WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Nintendo games!
Nintendo is known for its selection of wholesome, family-friendly games. It goes without saying that the death of protagonists and egregiously sad storylines don’t make for the most enjoyable experience in video games.
However, there are some examples of Nintendo games where a heroic character dies. One only needs to play thebestFire Emblemgamesto get their fix of devastating deaths.
Players should remove their hats, bow their heads, and pay their respects to these brave Nintendo characters who unfortunately kicked the bucket. Some of these heroes are the main protagonists, while others are loyal allies instrumental to the plot.
7Earthbound 3 (Mother 3, Japan)
Hinawa
When it comes to death in Nintendo games, Hinawa’s may be the most upsetting. Her demise came early in the third installment of theEarthBoundgames. Since Nintendo was focusing all its attention on the DS in 2006, the game was released only in Japan under the nameMother 3.
Hinawa is one of the mostmemorable moms in video games, but few gamers know about her origins. While Hinawa is killed almost immediately in the game, her spirit makes periodic visits throughout the chapters, giving Lucas, Claus, and Alec advice along the way. She shows up as a spirit inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate,but she still remains an underrated Nintendo hero who died before their time.
Wrinkly Kong is a playable character in threeDonkey Konggames, but she’s usually a hero behind the scenes. Her sage advice lives on in the form of helpful hints and saves progress in thebestDonkey Konggames.
It’s revealed inDonkey Kong 64that Wrinkly Kong passed away, presumably from old age. As a teacher at Kong Kollege and the head of the Save Cave, she is wise beyond her years. She can be seen with a book in her hand, offering the Kong family the wisdom they need to succeed in their various adventures.
The evil apple doesn’t always fall far from the tree. Just look at Olivia, a paper queen who serves as Mario’s ally inPaper Mario: The Origami King.
Explore the confetti-filled forest to find Olivia. It’s worth the effort since she’ll be a confidant on Mario’s journey going forward, giving advice, granting him magical powers, and even turning into a giant hammer when it behooves her. Olivia may have suffered a bittersweet fate at the end of the game, but hopefully, she’ll appear again in later installments. Players deserve the chance tolearn more about Oliviain the future.
As a member of the Galactic Federation, Adam Malkovich served as a commanding officer to Samus Aran. This description, however, doesn’t entirely do this heroic Nintendo character justice. He is a surrogate father for Samus, and she has a deep respect for him as a result.
Adam Markovich died on a mission, but his spirit still lives on in theMetroidgames. In fact, Samus speaks with an AI on her Gunship that she affectionately calls Adam, and she later finds out his mind was legitimately digitized and uploaded to this computer. Every piece of advice and navigational direction she receives on her ship is actually coming from Adam. Consider this proof that a good hero never really fades away.
While there have been manynotable deaths inThe Legend of Zeldagames, perhaps none is more heartbreaking than the loss of Princess Mipha inBreath of the Wild,released on the Wii U and Switch. This heroic character was not only a powerful Champion, but also one of Link’s dearest friends.
Princess Mipha is one of the chosen rulers in Hyrule to fight against Calamity Ganon. She has a gift for healing, and because her people are part dolphin, she can also attack enemies in the water. Mipha may have been one of the Champions not to make it out of battle, but her heroics will always be commemorated with a statue in her honor erected in Zora’s Domain Square.
2Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna - The Golden Country
Lora
Lora is one of the main protagonists in the DLC ofXenoblade Chronicles 2.At a young age, she was protected by Jin, the powerful head of a secret organization called Torna and another playable character in the game.
Even though Lora is a ferocious warrior with fast attacks, she is unfortunately powerless against the game’s villain, Praetor Amalthus. He fatally wounds her in an ambush, and her untimely death drives the rest of Jin’s actions in the game. Unfortunately, he is another heroic character who ends up dying in this DLC.
Cereza (Bayonetta) may be the main hero in this classic Nintendo series, but a lot of credit should also go to her powerful mama. Rosa is a highly capable playable character in the second game in the franchise.
Rosa is a witch who can summon demons and turn herself into a falcon, tiger, snake, or buzzing swarm of hornets. She is also armed with one of themost iconic video game weaponsof all time, a set of four golden revolvers. Rosa may not have made it through the witch hunt inBayonetta 2, but Cereza later uses her lipstick as a bullet, so her spirit continues to live on.
