Gamertell

Nearly every successful video game series has a mascot, a character who immediately calls to mind a genre of games or perhaps a company. They’re instantly recognizable and, more often than not, prompt fond memories of classic games.

Mario, Sonic, Pikachu and Pyramid-head are some of the more recognizable figures, but there are plenty of other memorable mascots who often get pushed aside.  These are mascots from some really entertaining and enjoyable games that might not have enjoyed the same popularity as other series. Classic gamers may remember some of our five favorite obscure mascots.

#1. Mr. Saturn
With the speculated Virtual Console release of Earthbound, it is only right that Mr. Saturn takes the top place in this list.  Mr. Saturn refers not to a single individual, but an entire race in Earthbound (SNES) that live only in Saturn Valley. All Mr. Saturns are named Mr. Saturn (except for Dr. Saturn) and look exactly alike. They also happen to be pretty darn adorable.

Despite being situated in Saturn Valley, they do quite a bit of traveling. Mr. Saturn characters show up in Mother 3 (GBA), Super Smash Brothers Melee (GC) and Kirby Super Star (SNES). He also was popular enough in Japan to inspire statues and stuffed toys.

#2. PaRappa the Rapper
PaRappa is probably the best known of the mascots on this list, but still isn’t a huge star. PaRappa is the star of PaRappa the Rappa (PS1, PSP) and PaRappa the Rapper 2 (PS2), as well as having a cameo in the PaRappa spin-off, Um Jammer Lammy (PS1). He’s a rapping dog who has a habit of frequently exclaiming, “I gotta believe!” It’s a bit hokey, but that’s what makes him lovable.

His games were also incredibly entertaining. It was one of the first rhythm games which managed to make it to North America, had hilarious raps and was incredibly stylish. They were a joy to play. I’m still puzzled though, as to how a dog (PaRappa) can have an anthropomorphic sunflower (Sunny Funny) as a girlfriend.

#3. Stafy
Including Stafy, starfish star of the Japan-only Densetsu no Stafi aka Legend of Stafy (GBA, DS) games might be cheating since so few Americans have seen him in action, but he’s just too sweet to exclude. He’s a star/starfish prince who lives in the clouds and spend a lot of time in the ocean. He usually ends up assisting denizens of the deep in retrieving lost items and fighting wayward sea critters. He also is often accompanied by his little sister, Stapy, and his clam friend Kyorosuke.

Despite making his home in Japan, he’s made quite a few appearances overseas as well. Stafy was an assist trophy in Super Smash Brothers Brawl (Wii), was in a poster in Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga (GBA) and there were Super Princess Peach (DS) enemies which resembled Stafy. In Japan there have been four games starring Stafy, along with an anime and manga.

#4. Klonoa
Klonoa is, well, he’s some sort of anthropomorphic animal. He looks like an odd kind of cat/rabbit hybrid. He also looks a bit like Sonic the Hedgehog, especially around the eyes. He’s a dream traveler from the world of Phantomile with his grandpa, and apparently is in the habit of traveling to other worlds to save them and protect their inhabitants’ dreams.

Klonoa has been in a number of video games but hasn’t recently starred in any. His first title was Klonoa: Door to Phantomile (PS1), and went on to star in Klonoa: Moonlight Museum (WS), Klonoa: Empire of Dreams (GBA),  Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil (PS2), Klonoa 2: Dream Champ Tournament (GBA), Klonoa Beach Volleyball (PS1) and Klonoa Heroes: Legend of the Star Medal (GBA). Many of the games are classic action or platformer games, but the volleyball game is a sports title. He also stars in a manga called Shibuutenkoku Kaze no Klonoa, and had cameos in QuickSpot (DS), Namco X Capcom (PS2) and a Presea costume cameo in Tales of Symphonia (GC).

#5. Li’l Cactus
Li’l Cactus is one of the Mana series’ most recognizable characters, having appeared in Sword of Mana (GBA) and Legend of Mana. He’s an anthropomorphic cactus which has the ability to walk and write. He occasionally goes out on adventures but ultimately lives a sedentary lifestyle.

He happens to be an exceptional listener. In Sword of Mana the player can speak to him, and he’ll write little poems about each adventure the player has been on. If you run into Li’l Cactus in a Square Enix game, take the time to talk to him - he’ll appreciate it, even if he won’t say anything back.

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