Gaming these days is more often than not about immersion. No matter the genre, players want to escape into a new world through their screens, go on fantastical adventures, create their own story, and meet new companions. Sometimes, the companions they meet aren't always like them, and they might find themselves adventuring not with a partner, but a pet.
Throughout the history of gaming, there have been hundreds of iconic pets, going all the way back to the arcade era. Some video game pets, however, are famous not just for their role in the stories of their games, but because they're just plain adorable.
10 Urz (Mass Effect 2)
The Mass Effect series is famous for the incredible depth of its sci-fi universe, so it's not a shock they found room in their vast galaxy for a surprisingly cute pet. Native to the desolate Krogan homeworld of Tuchanka, the Varren are savage predators. These Synapsids (a group of reptiles with mammalian features) are very hardy and adaptable, allowing them to spread throughout the galaxy alongside the Krogan.
Urz is an individual Varren who has seemingly been domesticated by the Krogan merchant Ratch and can be encountered on Tuchanka. Players have the option to feed him meat, and if they do, Urz will begin to follow them around. He might not look like an ideal pet, but in the universe of Mass Effect, he fits right in.
9 Cheeseburger (Far Cry 5)
Far Cry has always had animals, but they're usually predators or prey. Far Cry 5, however, decided to expand on the system introduced in Far Cry Primal and added companion characters, known as "guns for hire"—or in the case of animals, "fangs for hire."
Cheeseburger was found as a cub scavenging from dumpsters in Hope County, Montana. He was raised at an animal sanctuary, where he had a rather poor diet of fast food, ultimately developed diabetes, and became attached to his caretakers. Something of a local celebrity, this big softie refused to return to the wild and can aid the player using his massive bulk and strength to combat the cultists of Eden's Gate.
8 Daisy (Doom)
Daisy was originally introduced at the end of the Doom and was later explained in Doom II to be the pet rabbit of Doomguy, killed by demons in their invasion of Earth. Originally nothing more than a bit of a joke, Daisy quickly evolved into an extension of the silent hero, a way to communicate how the stakes were personal now without words.
Daisy has since become a key part of Doom's lore, with fanart of her and the Doom Slayer even featuring in Doom: Eternal. Her cuteness is honestly enhanced by being paired with the violent, enraged Doom Slayer.
7 The Stowaway Bogling (Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order)
Star Wars: Jedi: Fallen Order introduced players to the Boglings on their first trip to Bogano, but sharp-eyed players would soon notice how one seemed to have stuck aboard the Mantis as it traveled the galaxy. Always hiding in different places, like a recurring Easter egg, the Stowaway Bogling became regarded as part of the crew by fans.
This was not forgotten in the sequel Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and when venturing to Koboh, players find the planet is now inhabited by Boglings as well. Presumably, the stowaway Bogling (and perhaps their mate) had gotten off the Mantis and stayed on the planet with Greez, starting a new population on a new planet.
6 Cerberus (Hades)
The critically acclaimed rogue-lite game Hades sees Zagreus, the son of Hades and Persephone, repeatedly trying to escape the Underworld to find his mother. Cerberus, the hound of hell, is supposed to guard the exit from the temple of the river Styx to the surface—but it would seem this mythical monster has a soft spot for Zagreus and will let him pass in exchange for treats.
Whenever they are killed and sent back to the House of Hades, players can pet Cerberus and give him gifts, such as a bed, or cleaning his fur. Hopefully, the three-headed good boy will be returning in the upcoming sequel.
5 Morgana (Persona 5)
The Persona series is famous for its cute characters, but Morgana takes the cake. This sassy talking cat loses all his memories and is driven by his desire for justice and to recover his lost memories, so he decides to help Joker establish the Phantom Thieves, eventually becoming one of their most formidable members.
Morgana isn't afraid to speak his mind and will call out his teammates if he sees them taking unnecessary risks—or whenever they call him a cat. In many ways, he is the heart of the Phantom Thieves and is completely unfettered by public opinion of the Phantom Thieves.
4 D-Dog (Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain)
While D-Horse is the first possible companion in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, players exploring the mountains of Soviet-occupied Afghanistan will eventually encounter an injured young pup. Much like the protagonist, Venom Snake, D-Dog is missing an eye. Players can choose to take him in, and will routinely encounter him at the offshore platform headquarters of the Diamond Dogs, Mother Base.
As the game progresses, D-Dog will slowly grow from an adorable puppy into a fierce-looking war dog, the perfect mascot for the Diamond Dogs. Equipped with special K-9 utility gear, he can accompany Snake on his missions as a faithful friend.
3 Dogmeat (Fallout)
Dogmeat has always been a part of the Fallout series in one form or another, from a confused dog waiting for his lost owner in the original PC game to a wandering stray described as "his own man" in Fallout 4. A friendly companion, Dogmeat can carry extra equipment, pin down enemies in combat, and even locate hidden treasures in the ruins.
With Dogmeat at their sides, even when striding the wasteland in power armor, players will feel more comfortable and immersed. With his friendly smile, panting, or barks, players can enjoy their time in the wasteland with one of the cutest pets in gaming.
2 A Stray Cat (Stray)
The game Stray featured a nameless stray cat caught in a post-apocalyptic world of sealed cities of robots and metal-eating parasites. Helping a scientist trapped in a robotic body escape the city, this cat finds himself on an adventure in an unfamiliar world.
But even despite the amazing world building, storytelling, and level design, players will often find themselves distracted by the stray cats' pure cuteness. Instead of following the story, players are just as likely to wander around with their heads stuck in plastic bags, clawing up a rug, or napping in a cozy spot.
1 Pikachu (Pokémon)
There are many Pokémon that would make adorable pets, such as Yamper or Meowth—but even among the army of cute Pokémon, Pikachu is in a league of its own. One of the most iconic characters ever created, Pikachu is the face of the largest franchise in history.
Pikachu's simple design is recognizable just from the ears, and the talented artists who have brought Pikachu to life over the years deserve a world of credit. The sheer cuteness of this little guy has taken the world by storm over the decades, with no sign of stopping.