Father’s Day isn’t just about ties, tools, and grilling in sandals. Some of the best dads we know come from our favorite games. These digital dads have faced everything from gods and monsters to emotional trauma and school plays. Whether they’re blood-related or just stepped up when no one else would, these characters prove that fatherhood comes in many forms—and sometimes with a weapon in hand.
Here are the Top 10 Video Game Dads who’ve earned their spot in the Hall of Fatherhood Fame.
1. Kratos – God of War (2018 & Ragnarok)
Kratos went from ripping off god heads in a blood-fueled rage to navigating the quiet pain of grief and fatherhood. In God of War (2018), we see him struggle to connect with Atreus—keeping his past hidden while trying to guide his son toward a better path. The way he grunts out “Boy” became iconic, but beneath the stern exterior is a man learning what it means to be a real parent. He’s proof that even the most broken people can change when a child is watching.
2. Joel Miller – The Last of Us
Joel isn’t Ellie’s real dad—but he might as well be. After losing his own daughter in the early chaos of the outbreak, Joel builds walls around his heart. But Ellie breaks through them. Their bond turns the game from a zombie survival story into an emotional journey about love, loss, and what a father would do to protect his child—even when it means making impossible choices. Joel is both a hero and a cautionary tale.
3. Lee Everett – The Walking Dead: Telltale Series
Lee wasn’t expecting to become a dad figure in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, but that’s exactly what happens when he finds Clementine. Their relationship evolves quickly, with Lee teaching her how to survive without losing her humanity. His love is quiet, consistent, and selfless—and by the time you reach the end of his story, it hits harder than any jump scare. Lee is the kind of dad we all wish we had in the end times.
4. Bowser – Super Mario Series
You might know Bowser as Mario’s arch-nemesis, but don’t sleep on his dad skills. Bowser is actually very involved in his son Bowser Jr.’s life—training him to take over the family business (kidnapping princesses, mostly), letting him tag along in Mario Kart, and even defending his parenting in Bowser’s Inside Story. He might be the bad guy, but he’s also a single dad trying to raise his son while battling a plumber. Respect.
5. Ethan Winters – Resident Evil Village
Ethan goes from mild-mannered husband to “I’ll fight vampires and werewolves for my baby” energy real fast. When his daughter Rose is taken, Ethan walks straight into horror to bring her home. He loses fingers, limbs, and sleep, all while confronting the freakiest villains Capcom has ever created. But nothing shakes his commitment to being a good father—even when he learns the full, terrifying truth about her origin.
6. Barret Wallace – Final Fantasy VII
Barret’s got a machine gun for an arm and a heart full of love for his daughter Marlene. He’s loud, brash, and ready to blow up reactors—but his softer side shows in how deeply he cares for her. Barret represents that blue-collar dad who’ll go to war for his kid’s future—literally. He’s the kind of dad who yells about injustice and still makes it home for bedtime stories.
7. Geralt of Rivia – The Witcher 3
Geralt didn’t plan on being a father, but destiny had other ideas. His relationship with Ciri is a highlight of The Witcher 3, as we see him balance tough love with genuine affection. He teaches her to fight, helps her navigate the brutal world around her, and always shows up when it counts. Geralt proves that being a dad isn’t just about biology—it’s about standing by someone, no matter the odds.
8. King of All Cosmos – Katamari Damacy
OK, this guy is weird. He breaks the universe while drunk, then demands his tiny son fix it by rolling up everything on Earth into a giant ball. Harsh? Yes. Hilarious? Also yes. The King of All Cosmos is a distant, demanding dad—but he gives his son a big job and somehow, it works out. Every dysfunctional family deserves a little Katamari energy.
9. Heihachi Mishima – Tekken Series
Heihachi is what happens when a dad takes “tough love” way too literally. This man threw his own son into a volcano. Twice. The Mishima family tree is basically a chain of betrayals, suplexes, and explosions. While he’s definitely more villain than role model, Heihachi’s presence looms large in the Tekken saga—and he makes for one of the most entertaining “bad dads” in gaming history.
10. Octodad – Octodad: Dadliest Catch
He’s an octopus wearing a tie, pretending to be human, and raising a family without getting caught. Octodad is a walking metaphor for how fatherhood can feel: awkward, messy, and full of imposter syndrome. But no matter how many times he knocks over furniture or slips on banana peels, he’s always trying. And that’s what makes him great.
Honorable Mentions
- Kazuma Kiryu (Yakuza) – Father figure to a whole orphanage and a legend in the streets.
- John Marston (Red Dead Redemption) – A man trying to give his son a better life than the one he lived.
- Harry Mason (Silent Hill) – Brave enough to search a haunted town for his daughter.
- Big Daddy (BioShock) – Protective AF, even if he’s in a diving suit.
- Norman Jayden (Heavy Rain) – Kinda dad-like… maybe too much rain, not enough resolution.
Final Thoughts
Video game dads aren’t perfect. Some are noble protectors, others are emotionally stunted wrecks with swords and trauma. But what they all share is the will to protect, guide, and stand up for the next generation. This Father’s Day, let’s raise a controller to the virtual dads who showed us that being a father is a journey—even if it means slaying a few monsters along the way.
Let us know who we are missing in the comments below!