The Unluckiest Nintendo Characters, Ranked

Key Takeaways

Glass Joe is designed to be an easy opponent in Punch Out!! to encourage players to keep going.
Olimar’s unlucky vacation leads him to a planet of Pikmin in a test of survival.
Princess Peach is constantly being targeted and kidnapped by Bowser.

As I delve deeper into the world of gaming icons and their extraordinary lives, it’s become increasingly evident that some characters carry more than just pixels – they bear the weight of bad luck. And among these cursed souls, there is one who stands out, like the mushroom cap on a battle-tested Toad – Princess Peach.

Regardless of their efforts, certain Nintendo characters appear to perpetually find themselves in unfortunate circumstances. It could be a villain constantly thwarted in their attempts to conquer the world, or an ally of the hero who keeps finding themselves in precarious situations. Such characters often seem to have bad luck on their side.

Despite their consistent misfortune, the characters often become more relatable and compelling due to this struggle, prompting audiences to cheer for their success. Regrettably, the individuals you’re about to read about have faced significant hardships throughout their journeys, which could have been alleviated with a touch of good fortune along the way.

8. Glass Joe

Glass Joe Is A Literal Punching Bag In The Punch Out Games

First Appearance: Punch-Out!!

In the world of Punch-Out!!, it’s been shared that Glass Joe, my initial adversary, was intentionally designed as an easy opponent to persuade players like us to continue pouring coins into the arcade machine for tougher challenges ahead. While this might be advantageous for our gaming experience, poor Glass Joe finds himself in a tricky predicament. After all, the clumsy and greenhorn Frenchman doesn’t seem too keen on engaging in combat in the first place.

In simpler terms, it can be said that it doesn’t make things easier for Joe in the game Punch-Out!! because all his opponents, like King Hippo and Von Kaider, are unusually large and powerful characters who could knock Joe out with a single punch. Unfortunately for Glass Joe, he has been serving as the tutorial opponent for multiple games.

7. Olimar

One Unlucky Incident Sends Olimar On A Wild Adventure

First Appearance: Pikmin

All Olimar wanted to do was enjoy a nice relaxing intergalactic vacation, but his trip is cut short when a comet crashes into his ship and plunges him towards a mysterious planet full of small creatures known as Pikmin. Things go from bad to worse though when Olimar discovers the planet’s oxygen is poisonous, meaning he only has 30 days to restore his ship and escape before his oxygen tank lets up.

While Pikmin creatures were ready to aid him, Olimar’s transformation into a hero didn’t stem from a desire for heroism; instead, it was the result of a vacation that took an unexpected turn. Remarkably, this exact situation repeats itself in Pikmin 4, where once more, Olimar finds himself stranded on a strange planet, this time attempting to find a way back home, as if the first instance wasn’t enough.

6. AZ

AZ’s Disheveled Look And Personality Makes More Sense When Learning About His Journey Thus Far

First Appearance: Pokemon X and Y

As AZ draws near the conclusion of both Pokémon X and Y, he appears as a somewhat enigmatic traveler on a constant quest for combat. However, what players don’t realize is that this character was once the ruler of Kalos. Tragic circumstances in his life led him to become the man encountered within the game. After losing his parents at an early age, AZ found solace in his Floette, the Pokémon that his mother had given him as a keepsake.

Following compulsion to join a conflict, the Pokemon was taken away from its trainer, prompting AZ to develop an ultimate weapon in rage to obliterate both parties. However, despite already suffering significant losses, AZ later learns that Floette disapproves of his actions, leaving him emotionally drained until he can reconcile with his cherished Pokemon after years of hardship and misfortune.

5. Princess Zelda (Breath Of The Wild)

Everything That Could Of Went Wrong Did Go Wrong For The Princess Of Hyrule When Ganon Invaded

First Appearance: The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

In each installment of Zelda, the protagonists often face bad fortune within their respective games. However, the princess depicted in Breath of the Wild may have suffered the most misfortune. Before Link awoke from his slumber, he, along with several other guardians, were tasked with safeguarding this princess as she tirelessly worked to awaken the necessary magic to defeat Ganon for good.

