Top 5 Old NPC’s in Video Games
Ah, old people. For whatever reason, golden oldies don’t appear very much in video games as significant characters. They are usually relegated to background roles and non-player characters. However, today we are going to look at the best old guys in games that help you out. For whatever reason, these NPCs have left a lasting memory on us as gamers, and this list is here to honour them. Now light a pipe, sit back on your rocking chair and let’s get started, with these awesome Top 5 Elderly NPCs in video games!
Number 5: Dr Light
Dr Light is the stereotypical old creator figure. Not only did he create Mega Man in order to save the world, he’s always there waiting for him to get home, sometimes with advice or upgrades to get ol Mega Man by on his quest to defeat Dr Wily. Dr Light is the good to Dr Wily’s evil, both of them where masters in robot development, but when Light received the credit, Wily grew evil and Light had to step up and create Mega Man to defeat his old friend. Despite his genius, Dr Light has proven to be a bit of a wally in many of the games, helping build Gamma with Dr Wily in Mega man 3, getting captured in Mega Man 5, and somehow not giving Mega Man a way of keeping his upgrades between games. Don’t worry Doctor, despite your apparent incompetence, we still love you.
Number 4: Cranky Kong
Cranky Kong is one of gaming’s greatest trolls. In most of the games he appears in, he basically doesn’t give a shit. Often berating Donkey Kong, breaking the fourth wall, and telling you stories nobody asked to hear, Cranky seems like a character that wasn’t even written, but just wandered in to the game and nobody could get rid of him. Making him even better is that many believe him to have been the Original Donkey Kong in the arcade games. Not only was he a dick in his previous life, but he’s kept that right up to his cranky old age. Cranky is a character that steals the scene every time he’s shown, and personally I hope he get’s more exposure in the future.
Number 3: Prof. Oak
Prof Oak is one of gaming’s premier mentors. Not only does he give you a Pokemon from his long decaying collection, but he’s always there to guide you throughout the game with friendly advice. Well, most of his advice concerns whether or not it’s the right time to ride a bike, but I digress. Oak is the quintessential Old Guy in games, he alludes to his previous life as a superstar trainer but leaves you wondering to his full extent, and he simply gives off the air of genius and wisdom that he is supposed to convey. Granted, he does tell a 10 year old to go travel the world just to register Pokemon in his new invention the PokeDex, but I’m sure he means well. Or maybe he just wants to get Red’s mum in her house by herself. The Ol’ Sleazebag.
Number 2: Old Man In Cave
The best helpers in the world are the ones that know what you need, give it to you, and then bugger off. The Old Man in the Cave in the Legend of Zelda is literally the most important NPC in the game and without him, Link would have been murdered as soon as he went anywhere. That sword kicked off the whole series and let Link go on his adventure, if that man hadn’t been waiting in that Cave for what might of been an eternity simply hoping someone would come along that he could dump his old rusty sword onto, then it might have been a very different game. We honour you Old Man in Cave, you lived your life nobly.
Number One: Sully
When you start caring more about a side character than the one you’re playing as, you know they’ve done a good job. Sully is not only the father figure, he’s the best friend, the crazy uncle and the mentor all wrapped up into one chain cigar smoking package. His one liners and frequent sarcasms help keep the game grounded in some semblance of reality, and help to give the series it’s charm and nonchalant-ness that it has become known for. Without Sully, Nate would be a single act, and the series would lose some of the comradrie that makes it so endearing. Sully is everything you want in an NPC partner, funny, useful, and actually add’s to the game.
So what are your opinions and thoughts? Let me know in the comments below, and make sure to get involved in the Voletican Chat Group!