TOP 10 Badasses in Gaming

Hey what's going on g1s, Big D here with another installment of TOP. So now that I'm FINALLY done with my TOP 100 Games of All Time list (http://screwattack.com/node/8406), we can finally move on to some shorter but still satisfying lists. So today I've got a TOP 10 for you, and I think you're going to like it. Once again, I'll reiterate, all of these choices are MY OPINION. So if there's a choice on the list you don't like, go ahead and express yourself. Just don't be a complete douche about it, speak knowledgeably. If you disagree with one of my choices, tell me why, don't just insult me for my opinion. I wish I didn't even have to say this, but some people just can't take seeing other's opinions. So it's time to get this going, today...on TOP.

For this installment of TOP, I've got a couple of rules I need to follow. First, no character can be from movies or animes that were made into games. For example, no James Bond or Naruto. Even if I could choose them, I still wouldn't, haha. Second, only one character per franchise. You can bet there will be some controversy at least somewhere in this list. One last thing, there will be some video clips for some of the characters as well. There will definitely be some spoilers not only in the clips but in my writing also. So if you plan on playing a game that this character is from, you may want to skip over my description. The spoilers range from minor to major, so don't say I didn't warn you. Enough talk, lets get this ball rolling!

NUMBER 10
Christopher Stone - Freedom Fighters

Chris started off as a very sceptical hero of choice in Freedom Fighters, but soon grew to be one of the bravest badasses of all time. This guy pretty much took on the entire Soviet army all alone! While he did have a few helping hands, it was Chris who led the American resistance to victory. What was once a plumber, ended up being one incredible soldier. His evolution was legendary. From rescuing the resistance leader, to avenging his fallen brother, Christopher Stone is one hardcore badass. He lead the brigades of American resistance soldiers to the front door of the Red's bases, and blew them to pieces one base at a time. It's too bad there wasn't a sequel. The game states that by the time this game begins, Soviet Russia has control of all of Europe, Asia, and most of South America. Imagine globe-trotting with your band of freedom fighters taking on Soviets all around the world. The idea alone is something that makes my mouth water. We must have Freedom Fighters 2, but what we NEED to have is some more BADASS Christopher Stone!

NUMBER 9
Tommy Vercetti - Grand Theft Auto Vice City

While many would argue that Carl Johnson (C.J.) or Niko Bellic are more badass than Tommy Vercetti, I'd have to disagree. Tommy was sent to Vice City with absolutely NOTHING to his name, but he was expected to take control of the entire city. C.J. was only trying to bring his neighborhood gang back to it's prime, and Niko was really only trying to make money. While all three of these men ended up in situations that were way over each of their heads, it was Tommy who really had the cojones to handle it all. When Sunny, the man who had sent Tommy to Vice City in the first place, came down to Vice City to take credit for all of Tommy's hard work. What do you think Tommy did, just hand the city over to him? Hell NO! Tommy gave Sunny the big "screw you" and blasted him away. Tommy Vercetti is the true badass of all Grand Theft Auto characters. I've got to wonder though...after he killed Sunny, wouldn't the family Sunny was associated with come hunting for Tommy? I guess we'll never know.

NUMBER 8
Red - Red Dead Revolver

This guy is half Native-American and half Caucasian, but he's ALL cowboy! From the very start of the game he's a pistol swinging maniac. We're first introduced to him when he's a kid, and his father gives him a pistol to go play with. Moments later their land is invaded by bandits, and guess who comes to the rescue? The father? Nah, he's too busy getting his ass handed to him. It's Red who steps up and blast away every bandit who gets infront of his crosshairs. By the time Red reaches his father, he's dead. Red then reaches into some fire and pulls out his father's powerful pistol, and blast off his fathers killer's arm with one single shot. Red is able to get away with a scarred and bloody hand, but this wasn't the last of good ol' Red. He eventually is grown up and has one of the best occupations for a badass...a bounty hunter. Red eventually avenges his father's death and puts down the one-armed bandit for good. Red is by far the most badass cowboy there is.

