Joke Video Game Characters Who Are Taken More Seriously In Sequels

Key Takeaways

Shingo Yabuki transformed from a joke to a serious fighter in King of Fighters sequels.
Ditto evolved from a joke to a useful Pokemon in later game versions.
Winston Payne went from being a joke prosecutor to a serious opponent in Ace Attorney series.

As a long-time connoisseur of video games and their intricate narratives, I find it fascinating to observe how characters evolve over time within these digital realms. Two such characters that have piqued my interest are Yoshimoto Imagawa from the Samurai Warriors series and Rain from Mortal Kombat.

Characters with comedic elements are prevalent across various video game genres and come in many shapes and forms. Sometimes, their comical nature stems from restricted abilities or shortcomings in their skillset. These imperfections may manifest during gameplay, or they might be hinted at through the narrative, depending on the type of game. On other occasions, these characters are designed in such a way that players find them difficult to take seriously.

As a gamer, I’ve seen it happen time and again – characters initially labeled as jokes or sidekicks, proving they’re far more than that. What follows is a list of some of these characters who managed to shake off their comedic labels and earn respect in the subsequent installments of their series.

5 Shingo Yabuki

King Of Fighters

Joke Video Game Characters Who Are Taken More Seriously In Sequels

As a die-hard fan, I’d like to share that I’m talking about none other than Kyo Kusanagi, the star of the King of Fighters series. He’s a martial artist with an attitude, boasting pyrokinetic powers passed down from his ancestors. Interestingly enough, there was this high school student named Shingo Yabuki who shared my admiration for Kyo. In his debut in King of Fighters 97, Shingo didn’t have much to do with the grand narrative and didn’t even have a team of his own. Instead, he served as a relatable contrast to Kyo – an ordinary guy amidst naturally gifted martial artists. This duality is mirrored in the gameplay, where Shingo, not being part of the Kusanagi lineage, can’t replicate Kyo’s pyrokinetic abilities when mimicking his moves.

In the game KoF 99, Shingo saw a shift in his circumstances as he was asked to join a team that included Benimaru Nikaido, a frequent collaborator of Kyo. Over time, Shingo has increasingly found himself part of Kyo’s group, even joining Kyo’s idol’s team in various King of Fighters games. He has gone so far as to train under Saisyu Kusanagi, the father of Kyo and a man who, like his son, employs a similar fighting style.

Since his brutal encounter with Iori Yagami resulting in the Riot of Blood, causing him to become enraged, Shingo has had less frequent appearances in the series and was absent from most games following King of Fighters 11. However, he made a fitting comeback to the series as a downloadable character in King of Fighters 15, allowing him to join forces with Kyo again for a unique ending sequence.

4 Ditto

Pokemon

Reflecting on Ditto’s significant role in any mechanic related to Pokemon breeding nowadays, it seems peculiar to recall when this Pokemon was perceived as nothing more than a humorous character. However, prior to the introduction of the breeding mechanic, games like Pokemon Red and Blue were in existence, where Ditto was evaluated based solely on its battle performance. Notably, Ditto is known for having just one move, Transform, which allows it to mimic its opponent, albeit with the caveat that most of the time it does so after using a turn, effectively allowing the opposing Pokemon an opportunity for a free attack. The usefulness of this move can fluctuate, but the delay in activation certainly limited its effectiveness.

In the initial stages, Gold and Silver games provided Ditto with its unique role. However, it was significantly enhanced in Black and White versions, where the ability Imposter was introduced. Essentially, Imposter functions like an independent Transform. This enables Ditto to take on the form of an opponent’s Pokemon, often without using a turn, thus offering some strategic value as a wildcard. Despite personal opinions about Ditto, it’s undeniable that this Pokemon has undergone considerable development since its introduction in the first generation.

3 Winston Payne

Ace Attorney

In the 2D era of Ace Attorney, a character who often gives off a nervous vibe is a recurring figure. His bothersome “OBJECTION!” catchphrase is easily recognizable by those who’ve played the games. Even when he’s not present in certain games, his role is usually taken up by a family member like his brother Gaspen or their ancestor, Taketsuchi Auchi. All these characters share the common trait of being the prosecuting attorney for the opening case of their respective series installments. They are consistently outmatched by the prosecutors that appear later in the games. Although not always the first events chronologically, these cases serve as the easiest ones, where the player doesn’t need to examine a crime scene or listen to many testimonies.

