Whether a fan of romance or not, you can't deny that it's all around us. Even video games are full of couples that have inspired players to seek out love. With so many fantastic couples in gaming, it can be hard to stand out. Even still, there are some iconic ones that most can name without blinking an eye.

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These couples have long been hailed as an ideal romance, and many fans have hot debates about their relationships. The following are some of the best in gaming history. From Nintendo series to JRPGs, these couples come from all walks of life to show that love can overcome just about anything.

Updated on February 28, 2024, by Dennis Moiseyev: When it comes to character development, love is always a big factor to include. Giving characters romantic partners deepens connections and makes for more compelling story beats and drama. As a result, some really iconic couples can emerge from it. This list has now been updated to include a couple more of gaming's most noteworthy lovebirds.

17 Red And Antea

Banishers: Ghosts Of New Eden

Red and Antea sharing a romantic moment by the fireplace, looking into each other's eyes and lightly touching each other's hand.

Red and Antea from Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden are gaming's ultimate supernatural power couple. The love they have for each other is not only seen but deeply felt, thanks to the immense writing talents of the team at Don't Nod, who gave these two such a palpable love story you didn't think would be possible to achieve in the medium of video games.

This romantic duo are, in fact, partners in the field of exorcisms and ghost-hunting, both affiliated with the titular Banishers. Their story also happens to be more tragic and complex, with Antea sadly killed early on to become conjoined as a spirit with her lover Red mac Raith, leading to a choice that brings one of the most important consequences in the game.

16 Kratos And Faye

God Of War Ragnarok

kratos and faye from god of war ragnarok looking face to face

God of War began with Faye's death and showed the devotion and depth of Kratos' love for her as a husband when he battled just about everything but the kitchen sink of foes from Norse mythology carrying her ashes to be spread in Jotunheim. God of War Ragnarok expands on her character and shows some of the more tender moments between them before her passing.

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Faye truly brought out the best in Kratos and even had a fun little nickname that poked fun at his stern personality – "Grumbles." Seeing him with her is like looking at him in a whole new light, one that's sweeter, softer, and much less intense. How she would've continued to turn his life around had she not been gone so soon.

15 Alan And Alice Wake

Alan Wake Games, Remedy Connected Universe

Alan Wake American Nightmare image showing Alan reunited with Alice

Alan Wake and his wife Alice are gaming's notoriously ill-fated pair of lovers, though iconic nonetheless. Alice is a wife supportive of her husband's goals as a writer, willing to get away with him to a town called Bright Falls when he fails to get new ideas for his next novel. Then, their nightmare kicks off.

Bright Falls is being affected by the supernatural forces of Cauldron Lake, which first claims her and then Alan into a spooky dimension known as the Dark Place. Alan spends the entire sequel game trying to get out and be back in his wife's arms, his love for her giving him strength and motivation. Meanwhile, Alice is helping her husband get closer to escape with her helpful video messages.

14 Ellie And Dina

The Last Of Us Part 2

The Last Of Us Part 2 Ellie And Dina Romantic Flashback Before Kiss

With Ellie being quite young in the first game, it was still too early for her to be out finding love, despite some short-lived feelings for Riley in the Left Behind DLC. The Last of Us Part 2 sees her more grown up and, therefore, fully embracing her sexuality, which creates one of the most iconic LGBTQ+ relationships in gaming.

Ellie now has a girlfriend named Dina, whom she met in the Jackson community, and they have each other in the darkest of times during the worst state the world's ever been in. Things are a bit complicated due to Jesse, Dina's ex-boyfriend and baby daddy and one of Ellie's best friends, but also the fact that Ellie can't shake off her lust for revenge, which eventually threatens to destroy what they share.

13 Commander Shepard And Garrus Vakarian

Mass Effect Series

Female Shepard and Garrus Stand Side by Side

There is a litany of romantic options in the Mass Effect games, but Garrus still stands out as one of the best. In the first title, Shepard shares a sort-of mentor and mentee relationship with the Turian. As such, the protagonist's actions shape who Garrus becomes.

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In the second title, though, things can heat up between the pair — as long as Commander Shepard is female. The two share the same banter they always have, only it is a bit more flirty. In other words, the two are funny and cute together.

12 Johnny Cage And Sonya Blade

Mortal Kombat Series

Mortal Kombat 11 Screenshot Of Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade

Sonya Blade and Johnny Cage have both been in the Mortal Kombat series since the beginning. That is about where their similarities end, as this is a classic case of opposites attracting. Sonya is serious, stubborn, and prideful, whereas Johnny is laid-back, comical, a bit dumb, and overdoes it with pop culture references.

They aren't a couple in many of the games, but the two eventually get together before Mortal Kombat 10. In fact, they get married and have a child. The relationship doesn't really work out, but it's enjoyable while it lasts.

11 Cody And May

It Takes Two

It Takes Two Screenshot Of May And Cody Kiss

If there's not one game more focused on keeping the message of love and romance alive and bringing couples together, it's Hazelight Studios' It Takes Two. This game centers on a husband and wife duo, Cody and May, who get forcefully transported into their daughter's dolls and bond through co-op gameplay levels in order to reignite their love for each other.

At the start of the game, their marriage is in shambles, and divorce is already becoming a reality, which deeply affects their daughter, Rose, and puts them in their current predicament. With the help of relationship expert Dr. Hakim (an anthropomorphic relationship book), there's hope yet for their love to continue on.

