There are plenty of video games out there which feature aliens in prominent roles. Most of these roles are negative, as aliens frequently show up as antagonists. From Space Invaders to XCOM, most aliens in games are invaders intent on destroying or enslaving humanity.
There are exceptions to this, however. Some games have provided players with friendly aliens, extra-terrestrial beings who truly do come in peace. Whether these are species guiding humanity into a wider intergalactic community or aliens who simply need some help getting home, these games present a positive view of humans not being alone in the universe.
8 Perfect Dark
Perfect Dark initially presents itself as a spy shooter, a game about corporate espionage in a cyberpunk future and a more high-tech version of its spiritual predecessor Goldeneye. In later levels, however, the sci-fi aspects ramp up and aliens are thrown into the mix.
Earth is being threatened by an alien conflict, as a race known as the Skedar intend to test a planet destroying weapon on Earth before turning it on their rivals, the Maians. However, protagonist Joanna Dark is able to enlist the help of a Maian ambassador named Elvis after she breaks him out of Area 51. Elvis is a charming character who accompanies the player through the rest of the game and proves invaluable in Joanna's efforts in stopping the Skedar.
7 Toejam & Earl
Sometimes human contact with aliens is entirely accidental, as Toejam & Earl proves. The titular characters are aliens from the planet Funkotron who have crash-landed on Earth due to Earl’s poor piloting skills. The rest of the game involves the duo exploring Earth to find their spaceship parts in order to return home.
Both characters are also laid back and relaxed and have no ill intentions with humanity. They’re simply funky fresh rappers into music and good vibes. The only attack they can use against humans is throwing tomatoes, which they can only use to a limited capacity, and only when necessary.
6 Ratchet & Clank Series
Ratchet & Clank presents a vast galaxy of characters who vary in their motives. While some alien creatures act as antagonists for the titular duo, such as the Cragmites or the Blarg, there are plenty of exceptions to this who act as allies and friends.
Vullards, Terachnoids and Fongoids are just some of the alien races the player can befriend, usually acting as quest givers or innocent bystanders. In addition, Ratchet himself could be argued to be a friendly alien. He’s a Lombax, an endangered race of cat-like beings with a knack for mechanical engineering and saving the galaxy.
5 Metroid Series
The universe of the Metroid games is a harsh one. It's full of dangerous planets full of aggressive creatures, and a race of Space Pirates determined to cause havoc everywhere they go. However, there is one race that’s known throughout the universe for their peaceful, advanced ways.
The Chozo are a bird-like race of aliens who seek knowledge and understanding, and have crafted great technological wonders. While they are largely wiped out, they remain useful for protagonist Samus Aran, as she was trained by them as a child and frequently uses their technology in her Power Suit.
4 Super Mario Galaxy
Super Mario Galaxy saw Mario blasting off into space to stop Bowser as he hopped from galaxy to galaxy. Naturally, as he’s up there, he encounters an alien race. In typical cheerful Mario fashion, those aliens are friendly and need Mario’s help.
The Luma are a race of adorable cushion-like creatures who live on a cosmic observatory with Rosalina, and these Luma are beings that birth stars and planets. Mario can help them become new celestial bodies by feeding them Star Bits, or simply sit down with them in the observatory’s library and enjoy Rosalina’s story time. Wholesome.
3 Pikmin
Nintendo clearly love their friendly aliens, as Pikmin is yet another example from their catalog. In Pikmin, astronaut Olimar crash-lands on a mysterious planet where he is the size of a bug and surrounded by deadly wildlife.
Enter the Pikmin, a race of plant-animal hybrids that sprout from the ground and prove exceptionally helpful as Olimar tries to recover parts of his ship. They reproduce rapidly and can be used to swarm enemies and carry the huge ship parts as a group, meaning Olimar can do the hard work of supervising them.
2 Sonic Colors
Sonic Colors revolves around Dr. Eggman building a theme park in space, leading Sonic to head up there with the intention of shutting it down due to an inevitable sinister motive behind it. Sure enough, Sonic’s intuition proves correct, as it turns out Eggman is using an alien race known as Wisps as a power source, destroying their home planet in the process.
Sonic spends much of the game freeing these creatures, and in return the Wisps lend him their magical energy. This allows Sonic to turn into an even spikier ball than usual, shoot himself through a laser beam, or turn into a rocket, among others.
1 Mass Effect
Mass Effect is a game all about exploring the galaxy as humans are integrated into the galactic government, so naturally there’s a lot of alien diplomacy at play. While interactions with individual aliens are subject to differing personalities and opinions, generally humans are getting along well with most of the other alien races.
Many of Mass Effect’s party members are members of these races, including Asari, Turians, Krogan, and Quarrian. Some of these party members can be romanced, proving just how friendly these aliens can be if the player chooses.