Sadly, Ganon not only ravaged the land of Hyrule but also took control of the Divine Beasts and killed Zelda’s protectors. This left Zelda no choice but to seal both Link and herself to escape the turmoil. If someone had caught Ganon unawares or if the Divine Beasts could have restrained his powers, perhaps the catastrophe known as “The Great Calamity” could have been averted. However, all these possibilities were shattered on Zelda’s shoulders.

4. Luigi

Luigi Is Stuck In The Unfortunate Position Of Always Being Second Fiddle To His Brother

First Appearance: Mario Bros

In most Mario games, Luigi often finds himself in less fortunate circumstances compared to his brother during their escapades. For instance, one moment he might be tricked into staying at a luxurious hotel that turns out to be haunted and teeming with spooky spirits, while the next instant, he could end up trapped behind a mirror by King Boo.

Funny thing, finding myself tossed into these bizarre and petrifying situations feels almost surreal, given my rather reserved nature. It seems like I’ve got a knack for bad luck, you know? Adding to the irony, I’m Mario’s brother, the king of the Mushroom Kingdom. You’d think that would give me some sort of edge, but nope! I’m always the sidekick, no matter how much I strive to show my worth.

3. Groose

Groose Has No Luck When Trying To Win Over Zelda Or Humiliate His Rival

First Appearance: The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword

In “The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword”, Groose is an introduced character who harbors a deep jealousy towards Link, particularly their bond with Princess Zelda. Despite his efforts to win over Zelda, which often involve extreme measures, Groose remains unsuccessful in this pursuit. Even by the game’s conclusion, he has yet to forge a close relationship with her.

In a rather unfortunate turn of events, Groose stumbles and lands headfirst on the same spot, finding himself in the company of none other than his longtime adversary, Link. Despite attempting to manipulate the situation during the Wing Ceremony by throwing eggs at Link, he consistently fails to disrupt Link’s progression. This incident is merely one example of Groose’s string of bad luck.

2. Samus

Ever Since She Was Young, Samus Has Been Plagued With Bad Luck

First Appearance: Metroid

It’s impressive that Samus continues to thrive as a galactic bounty hunter despite the numerous hardships she has faced. Her parents were cruelly taken from her at a young age by Ridley, leaving an indelible mark on her life. Even when Samus believes she has defeated Ridley once and for all, he seems to resurface in another form, preventing her from achieving closure and forgiving herself for the vulnerability she felt long ago.

Despite Samus briefly finding comfort in her relationship with the Metroid Baby, they are torn apart when the baby gets ensnared in a laser beam attack. This means Samus is left alone once more. Being a bounty hunter isn’t a stroll through the park; it would be an understatement to say that Samus has experienced hardships – her life has been particularly tough.

1. Princess Peach

Peach Has Had Such Bad Luck With Avoiding Bowser That Some Fans Think She Secretly Wants To Be Taken

First Appearance: Super Mario Bros

Generally speaking, it might be expected that after enduring years of kidnapping by the formidable character Bowser, Princess Peach would take precautions such as hiring bodyguards or learning self-defense skills for her safety. Surprisingly, in almost every Mario game, it’s Peach who becomes the focus of Bowser’s plots and gets abducted by his airship, causing Mario to leap into action to save her.

Regardless of her attempts to resist, Bowser usually arrives with advanced technology and hordes of minions, changing his strategy constantly, which makes it hard for Peach to respond effectively. Good fortune seems elusive for her, as she is often captured, suggesting that Lady Fortune might not be on Peach’s side. Some fans even speculate that Peach secretly desires to be taken because it happens so frequently, but in reality, it appears more likely that she just has bad luck.

2024-12-06 10:34