Not quite a vampire, not quite a human — dhampirs enjoy all the perks of eternal life while still being able to take pleasant daytime strolls. What is a dhampir? Well, it’s usually defined as someone who has both a vampire and a human as their parents. Think Blade of Marvel fame.
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These iconic vampires make up the very best of vampires in video games, from tragic heroes to bloodthirsty villains.
While smaller in number than their vampire brethren, dhampirs still pop up a lot in our favorite media, and that includes video games. And (like Blade) they’re usually very cool. So, let’s look at some of the very best to have graced the medium and decide once and for all who is the champ(ir).
7
Kid Dracula (Kid Dracula)
Dracula’s Adorable Offspring
Kid Dracula
- Released
-
October 19, 1990
First up on the list is Kid Dracula from the eponymously named Castlevania spin-off (although it’s unfortunately not considered canon). While his mother has never been confirmed to be a human, he gets a pass as he is essentially a parody of the famed dhampir, Alucard.
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With all the more serious-looking entries on this list, it’s nice to feature the 10,009-year-old son of Dracula. Just look at him — he’s adorable. Players can experience this character by dusting off their old Game Boys or by purchasing the game as part of the Castlevania Anniversary Collection.
Hardcore Smash Bros fans might recognize this lttle fella as a collectible sprite from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
6
Donovan Baine (Darkstalkers Series)
Monk, Warrior, and Part-Vampire
Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors
The Darkstalkers franchise, AKA Vampire in Japan, is a somewhat obscure series of fighting games that have achieved cult status in the world of video games. Capcom games are no stranger to iconic character designs, and Donovan Baine is no exception.
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First introduced in Night Warriors: Darkstalkers’ Revenge, Donovan is a unique dhampir due to his Buddhist and Hindu mythology-inspired look. Donovan is also a stoic and complex character tasked with caring for his young surrogate daughter, Anita — a trope the series embraced long before it became cool.
5
D (Vampire Hunter D)
The Strong, Silent Type
Vampire Hunter D
Survival Horror
Metroidvania
- Released
-
September 28, 2000
- Developer(s)
-
Victor Interactive Software
- Publisher(s)
-
Victor Interactive Software, Jaleco, JVC Music Europe
Born from the minds of author Hideyuki Kikuchi and artist Yoshitaka Amano, Vampire Hunter D jumped from the pages of best-selling novels to manga, anime, audio dramas, and yes, a video game. For those unfamiliar, Vampire Hunter D centers around D, a mysterious vampire hunter. He’s an incredibly fleshed-out and complex character that has fascinated fans long since his inception in 1983.
It’s no surprise that fans of D got to see this dhampir show up in a 1999 PlayStation survival horror game in the vein of Resident Evil. While the game’s reception wasn’t exactly glowing, you can’t deny the allure of that low-poly design.
4
Rayne (BloodRayne)
Reign Supreme
Shooter
Hack and Slash
Fighting
Action-Adventure
- Released
-
October 15, 2002
- Franchise
-
BloodRayne
- Developer(s)
-
Terminal Reality, Big Boat Interactive, Full Fat Games
- Publisher(s)
-
Majesco Entertainment Company, Vivendi Games, ZIggurat Interactive
Rayne is the main character of the BloodRayne franchise, which spawned three games, three remasters, a comic series, and even a film adaptation by the infamous Uwe Boll. She also holds the distinction of being the first video game character to appear topless in Playboy magazine. No one else on this list can boast that.
Whether players consider her a problematic character from the medium’s past or an iconic feature of vampiric history, she sure did sink her teeth into the pop culture of video games.
The Half-Blood Prince
Yes — Agronak gro-Malog counts. The Gray Prince and Grand Champion of the Imperial City Arena is half orc and half vampire, as discovered in the “Origin of the Gray Prince” questline (spoilers for a nearly 20-year-old game).
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This complex side quest is among the game’s finest, compelling players to reconsider their notions of honor and victory within the Arena. Watching Agronak grapple with the heartbreaking revelation that his father is a vampire stands as one of the most poignant moments in the Elder Scrolls universe.
2
Blade (Marvel’s Midnight Suns)
Forever Ice-Skating Uphill
- Released
-
December 2, 2022
- Franchise
-
Marvel
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Strong
Some Marvel fans might argue that Blade is a movie character, not a video game character. They’d be wrong — he’s actually a comic book character. Aside from that, this famous dhampir has actually appeared in way more video games than he has films.
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Blade is one of Marvel’s coolest characters and a vampire slayer who has appeared in more than a few Marvel games.
But, for the sake of this best-of list, this entry will focus on the game with his best characterization — Marvel’s Midnight Suns. This game features Fire Emblem-esque character interaction sequences that allow players to mingle with an eclectic mix of iconic Marvel characters. This iteration, voiced by Michael Jai White, represents the coolest portrayal of Blade players have seen in the medium.
1
Alucard (Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night)
The Legendary Son Of Dracula
It is time! The crowned champion of video game dhampirs: Alucard from Konami’s Castlevania series. Nowhere else on this list is there a design as legendary as this. And that’s a tall order from a franchise bursting at the seams with remarkable characters.
While making his first appearance in Castlevania 3: Dracula’s Curse, Alucard came into his element when he was made the protagonist in the critically acclaimed Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Designed by the incredible Ayami Kojima, not only is he a half-vampire, but he’s also the son of the one and only Dracula — something cleverly hinted at by his name, which is simply “Dracula” spelled backward.
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