Rockstar Games has produced some of the most iconic characters in gaming. These characters excel past their amazing and immortalized games, and through writing, actions, and performance, are elevated to a new level. Rockstar Games often takes a lot of pride and care in the characters that they craft and produce, and this list certainly shows the best of the bunch, providing memorable faces to players who might not have even played the titles they come from.

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Whether they are protagonists or mere side characters in a wider story, these characters are unforgettable, leaving strong impressions due to their status as characters, and perhaps the iconic status of these Rockstar characters will further add to the exciting potential of Grand Theft Auto 6's protagonist.

9 Cole Phelps

L.A. Noire's Troubled Detective

• Actor: Aaron Staton

When players first fit into the shoes of Cole Phelps, he is a humble police officer working the streets of Los Angeles, and trying to make it a better place after the war. Yet, it doesn't take long before players really delve into the mind of Cole, and players get to experience his doubts, his troubles, and of course, his intellect.

Cole is a talented detective, and his capability to keep Los Angeles clean is what makes him an iconic character for Rockstar Games. It's nice to play as the good guy, even if it's a good guy with flaws from his trauma of the war, further adding complexity to his character as he progresses through some troubling and gruesome murder cases as a detective.

8 Jimmy Hopkins

The Rebellious Bully Of Bullworth Academy

• Actor: Gerry Rosenthal

Anyone who's been to school might see someone like Jimmy Hopkins, the protagonist of Bully who seems none too happy about being dumped at Bullworth Academy. Jimmy has a rebellious streak to his name, and his tough childhood has made him defensive, and somewhat brutish when it comes to handling situations where someone needs to be picked on. Despite his aggressive nature, Jimmy has more layers than he might like to admit, and his behavior is not evil or entirely malicious.

Jimmy might be rough around the edges, but part of him still wants to help out, and he definitely wants to feel respected, something he dishes out if he feels it necessary. Jimmy is a confident kid, but much of his personality as a bad teen comes from what players make of him when they're in control. Jimmy is so well known in Rockstar Games' community, that fans still clamour for Bully 2.

7 Tommy Vercetti

A Man With The Talent To Build A Criminal Empire In Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

• Actor: Ray Liotta

Tommy Vercetti is famed for a few reasons. Not only is he Grand Theft Auto's first voiced protagonist, but he is also made iconic purely from the fact that he is voiced by none other than the late and great Ray Liotta. Tommy's voice helps him to truly cement himself as an icon in the gaming scene, and it helps that inhabiting Vice City provides so much life to his character and his journey.

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Tommy is a big part of the criminal underworld, and his humbling beginnings make his rise to a kingpin even more glorious. His witty personality and short temper make for a comedic and understandable character who definitely earned his stay in Vice City, and his loyalty and trust definitely goes a long way.

6 Niko Belic

A Man Seeking The American Dream In Grand Theft Auto 4

• Actor: Michael Hollick

Niko Belic tries to leave the misery of his past behind as he travels to Liberty City, seeking a new life with the help of his cousin. From the opening scene, Niko cements himself as a memorable character, harboring such guilt and history like an immovable weight on his back as he seeks the fortune of a better life, one without murder.

For Niko, there's no rest for the wicked, and it's not long before the criminal world makes Liberty City a claustrophobic place. Yet, despite the adversary and betrayal, Niko fights through it all, to prove to himself that he will always be better than those who seek to use him as a living gun, even if the cost is the people he cherishes most.

5 Trevor Philips

Deranged, Dangerous, And Perfect For Grand Theft Auto 5

• Actor: Steven Ogg

Despite the fact that Grand Theft Auto 5 has a trio of protagonists, it was Trevor Philips who easily chewed at the scenery and stood out among his peers. A captivating loud and intimidating performance from Steven Ogg, Trevor Philips has become an icon, fueled by his aggressive and unpredictable behavior. Trevor represents everything great about the GTA games, through the crime and the humor.

Trevor is extremely memorable, but his story and his character go a lot deeper than just the initial appearance of loud and wild. Trevor is a deeply hurt and troubled man and one who hides his pain through the pain of others. Trevor's ability to come to terms with his actions and betrayal makes him a well-written character, brought to life by the talent of Steven Ogg.

4 Carl Johnson

San Andreas' Protagonist Who Wants To Get Out Of The Hood

• Actor: Young Maylay

Better known by his friends as CJ, Carl Johnson takes players on a wild ride as they say hello to Los Santos. From the moment players take control, they're met with a mix of hilarity and genuine emotion, as CJ sees his life for what it is, and starts to see his friends in a different light too. For CJ, there's more to life than the hood, and more to life than the same old day repeating itself, dragging him down.

CJ rose to prominence as a character for how different he was from other protagonists, as CJ had a kind personality, one entirely less violent than other protagonists. CJ has hopes and dreams, and there is an element of remorse for the actions that he is forced into doing, providing Los Santos with an interesting character who deserves some more time with modern audiences.

3 Max Payne

Tragedy Strikes This Former Detective, Turning Him Into A Vengeful Addict

• Actor: James McCaffrey

Much of Max Payne's charm comes from his talent with firearms, but also his personality, provided by the late great James McCaffrey. Max Payne is rugged, and his tragic life has led him to this point. With his wife and daughter murdered, Max Payne spiraled down a path of depression, consumed entirely by revenge, Max Payne will ensure anyone who does him wrong sees the end of the barrel of his gun, and that will be the last they ever see.

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Max Payne is so iconic that he received a trilogy, and the first two games of said trilogy are being worked as a remake by Remedy Entertainment. It's hard not to root for Max Payne, as this man is crawling with flaws, but within, there is still a good man.

2 John Marston

A Family Man & Gunslinger Who Hunts His Old Gang In Red Dead Redemption

• Actor: Rob Wiethoff

By 1911, the West was won, and what was left of the American frontier was slowly becoming more modern, with technology, laws, and a civilized world. Yet, there was still room for relics, and John Marston provides players with one of the best cowboy performances from a Western, showcasing the iconic Old West with a man worthy of a hat and saddle.

John Marston's humorous personality and sharp voice make him an iconic character, and his journey across Red Dead Redemption to save his family by hunting down the old gang that left him for dead leaves room for plenty of conflict in his life as he travels across New Austin and beyond.

1 Arthur Morgan

An Outlaw Who Doubts His Morality In Red Dead Redemption 2

• Actor: Roger Clark

The Age of Outlaws and Gunslingers is in its final chapters by 1899, the same year that players are introduced to Arthur Morgan. Coming off as brash and rude, Arthur Morgan might not seem entirely likable at first, until they stay with his character long enough to realize that it's a front. Within Arthur, is a conflicted man, someone who wants to do good with the time he has left, but without the lessons to show him how to do it, and present his care to those he cherishes without saving them with a gun.

Arthur Morgan has a tragic tale, one that can make anyone sob if they were to experience it. This iconic character is more than just the gun on his hip and the rope around his leather hat, his brooding persona might be as thick as ice, but his development throughout the game proves to audiences that he is more than that, even if he just can't see it himself.

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