10 Most Iconic Fictional Planets In Video Games

One delightful aspect of all types of fiction, even video games, lies in their ability to transport us to unfamiliar realms and environments.

It’s easy to overlook how our everyday life on Earth is shaped by factors such as atmospheric conditions. However, if we were to explore other planets, we would quickly realize that their climates, landscapes, and even physical laws could be utterly foreign compared to what we are accustomed to.

Games that feature elements of science fiction or fantasy offer the opportunity to explore a variety of exotic alien planets. These could range from enigmatic realms brimming with mystical powers, to entirely synthetic environments created by advanced technology.

Over the years, I’ve lost track of the countless game worlds I’ve explored, but certain ones have left an indelible mark on my gaming memory.

10. Popstar

Kirby (Series)

As a devoted fan, I’d like to share that the vibrant world of Planet Popstar serves as the central stage for the Kirby series, where my favorite characters like Kirby, King Dedede, Meta Knight, and an array of adorable inhabitants call home.

Contrary to its appearance as a colossal yellow star from afar, its terrain is surprisingly hospitable for life, boasting an array of diverse landscapes such as grassy plains, deserts, and more.

Apart from its striking stellar structure, Popstar appears rather ordinary in the cosmic perspective. Yet, it’s intriguing that such diverse entities as Nightmare, Haltmann Works, Jambastion, and Dark Matter seem to frequently target this planet for threats.

Indeed, Kirby appears to be somewhat of an extraordinary alien life form. It’s often said that those with immense power are drawn together, and anyone who’s tried to challenge Kirby and his companions has usually found themselves leaving without a chance for conversation.

9. Pandora

Borderlands

In the initial Borderlands game, Pandora serves as the primary location, and it reappears as a frequent planet across all subsequent installments within the series.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but notice how the characters in these games frequently depict Pandora as the cosmic counterpart of a rundown neighborhood on the wrong side of town, and they’re spot-on in their description.

Pandora harbors absolutely no friendliness towards intelligent beings, teeming as it does with treacherous, predatorial creatures, while also being frequently plagued by strange, both natural and supernatural occurrences.

In simpler terms, people wouldn’t visit Pandora unless it was associated with the myth of the Vault. This legend acts as a powerful draw, much like a trap, attracting tourists and stimulating local businesses.

By the way, it’s important to note that the Pandora I’m referring to here has no connection to the one from the Avatar movies; that’s a somewhat antiquated jest.

Indeed, during Telltale’s Poker Night 2, characters at the table tease Claptrap mercilessly over the likeness, with Ash Williams humorously inquiring, “What is James Cameron truly like?

8. Oddworld

Oddworld (Series)

The primary backdrop for the Oddworld series is undoubtedly Oddworld itself – a planet with diverse and somewhat extreme environments such as deserts, rainforests, and icy expanses.

To date, every game in the Oddworld series has been based on the continent of Mudos, inhabited by diverse civilized creatures as well as numerous disgusting and unsavory beings. The mysteries that lie beyond the boundaries of Mudos remain unknown to us.

It’s fascinating to note that many of the inhabitants and races in Oddworld have a profound connection with mystical practices. Most intelligent species possess or once held unique beliefs and spiritual aspects that were distinct to them. The Mudokens and Gabbits are prime examples of this, demonstrating their individual spiritualities.

Once upon a time, even the industrious Glukkons were a spiritual civilization, but over time they chose progress through heavy industrialization instead. This transformation resulted in vast areas of their world becoming automated and shrouded by smog.

7. Zebes

Metroid

Planet Zebes, or what used to be, was frequently featured in the Metroid series as it served as the location for the debut game in the series.

As a devoted fan, I’d share that my formative years were spent on Zebes, under the care of the wise Chozo, after the devastation of my colony. It was also here where the genetic blueprints for the initial Metroids were perfected by Mother Brain, the sentient computer.

The planet isn’t particularly noteworthy; it consists mainly of extensive cave systems, with rare instances of subterranean forests here and there.

As a gamer, I can tell you that the Space Pirates weren’t just here for the view; they had a specific mission ordered by Mother Brain – to grab hold of the advanced Chozo tech, with a particular focus on the Metroids.

On the planet Zebes, adult bounty hunter Samus managed to vanquish Mother Brain and the Space Pirates’ forces not once, but twice.

Or:
In two separate battles against Mother Brain and her Space Pirate troops, Samus as an adult bounty hunter emerged victorious on Zebes.

Regrettably, because a ‘time bomb’ intended for supporting weight was triggered after Mother Brain’s downfall in Super Metroid, the entire planet met its demise.

6. Corneria

Star Fox

In the popular Star Fox series, Corneria serves as the fourth planet within the Lylat system and is informally recognized as the chief planetary seat.

This planet boasts a delightful blend of bustling urban areas and peaceful rural farmlands.

Most intelligent, mammalian beings inhabiting the Lylat system have origins traced back to Corneria. It’s due to the explorations and colonization initiatives undertaken by the Cornerian government and armed forces that any other planet in the system hosts sentient life.

