Video game villains can be quite menacing, threatening world domination and using power for nefarious means; however, when it comes to these villains, their adorableness makes it difficult to see them as a threat. While other villains might strike fear into your heart, these villains will make you hesitate before attacking them, as they look too innocent to be considered evil.
Whether it’s because of their endearing designs, tragic backstories, or chipper personalities, it’s impossible to believe that these villains would want to harm you, never mind take over the world. Do we really have to fight these guys? Can’t we just be friends?
7 Shady Business: Redd (Animal Crossing)
Although Animal Crossing doesn’t technically have a villain, Redd is often seen as one by fans. The shady kitsune has appeared in every main game in the series, selling suspicious goods. Redd’s fraudulent items might be an inconvenience to you when you’re trying to complete your museum; however, what makes Redd really villainous is the fact that he’s managed to get his paws on real priceless masterpieces. What kind of connections does Redd have to get these? He’s not even subtle about it — his tent in the original Animal Crossing is titled “Black Market”, with “Black” hastily crossed out.
It’s easy to forgive Redd’s misdeeds though, as he is as adorable as every other Animal Crossing character and is all dressed up in his blue apron, ready to give you a great deal. You could quite easily fall victim to Redd’s dubious business practices as he welcomes you with open arms, calling you “cousin” and convincing you to open your wallet too.
6 Couldn’t Pawsibly Be Responsible: Dog (Silent Hill 2)
Unlike other Silent Hill entries, Silent Hill 2 doesn’t have a traditional villain, as each of the monsters are representative of James Sunderland’s psyche. However, by receiving Silent Hill 2’s “joke” Dog ending, it’s revealed that a dastardly Shiba Inu, sometimes referred to as Mira, is responsible for the entirety of the game’s story.
This means that Mira was the mastermind behind Pyramid Head’s fixation on James and called James, Eddie and Angela to Silent Hill in the first place. The beauty of the Dog ending is that it’s impossible to believe that Mira could be capable of such horrendous acts, with Team Silent using her (supposed) innocence to comedic effect. She can’t be that much of a mastermind, though — she can’t even get her headset to sit on her ears properly.
5 Putting The “Friend” In Frenemy: King Dedede (Kirby Series)
A mainstay of the Kirby series, King Dedede is Kirby’s main enemy, although perhaps the word frenemy might be more apt. In Kirby and the Forgotten Land, King Dedede’s redesign gives him warpaint on his face, but it ends up looking much more like blushy cheeks. It gives the impression that he could do no wrong, despite being influenced by Fecto Forgo.
King Dedede’s adorable penguin appearance also makes it difficult to view him as wholly evil, even if he does keep all the food for the kingdom to himself. Similar to everything else in the Kirby universe, King Dedede has a level of charm that makes him impossible to dislike. He’s one of the most loved adversaries in the Kirby series, and it’s clear to see why — just look at his smile and cozy red coat.
4 Just A Baby: Bowser Jr. (Super Mario Series)
Bowser Jr. is everything about Bowser condensed into a baby version. As the heir to Bowser’s throne, Bowser Jr. looks up to his father, sharing an admiration for Princess Peach and helping Bowser to kidnap her. Bowser Jr. has a lot of similar physical characteristics to his father, such as his red hair and thick eyebrows; however, he’s nowhere near as menacing and has yet to grow up to be a fearsome Koopa King.
As far as villains go, Bowser Jr. is one of the youngest, which only adds to his endearing qualities. He just proves that everything is cuter in a smaller package.
3 Villain, But Make It Mini: Vaati (The Legend Of Zelda: Minish Cap)
The sorceress Vaati is the main antagonist of The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. In the game, Vaati has quite the introduction, winning the Sword-Fighting Tournament at the Picori Festival and unleashing evil upon the world before turning Princess Zelda to stone. It’s revealed that Vaati used to be a Minish and was in fact Ezlo’s apprentice; however, due to Vaati succumbing to the evil inside men’s hearts, he donned the Mage’s Cap to become a sorcerer, leaving the Minish in search of the Light Force.
Once you see Vaati’s Minish form, it’s difficult to believe that he’s capable of such evil because of his little pointed snout and tiny stature. Even in his sorcerer form, he looks more like an emo teenager thanks to the bang covering his eye. Admittedly, in his monstrous forms, Vaati doesn’t have quite the same cutesy appeal, but it’s impossible to forget the original Minish behind it all.
2 King Of My Heart: King Of Sorrow (Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil)
The King of Sorrow is the main antagonist of Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil and the monarch of the Kingdom of Sorrow, which was concealed because the citizens of Lunatea refused to accept sorrow. In his struggle to make people accept sorrow, the King of Sorrow resorted to violence.
The King of Sorrow’s situation is a sad one, as with no one in Lunatea willing to accept sorrow, he doesn't belong anywhere. But, in terms of appearance, the King of Sorrow’s name is definitely fitting, as he looks like he could burst into tears at a moment’s notice. You simply want to wrap him up in a blanket and comfort him rather than fight him.
1 He Did Nothing Wrong: Skull Kid (The Legend Of Zelda: Majora’s Mask)
In The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, Skull Kid, corrupted by Majora after putting on its mask, terrorizes the formerly peaceful land of Termina. It’s up to Link to recruit the Four Giants to stop the moon from crashing down under Majora/Skull Kid’s control.
Although Skull Kid did enjoy partaking in mischievous pranks, Majora’s Mask is the real villain, as it influenced Skull Kid and heightened his negative emotions, caused by the Giants leaving him. While Skull Kid was wearing Majora’s Mask at the time, it’s difficult to hold threatening to bring the moon down on the citizens of Termina against him because his appearance is just too adorable. Even if Majora’s Mask covers Skull Kid’s duck-like beak and glowing eyes, he still looks like a sweet little guy, despite the destructive tendencies.