Video games are the only medium that allows players to interact with digital pets, and there are some really iconic animal companions throughout video game history. Sometimes these creatures are just regular dogs and cats; other times, they are fictional beasts taller than buildings.
So we have created a list below that discusses some of the best pets throughout gaming history.
Best Video Game Pets
Rush (Mega Man)
If you are an old head from the 90s, then Rush was probably the first video game pet you ever came across. Even though he may not be as popular as he used to be, once upon a time, he is still one of the favorite video game dogs for many.
Rush is a canine robot companion to our hero in blue, Mega Man. He was created by Dr. Light to provide assistance in the Mega Man games. There are other pets in the franchise, but Rush stands out of them all, even appearing in spin-offs such as Marvel vs Capcom.
Trico (The Last Guardian)
It is truly a shame that one of PlayStation’s finest studios had to be shut down due to shifts and organizational restructuring. We are, of course, talking about the Sony Japan Studios, which was responsible for some amazing games directed by Fumito Ueda.
He is one of the most precious geniuses in the industry who releases games once in a blue moon. But it’s always a treat, and such is the case with The Last Guardian. It introduced us to one of the most iconic pets in gaming.
Trico is a legendary creature who befriends a child and goes on a journey to get out of the ruins of an ancient establishment.
Chop (Grand Theft Auto V)
Now, Chop may not be the most well-trained and ideal pet dog in gaming, but he sure as hell is one of the most iconic ones. Realistically, Chop does not have any special features that make him stand out from the rest of the pets in this list.
He is simply another Rottweiler and a loyal companion to our main characters. What makes him iconic is his antics and story lines in Grand Theft Auto V Chop is a real troublemaker. The game also allows players to switch perspectives and let them be Chop for a while, which is fun.
Diamond Dog (Metal Gear Solid V)
Metal Gear Solid is one of the most iconic video game franchises that set Hideo Kojima on a pedestal as one of the greatest game directors. It revolutionized what stealth in video games should be like as well as led way for cinematic storytelling in the medium.
But what was missing in all of those years from a mainline Metal Gear game was a pet dog to tag along with. That moment finally arrived with Metal Gear Solid V, which introduced one of the coolest pet designs in gaming, Diamond Dog.
D Dog is a stray puppy that players can find in the game and take back to the hub. In time, he grows up to become one of the most loyal companions to Big Boss.
Palamute (Monster Hunter Rise)
Monster Hunter has a lot of pets, so this one was hard for us to pick. There is the trusted Palico feline companion, always staying beside the player as a right-hand man. The newest iteration of the game also just introduced seikrets, which are adorable rides.
But one of the best pets the franchise ever introduced definitely has to be the palamutes from Monster Hunter Rise. Canine companions to the hunters who actively take part in the hunts as well as being one of the best rides in the franchise.
Palamutes are able to scale massive mounts and hop off the tallest peaks without losing calm. As much as we love the seikrets in Wilds, the canine pals are really missed.
Epona (The Legend of Zelda)
Most of the new age fans of The Legend of Zelda franchise were introduced to the series when Breath of the Wild was released for the Nintendo Switch. So they don’t really have any idea about Link’s best companion, Epona.
Introduced in Ocarina of Time, she is Link’s trusted steed, appearing through multiple games. Epona has a golden mane that makes her stand out among other iconic steeds in gaming. The unique thing about her is the unique song, which acts as a call for her, unlike a whistle or a regular call in other games.
Cerberus (Hades)
We think that Hades is an indie game that represents Greek gods the best in gaming currently. The designs of all the gods from the pantheon are incredible and memorable. But what does that have to do with pets? You might ask.
Well, one of those incredible designs belongs to the three-headed guard dog of the underworld. Cerberus, who is one of the best parts about the game and an iconic pet in gaming. Unfortunately, unlike most of the other canine companions on this list, Cerberus is just an NPC and does not really tag along with the players.
