Video games have the benefit of taking people to imaginary places. They also have the ability to bring creatures, animals, and characters to life. Video games give us the opportunity to explore concepts that are not possible in reality. Some of those concepts are robots.

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Robots are littered throughout the video game world. Science fiction games seem to always feature a robot and they are usually given a likable personality. Robots flourish in pop culture because they are not too far off of where they are in reality but the robots on this list are very fictionalized. That said, here are the best robots in video games, ranked.

Updated on March 22, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: The realm of video games allows players to interact with environments and objects that don't exist in real life. This escape is what many players crave, with games making it a point to make their settings larger than life to attract a substantial player base. A simple way to engage fans is by adding creative robots to their games that are either dangerous, endearing, useful, or a combination of all three. Some games are so creative in this department that the robots in their respective titles are the ones that fans remember the most for their unique integration into the world.

17 Guardian Stalker

The Sheer Dread Players Experience When This Machine's Theme Plays Is Nothing Short Of Horrifying

Guardian Stalkers are some of the scariest enemies in video game history. To this day, the sinister theme of these robots sends shivers down the spine of any adventurer unlucky enough to draw their attention.

Link has to get pretty strong before even thinking about taking on one of these foes. Even after getting good weapons and armor, players must be wary of taking on these foes, since a single misstep can cause Link to be obliterated in no time.

16 Mineru's Construct

The Final Sage's Powers Let Players Man A Robot To Fight Their Enemies

Mineru is the fifth and final Sage in the game that is hidden until the very end. Only after completing Regional Phenomena and exploring Hyrule Castle will players be able to unlock the path that leads to this Sage.

Mineru's power lets players summon a robot that is pretty useful in battle. Players just need to have a high battery gauge so that they don't run out of charge during a particularly intense battle where controlling this robot is the difference between victory and defeat.

15 Jack

The Game Finally Lets Players Control Jack In Both Campaign And The Horde Mode

The Gears of War series is full of characters and creatures. However, one of its most interesting aspects is Jack. In the older games, Jack didn't have a whole lot of personality. All he ever really did was cut open doors or hack into computer systems. The older trilogy didn't make Jack all that interesting.

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However, Gears 5 really gave Jack a sense of individualism by letting fans play as him. Players can take on the role of Jack through horde mode and the campaign. Having the ability to play as Jack is even better when he gets brand-new abilities. Jack is consistently upgraded in the campaign and his abilities are customizable in horde mode. These changes make him an enjoyable character to play.

14 Pathfinder

A Modified MRVN Who's As Cheerful As They Come

Respawn Entertainment is the king of creating likable and interesting robot characters. This list will reveal that later on, but the first of their robots to show up on this list is Pathfinder. Pathfinder is a cheery and friendly robot. His ability in Apex Legends explains the exact reason as to why he is named Pathfinder.

In the Titanfall universe, Pathfinder is a modified MRVN (pronounced mar-vin) who does not know the identity of his creator. MRVN robots are used for janitorial and mechanical duties. In one of the Apex Legend trailers, we can see a standard MRVN serving drinks to customers. Pathfinder was certainly not created for a bartending gig.

13 Thunderjaw

A Massive Robot That Hits Like A Truck And Takes No Prisoners

Horizon Zero Dawn is full of robots, but the largest and most menacing is known as the Thunderjaw. The Thunderjaw is practically a T-Rex on steroids. It has lasers, a razor-sharp tail, missile launchers, and stands significantly taller than Aloy. It is hard to believe that this creature can be killed, but the feeling, once it is dead, is pure adrenaline.

The Thunderjaw is the only robot on this list with a lack of consciousness or individuality. It acts like a creature or animal. The rest of the robots on this list are smart and interact with humans in a more civilized way. On the other hand, the Thunderjaw is absolutely a stand-out on this list because of its pure design and purpose.

12 Nick Valentine

A Synth With The Attitude Of An Old-School Detective

The Fallout universe is full of threats and many NPCs within the game are terrified of Synths. Synths or synthetic humans were created by the Institute to look and act like humans. Many people within the Fallout 4 world are terrified of Synths and their creator, the Institute. The hysteria around these beings is blown out of proportion.

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In Fallout 4, players get a handful of options when it comes to companions and Nick Valentine is commonly selected among Fallout fans. Nick Valentine is a synthetic private detective. A robot paired with the job of a detective and that name is undeniably cool. Valentine can be used to hack into computer systems but insists on not hacking into other people's terminals. After all, he is a detective.

11 BD-1

A Cute, Useful Robot Filling The Role Of The Mechanical Mascot In A Star Wars IP

Respawn Entertainment released two very likable robot characters this year: Pathfinder and BD-1. BD-1 is certainly one of the best features of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Apart from being cute, he is also very useful. His design is also very fresh to the Star Wars universe. BD-1 has some reminiscent design of BT-7274 with the two-leg design and the upper body.

Throughout Jedi: Fallen Order, BD-1 is upgraded with various abilities and gadgets to help in combat. One of his best abilities is hacking into Imperial droids. Once they reach a certain amount of health, BD will hop right onto them. He will start hacking away and usually sings a little tune while he does it. It is an adorable and very useful ability.

10 Victor

A Robot Programmed By Dr. House To Keep Tabs On The Courier

The idea of a robot impersonating an old-school cowboy sounds like the most ridiculous thing in the world. So, props should be given to Fallout: New Vegas for making such a ludicrous character one of the best parts of the overall experience.

