Nintendo is one of the world's largest and most successful video game companies, having been responsible for iconic, beloved franchises like SuperMario, Pokemon, Metroid, and more. And, franchises like these would be nothing without the charming and lovable characters that star in them.
While many of the protagonists in The Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, and Pokemon are often outgoing, extroverted personalities, it's important not to forget about the quieter but equally important introverted characters that make these games as special as they are. So, this list covers some of the most iconic, introverted characters in Nintendo titles.
10 Waluigi
The quirky, eccentric, very meme-friendly Waluigi is arguably one of the most underrated characters in the Mario franchise, though he does have something of a cult following among gamers. And, Waluigi is something of an introvert, too.
Despite his outwardly malicious, cunning nature, Waluigi has been described by his English-language voice actor Charles Martinet as feeling an incredible amount of self-pity. It's clear that Waluigi largely shuns the companionship of others and this might be due to the persecution complex he has. Regardless, Waluigi is a deeply complex character for many reasons, and his introverted nature is just one of them.
9 Luigi
As the better-known Mario's bashful, retiring, and, at times, kind of odd younger brother, Luigi is renowned for his shy, timid, and introverted nature, as well as for being considerably less brave than his sibling.
However, it's clear from plenty of the Mario titles that Luigi is no coward. He faces his fears and shows up for his friends when they need him, even if his conscience is trying to talk him out of it. This is just one of the reasons that Luigi is so beloved by Nintendo fans around the world and shows that introverts can have plenty of heart.
8 Mewtwo
One of the most powerful Pokemon in the entire Pokemon franchise (just look at how valuable some Mewtwo cards are!), Mewtwo is very well known by fans for having a reclusive, solitary nature. Mewtwo seems to generally not be interested in the company of others and spends most of its time alone, actively hating humanity, and especially its creators.
However, Mewtwo is not evil. Far from it; it's a deeply conflicted character with a complex personality, of which introversion is only one aspect. In the Pokemon movies, Mewtwo undergoes significant character development and eventually becomes a hero of sorts. Its introversion remains unchanged, however.
7 Shy Guy
It's in the name, isn't it? The Shy Guys from the Super Mario franchise are noteworthy for being, well, very shy and introverted. While Shy Guys' personalities vary depending on the Mario game they're appearing in, something that is consistent for the character is their proclivity for wearing masks to conceal their true faces and identities.
This is striking, especially in a game as relatively lighthearted as Mario, and proves that their characters are likely far more emotionally and psychologically complex than players initially give the Shy Guys credit for.
6 Samus Aran
The primary protagonist of the Metroid franchise, Samus Aran is clearly a deeply introverted figure. She rarely speaks and dislikes taking orders from others, in addition to shunning their company more generally, too.
Samus spends most of her time alone, her ship has only one seat, and she even abandoned her own military unit so that she could strike off on her own. It's clear that this stoic, strong character (though, like everyone, she does make mistakes, too) has a deeply introverted nature; this is perhaps reinforced by her past experiences or simply how she has always been.
5 Lucas
While Lucas enjoys spending time with his family, it's clear that he's a introverted, shy, and timid person at heart. This isn't to say that Lucas' timidity remains immutable, though; Lucas undergoes a massive transformation throughout the narrative of Mother 3 and becomes far bolder, showing real courage in the face of adversity.
This isn't to say that Lucas' initial personality was something that needed to change, though. Lucas is clearly a gentle, introspective boy, both of which are very positive qualities to have at any age or stage of life.
4 Boo
Is Boo the cutest ghost in all of video games? In any case, it's clear that the Boos in the Mario franchise are deeply shy and introverted, going so far as to cover their faces and drift away whenever players are facing them (ironic, given that they were almost the subject of their own title).
It's fascinating that the developers of the Mario games were able to come up with such a clever mechanic that revolves around the unique personality types of a particular set of characters. In any case, it makes perfect sense that ghosts would be introverted and retiring, like Boo seems to be.
3 Clefairy
Clefairy is arguably one of the most interesting, complex Pokemon in the entire franchise. While the Pokemon has a deeply timid, introverted nature, it also appears to have mystical, esoteric significance and connections to otherworldly forces that make it a significant figure in the franchise for different religious and social groups.
Perhaps it's due to an awareness of this that Clefairy is so introverted and withdrawn in the first place. Regardless, the Pokemon is known for being difficult to spot, rarely appearing in front of humans willingly. This is, no doubt, part of its allure, too.
2 Meta Knight
The complex antihero that features in Kirby, Meta Knight is clearly a figure with a complex moral compass, in addition to his introverted, mysterious nature.
Never revealing his face (unless his mask cracks when he is defeated), Meta Knight tends to appear as being stoic (though also highly meme-worthy) and chivalrous but also having dubious alliances with other, more nefarious characters. Nevertheless, he offers Kirby a sword when the two characters fight, showing his deep conviction in his code of conduct, as well as a genuine desire to challenge himself and fight Kirby on an even playing field.
1 Paya
The endearing, scholarly bookworm Paya from Breath of the Wild is clearly very shy and introverted (characters like these are just one part of what makes the game so relaxing). She stammers often and has a tendency to cover her face when players talk to her, revealing her self-conscious and timid nature.
Regardless, it's clear that Paya is a deeply helpful, compassionate individual. She always tries to assist Link in any way that she can, and she even ends up falling in love with him. This is clearly a large part of why she displays such considerable embarrassment when players interact with her or attempt to read her diary!