List of black video game characters

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A study was published in 2009 by the University of Southern California called: "The virtual census: representations of gender, race and age in video games" and it showed that Black characters appear in video games in proportion to their numbers in the 2000 US census data, but mainly in sports games and in titles that reinforce stereotypes.[1] Following is a list of Black video game characters, excluding sports and music titles. The game character roles are either a player character (PC) or a non-player character (NPC).

Character Game Release date Role Nationality Notes References
Julius Erving (Dr. J) One on One: Dr. J vs. Larry Bird 1982 [2]
Kid Quick Punch-Out!! 1984 Appeared in the Arcade version of Punch-Out!!
Mr. Sandman Punch-Out!! 1984
Roadblock G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero 1985 PC American
Edgar Quartet 1986
Doc Louis Punch-Out!! 1987 First appeared in the NES version of Punch-Out!!!
Birdie Street Fighter 1987 American
Celie The Colonel's Bequest 1989
Moja Legend of the Ghost Lion 1989
Storm X-Men; X-Men: Gamesmaster's Legacy; Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes; X-Men: Mutant Academy 2; Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects; Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, etc. 1989, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2006 PC Storm has appeared in numerous games [3][4]
Axel Foley Beverly Hills Cop 1990
Michael Max Fatal Fury 1991
Balrog Street Fighter II: The World Warrior 1991 American [3]
Adam Hunter Streets of Rage 1991 PC
Eddie "Skate" Hunter Streets of Rage 2 1992 PC Also known as Sammy Hunter [3]
Ernie Leach The Dagger of Amon Ra 1992
SCAT member Collins Night Trap 1992 NPC
Pawnshop Owner King's Quest VI 1992 NPC
Watchman Toussaint Gervais Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers 1993
Jax Briggs Mortal Kombat II 1993 American [2]
Alvin Hooper (Yo Money) Police Quest: Open Season 1993
Nicolette Police Quest: Open Season 1993
Raymond Jones Police Quest: Open Season 1993
Dee Jay Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers 1993 PC Jamaican [3]
Jeffry McWild Virtua Fighter 1993 PC
Nick Fury The Punisher; Marvel Super Hero Squad Online; Marvel Puzzle Quest; Marvel Contest of Champions; Disney Infinity 2.0; Disney Infinity 3.0; Marvel: Future Fight; Marvel Strike Force; 1993, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2014, 2015, 2015, 2018 PC Nick Fury has appeared in numerous games; he is not always depicted as black [2][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]
Kahlil Bebe's Kids 1994
LaShawn Bebe's Kids 1994
T.J. Combo Killer Instinct 1994 [3]
Sheana Tough Guy 1994 PC
Lucky Glauber The King of Fighters '94 1994 [3]
Heavy-D! The King of Fighters '94 1994 [3]
Colonel Shaq Fu 1994
Voodoo Shaq Fu 1994 PC
Cyrax Mortal Kombat 3 1995 PC Botsvanian
Grace Fighting Vipers 1995
Bruce Irvin Tekken 2 1995
Zack Dead or Alive 1996 [2]
Maya Killer Instinct 1996
Kenneth J. Sullivan Resident Evil 1996
Barret Wallace Final Fantasy VII 1997
Taurus Interstate '82 1997
Eddy Gordo Tekken 3 1997 PC [2]
Tiger Jackson Tekken 3 1997 PC [2]
Kai Mortal Kombat 4 1997 PC
Boman Delgado Rival Schools: United by Fate 1997 [2]
Dudley Street Fighter III: New Generation 1997 PC Britain [3][13]
Elena Street Fighter III: New Generation 1997 Kenyan [3][13]
Sean Matsuda Street Fighter III: New Generation 1997 PC Brazilian [3][13]
Eli Vance Half-Life, Half-Life 2 1998, 2004 American [14]
Marvin Branagh Resident Evil 2 1998
Donald Anderson Metal Gear Solid 1998 DARPA chief [2]
Mohammed Avdol JoJo's Bizarre Adventure 1998 PC Egyptian
Laheesa 1 on 1 1998 PC
Mash 1 on 1 1998 PC
War Machine Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes; Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes; Iron Man 2; Marvel Super Hero Squad Online; Marvel Avengers Alliance; Lego Marvel Super Heroes; Marvel Heroes; Marvel Contest of Champions; etc. 1998, 2000, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2013, 2014 PC War Machine has appeared in numerous other games [15][16][17][18]
Hauser Suikoden II, Genso Suikogaiden Vol. 1. 1998, 2000 PC, NPC
Akuji Akuji the Heartless 1999 PC
Afro Thunder Ready 2 Rumble Boxing 1999 PC
Seth The King of Fighters '99 Evolution, The King of Fighters 1999, 2000 PC
Michael LeRoi (Shadow Man) Shadow Man 1999 PC [19]
Mark Kimberley Shenmue 1999 [2]
D'arci Stern Urban Chaos 1999 [19]
Tom Johnson Shenmue, Shenmue II, Shenmue III 1999, 2001, 2019 [2]

