Romance has always been pivotal in most narratives, and video games are no exception. Romantic elements add depth and emotion to characters, making them more than just pixels on our screens and making them feel like actual people. With most games allowing players to choose their love interests nowadays, designed love stories have become much more special. These five romantic pairings have been our favorites to experience and have made our gaming journeys much more enjoyable.
Tidus and Yuna
Final Fantasy X
From Square Enix Official Website
The threat of the world ending isn’t a rarity in video games, and finding romance at the end of the world isn’t either. However, there’s just something special about Tidus and Yuna finding love amidst all that. From saving her before he barely knew her to continuously lending his support as Yuna underwent her trials to become a Summoner, watching Tidus and Yuna’s relationship blossom as the game progressed was fantastic. This makes their ending bittersweet and their scene at Lake Macalania even more memorable.
Nathan Drake and Elena Fisher
Uncharted Series
From Naughty Dog Official Website
Playing through the Uncharted series is like playing an interactive movie. Amazing set pieces, witty dialogue, and explosive action—it’s no wonder Nathan Drake is considered the modern gaming generation’s Indiana Jones. However, unlike the character that heavily inspired Drake’s adventures, he stuck with one love interest—Elena Fisher. The scrappy journalist Drake first met in the first installment always found her way back to help Drake in his adventures, and it’s through these exciting adventures we see their relationship go from snarky retorts to true romance.
Squall Leonhart and Rinoa Heartilly
Final Fantasy VIII
From Square Enix Official Website
Though we would have preferred keeping this list to one per franchise, there was just no way we could keep Squall and Rinoa off our list. Gamers of a certain generation consider this one of the most iconic romantic pairings in general, and after progressing through the game, it’s hard not to see why. Their contrasting personalities add complexity to their love story, and their cutscenes together are just magical—especially their dance during the Balamb Garden Festival.
Cody and May
It Takes Two
From Electronic Arts Official Website
Most games cover the journey of finding love and seeing it progress through the game’s narrative. Rarely is it about rediscovering it. That separates Cody and May’s love story in It Takes Two from all the others and makes it one of our favorites. A married couple already falling out of love and planning a divorce, Cody and May’s journey through It Takes Two allows them to not only rediscover what they loved about one another but also love and understand the people they each became.
Mario and Princess Peach
Super Mario series
From Nintendo Official Website
Last but not least, the most iconic power couple in all of gaming—Mario and Princess Peach. This is special in our favorite “romantic pairings” since they’re not technically one. At least, not officially. Thanks to the limitations of early gaming, the early Super Mario games mainly focused on gameplay and allowed players to read between the lines about Peach and Mario’s relationship. Thanks to the countless obstacles Mario had to jump through to save Princess Peach and his unwavering devotion to do so over and over again, Mario’s love for Princess Peach doesn’t need to be stated. It just needs to be experienced.
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