NUMBER 7
Created Character - Def Jam Fight for NY

I'm sure many of you may be confused by this next choice. For those of you who have played Def Jam Fight for NY, you all know why I chose this character. And those who haven't, well here's a little video clip showing how badass this guy really is. This clip is from the ending of the game, where the main character finally meets up with the man who has been putting him through hell. Here's the layout. You (the created character) come into the room ready to break the face of the man who has kidnapped your girl, ordered a drive by on your boss, and had your best friend beaten an inch from his life. Suddenly a gun is pointed to your head, and his number one man is behind the trigger. You've met up with this guy a couple of times in the streets, and have beaten his ass each time, so you know he is just dying to lay you out. After a short discussion, Crow (the enemy leader, a.k.a. Snoop Dogg) orders him to pull the trigger. Magic (Busta Rhymes) has been screwed over and talked down to MANY times by Crow in the past, so he decides to make something different happen. That's all the build up you need, watch the clip.

Probably one of the most badass features about this character is the character himself! Besides his personality, you literally build this guy from the floor up to be whatever you want him to be. You choose his fighting attributes, fighting style, clothing style, voice, girlfriend, and overall appearance. Add in the solid gameplay and awesome story (especially coming from a game that revolves around rappers beating the living hell out of one another) and you've got yourself one badass character. If you haven't played this game yet, it's definitely worth your time. Not only is it an amazing experience, but you'll just LOVE how your character expresses himself and the path he takes.

NUMBER 6
Nathan Drake - Uncharted Drake's Fortune

Nathan Drake is awesome because he is a different kind of badass. He isn't the normal muscle bound, scruffy face, raspy voice badass portrayed on most games, movies, and television. He looks and sounds like an average guy, but can do things that many average males can not. Such as his acrobatic and scaling abilities to climb almost anything, and his amazing shooting skills. Not to mention his way with the ladies and witty one liners. Probably his biggest feature that makes him such a badass is his ability to keep a cool head in an not so cool situation. While you may catch him freaking out once in awhile, like when he's falling from an airplane with a parachute that's got some holes in it. He's usually the one guy who can stay calm, cool, and collected while everyone else freaking out. Nathan Drake is one of, if not the best, badass of this console generation of gaming.

NUMBER 5
Albert Wesker - Resident Evil franchise

It's hard to find a TOP coolest or most badass characters list without Albert Wesker appearing on it. Just look at the guy, just one glance and you can see how badass he really is. While he may have started off as a power-driven traitor, he has now become the icon of the Resident Evil franchise. Nearing the end of the first game, he was murdered by his very own creation, the Tyrant. Before hand, he had injected himself with some type of virus that would resurrect him and provide him with super natural powers. Our first time witnessing this was in his triumphant return in Resident Evil Code: Veronica where he beats up Claire, Alexia, and, who many consider as their favorite Resident Evil character, Chris Redfield. He even beats the crap out of Chris on two different occasions. The second time, Chris may have got the upper hand and escaped, but he was nowhere near close to defeating Wesker. It wasn't until Resident Evil 4, when we got to play as Wesker in the mini-game Mercenary Mode that we REALLY got to see his power. This guy can send enemies flying 30 feet with a thrust from the palm of his hand. Now if that isn't badass then I don't know what is! Wesker belongs on this list, end of story. As a special treat, here is Wesker absolutely owning an already mutated Alexia. Enjoy!

NUMBER 4
Revolver Ocelot - Metal Gear Solid franchise

I'm sure many of you began this list under the impression that Solid Snake would make an appearance on here sooner or later. Well if you read the rules before reading, you would know that I am only choosing one character per franchise. That's right, I believe Revolver Ocelot (not Liquid Ocelot...ugh) is more badass than Solid Snake. From first glance, I knew I loved this character. I was fairly young at the time, somewhere around 10 or 11, and this was my first time being introduced to the franchise. Besides Psycho Mantis, there wasn't one enemy in Metal Gear Solid that I enjoyed more than Revolver Ocelot. He was just so...badass. It is this scene that I always think of whenever I hear his name.

