3. Ridley/Kraid – Metroid series
Ridley and Kraid are like fire and ice. Though they are polar opposites, they still appear in just about every Metroid game you can think of. Nearly every Metroid title has featured Ridley, and Kraid comes along for the ride in the earlier titles. Though the eponymous Metroids and the space pirates are the primary antagonists of the series, it is Ridley and Kraid who offer the most memorable moments in the franchise.
2. The Rival Trainer – Pokemon series
It is every Pokemon masters dream of beating the elite four and becoming the best trainer of all time. That said, they’re just a bunch of powerful guys who lack a meaningful connection to the player. The rival on the other hand, is a constant thorn in your side. Sure, he’s your final battle as well, but it’s his constant presence and the repeated battles against him earlier on that really make it meaningful. That, and how he manages to always show up at the worst possible moments.
1. Shadow Link – Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The doppelgänger is a classic element of fiction, and one that Ocarina of Time effortlessly converted into a modern gaming cliché. Shadow Link serves as a sub-boss of the infamous water temple, halting the players progress by mimicking Link’s movements. The idea of a dark counterpart has since become a classic gaming paradigm, forcing Shadow Link into a veritable celebrity status amongst sub-bosses. Whilst he made his first appearance in Zelda 2, it was only in Ocarina that Dark Link truly captured our hearts and minds.