In the Lylat system, only Venom, a planet similar in size and potentially habitable, has a population primarily composed of reptiles and an unusual number of monkeys as inhabitants.

Even Venom’s de facto leader Andross, though, was originally from Corneria before his exile.

5. Timber Hearth

Outer Wilds

In the Outer Wilds, Timber Hearth serves as both your origin and abode, and it’s the only planet within our solar system that offers suitable living conditions.

In contrast to the relentless tempests of Giant’s Deep and the shattered terrain of Brittle Hollow, Timber Hearth offers a comforting ambiance with its verdant woodlands and babbling brooks.

Under these optimal circumstances, the Hearthians have flourished and progressed sufficiently to venture bravely into the unknown, the vast and mysterious depths.

In this game, given that a Dark Bramble seed struck the other side of the world as it began, I guess the civilization wouldn’t have survived for long, regardless of whether or not a supernova event was part of the storyline.

It’s intriguing to note that, based on certain Nomai records, they had been observing the planet and its inhabitants (the Hearthians) during their early stages. They were quite astonished by their resilience.

4. Sera

Gears Of War

The primary location of the Gears of War video game series is a world called Sera, which bears resemblance to but is separate from Earth. Like Earth, it harbors human life and possesses the essential natural assets required for its survival.

In addition, Sera boasts an enormous community of subterranean burrowing creatures. Over time, these creatures have excavated vast networks of tunnels and hollow spaces beneath the surface, resembling a colossal honeycomb structure.

It was right here where humans first unearthed their main energy resource, Imulsion. However, the extraction of this very resource later triggered the genetic experiments that eventually brought forth the Locust. Oops!

After the appearance of the Locust Horde and their conflict against mankind, Sera transformed significantly into an unpleasant living environment. This was largely due to multiple Hammer of Dawn strikes from above.

3. Installation 04

Halo

It’s a bit contentious to label the numerous Halo installments of the Halo series as “planets,” given that they are completely synthetic in nature.

Despite their enormous size, these planets exhibit characteristics that make them somewhat habitable and possess unique landscapes. After all, who’s to say a planet must be entirely organic in nature?

Among all the Halo facilities, it’s undoubtedly Installation 04 that stands out the most, as it serves as the backdrop for the first Halo: Combat Evolved video game.

Inside Installation 04 resembles a planet similar to Earth, predominantly featuring vast oceans and forested archipelagos. However, its weather patterns are quite unpredictable; certain areas within the ring experience hurricane-like conditions while others remain perpetually under heavy snowfall.

Initially, the Covenant found and claimed control over Installation 04, viewing it as a sacred artifact of the Forerunners, whom they referred to as the “First Sacred Circle.

Afterward, UNSC forces escaping from Reach were the ones who uncovered the situation, leading to the entire confrontation between Master Chief.

Or:
Following their escape from Reach, it was UNSC forces who stumbled upon the truth, which initiated the series of events that led to their conflict with Master Chief.

2. Veldin

Ratchet And Clank

In the initial Ratchet and Clank series, the planet Veldin serves as Ratchet’s beloved adopted homeland, a place where he often finds refuge amidst his grand escapades.

Veldin is similar to Tatooine from Star Wars, a barren planet. It’s arid, it’s warm, it’s rugged, and there aren’t many activities. Despite this, it’s generally tranquil, with Ratchet residing and working as a mechanic in his own workshop while yearning for the cosmos.

Thanks solely to an accidental arrival of Clank on Veldin, it turned out that Ratchet eventually found the opportunity to delve into the broader universe for exploration. However, even following their initial adventure, they continued to make Ratchet’s garage their main home.

Following their adventures in Going Commando, the pair temporarily relocated to Endako, but eventually made their way back to Veldin to thwart the tyhrranoid attack orchestrated by Dr. Nefarious in Up Your Arsenal.

Or:

After the events of Going Commando, they spent some time in Endako before returning to Veldin to counteract the invasion led by Dr. Nefarious in Up Your Arsenal.

1. Super Earth

Helldivers

In these popular video games known as Helldivers, the setting is on a planet similar to Earth, often referred to as a “Super Earth,” and it’s where the main character, the Helldivers Corps, hail from.

You may wonder if a “Super Earth” is simply Earth with an added descriptor. However, we argue that such a planet, devoid of the marvels of Managed Democracy, might not deserve the title “Earth” at all.

To put it another way, imagine if Earth in the future became unified under a single administration as a result of a colossal conflict, much like how the television series Futurama depicts its version of Earth with only one president and flag.

Though you seldom have prolonged stays on Super Earth within the Helldivers video games, its presence is consistently emphasized throughout your gaming experience.

This city serves as the capital of a powerful confederacy consisting of 260 planets. With unwavering pride, every Helldiver solider is eager to charge into battle on unknown realms, giving their lives for the honor and grandeur of Super Earth.

2025-03-01 18:10