In the game ‘Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney’, Winston Payne is conspicuously overshadowed during his last court appearance, as Phoenix Wright’s amnesia caused him to forget key skills for a defense attorney. Interestingly, Kristoph Gavin steps into the spotlight in this trial, becoming the primary opponent for Apollo Justice. Even in ‘Ace Attorney Investigations’, Miles Edgeworth struggles to recall Payne, indicating his diminishing relevance among prosecutors.

As an ardent fan, I must confess that Payne’s humorous persona and witty alias often overshadow his past as a dedicated prosecutor. This transformation is vividly depicted in “Trials and Tribulations,” a game that serves as a prequel to the expansive Ace Attorney series. In this instalment, he stands as Mia Fey’s adversary during her second trial, where she defended Phoenix Wright. Here, Payne proves to be a formidable opponent for Mia Fey, with Wright’s initial reluctance to collaborate adding to the challenge. This game, more than any other, reveals how he earned his ominous nickname, “Rookie Killer.

2 Yoshimoto Imagawa

Samurai Warriors

The Samurai Warriors series significantly romanticizes the Sengoku Era of Japan, featuring various daimyos from this time who are admired for their prowess, power, and tactical abilities, as well as other qualities. One such daimyo, Yoshimoto Imagawa, is depicted in a much less favorable light compared to others. In the series, Yoshimoto is shown as being unfit and cowardly, with a strong affinity for kemari, a popular Japanese sport. Interestingly, he often uses a kemari ball as one of his combat tools.

Although he possesses sufficient power and influence to be a significant ally to other daimyos like Takeda Shingen and Ujiyasu Hojo (with whom he did historically form alliances), his modest ambitions beyond the game of kemari perpetuate the image of him as a laughing stock. This image is sometimes portrayed favorably, such as in “Warriors Orochi 3,” where he successfully unites demons and humans through kemari. However, these accomplishments do not manage to elevate Yoshimoto beyond his status as a jester.

In Samurai Warriors 5, stepping into the ring as Yoshimoto feels like a whole new experience. This game marks a fresh start for the series, delving deeper into the historical narrative of Nobunaga Oda and staying truer to the Sengoku Period events. To achieve this authenticity, Yoshimoto undergoes a transformation in his appearance – he dons gleaming armor and wields a massive hammer instead of the kemari ball and sword from past games. Additionally, his voice has been given a deeper tone, distancing him further from the cheerful persona we knew before.

In contrast to how Nobunaga historically outmaneuvered Yoshimoto, this portrayal presents Yoshimoto as a formidable adversary instead. He aggressively takes control of territory belonging to a young Tokugawa Ieyasu, compelling him to betray Nobunaga and seek an alliance through an arranged marriage with Sena. However, Nobunaga manages to persuade Ieyasu to rejoin his cause, albeit facing continued challenges from Yoshimoto. Eventually, Nobunaga succeeds in eliminating him. In future iterations of the Samurai Warriors series, while historical accuracy might limit Yoshimoto’s screen time, his updated character design instills a newfound respect that was not present in earlier versions.

1 Rain

Mortal Kombat

The Mortal Kombat series is renowned for its distinctive humor, resulting in characters being created based on legends and rumors, such as Ermac. To be fair, no character embodies a joke more than Rain initially did. He first emerged exclusively during the attract mode of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 when it was released in arcades, making him unplayable within the game itself. Creator Ed Boon included the character as a trick for players, with his purple color scheme symbolizing Prince’s song “Purple Rain” in conjunction with his name. Players were lured into attempting to unlock or play this mysterious character, but ultimately the joke was on them.

As a gamer, let me tell you, I remember when Rain first splashed onto our home consoles in the Mortal Kombat series. At first, he seemed like just a funny water-guy, but boy, was I wrong! Over time, he’s become a regular character, even referencing his name as a prince in earlier versions of Mortal Kombat. Once they fleshed him out properly, Rain moved away from being a joke character and more towards being a serious fighter with a rich backstory, just like the rest of the crew. It’s amazing how much he’s evolved!

2024-09-15 17:34