A key element across all genres of gaming is currency. Whether this goes towards getting a high score, funding your operations, or purchasing items and equipment, a lot can be done when you have deep pockets. However, aside from player characters that can aim to have the most cash, there are some characters where wealth is all that matters.
These characters can range from shopkeepers to tax collectors, but whenever you do see them you know you're going to have to dip into your wallet. Among these moneygrubbing entities, there are some with greed that seemingly knows no bounds, so you'd better start saving up the moment you start.
7 Wario
The infamous cousin to Mario, this yellow and purple-clad anti-hero has appeared as both a villain and a hero in his own story. Still, no matter when he appears, his main motivation is always the same: Wealth. Whether it's in riches, power, or glory, the prospect of gaining more is more than enough to spur Wario into action.
In his own series of games, treasure is a common theme with one of the main goals revolving around collecting as much gold, jewels, and valuable artifacts as he can. In pursuit of these, Wario sometimes ends up doing very good and noble things, but this is almost never his intention.
6 Gobi
Going back in time to the early days of SNES and 16-bit RPGs, a series called Breath Of Fire got its start. Taking place in an original fantasy world filled with a bunch of hybrid species, you play as a dragon-guy on a quest to save the world. As you go through the first game, you'll recruit a diverse cast of warriors, including Gobi.
This character is a cross between a goldfish and a man with his most distinct characteristic being his overwhelming greed. Though the members of his species are naturally inclined to seek wealth, his desire was so bad that he was exiled from his own clan and stripped of his power to turn into a giant fish. As you travel with Gobi, you'll bond with him as he takes every opportunity to bankrupt you.
5 Agent 46
Potatoes are a wonderful root vegetable that can be cooked and prepared in various ways, including being animated, so they can run businesses. This is what's happening in Holy Potatoes! A Weapons Shop?! Where you're asked to run a potato-operated weapon store for a huge cast of characters based on different series.
The goal is to make sure each character has their order filled to the highest quality, so you can make a profit. You need to do this so that your "business partner" Agent 46 stays happy. He arrives at the end of every month to collect his cut under the guise of helping the business. Agent 46 never seems to actually take interest or help out in the shop, only concerned with its success and the amount of money he can make from it.
4 Tom Nook
The Animal Crossing series hosts what is arguably one of the most relaxing collections of games that anyone can play. You're presented with an idyllic small town filled with friendly animal neighbors and lots of little activities to do. You can spend months experiencing everything the town has to offer with one of the bigger projects being your own home.
Unfortunately, your home is often sold to you by Tom Nook, a raccoon who also runs the local store Nook's Cranny. Your first objective comes in paying off the massive loan he lends you, so you can officially own your home. However, if you ever want a new one, or you want to expand or change its outward appearance, you'll need to talk to Tom who's always more than happy to take your money and remind you of what you owe.
3 Tingle
The Legend Of Zelda series hosts a cast of strange and unusual characters, one of the most notable being Tingle. This small man is recognizable by his trademark green tights, red pants, and steadfast belief that he's a fairy. Looking past all the strangeness, you can see that Tingle does have a key talent for map-making and deciphering, for which he charges a pretty penny.
This desire for rupees developed into a full-fledged adventure in which the only thing that matters to Tingle is having more. In Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, his mission is to gather as many rupees as possible, haggle for the highest rewards, and pay the lowest prices. This wealth is so crucial to his existence that if he ever runs out of them, he dies.
2 Yojimbo
It's normal to think that those who have passed on to the ethereal plane would have no need or interest in material goods. Final Fantasy 10 proves this wrong by including the Aeon known as Yojimbo. One of the few optional summons that can be obtained, Yojimbo lies at the very end of an area called the Cavern of the Stolen Fayth.
Once you reach the end, you'll need to defeat him in battle before you can recruit him. However, proving your strength isn't enough as he demands an offering, specifically money. After you make a high enough offer, he lends his services. Unfortunately, the charges don't end there as every time he is summoned, he will charge you money for every attack. He can be quite a powerful ally, but who knows why he needs all this money to be one.
1 Garrett
Thieves can be interesting characters, with their motivations to steal being one of their defining qualities. This is simplified in the Thief series which follows a protagonist named Garrett. He is a true thief without shame or concern for those around him, seemingly only interested in his own survival.
As such, he steals from the wealthiest and most well-protected areas, simply because he wants to. While he is highly skilled, his exploits eventually draw attention, and he gets caught up in a conflict he couldn't care less about. No matter where he's sent and for what purpose, Garrett will make the most of the opportunity to steal anything that isn't nailed down to line his seemingly endless pockets.