Before video games enter production, they go through what is called a design process. Aside from a design document elaborating the basic premise of a potential game, some publishers and developers already proceed with creating “prototypes” of game characters through character designs. If some characters are lucky enough, they are immediately transferred into the main game development stage.
Unfortunately, some initial character designs don’t necessarily make it through the conceptualization process. In turn, some fans get surprised to reveal that certain characters may have appeared very different from the perspective of their original concepts. All the more surprising are character redesigns that may happen across games, much to the amusement or chagrin of fans. Just which drastic character changes have rocked the world of gaming?
10 Pikachu (Pokemon)
Despite the arrival of new Generations and new Pokemon with them, none could perhaps match to the allure of Pikachu from the original games. Despite not necessarily being a traditional “starter,” Pikachu became the franchise’s mascot due to their association with protagonist Red alongside anime protagonist Satoshi. However, one of the most subtle - yet somehow drastic - design changes in the franchise had affected Pikachu’s appearance.
When the Pokemon first appeared, Pikachu was a big ball of fluff with big cheeks and a characteristically short tail. However, the electric mouse Pokemon had a rather sudden upgrade, with his Second Generation appearance now sporting a slimmer figure, bigger reds on their cheeks, as well as a larger tail. Although “subtle” at first, this design change has consistently appeared in future titles, essentially denoting the franchise’s emphasis on sleeker designs with more room for details.
9 Solid Snake (Metal Gear)
While Raiden exhibits a narrative change to support the transition in his updated character design, it’s Solid Snake that marked a drastic change in his appearance due to a transition between console generations. Given how Hideo Kojima was heavily inspired by American action flicks when creating Metal Gear, it was evident for the initial depiction of Solid Snake to be more of a military war hero. This original iteration had Snake sport short brown hair and a military uniform.
It was only in Metal Gear Solid that Solid Snake had a more unique appearance characteristic with its game world finally taking shape. It’s only in this game where Solid Snake sports his trademark bandana, alongside a purple-gray color scheme. Contrary to his generic military uniform, Solid Snake’s standard look became associated with a tactical suit, complete with a vest, that reflected his nature as a stealth operative. This look gave a more modern stealth hero theme, compared to his initial design.
8 Lara Croft (Tomb Raider)
It’s Lara Croft of Tomb Raider that perhaps defined the modern action adventure genre, as it’s her constant tomb-raiding adventures that consistently saved the word time and time again against insurmountable threats. Touting her signature tank top, cargo shorts, and her handgun holsters, it’s unfortunate that her endowment became a focal point of her character identity.
While the first reboot gave an emphasis on Lara’s backstory, it’s the second reboot that gave her a more realistic makeover. Although still practically an heiress to the Croft fortune, Lara starts the 2013 Tomb Raider title as a rookie adventurer, evidently struggling but with enough vigor to outlast the harshest of challenges. This more realistic depiction of Lara comes with an outfit change, with her now sporting jeans, combat boots, an assortment of survival gear, and her signature bow. While retaining the same color scheme, this version of Lara tones down the theatrics, leaning away from her action star counterpart and having a more survivalist allure.
7 Jill Valentine (Resident Evil)
While Jill Valentine already made a presence in the first Resident Evil game, the resident STARS operative shined the most in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, where she got toe-to-toe against one of the fiercest and smartest bioweapons in franchise history. As such, it was quite a surprise to see Jill seemingly dying prior to the events of Resident Evil 5 only to return as a virus-enhanced super soldier under the control of antagonist Albert Wesker.
Although protagonist Chris Redfield has the strength enough to be on par with his former partner, seeing Jill in a purple bodysuit dishing out superhuman moves is proof that Resident Evil at the time had gone more action than survival horror. While Jill makes a return to form in the Remake series, the transition from soldier-survivor into a super soldier was an odd take in the franchise.
6 The Prince (Prince Of Persia)
Adventure game fans who hear of Prince of Persia would fondly remember the Prince deftly scaling walls, jumping from platform to platform, and the occasional usage of a dagger that can manipulate the flow of time. This Prince was actually from the Sands of Time trilogy, effectively the first reboot of the Prince of Persia series. While the original Prince was a more straightforward protagonist, and the third Prince being a return to form, it was this second Prince that effectively became the most recognizable of the bunch.
This iteration of the Prince essentially marked the transition of the franchise from a 2D platformer into a 3D action-platforming title. Whereas the original Prince simply had to save the Princess and his kingdom, the Sands Prince has to use the Sands of Time to prevent the catastrophe started by the Vizier. Alongside this is a new take on a brooding personality, an attempt at heroism, and even a monstrous alter ego who relishes in combat. Misgivings of fans aside with his development across the Sands trilogy, this Prince definitely added much-needed personality to his characterization.
