complimenting Kazooie’s flapping wings and sharp talons.  Banjo is a polite and well-mannered bear, while his sarcastic breegull companion spends all her time in Banjo’s iconic blue backpack, peeking out to take them to the skies or jab baddies with her pointy beak.  Kazooie may not be the nicest bird, but she played an integral role in rescuing Banjo’s sister Tooty from Gruntilda and eventually stopping the old hag’s efforts to resurrect her skeletal form to life.  Banjo and Kazooie may be as different as Bottles and his brother Jamjars, but if you’re looking for a friend who will literally carry you around (whether on land or in the air), then these guys are it.

• Ratchet and Clank – This Lombax and robot duo’s friendship had a rather rocky start, but after their first adventure to stop Chairman Drek, their bond became inseparable.  These two illustrate how opposites attract, with Ratchet’s more snarky and hot-headed personality pairing well with Clank’s calm and logical nature.  These two had multiple chances to split up, with Ratchet toying with the possibility of reuniting with his own kind in another dimension and Clank’s opportunity to carry on his creator’s role as caretaker of the Great Clock.  In the end, however, the pair realized that, sometimes, friends are the best family of all.

• Jak and Daxter – This mischievous pair decided to wander off to Misty Island one day, where Daxter fell into some Dark Eco and turned into an orange weasel.  From that day forth, Daxter could be found perched securely atop Jak’s shoulder for all their adventures.  Initially, Daxter’s wise-cracking nature bordered on callousness whenever his silent friend would perish during their first journey, making me wonder why Jak put up with him.  (Then again, it wasn’t as if Jak’s deaths were canon, so perhaps he didn’t truly comprehend what a jerk his “friend” really was.)  But when the second game came along, Daxter spent two years planning on how he might rescue Jak after his wrongful imprisonment, more than proving he’s a true friend, after all.  Although Jak himself has changed a lot since the first game, the two have managed to remain friends through thick and thin and multiple adventures.

• Sans and Papyrus (Undertale) – The skelebros, Sans and Papyrus, hail from the town of Snowdin, and there’s more to them than meets the eye.  Papyrus is obsessed with capturing a human so that he can become a Royal Guard.  On the surface, he comes across as arrogant and overly ambitious.  Until you realize that he’s an incredibly well-meaning guy who sees the best in everyone, including himself.  In fact, he even befriends the very human he meant to capture!  Sans, on the other hand, loves bad puns, is incredibly lazy, and likes messing with people in all manner of childish pranks.  (Such as shaking our hand with a hidden whoopie cushion.  Real mature, Sans…)  He’s also far more intelligent than he lets on.  He also adores his dolt of a brother and thinks he’s the greatest thing ever.  Now that’s true brotherly love!

• Gregory and Glamrock Freddy (FNAF: Security Breach) – Everyone calls this particular iteration of Freddy Fazbear “papa bear” and for good reason.  When Gregory finds himself stuck in the Pizzaplex after hours, Freddy takes it upon himself to protect him.  Even if that means lying to the security guard and allowing Gregory to ride around in his chest cavity to elude his band mates.  Even if Gregory can be a little jerk sometimes, and even if Freddy doesn’t totally understand what’s happened to his fellow animatronics, Freddy sticks by you to ensure that his superstar is safe.  Anyone who has a dad like Glamrock Freddy is truly blessed indeed!

• Oliver and Mr. Drippy (Ni no Kuni) – Okay, so Oliver’s mentor isn’t quite as patient as Gregory’s, but he’s equally as devoted.  After Oliver’s mother dies, this teen boy is left all alone in the world.  Until a gruff fairy named Mr. Drippy shows up.  Sure, calling Oliver a “crybaby bunting” isn’t the most helpful thing, but perhaps Mr. Drippy’s tough love approach is the best thing for the normally meek young boy.  Thanks to Drippy’s guidance, Oliver is able to not only defeat the evil wizard Shadar in the other world, but gain some much-needed confidence in himself, making it just a bit easier to move on after so a difficult loss.

Banner image is a screenshot of the Banjo-Kazooie, Super Smash Bros Ultimate reveal trailer