First arriving on the scene back in November 2006, the PlayStation 3 enjoyed 11 years of success following a shaky start. Throughout those years, the console boasted a wide variety of intriguing, exclusive games for players to enjoy.

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These games also provided a plethora of exciting, memorable characters, many of whom went on to become enduring fan favorites past the PS3's expiration date. From action heroes to family-friendly mascots to grounded, realistic underdogs, the console's exciting array of colorful characters and deep character arcs helped maintain player interest and immersion for years. Among the many classic figures out there, a select few stand out from the rest for their impact on both the Playstation 3's success and the captured imaginations of players everywhere.

1 Cole MacGrath

A fascinating, malleable figure in Infamous

A fine example of superhero deconstruction in action, 2009's Infamous was met with a rock-solid reception thanks to its action and thought-provoking karma system. Another key aspect of the game's acclaim and success was the playable character Cole MacGrath.

A bike messenger who develops superpowers after a freak accident, players must decide whether MacGrath is Empire City's savior or its worst nightmare. In the wake of his transformation, MacGrath's arc emphasizes the struggle between power and consequences, adding a gritty, personal sense of inner turmoil to the action-packed proceedings.

The freedom with which players get to dictate his potential for both good and evil also allows him to essentially function as two key figures at once: lead hero and lead villain. Overall, between the dynamic gameplay and intriguing, multiple-choice storytelling, Cole MacGrath's arrival on the PS3 was one of 2009's most exciting gaming moments.

2 Sackboy

A colorful, all-age friendly figure in LittleBigPlanet

The instantly recognizable face of the LittleBigPlanet series has established himself as a widely beloved character in the years since his October 2008 debut. Despite lacking a voiced narrative, his charisma shines through, thanks to the subtle animations that depict his colorful personality.

With an adorable, customizable esthetic that succeeds in being both interactively and visually appealing, Sackboy quickly proved capable of providing a unique gaming experience for every player who picked up LittleBigPlanet. On top of his various levels of customization promoting both personal connection and creativity for players, he's also key in navigating the colorful world of the game.

Brimming with vibrant sandbox settings that require quick, strategic thinking, the game is enhanced greatly by having a colorful figure like Sackboy at the helm to guide players. Overall, between his broad appeal, customizability, and key role in providing an immersive gameplay experience, Sackboy has proven to be a remarkable, imaginative figure in the gaming medium.

3 Ellie

A brave, relatably grounded figure in The Last of Us

One of the most well-designed and intuitive AI companions in PS3 history, Ellie quickly captured players' hearts with her strength and resilience. Despite her youth, she is depicted as handling the harsh reality of the post-apocalyptic world around her with bravery and maturity.

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Coupled with her wit and charm, Ellie's gutsy determination to survive in the face of often terrifying odds made her one of the most engaging new characters of the seventh generation of consoles. Her complex, ever-evolving dynamic with Joel, a haunted smuggler in charge of watching over her.

With the world ravaged by a horrific fungus outbreak, Ellie proves to potentially be key to finding a cure. Immune to the infection despite being bitten by an infected human host, she remains healthy, quickly becoming the center of attention for a variety of groups. On top of the gripping narrative and character development, Ellie also broke some ground by providing a mature, sensitive example of LGBTQ+ representation in gaming.

4 Joel Miller

A grittily flawed protagonist in The Last of Us

One of gaming's most troubled and morally complicated protagonists left players in a daze when The Last of Us first dropped back in June 2013. A miserable smuggler in post-apocalyptic Boston, Joel's life takes a total 180 upon meeting Ellie, the first known person to be immune to the dreaded Cordyceps fungus.

Played with intensity and humility by veteran video game voice actor Troy Baker, Joel's gruff, haunted exterior gives way to a long-buried paternal side as the game wears on. Traumatized by the loss of his own daughter 20 years prior, Joel gradually becomes a protective father figure to Ellie, leading to a gripping, morally gray finale that has left players arguing over a decade later. While his appearance and unexpectedly grim finale in The Last of Us II left many up in arms, the power of Joel's journey and character development in the original is a work of storytelling art.

5 Nathan Drake

An Indiana-Jones-style adventurer who lit up the PS3

The eponymous hero of the iconic Uncharted series won over players and critics alike with his witty dialogue, resourcefulness, and everyman charm. Debuting in Uncharted: Drake's Fortune back in 2007, Nathan Drake's wildly dangerous, unpredictable adventures in search of long-lost, legendary treasures.

The masterfully crafted action, coupled with Nolan North's seminal performance as Drake, quickly set Uncharted apart as one of the Playstation 3's most exciting and important exclusives. Drake remained the player character through three sequels, which saw both his backstory and personal life get expanded on considerably, adding further to his status as one of Playstation's most well-developed protagonists. While it appears his time at the forefront of the series has come to an end for now, this quip-throwing adventurer remains one of the most recognizable characters in gaming today.

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