5 Raiden (Metal Gear Solid)
It’s thanks to the Metal Gear Solid series that Hideo Kojima and his team redefined stealth action, with Solid Snake proving more than capable of taking out even entire armies as an elite FOXHOUND operative. In Metal Gear Solid 2, fans meet Raiden, a former child soldier, for the first time. Sporting long white hair and a rather sleek bodysuit, the “White Reaper” proved just as capable as Snake in dispatching foes, albeit with a youthful vigor and naivete.
Instead of remaining as the usual operative, however, Raiden surprises fans when he reappears as essentially a “cyborg ninja” in Metal Gear Solid 4. In the story, it’s revealed that Raiden’s efforts in recovering Big Boss’ remains led to his capture and eventual experimentation that had him permanently become a cyborg. While Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance showcased Raiden’s true potential with his superhuman capabilities, his design was a rather radical departure from an expected soldier.
4 Batman (Arkham Series)
Described by many as perhaps the best showing of Batman in the videogame format, it’s the Batman: Arkham series that truly showcased what Batman was capable of at the hands of players. Armed with an assortment of gadgets, Bruce Wayne dons his signature cape and cowl as he takes on the game’s own version of Gotham City. Whereas the initial Arkham games - Arkham Asylum and Arkham City - took Batman on a traditional costume route with straightforward suit and tights, it’s the latter games that started to diversify the Caped Crusader’s outfit.
For instance, it’s in Arkham Origins where fans started to see a more “tacticool” variant of Batman outfits, with The Dark Knight now sporting padded armor on top of his traditional suit. Batman even gets a more advanced costume in Arkham Knight, with more metallic padding that seems to enclose in on themselves to give Batman a literal edgier look. This by far is a drastic redesign compared to the usual slim nature of the character, and this “military-realistic” aesthetic was divisive among fans.
3 Kratos (God Of War)
Fans of action adventure games would probably remember the brutality of God of War when it first released. Narrating the story of vengeance-hungry Kratos, this ash-covered warrior with red tattoos would stop at nothing to kill Ares for making him kill his family. Wielding the iconic Blades of Chaos, Kratos and his appearance became associated with bloodshed to be expected when using him in any of his games.
As such, it was quite a surprise to see Kratos in a much older form in the God of War sequels. In the 2018 title, Kratos is seen significantly older and less buff, this time sporting more armor characteristic of a retired warrior. Not only that, but seeing Kratos care for and mentor his son, Atreus, was a sight to behold and gives an entirely new dimension to the character.
2 Dante (Devil May Cry)
Prior to the Sparda family reunion that was Devil May Cry 5, the future of the Devil May Cry franchise remained relatively unsure after Nero’s introduction in Devil May Cry 4. At first glance, fans may think newcomers Ninja Theory did Dante dirty with his redesign in DmC: Devil May Cry, but this was actually all intentional, with directives to change Dante coming from Capcom itself. While DmC: Devil May Cry still explored an iteration of Dante prior to his professional demon-slaying days, the design approach was extremely in contrast to the previous games.
The aesthetic of the game world itself went for the more bizarre. With the supernatural coming from a realm known as Limbo, everything demonic and angelic spiraled a crooked or spiral design. Dante himself sports shorter black hair and looser clothing, boasting a bad habit for cursing and smoking - all things uncharacteristic of the original Devil May Cry protagonist. Despite the negative reception of the design, DmC did give Dante a more “grounded” appearance, adding a needed grunge element prior to the transition back to his usual badass self.
1 Bomberman (Bomberman)
When one thinks of Bomberman, one would think of the boy clad in the white-blue suit with pink gloves and shoes, complete with the pink antenna. Despite his lack of a mouth, he seems fairly communicative enough through his love of explosives, capable of eliminating enemies in various stages with a creative assortment of bombs. As such, it was quite a surprise when Bomberman: Act Zero became such an extreme departure from the franchise proper.
Instead of sporting the similar outfit with the same childish story, Act Zero instead takes players in a dystopian future. This time around, players take on the role of Bombermen and have to fight to the death and escape to the surface of the Earth. The premise also affects the character redesigns, with players now sporting tracksuits with various armored components, including a large gauntleted arm to handle explosives. Despite the competitive aspect not being new to the Bomberman franchise, it’s the somber and dark take on the franchise that made the designs stand out.