10 John And Abigail Marston

Red Dead Redemption Series

Red Dead Redemption 2 Screenshot Of John Proposal To Abigail

John and Abigail first appear in the original Red Dead Redemption as an already married couple with a kid and a ranch. In the prequel, Red Dead Redemption 2, you witness many of the difficulties the two had to face earlier in their relationship. For instance, John struggles to accept that he's a dad, while Abigail continually worries about her husband's life as an outlaw.

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As a result, the two get into plenty of verbal confrontations. However, they also have their sweet moments and clearly love one another. In many ways, they're one of the most realistic depictions of a serious couple in video game history.

The Legend Of Zelda Series

Link holds Zelda's hand as she smiles in Skyward Sword.

Depending on which game in the series is being considered, Link and Princess Zelda show different levels of affection. From the more romantic Skyward Sword to the heavily implied feelings in Ocarina of Time, it's sad we've never been able to see this couple spend more time together.

Even in Spirit Tracks, the two were so focused on their adventure that they didn't have much time for ideal conversation. Thankfully, though, the Zelda series is one of the longest in gaming history and shows no signs of stopping. So, there is still plenty of time for more scenes of the duo.

8 Mario And Peach

The Mario Games

Mario, Princess Peach, and Toadsworth on their way to Delfino Island in Super Mario Sunshine

Since the beginning of Nintendo's Mario series, Mario and Peach have been an iconic couple. Mario has been on an adventure to rescue a Princess since the days of the NES. The two have traveled together across multiple genres, including RPGs and racing games.

The couple has even taken vacations together to exotic lands like the Delfino Islands, where Peach, of course, ended up getting kidnapped. Sadly, very little of the couple's romantic relationship has been shown (outside of subtle hints like Peach baking Mario a cake or always relying on the plumber).

7 Geralt And Yennefer

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

geralt and yennefer gong in for a kiss in the witcher 3

As Yennefer isn't in the first two Witcher games, her relationship with Geralt isn't really established in the video game realm until The Witcher 3. The couple has been a long-standing favorite for fantasy readers, so it was no surprise that they took the video game world by storm.

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During the game, the two have the same goal of saving Geralt's sort-of daughter Ciri. It's a serious and treacherous task. Yet, the duo still has time to continually bicker back and forth. They're not a universally beloved pair, as many fans choose Geralt to be with Triss. But this is the couple most gamers know and love.

6 Master Chief And Cortana

Halo Series

Master Chief reunites with Cortana aboard the Flood-infested High Charity in Halo 3

It's a tale as old as time — two people are forced to work together only to end up slowly falling in love. The only difference is Master Chief is a spartan soldier and Cortana, an advanced AI. Even still, this pair is shown to care for each other, even with their very apparent differences throughout the Halo series.

Things get more compelling for the duo from Halo 4 onwards as Cortana suffers from Rampancy, which begins to alter her personality. As such, her relationship with the Chief becomes strained. In the process, though, it shows how much their relationship means to both of them.

5 Noctis And Luna

Final Fantasy 15

Noctis with his sword and Luna with her pitchfork wearing a wedding dress as romantic rose petals fall over them in joyous celebration.

Noctis is the main character of Final Fantasy 15 and Luna is his betrothed. To save his love, Noctis fights all manner of enemies and proves that the two are actually meant to be together.

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Even with an arranged marriage, the couple develops a genuine attraction that makes fans of romance giddy. While the two don't throw their romance in the player's face, they do have more moments than most couples in gaming.

4 Tidus And Yuna

Final Fantasy 10

Yuna and Tidus as they kiss in Final Fantasy X

Many people joke about how Final Fantasy 10 is nothing more than a love story, and they are partially right. Tidus and Yuna are one of the most well-known couples in JRPG history, despite Tidus's horrible laugh.

The pair don't just start off in love either; their romance naturally blooms as Tidus escorts Yuna on her pilgrimage in hopes of being able to get home. Even the scene where the pair finally kiss is often seen floating around the internet and is one of the most referenced scenes of romance in video games.

3 Nathan And Elena

Uncharted Series

Nathan Drake Elena Drake Cassie Drake Uncharted 4 Epilogue

Nathan and Elena are a couple that developed over the Uncharted series, and seeing them living together in Uncharted 4: A Thief's End was incredibly sweet. In fact, they even got to play Crash Bandicoot on their original PlayStation, which was an adorable moment.

The two have had a bit of a complicated relationship as they did get married after the second game, only to break before the third started. Even with their brief separation, Elena continues to wear her ring, and they eventually find their way back into each other's lives and carry on, and soon bring their daughter Cassie into the world.

2 Nero And Kyrie

Devil May Cry Series

Nero holding Kyrie in his arms and putting his face closer to hers in a show of affection, flames seen in the background.

Nero is a young boy with a secret; he has a demonic arm. During church service one day, he witnesses his girlfriend Kyrie being kidnapped. Despite his lack of experience fighting demons, Nero confidently embarks on a journey to save the love of his life.

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After Devil May Cry 4, the couple even moves in together. The prequel book also reveals that they run an orphanage to help children in need. They certainly have an interesting relationship compared to the rest of the characters in the series

1 Yuri And Alice

Shadow Hearts

1900s Games Shadow Hearts Yuri Alice Render

Yuri and Alice are a couple that come from a more niche title called Shadow Hearts. Still, the duo's love was powerful enough to gain them the respect of the gaming community.

Sadly, this couple has a sad tale, as Alice takes on the curse of the four masks to save Yuri's life. This happens while the couple is traveling back home to finally start their lives together, and Alice is killed by the curse. So, they're more of a tragic couple than a happy one. Hopefully, though, Yuri and Alice can reunite one day.

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