Famous Video Game Characters Who Still Don’t Have A Voice Actor

With the advent of new technology and more powerful hardware, video game characters were given the ability to speak, and the industry changed forever as franchises like Final Fantasy and Metal Gear took advantage of them in some incredible ways. But while a huge number of iconic video game characters eventually get a voice actor, many of them remain silent and have not yet made the jump. While legendary characters like Mario and Solid Snake emerged from their 2D eras with a prominent voice actor to guide them, many characters have stayed right where they are.

Related

7 Best Silent Protagonists Who Gained A Voice In Later Games

Silent characters can be powerful stand-ins for players, but in some games, like Dead Space and Jak & Daxter, the story demands they find their voice.

These characters are true icons in the industry but remain without a firm voice actor to speak of. It’s unusual, especially when one considers just how important voice acting is to games today, but there’s something to be said about certain developers sticking to their guns. Some of them have even had supporting characters that were previously silent start speaking, but these characters still lack a strong, consistent voice presence.

1

Bomberman

One Of The Oldest Icons In Video Games Still Doesn’t Have A Voice

Released

March 3, 2017

ESRB

E For Everyone 10+

Considering the deceptively complex lore of the Bomberman series, which loosely shares a universe with the Lode Runner games, it’s a bit shocking that the character has gone this long without a voice actor attached to the role. Debuting in 1983, Bomberman is one of the oldest franchises in the industry, and the character has starred in some of the most addictive and compelling video games ever made.

Exactly what type of voice is appropriate for Bomberman could vary depending on the tone, as the early games in the series featured a dark, almost dystopian feeling that saw the little guy attempting to escape enslavement. The recent Super Bomberman R games have been outstanding, but would likely require a voice akin to a Saturday morning cartoon. Either way, Bomberman is a character that could benefit from a voice, as giving him some more personality to match his iconic design may be worth a shot.

2

Crash Bandicoot

Platforming Legend Still Hasn’t Found His Voice

Released

October 2, 2020

ESRB

E10+ for Everyone 10+: Alcohol Reference, Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief, Language

Ever since its debut in 1996, the Crash Bandicoot franchise has become one of the most influential and beloved platforming series due to its charming aesthetic and playful lead character. The legendary marsupial is one of the staples of the 1990s and his continued legacy has resulted in some of the best platforming games on the market, culminating in his triumphant return with Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time.

Related

Best Crash Bandicoot Games, Ranked

Everyone’s favorite spinning marsupial, Crash Bandicoot, has featured in dozens of his own video games, but which of them can be considered the best?

Despite all that, however, Crash Bandicoot is still without a permanent voice. Outside a few shrieks and yells, Crash does not have a normal speaking voice of any sort, which is a shame considering that his villains and supporting cast all have voices. It would be excellent to hear them exchange some quips and banter with each other, but after nearly 30 years, it seems like Crash is fated never to have a voice of his own.

3

Chell

Silent Star Of The Portal Franchise Is No-Nonsense

Released

April 18, 2011

ESRB

E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language

In a world full of villains and supporting characters that talk constantly, it says a lot that the lead character of the Portal series, a brave woman named Chell, doesn’t utter a word. This outstanding female lead finds herself at odds with the encroaching hand of technology and machines, as her archenemy, GLaDOS, spends the majority of the series tormenting Chell. Their one-way relationship makes for some terrific comedy that often mixes with horror, as Chell’s quiet strength clashes with GLaDOS’ sinister machinations.

Portal 2, meanwhile, introduces the nefarious Wheatley, who descends into madness upon being corrupted by GLaDOS. Chell’s twisted relationship with robots, all done without a single line of dialogue from her, is a pretty remarkable achievement. GLaDOS and Wheatley are a couple of chatterboxes, which makes it difficult for Chell to get a word in, as the writing lends itself wonderfully to her journey. It could be interesting to give Chell a voice for any potential appearances in the future, but for now, this silent warrior is still one of gaming’s most incredible heroines.

4

Doomguy

The Slayer Of Demons Remains A Silent Destroyer

Released

March 20, 2020

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence

First appearing in the original Doom in 1993, the stoic, quiet hero of the franchise has become one of the industry’s most popular characters and remains a key figure of the first-person shooter genre. Known as both Doomguy and the Doomslayer, this cold-blooded demon killer has not spoken a word other than some brief dialogue in Doom Eternal.

Related

Best Doom Games, Ranked

The Doom franchise is one of the most well-known and beloved first-person shooters, and these are the best ones in the series by far.

As far as having a permanent actor fixed to him in the way that Solid Snake or Nathan Drake does, Doomguy is still carrying the flag for silent protagonists, and maybe it’s better if it stays that way. Doom‘s commitment to brutal, fast-paced demon-killing action is enhanced by his calm, quiet demeanor. Unlike a lot of 90s FPS protagonists, like Duke Nukem and B.J. Blazkowicz, Doomguy wasn’t one for one-liners, which has helped to solidify his outstanding legacy.

5

Link

One Of Gaming’s Greatest Heroes Is Still A Silent Protagonist

Systems

Released

March 3, 2017

ESRB

E for Everyone: Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol, Mild Suggestive Themes

After nearly 40 years, through multiple franchise changes and shifts, The Legend of Zelda has managed to keep one tradition entirely intact, which is not giving series star Link a voice. From his debut on the NES up to his latest adventure on the Switch, Link has remained completely silent outside grunts and death sounds, a rather impressive feat considering how many Nintendo characters have been given a voice over the years.

Recently, Princess Zelda, Ganon, and the supporting cast were all given voices in Breath of the Wild, but Nintendo opted to keep to tradition with Link. To keep the player immersed in the battle-tested boots of Link, they continue to keep him silent, but considering the cinematic shift that the franchise has seen since Breath of the Wild, it may be time to reconsider and find someone suitable to brink him to life.

6

Gordon Freeman

The Leader Of The Human Revolution Has Not Spoken Since 1998

Released

November 16, 2004

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence

There may not be a more iconic silent protagonist in gaming than Gordon Freeman, the star of the Half-Life franchise that first debuted in 1998. And despite some brief grunts and breathing sounds, he has not uttered a single word throughout two mainline games and several spin-offs. As important as Half-Life is to the shooter genre, Gordon Freeman is equally important as a character, as his all-business attitude in the face of a hostile alien invasion is admirable.

Gordon’s character arc from scientist to revolutionary is one of Half-Life‘s strongest narrative points, as he doesn’t even need a voice for one to understand the harrowing nature of an ordinary man trapped in extraordinary circumstances. It helps that everyone around Gordon has no issue with speaking, as it has led to some of the franchise’s best moments, seeing everyone rally around him and hold him up as the leader of the human revolution. Gordon Freeman may not have a voice actor, but he is still one of gaming’s most legendary protagonists.

More

10 Open-World Games With Fantastic Voice Acting

From Days Gone to Red Dead Redemption 2, these top-notch open-world games are greatly enhanced by superb voice acting.