Certain video game characters have become iconic for a whole host of reasons. Given the sheer number of advancements in this industry, most characters are known for their infectious personalities, amazing wit, irresistible charm, or a combination of all three. However, there was a time when characters didn't really have voices of their own, with their character design proving to be a major driving force of what made these classic characters popular.

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To this day, a character's design is critical for them to be liked by the masses. After all, the majority of a character's personality is communicated through these designs, with the color of their hair also playing a major role in this regard. Since redheaded male characters seem pretty rare, here's a look at some of the most iconic men to sport this red hair.

10 Master Chief (Halo)

halo master chief weapons dual wield

Aside from the show, most people haven't really looked at the iconic Master Chief behind his helmet. Well, if the people behind the development of the Halo games are to be believed, then this beloved character is actually a redhead!

Not many people know this information... and maybe it's not that important, to be fair. However, it's still a nice fact to know that this iconic character has red hair.

9 Atreus (God Of War)

God of War Kratos and Atreus PC screenshot

Kratos' son is a pretty cool and multifaceted character who has made a strong impression in 2018's God of War. Aside from a rather out-of-place moment where Atreus lets his identity as a god get to his head, this character was written pretty strongly.

The fact that this character is a redhead is something that most people might not even pay attention to. However, his short auburn hair undeniably makes him a valid candidate on this list.

8 Knuckles (Sonic The Hedgehog)

Knuckles charging up a punch in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)

The argument of whether quills can qualify as hair is a ripe one, but there's no denying that the looks of the various characters in Sonic the Hedgehog do simulate a hairstyle of sorts. These anthropomorphic characters have become a staple of video gaming, including Knuckles the Echidna himself.

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This character is a pretty iconic part of the Sonic series, sporting iconic red locks that have become a staple of his design. It's easy to see why he bags a spot on this list!

7 Ganon (The Legend Of Zelda)

Ganondorf smiling and sitting on a throne in Twilight Princess

Ganon is one of the most iconic villains in video game history. He's proven to be a major thorn in the side of Link and Zelda time and time again over the course of this legendary gaming series.

So, it's only a given that this villain would sport red hair to truly hammer in his evil nature. For what it's worth, Ganon's look has become quite popular, and this is mainly due to his striking character design... even though it changes ever so slightly over the course of the series.

6 Crono (Chrono Trigger)

Crono from Chrono Trigger

Chrono Trigger is one of the greatest JRPGs ever made. The refreshing take on the genre coupled with its numerous innovations has made this title an absolute gem that deserves all the praise it gets.

At the heart of this game is the silent protagonist, Crono. He might not utter a word, but his powerful aura and bright red locks do the talking for him instead.

5 Doctor Robotnik (Sonic The Hedgehog)

Ivo Robotnik - Sonic The Hedgehog Zodiac

Another evil character with red hair is Doctor Robotnik, also known as Eggman. This villain from the Sonic universe has tried to capture the power of the Chaos Emeralds time and time again, only for his plans to be thwarted by Sonic and his friends.

Jim Carrey was the perfect candidate to bring the role of this diabolical villain to life, and he managed to do so in a brilliant fashion. Robotnik is as evil and goofy as one would assume him to be in his live-action adaptation and is a major reason why the Sonic movies were such a massive hit!

4 Reno (Final Fantasy 7)

Final Fantasy 7 Reno Comparison

Final Fantasy 7 is an iconic JRPG that needs no introduction. This game introduced many people to the wondrous world of JRPGs and is still spoken about fondly to this day, with the Remake doing justice to the amazing legacy of this series.

One of the villain groups who have a soft side of their own is the Turks, with Reno being one of the most recognizable members of this group. His brash personality and red hair make him a solid character whose inclusion is pretty justified in this series!

3 Wander (Shadow Of The Colossus)

Wander (Shadow Of The Colossus)

Shadow of the Colossus is a game that needs no introduction. This somber experience sees the player control Wander as he destroys each of the sixteen massive colossi present in the series.

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The gravity of Wander's actions isn't revealed until the player is near the end of his journey. Watching the corruption slowly take away the natural color of his red hair and turn it completely black is pretty jarring, and shows just how morally corrupt his actions really were.

2 Wakka (Final Fantasy 10)

Final Fantasy X Every Party Member Ranked According To Design Wakka

Wakka is one of the first playable party members that the party unlocks during their journey in Final Fantasy 10. His accent can be a bit grating at first, but players quickly get used to it as his character grows on them.

Aside from his love for Blitzball, Wakka's hair is easily the most notable thing about this character. His powers in combat are pretty useful and can decimate the strongest monsters with ease... provided his build is optimized, that is.

1 Akuma (Street Fighter)

Akuma Victory Pose Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix

Street Fighter is a game that might seem like a rather run-of-the-mill fighting game series. However, the lore of this game and the personal stories of each fighter are surprisingly riveting.

One such character from the series that has become a fan favorite is Akuma. His goal to gain immense power at the cost of his own morality is a haunting one that shows just how the very idea of strength can corrupt someone to their very core.

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