Best Cats In Video Games

What makes a great video game cat? Some of the best cats in games are adorable, but that doesn’t mean there is no place for the creepy and evil cats of the video game world. The best cats in video games make an impact on the player and are remembered for years to come.

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The simple act of petting an animal can be highly rewarding, especially in video games, as these examples illustrate.

Cats are a great addition to any game, but iconic cats are more than just background, they are vibrant three-dimensional characters with their own agenda, which may or may not align with the player’s goals.

10

The Erdtree Burial Watchdogs From Elden Ring

Lying In Wait In The Catacombs

Systems

Released

February 25, 2022

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

• Role: Enemy
• Can You Pet That Cat: Definitely not
• Can That Cat Kill You: Absolutely
• Good Cat Noise Rating: Only the burning flesh of his enemies and the sound of shifting stone 1/10

There is some debate about whether the Erdtree Burial Watchdogs are cats or dogs, but that is definitely down to some interpreting the term “watchdog” literally rather than figuratively. His grotesque shriveled cat-like face, pointy ears, and long thin tail betray his feline origins.

So why is he on this list? The guy is a cat in a cape who breathes fire and carries a massive sword. That in itself should be enough to put him on this list. But he is also a uniquely designed creature in one of the most impactful games of the past decade.

9

Jeane from No More Heroes

Every Anti-hero Needs A Cat

Released

August 27, 2021

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

• Role: Pet
• Can You Pet That Cat: Yes in NMH 2 and 3
• Can That Cat Kill You: Probably not.
• Good Cat Noise Rating: Can talk in NMH 3 7/10

Jeane is a gray Scottish fold kitten adopted by the protagonist, Travis Touchdown. Jeane is often thought to be a cheeky homage to the orphaned kitten in Shenmue.

Jeane is not just adorable furniture or a silent companion, he can talk (in No More Heroes 3) and there are multiple modes by which the player can interact with him, including playing, massaging, and stretching. In No More Heroes 2, poor Jeane gains weight and Travis must help him complete exercises to lose weight.

8

CatNap From Poppy Playtime

Red Smoke Emitting Cultist

Poppy Playtime

Adventure

Puzzle

Indie Games

Action

Survival Horror

Systems

Released

October 12, 2021

ESRB

r

• Role: Antagonist
• Can you pet it? Definitely not
• Can it kill you? Yes, and he will
• Cat noise rating: Weird heavy breathing 1/10

CatNap is a major antagonist of Poppy Playtime Chapter 3 and is a fanatical follower of the series “Big Bad” The Prototype. He kills any toys that are voices of dissent or go against the word of The Prototype.

Tragically, CatNap was originally a young, orphaned boy named Theodore Grambell who was forcibly transformed into a living toy. He emits red smoke which is both a sedative and a hallucinogen. He makes the list due to his iconic appearance and his complexity as an antagonist.

7

Big The Cat From Sonic Adventure

On A Mission To Find Froggy

Released

December 23, 1998

ESRB

e

• Role: Supporting character
• Can You Pet that cat: No
• Can That Cat Kill You: No
• Good Cat Noise Rating: Goofy voice 4/10

Anyone who loves a goofy side character with a heart of gold will have to at least appreciate this massive weird-looking furball. He is characterized by his love of fishing, his friendship with Froggy, and his less-than-genius intellect.

He makes this list, not only because of his role in one of the most popular gaming franchises in history but also for his unique personality in the Sonic games and his sleepy charm. Whether players love or hate Big the Cat, he certainly makes an impact.

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6

Blacksad From Blacksad: Under The Skin

World Weary Detective With A Boopable Snoot

Released

November 5, 2019

Developer(s)

Pendulo Studios

OpenCritic Rating

Weak

• Role: The broody protagonist
• Can You Pet That Cat: The player is the cat.
• Can That Cat Kill You: Yes, but it would be against his moral code.
• Good Cat Noise Rating: Gravelly voice 8/10

Blacksad is a giant tuxedo cat and a hardened private investigator unraveling a complex noir murder mystery. It takes place in the seedy underbelly of 1950s New York populated by anthropomorphic cats, dogs, foxes, and all other manner of animals.

He is on this list as a cat that takes center stage, being more than just a cute adventurer. As in the comics, Blacksad is the type of cat that taps into the less cute and cuddly elements of felines. He is smart, adaptable, and alert.

5

Felynes and Melynx From Monster Hunter

Best Little Battle Buddy Ever

Released

March 26, 2021

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

• Role: Ally and aide
• Can You Pet That Cat: Yes
• Can That Cat Kill You: If they really wanted to.
• Good Cat Noise Rating: 10/10

Felynes and Melynx are bipedal cat-like creatures that live with the hunters in the Monster Hunter games. They have assumed multiple roles within society, including as warriors called Palicoes.

They aren’t pets, but skilled companions who have their own specialized abilities and weapons that can be invaluable in combat if chosen strategically. Players will be able to choose and customize their Palico at the start of the game. Armor sets also have a Palico variation.

4

Raymond From Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Your Friendly Heterochromic Neighbor

• Role: Neighbor
• Can You Pet That Cat: No, respect the man’s personal space.
• Can That Cat Kill You: He would never.
• Good Cat Noise Rating: 5/10

Raymond is one of the most sought-after villagers in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. He is a smug-type villager and gets along with most potential inhabitants of the island.

His house interior looks like a well-furnished office, and he is quite particular in his appearance. In order to keep him around as a happy and content inhabitant of the player’s island, they will need to compliment him occasionally.

3

Meowth From Pokemon

An Iconic Series Favorite

Released

November 17, 2017

• Role: Mainly antagonist (Team Rocket Meowth)
• Can You Pet That Cat: No
• Can That Cat Kill You: He could try.
• Good Cat Noise Rating: 5/10

This entry refers to Meowths generally, but it’s impossible to ignore the species’ most famous character, the Meowth from Team Rocket. Unlike other Meowths, he is able to talk and conspire with his companions. They probably would not have made it onto this list if not for this lovable villain.

Meowths generally are similar to their real-world feline counterparts; they are carnivorous with sharp claws and come in various shapes and sizes. These variations are generally according to region, but it does have a Gigantamax form.

2

Cait-Sith From Final Fantasy

Celtic Myth Inspired Robotic Cat

Systems

Released

February 29, 2024

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

• Role: Party Member.
• Can You Pet That Cat: No
• Can That Cat Kill You: Yes, but he’s an ally (for the most part).
• Good Cat Noise Rating: High energy Scottish accent with some cat-like noises 8/10

Cait-Sith is a fortune-telling robot cat controlled by Reeve Tuesti. He is loud, brash, and an unlikely spy when the player first meets him. He has a lot of mischievous confidence and travels upon a moogle which he controls via a megaphone.

The lore of Cait-Sith is almost as complicated as the Final Fantasy series itself. His level of autonomy is unclear, and his lack of fighting skills can make him a bit of a useless ally at times.

1

The Cat From Stray

The Best Little Outsider In The Whole Dang Dystopia

Systems

Released

July 19, 2022

Developer(s)

BlueTwelve Studio

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

• Role: Protagonist
• Can You Pet That Cat: The player is the cat
• Can That Cat Kill You: It sure feels like it sometimes.
• Good Cat Noise Rating: Voiced by a real cat named Lala 10/10

The unnamed cat from Stray is a realistic ginger tabby who was actually motion-captured from real cats giving him that characteristically authentic movement. He is separated from his family and must escape from the city with the help of a drone that acts as a translator and guide.

Not only is he the most realistic cat in video games to date, but he also has all the eccentricities and personality of a well-developed video game protagonist, with his own internal drives and motivations.

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