The Unforgettable Legacy: Top 5 Black Characters in Video Games

Man, black characters in video games really started on some shaky ground. Back in the day, they were mostly just cringy stereotypes hanging in the background. Honestly, how many breakdancing street fighters did we really need? Believe it or not, it took developers ages to finally move past those lazy tropes. Nevertheless, these legends proved black characters could be the complex, beloved heart of a story. So, let’s give a proper shoutout to five of the absolute best who changed the game for good.

5. Lee Everett From Telltale’s The Walking Dead

Alright, so let’s talk about Lee Everett from Telltale’s The Walking Dead. Picture this: his whole story kicks off in the back of a cop car, just as the world decides to fall apart. Then, almost immediately, he stumbles upon Clementine, this scared little girl, and boom—that connection becomes the absolute heart of the entire game. From there, his whole mission shifts to keeping her safe, which constantly forces him to face the messed-up things he did before the apocalypse.

You, as the player, make every tough call for him, deciding whether he claws his way toward redemption or gets stuck in his old regrets. Seriously, can you even think of a more gut-wrenching scene than his final talk with Clem? The writing and performance made him feel so completely real, which is why his story sticks with you forever. In the end, Lee basically rewrote the rulebook, showing that black characters could hold the full emotional weight of a masterpiece story.

4. CJ From Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Next up is the legendary Carl “CJ” Johnson from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Carl “CJ” Johnson comes back to Los Santos for his mom’s funeral, only to find his old gang falling apart and his family in serious trouble. From there, his quest to take back the streets throws him into one wild scenario after another. You’ve got everything from him clumsily learning to pilot a plane to navigating the messy schemes of a corrupt cop. Honestly, his mix of quick wit, fierce loyalty, and raw street smarts just clicked with players everywhere.

I mean, who could possibly forget the pure frustration of that “All You Had to Do Was Follow the Train” mission? At his core, he wasn’t just some gangster; he was a guy trying to hold his home and his people together. Because of all this, his mark on gaming culture is huge, cementing him as a truly foundational figure among black characters in open-world games. Even now, his legacy lives on through a million memes and fans who can’t help but repeat his lines every single day.

3. Miles Morales from Insomniac Spider-Man

He first showed up in the Insomniac Spider-Man game, but the 2020 release, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, is where he absolutely shone. You gotta love how the game mixes his struggle to control wild new powers with totally normal stuff like homework and family dinners, all while he’s protecting his neighborhood. Seriously, zapping bad guys with bio-electricity and then popping invisible to sneak around never gets old.

It makes you wonder, how many other superhero stories tie a kid’s personal growth so closely to saving his own block? At the end of the day, Miles shows that a hero can be both an inspirational symbol and the guy you might pass on the street. He didn’t just borrow the Spider-Man name; he stitched together a whole new suit and made it his own.

2. Jax from Mortal Kombat

Of course, we must salute the bruiser with bionic arms, Jax from Mortal Kombat. Major Jackson Briggs entered the arena as a special forces leader fighting to save Earthrealm. His no-nonsense military demeanor provided a cool contrast to the franchise’s more outlandish fighters. Acquiring his iconic metal arms in Mortal Kombat 3 gave him a visual signature and a power boost that fans adored.

Does any victory feel as satisfying as pounding an opponent into the pavement with those hydraulic fists? Jax stood out in an era where many black characters were one-dimensional sidekicks or caricatures. He helped normalize the idea that black characters could be central, powerful figures in major fighting game franchises, a legacy that continues with his daughter, Jacqui Briggs.

1. Balrog From Street Fighter

Finally, we have the furious boxer, Balrog from Street Fighter. Designed with Mike Tyson’s ferocity in mind, Balrog is a pure, unapologetic villain who fights for money and the thrill of the bout. His gameplay style is aggressively straightforward, relying on devastating punches and relentless pressure. This charge-punching behemoth became a staple of the roster and a favorite for players who prefer pure power over projectile spamming.

Isn’t it funny how one of gaming’s most memorable black characters is also one of its most delightfully dishonorable? Balrog, alongside Jax, helped secure a permanent spot for black characters in the fighting game pantheon. His enduring popularity shows that characters need not be heroes to be iconic and deeply enjoyed.

Black Characters Take Center Player One

So, there you have it. All in all, these five characters really show how far black characters in gaming have come. Think about it, they went from being shallow stereotypes to actually having full stories, real reasons for doing things, and believable problems. In each of their own times, they kinda pushed the envelope and changed what gamers could expect to see.

What this really proves is that players want depth and realness, no matter who the character is. At the end of the day, the fact that people still love these characters just shows what happens when writers and designers actually put in the work. Looking ahead, the road for black characters seems pretty promising, and it’s all because these icons laid down the groundwork first.