Victor is a character who leaves a strong impression on players in the brilliant starting town of Goodsprings. This robot becomes quite mysterious once players find out that he's probably being controlled by Mr. House as well!

9 ATLAS And P-Body

A Duo Players Control In Co-op Who Are Pretty Endearing

The beloved game, Portal 2, features two of the best robots in gaming history: ATLAS and P-Body. Also referred to as Blue and Orange, ATLAS and P-Body were created by the artificial intelligence GLaDOS. She creates these two obtuse robots to test the facility humans failed to finish.

Portal 2 is completely playable cooperatively and players will take control of ATLAS and P-Body. The two robots are designed from scraps. ATLAS was designed from a personality core while P-Body was created using a sentry turret. These scraps give these robots unique designs and personalities that are constantly poking through in Portal 2.

8 Bastion

A Gentle Giant Players Love To Control

Overwatch is full of robots and Bastion is not the only playable one. The reason Bastion makes this list apart from the others is because Bastion has the most personality and the most interesting backstory from the others. Bastion was a front-line automaton before he was lost in the middle of a forest. Over time, the killer robot lost its programming.

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Bastion's character is certainly more developed than other robot characters in the Overwatch universe. Bastion rejected his killer programming once he became aware of the world around him. Even when he was reminded of his duty, he chose beauty instead. Bastion is certainly an interesting character. Plus, he has the best bird companion of any other robot.

7 Aigis

A SEES Shadow Fighting Machine Who Slowly Gains Sentience And Becomes Human

Persona 3 marked a turning point for a franchise that still had a long way to go before it could get away from the shadow of its origin series, Shin Megami Tensei. With the integration of social sim mechanics and a proper calendar of sorts, the game turned into something truly spectacular indeed.

The game really turned into something memorable with its cast of amazing characters, with Aigis being one such party member who's pretty memorable. This android's mysterious past makes her a great character in and of itself, further supplemented by the fact that she becomes the protagonist in Persona 3's epilogue.

6 Claptrap

A Hilarious, Chirpy Robot Who Embodies What Borderlands Is All About

Borderlands has the funniest personality on this list. Claptrap is known for his humor and explicit language. Many were upset to hear the original voice actor would not be returning for the third installment. Regardless, the series will still be forever impacted by this annoying, yet funny robot.

Claptrap or CL4P-TP, was created by the Hyperion with a zealous personality. He frequently discusses his loneliness such as the time players attend his birthday party and no one else shows up. The little guy is a bit disappointed but manages to have a good time. It is so bizarre why no one would show up to his party even though pizza and music were present.

5 BT-7274

A Mech That Forms An Emotional Bond With The Protagonist Over The Course Of The Campaign

Finally, Respawn Entertainment's best robot creation is the big, bad titan himself, BT-7274. BT is a vanguard class titan developed by the Militia after the Battle of Demeter. Vanguard class titans have the ability to copy other titan classes, which is why he has access to so many classes within the campaign. Jack Cooper, is his pilot and the two develop a close bond throughout the game.

BT is not a very charismatic robot like Claptrap, but his bond with another human adds so much to his character. Cooper consistently cracks jokes and BT will respond with a cold delivery. These exchanges between the two characters create a bond between the player and BT. Unfortunately, BT's loss hits so much more in the end.

4 Clank

Ratchet's Robo Partner In Crime

Clank of the Ratchet and Clank series has everything a robot should have: intelligence, wit, gadgets, and good looks. Clank is the ultimate sidekick to Ratchet, but in some ways stands on his own. Clank is typically used for smaller spaces and outer space areas. Clank has many abilities to hold his own against enemies such as a thrusterpack. In some cases, he can even grow into a much larger size.

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Clank is similar to BT-7274 in that the personality between the two characters is a strong bond. Even though Cooper and BT's personalities are more serious, Ratchet and Clank still have a similar relationship in a lighter tone. Clank's ability to be smart and funny in serious situations is enjoyable. Clank would make the perfect companion to anyone.

3 HK-47

A Sarcastic Killer Robot That Is One Of The Best Part Members In KOTOR

HK-47 is a character that most people absolutely adore, with his snarky and quick-witted replies being one of the best parts of this character. The idea of a robot harboring such a deep personality is something that could only be pulled off in the Star Wars universe.

The fact that Master Revan was this droid's master all along makes this character even more engaging. All in all, fans of Star Wars will definitely love the effort put into this character and can't wait to play with him in the Knights of the Old Republic remake, if this ever sees the light of day — something that seems highly unlikely given the relentless staff cuts happening under Embracer's rampant mismanagement.

2 Legion

A Member Of The Geth That Helps Players Sympathize With This Race

The Geth is a mysterious entity that was generally considered to be an enemy for the longest time... before Legion showed up, that is. This character showed a side of the Geth that had yet to be explored in the Mass Effect series.

It was only through the intervention of Legion that the Geth finally managed to regain their autonomy and fight against the Reapers in Mass Effect 3, in the best-case scenario, that is. Watching him shut down and say farewell is a surprisingly poignant moment in the series.

1 SHODAN

A Sinister, Sentient AI Who Will Stop At Nothing To Eradicate Humanity

SHODAN is the AI from hell that most people simply can't get enough of. She's not a robot per se, but her mechanical origins make her a great choice for this list.

The events of both System Shock games are propagated by this evil AI that wants to spread mayhem and destruction while becoming a supreme ruler of sorts. Thankfully, her plans are thwarted both times, although it's clear from System Shock 2's ending that the war against SHODAN is far from over.

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