Are characters with mean streaks or rude manners exempt from having and Christmas spirit? Well…perhaps yes, in some regard. Maybe they’ll just be the unlucky ones with stockings filled with coal, but that doesn’t mean that villains can’t enjoy themselves around the holidays like everyone else! Well, whether or not any holidays are celebrated at all is up to the villains we’ve each chosen for our third Listmas topic this season. In considering some gaming’s memorable villain duos and/or teams, my mind strayed to the following picks.
Nadine and Rafe (Uncharted 4)
Among other things going on in Uncharted 4, the “good vs. bad” set-up sees Nathan Drake take on a formidable treasure-hunting “power couple” in Nadine Ross and Rafe Adler. While there’s lots going on between members of Nathan’s crew on the side of good, Nadine and Rafe present an interesting dynamic all their own. Their relationship is kept a little vague as far as storytelling goes, and an eventually betrayal invites a nice twist to the proceedings, but it’s clear that each once meant (and maybe still mean) something to the other. Having two smart and wily villains tackle Drake’s prowess was a great way to round out the series; having Nadine play a major role in the follow up, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy brought her to life even more, which was fantastic to witness.
Joker and Harlequin (Batman: Arkham)
While the classic team-up of Harlequin and her main squeeze, the Joker, predates video games, the duo as they are presented in the Batman: Arkham series hits a perfect home run. Both with brutal, comedic outlooks and a general disdain for Batman, the Joker and Harlequin work so well in tandem that when tragedy befalls the couple, it’s as heartbreaking as any do-gooder story. A mean streak of insanity bonds the two together through thick and thin, and that’s despite the fact that Harlequin appears more devoted to her man than he is to her. No two couples are alike, and indeed, there is no couple out there quite like this wild pair.
Conroy Bumpus and Lee Harvey (Sam & Max Hit the Road)
What’s a country star from Liverpool, England, to do when he becomes ridiculously famous while also hatching a plan to improve his act by capturing a bigfoot? Well, he gets himself a big and not very inquisitive bodyguard, that’s what. So went the relationship of the evil duo of Conroy Bumpus and Lee Harvey in Sam & Max Hit the Road. While Bumpus might appear small, he is nothing but a big meany who enjoys harming animals, so no love-loss there, that’s for sure. With Harvey has his goofy sidekick/bodyguard, their plans for dominating the entertainment world are readily foiled by keen detectives Sam and Max. Really, Bumpus and Harvey didn’t stand a chance – no presents for them!
Bob the Killer Goldfish and Number 4 (Earthworm Jim)
One of the best things about the Earthworm Jim series generally was its unusual take on anthropomorphizing animals. In some cases, like with enemies Psy-Crow or Queen Slug-for-a-Butt, they were hybridized with humans or human-like qualities. But in other cases, they were simply very angry animals bent on world domination. Case in point is Bob the Killer Goldfish, who would be nothing but Bob the regular goldfish were it not for his army of feline bodyguards who carry him around from place to place in his bowl, and also do all the fighting and everything else for Bob. Because he’s a fish. Number 4 happens to be his favorite minion, but in a pinch, any minion would work for Bob, just as long as they got him from point A to point B without spilling all his water.
The Bowser family and Kamek (Mario)
What is an evil family without a good henchman to carry out all its evil biddings? Enter in Kamek and his place alongside the Bowser and his kids (has there even been a Mrs. Bowser? Hmm…) as the most dastardly residents of the Mushroom Kingdom. Now, let’s be honest…we all know that Kamek holds all the power, right? If it weren’t for him and his magical abilities, the Bowser family would be nothing but a bunch of dinosaurs. And while dinosaurs can be scary, Bowser wouldn’t nearly have caused as many headaches for Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and the whole gang if he and Kamek had never met. Now, some in the Bowser family, like the bratty Bowser Jr., might wish that Kamek had never been a part of Bowser’s army, but the ship of Kamek going solo sailed off long ago.
Lede image captured by author during gameplay of Super Mario Bros. Wonder (©Nintendo).
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