Highlights

  • South Park games have had ups and downs, with recent successes but some early flops, and it is interesting to see how main cast members like Kenny are represented throughout them.
  • Kenny has evolved from a basic character where developers leaned into the running gag of him randomly dying to a more significant presence in South Park video games, especially in the Ubisoft RPG titles.
  • The upcoming South Park: Snow Day game may shift focus away from characters like Kenny in favor of a custom player character, though he will likely have a decent role regardless.

South Park has had a relevant place in pop culture since it broke ground in the 1990s as one of the trailblazers in the adult animation genre, but the same can't necessarily be said about the series' video game adaptations. Through ups and downs over the years before hitting its stride more recently with the Ubisoft games, the library of South Park games is a mixed bag - especially for one of its main cast members.

Snow Day has the potential to continue South Park's recent run of well-received games, though its experimental nature leaves its future impact uncertain. South Park's Kenny has been a comically muffled yet foul-mouthed fixture of the show and games, functioning as something of a mascot for the series with varying levels of quality representation. Loooking back at the series' proper video game titles offers a perspective on the progression of Kenny's presence in the medium.

Still from the trailer for South Park: Snow Day showing Cartman standing on a snow plow
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Why South Park: Snow Day's Gimmick is Better Than Stick of Truth or Fractured But Whole

South Park: Snow Day’s 3D visuals are a drastic departure from recent South Park titles’ art styles, but could help the game find a larger audience.

South Park (1998)

This Nintendo 64 South Park first-person shooter was the franchise's debut in the medium of video games, and it hasn't ever had a very positive reception. It was relatively by-the-numbers, with the show's four main boys all playable but having no significant differences apart from voice lines. Kenny would still live up to his reputation through a shocking death at the end of the game's story.

South Park: Chef's Luv Shack

Kenny was once again available as a player character in this trivia party game, but has no meaningful impact on the gameplay versus his three friends.

South Park Rally

This kart racer may not have made an impact on the level of its Mario Kart inspiration, but Kenny was one of many distinct playable drivers who all received their own vehicles.

Kenny's Presence in South Park's Xbox Live Arcade Titles

South Park Let's Go Tower Defense Play

The first properly well-received release of the franchise's video game efforts saw Kenny as playable in this blend of tower defense and simple action combat, where his ability was to make enemies drop money before they even die.

South Park: Tenorman's Revenge

Once again playable with a unique trait, Kenny appears in South Park's multiplayer platformer, Tenorman's Revenge, with the ability to jump the furthest along with the self-aware invincibility of his Mysterion persona.

Kenny's Key Status in South Park's Console RPGs

South Park: The Stick of Truth

As the first game to seriously establish South Park's serious place in gaming beyond a licensed gimmick, The Stick of Truth successfully executed a turn-based RPG formula that has earned the game the status of the franchise's best adaptation among many fans. Appearing as Princess Kenny in this fantasy-inspired take on the small town, the character achieved an importance worthy of his appreciation by fans through serving the game's absurd final boss after a grand betrayal.

South Park: The Fractured but Whole

Appearing throughout the superhero-inspired sequel to The Stick of Truth as Mysterion, this game saw Kenny's most active characterization in a video game. With a proper speaking role, narrative relevance in the Freedom Pals, and a memorable place in gameplay, The Fractured but Whole's faithful depiction of Kenny offers a somewhat genuine look into his mind and relationships outside the character's signature crass humor.

Kenny's Place in the Upcoming South Park: Snow Day

While South Park: Snow Day appears to be bringing more action combat to the franchise than ever before, the game's choice to utilize a custom player character could de-emphasize the presence of cast members like Kenny. The return to the fantasy theming of The Stick of Truth holds promise for more entertaining moments with Princess Kenny, but the New Kid is likely to take center stage for the majority of South Park: Snow Day's gameplay.

South Park: Snow Day!

South Park: Snow Day! finds the town of South Park descending into pure chaos as all-out war breaks out. Supporting co-op or solo play, Snow Day! is an action-adventure game that tells a new story.