Video games have been home to iconic animals for as long as players can remember, and at this point, it’s easy to assume that every animal has had their time in the spotlight. But among the cats and dogs gamers have spent decades adoring, some of the more underrated species are finally getting the attention they deserve.
Although they tend to be villainized in video games, raccoons have undeniably been introducing their cheeky personality in unexpected ways across a vast selection of genres. From simulators set in the streets of Toronto to taking the reigns as a private eye in a dystopian post-noir narrative, these chaotic critters have been consistently praised as a whirlwind of fun.
10 BK - Donut County
BK, or Brooklyn Trash King, perfectly represents everything raccoons stand for in video games. Adopting a stubborn and brazen attitude, he’s the reason Donut Country falls into chaos while being the central playable character throughout the game.
Additionally, his selfish attitude towards collecting a ‘well-deserved’ Quadcopter to the townsfolk's detriment is another element that lends him to being a stereotypical raccoon. But even with this personality, BK is an incredibly loveable character that gamers have adored since his debut.
9 Tom Nook - Animal Crossing
Though this money-focussed critter is technically a Tanuki, he’s still one of the most iconic masked muggers gamers have ever experienced. As one of the most memorable characters in the Animal Crossing franchise, Tom Nook has been haunting players for decades in search of bells and free labor from players.
He plays the most important role in Animal Crossing and is essentially used as a tutorial in every title. But even after years of ringing players dry, he’s still one of the most lovable and recognizable Nintendo characters.
8 Sly Cooper - Sly Cooper And The Thievius Raccoonus
Sly Cooper has been testing players’ stealth since its release in 2002, and with four games to his name, it’s easy to suggest he’s one of the industry's most iconic video game raccoons. The action-packed comic-book nature of the Sly Cooper titles is a slice of nostalgia for any early PlayStation fans.
The personality injected into the characters and the general challenge of stealth platforming has kept people engaged with the franchise while setting the basis for raccoons in games. Without Sly Cooper to set the bar, there wouldn’t be anywhere near as many trash pandas as there currently are.
7 Tricksy - Calico
Even though Calico is home to an undeniably adorable cast of critters, the oversized raccoons that dwell in the forest are another worthy addition to the character list. Usually lingering around trash cans, there are several raccoons Calico presents to the player, but Tricksy is among the favorites.
Although raccoons don’t play a very valuable part in the story, one quest, in particular, will have gamers searching far and wide for Tricksy. To find her, players must head to the trash cans next to the part in Cutie City. Upon speaking to Tricksy, the quest will be completed. Additionally, Tricksy becomes a valiant steed to travel with, given the player uses a Big Small Potion on her.
6 The Raccoons - Comic Bakery
Despite being initially released in 1984, the cheeky raccoons of Comic Bakery have been stealing the hearts of gamers ever since. These raccoons wreak havoc on the bakery by adopting iconic and incredibly unforgettable thieving personalities.
Players are tasked with defending their bakery from the onslaught of hungry raccoons. When they aren’t stealing bread fresh from the oven, they’re turning off equipment when any baker turns a blind eye. Their evil intentions have frustrated players for years, but the mayhem they channel is undeniably memorable.
5 Wanted Raccoon
Wanted Raccoon showcases everything cheeky and familiar about the species while applying it to a hilarious simulator with slightly darker undertones. In Wanted Raccoon, players are more than just a terror to the city; as they progress through the story, they’ll become a hero of sorts.
Armed with fun minigames like riding a skateboard, stealing food, and sneaking around at sundown - Wanted Raccoon also has players researching and upgrading tools and skills, leading the resistance, and rescuing a kidnapped family. It’s much more than meets the eye without losing its charming and amusing atmosphere.
4 Rift Racoon
This intense precision-based platform game focuses on one tiny raccoon with a superb sci-fi ability. Harnessing the power of teleportation, gamers are tasked with taking this thieving bandit through a multitude of mechanical environments.
It’s safe to say that Rift Racoon isn't short of raccoon-based content, featuring fifty different levels that vary in challenge, paired with a gorgeous retro-like soundtrack. Additionally, levels will have gamers returning time and time again - so it’s best to get used to seeing this rift-traveling raccoon.
3 Trash Panda
Although not fully released, Trash Panda’s charming raccoon-sim demo has gamers obsessed with its central masked bandit. The low-fi nature of this Untitled Goose Game-inspired title makes for one relaxing experience, even if all players are doing is causing chaos.
The task of Trash Panda is simple: make as much mess as possible and have fun doing it, which is exactly what gamers look for within the lifestyle of a raccoon. But among the mess-making lies power-ups, and in the desolate dead ends of Toronto, territorial raccoons are keen to spark a challenge, and the best Trash Panda may win.
2 Trash Quest
Trash Quest’s charming pixelated style and chiptune soundtrack perfectly match its raccoon protagonist. The carefree nature of the gameplay and entertaining atmosphere have led gamers to praise the bravery of this unexpected lifeform and tasked with a straightforward request - it’s an accessible game for all ages to love.
This compact Metroidvania hosts a chaotic run and gun take on platforming with one main aim. Find whatever trash this space station is hiding, and do whatever it takes to get there. So with a weapon in hand and an extreme lack of checkpoints, one of the reasons this raccoon has become so iconic is the sheer amount of time players have spent attempting to fulfill his request.
1 Howard Lotor - Backbone
The gritty post-noir narrative of Backbone may challenge the initially adorable appearance of a raccoon, but its dystopian Vancouver feels like home to Howard Lotor. In addition, the linear cinematic storyline exposes a side to raccoons that players are admittedly not used to.
So rather than focussing on the chaos-causing nature of raccoons, Howard Lotor helps the player explore loss and change while working as a private eye. Instead of being the cause of the chaos, Backbone shows that raccoons can unravel evil rather than being the root of all.