Since then the Colt Single Action Army Revolver has become my favorite gun, and I am actually looking to obtain one in the near future. This guy reaks of badass appeal. He's got a classic cowboy get-up, and even wields a six-shooter. This guy can even make his bullets ricochet off of walls! Before Ocelot, I had never seen that done in any video game. Revolver Ocelot is definitely a badass, and I doubt anyone will disagree.

NUMBER 3
Lan-Di - Shenmue

For anyone who has played Shenmue, this man needs no introduction. He is the reason the entire series even exist. The first time we see Lan-Di, he is standing toe-to-toe with our main character's father. You can tell that both of these guys are martial arts experts. What, I believe, no one saw coming was how badly Iwao Hazuki was defeated by the great Lan-Di. This man is absolutely cold and shows no remorse in murdering Ryo Hazuki's father. If you haven't seen this before, you're about to witness one of the most epic moments in video game history. Enjoy!

Lan-Di is absolutely cold blooded and emotionless. Not to mention, his fighting style is incredibly deadly, dangerous, and can't be pin-pointed to one style. No one knows what the name or origin is of the style that Lan-Di performs. The man is shrouded in mystery, but one thing is VERY clear about this martial arts master. He is one true badass.

NUMBER 2
Kefka - Final Fantasy VI

Anyone who has played Final Fantasy VI MUST admit that Kefka is an undeniable badass. Up until the end of the game, he pretty much gets away with everything he wants to do. What's really awesome about Kefka is that he wasn't some ultimate being, or some crazy monster. He was just an insane man with a twisted soul. This guy does some really messed up stuff during FF6. He enslaves one of the main characters and uses her power of magic to burn many soldiers to death, he physically abuses many MANY espers, he poisons the water of an entire town which kills many people, he murders several of his "comrades", he becomes God to a world that he destroyed, and then decides that no one living is worthy of life and he plans on killing every living being on the planet. Kefka is one evil dude, and one hell of a badass. He is the thorn in your side throughout your entire quest of Final Fantasy VI, and you can't help but despise him as you play. He screws you over again and again, and all he ever really has to say about it is his signature cackle.

NUMBER 1
James Earl Cash - Manhunt

None can deny the pure badassness that radiates from James Earl Cash. This guy defines the word badass. He was sentenced to death by injection in prison, but is "saved" by some random director who makes snuff films. He decides that Cash is going to be his next big star, and then sends you through areas filled with gang members who are desperate to kill you. You must murder almost every man in your path as viciously as possible to satisfy this director in order to proceed forward. While this may be one of the most twisted video games ever made, Cash does what he has to do in order to escape this nightmare. You know someone is a true badass when they introduce a weapon that even Screwattack gives props too. Cash gave us the plastic bag, which seems harmless enough, but when used right can be a perfect murder weapon. Here's the link to the episode of "The Armory" that was dedicated to this amazing instrument and a picture of it in action.
http://screwattack.com/Armory/PlasticBag

Are you still questioning how badass James Earl Cash really is? Maybe this video will change your mind. WARNING! The following video contains SEVERE graphic content. If you are under 18, please do not watch this video. Enjoy!

At 2:00 to 2:07 you can really see the pure badassness in James. He blankly stares at a man, choking him to death, while the victim grabs at his arms and stares into his eyes. That is something that no other video game character has ever matched. James Earl Cash is my NUMBER 1 Badass in Gaming. No questions asked.

That sums up my TOP 10 Badasses in Gaming. I hope you guys enjoyed my list, and the descriptions I provided for each character. If you've got anything to say, agreements, disagreements, comments, rates, diggs, anything at all. Please don't hesitate to state your opinion. Just don't be a douche about it please, Screwattack and myself don't have time for those kind of comments. Thanks for reading and I'll see you guys next time...on TOP.