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Action and video games have gone hand-in-hand since time eternal. Sure, it's true that modern video games don't focus on action alone and encompass everything from strategic thinking to puzzle solving. However, there was a time when the games industry started booming and this was mainly due to the advent of titles that emphasized action-heavy gameplay over anything else.
Of course, this action wasn't just brutal — there was also a ton of emphasis on making action moves look as smooth and free-flowing as possible, especially in the context of hand-to-hand combat. This is where the graceful art of martial arts comes into the picture, with most action and fighting titles featuring martial artists that could wow players with their disciplined yet high-damaging moves. Keeping this in mind, here are some of the best martial artists who have ever appeared in video games.
10 Kazuma Kiryu - Yakuza
The Dragon of Dojima is easily one of the highlights of the Yakuza series. Of course, the protagonist of such a weird and memorable franchise is bound to be its most popular character.
The manner in which Kiryu absolutely mows down his opposition without a care in the world is easily one of the best parts of the Yakuza series. Watching this brawler use his amazing techniques to lay the smackdown on thugs, rival Yakuza members, and the like is always a treat.
9 Chun-Li - Street Fighter
The Street Fighter series houses some of the most iconic characters in video game history, most of whom use varying degrees of martial arts to great success. Chun-Li is especially notable in this regard.
She is easily one of the most well-known video game characters around, with her iconic look making it clear as day that her expertise in Chinese martial arts is unmatched. Her character is a fan favorite, with some of the unique moves she's capable of pulling off looking absolutely spectacular in action.
8 Wei Shen - Sleeping Dogs
Sleeping Dogs is one of the greatest open-world action-adventure games that came out of nowhere. A big reason as to why people absolutely adore this game is the combat system, where people use all the martial arts of Wei Shen to great — and brutal — effect.
Watching Wei Shen mow down waves of enemies without a care in the world is easily one of the best parts of this game. The game features numerous environmental takedowns as well to increase the brutality of this combat system all the way to the max.
7 Sabin Figaro - Final Fantasy 6
Final Fantasy 6 is considered by many fans to be the best game in the series. The combination of a massive cast of characters, a world-changing event, and a riveting story all combine to make Final Fantasy 6 an excellent and riveting title that deserves all its plaudits and then some.
The turn-based combat present in this title is also a blast to experience, with Sabin being one of the most fun characters to control here. His Blitz command allows players to input button presses that can result in highly powerful martial art attacks if done right. Watching this iconic character suplex a moving ghost train is easily one of the most entertaining moments by a country mile in Final Fantasy 6.
6 Goro Majima - Yakuza
Majima is one of the quirkiest and most entertaining characters in the Yakuza series. This is a massive compliment, given the fact that the Yakuza series itself is full to the brim with eccentric characters and mind-blowing moments.
Majima stands out as a result of his twisted personality and unique moveset, which incorporates everything from fast-paced martial arts moves to a fighting style that helps out in crowd control... by making Majima dance around the entire place. He's easily one of the most entertaining characters to control in Yakuza 0 by a long shot, and fighting him in other titles is also a blast.
5 Carl Johnson - Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Most people might be surprised to see the protagonist of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on this list. After all, Carl Johnson is a character who would be associated with long-range firearms as opposed to close-quarters martial arts combat.
However, players who take out the effort to seek out martial art trainers in San Andreas can improve CJ's hand-to-hand skills extensively. Watching this character use his newfound martial arts to mow down waves of enemies is extremely entertaining.
4 Tifa Lockhart - Final Fantasy 7
Final Fantasy 7 is one of the greatest JRPGs ever made, with Tifa Lockhart holding a special place in the heart of most fans. The childhood bond she shared with Cloud coupled with her hand-to-hand combat skills makes her a force to be reckoned with.
Tifa fulfills the role of the Monk class in Final Fantasy 7, and this shows in the brutal manner in which she decimates most enemies. Watching her whip out a perfect Limit Break that has been upgraded to the max is easily one of the most satisfying moments in the game.
3 Chie Satonaka - Persona 4
Speaking of martial artists in JRPGs, one can't fail to mention Chie Satonaka as well. Not only is she a great combatant with great skills, but most people consider her to be one of the best party members in Persona 4 as well.
Watching this character whip out her Persona using flamboyant kicks and flips is a treat every single time. Any person that doesn't romance her character by the end of the game is missing out on a special moment indeed.
2 Liu Kang - Mortal Kombat
Of course, it would be impossible to talk about iconic martial artists without mentioning the legendary Liu Kang. The man who houses the power of a fire dragon within him was bound to make this list, after all.
Liu Kang is no pushover, with his martial arts skills being further bolstered by his innate powers. No opponent in Mortal Kombat should take this fighter lightly, since his hand-to-hand combat skills will put them down for the count sooner rather than later.
1 Ryu - Street Fighter
Another iconic martial artist who is known by pretty much any gaming aficionado is Ryu from Street Fighter. This beloved character has consistently appeared in the Street Fighter series from the very first game.
His patented Hadouken has become the stuff of legends within the gaming community. Whenever the topic of martial arts comes up in the context of video games, it's a given that Ryu's name would be uttered at some point — the impact he's had on the gaming community is just something else.