2000s

Character Game Release date Role Nationality Notes References
Blade Blade; Blade II; Marvel: Ultimate Alliance; Marvel Puzzle Quest; Marvel Heroes; Marvel Contest of Champions; Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2; Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order, etc. 2000, 2002, 2006, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2019 PC Blade has appeared in numerous games [20][21][22][23][24][25]
Valygar Corthala Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn and Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition 2000, 2013
Samuel Williams Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive 2001
Sergeant Major Avery Junior Johnson Halo: The Fall of Reach 2001 [19]
Fortune Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty 2001 NPC [26]
Vanessa Lewis Virtua Fighter 4 2001
Lance Vance Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories 2002 NPC
Victor Vance Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories 2002 NPC
Agent J Men in Black II: Alien Escape 2002 PC
Irving Lambert Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell 2002
Don Donatelouse (Dona-dona) Way of the Samurai 2002 PC, NPC
James Heller Prototype, Prototype 2 2002, 2012 PC [13]
Lisa Hamilton Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball 2003 [27]
Ayme Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean 2003
Jim Chapman Resident Evil Outbreak 2003
Mark Wilkins 2003
John Dalton Unreal II: The Awakening 2003
Sig Jak II; Jak 3; Jak X: Combat Racing 2003, 2004, 2005 NPC
Carl "CJ" Johnson Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas 2004 PC American [13]
Kendl Johnson Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas 2004 NPC American
Madd Dogg Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas 2004 NPC American
OG Loc Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas 2004 NPC American
Sean Johnson Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas 2004 NPC American
Big Smoke Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas 2004 NPC American
Alyx Vance Half-Life 2, Half-Life: Alyx 2004, 2020 PC Malay-American [28]
Darrius Mortal Kombat: Deception 2004 PC
Aisha Rumble Roses 2004 PC American
Torque The Suffering 2004
Raven Tekken 5 2004 PC [19]
Tyler Miles Fahrenheit 2005 [2]
Garcian Smith Killer7 2005 [19]
50 Cent 50 Cent: Bulletproof and 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand 2005, 2009 PC [13]
Mace Windu LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game; LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy; LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars 2005, 2006, 2011 PC [2]
Cyborg Teen Titans; Injustice: Gods Among Us; Infinite Crisis; Injustice 2, etc. 2005, 2013, 2014, 2017 PC Cyborg has appeared in numerous games
Brad Garrison Dead Rising 2006 NPC [2]
Kian Alvane Dreamfall: The Longest Journey 2006
Fran Final Fantasy XII 2006 [14]
Matt Wii Sports 2006 PC
John Stewart Justice League Heroes; Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham; Lego DC Super-Villains, etc. 2006, 2014, 2018 PC John Stewart has appeared in numerous games [29]
Augustus Cole Gears of War, Gears of War: Judgment, Gears of War 4

, Gears 5, etc.

 2006, 2013, 2016, 2019 [3]
Luke Cage (Power Man) Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Marvel Heroes, Lego Marvel's Avengers 2006, 2013, 2016 PC, NPC
Black Panther Marvel: Ultimate Alliance; Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2; Marvel Super Hero Squad Online; Marvel Avengers Alliance; Marvel Heroes; Marvel Contest of Champions; etc. 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 PC Black Panther has appeared in numerous games
Staff Sgt. Griggs Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 2007
Laurence Barnes (Prophet) Crysis 2007 [19]
Shinobu Jacobs No More Heroes 2007 [19]
David Anderson Mass Effect 2007 [2]
Demoman Team Fortress 2 2007 PC Scottish
Zach Hammond Dead Space 2008 NPC
Three Dog Fallout 3 2008
Louis Left 4 Dead 2008 PC American [30][2]
Crying Wolf Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots 2008 PC [3]
Drebin 893 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots 2008 NPC [3]
Dwayne Grand Theft Auto IV 2008
Disco Kid Punch-Out!! 2008
Dona Way of the Samurai 3 2008 NPC
Lucius Fox Lego Batman: The Videogame 2008 PC Lucius Fox has appeared in numerous games
Master Sergeant Matthew "Coops" Cooper ARMA 2 2009
Roland Borderlands 2009 [19]
Sergeant Foley Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 2009
Sazh Katzroy Final Fantasy XIII 2009 [13]
Romeo Halo 3: ODST 2009
Ekko League of Legends 2009 PC [31]
Lucian[19] League of Legends 2009 PC [31]
Senna League of Legends 2009 PC [31]
Pyke League of Legends 2009 PC [32]
Rell League of Legends 2009 PC [33]
K'Sante League of Legends 2009 PC [34]
Ambessa Metarda League of Legends 2009 NPC
Mel Metarda League of Legends 2009
Aaron Cash Batman: Arkham Asylum 2009 American
Rodin Bayonetta 2009 NPC British [35]
Coach Left 4 Dead 2 2009 PC American [2]
Rochelle Left 4 Dead 2 2009 PC [13]
Isaac Washington The House of the Dead: Overkill 2009
Black Baron MadWorld 2009 [2]
Josh Stone Resident Evil 5 2009 American [2][13]
Afro Samurai Afro Samurai 2009 PC
Sheva Alomar Resident Evil 5 2009 West African [2][13]
Commander Gore Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey 2009

2010s

Character Game Release date Role Nationality Notes References
Charles Milton Porter BioShock 2: Minerva's Den 2010
Mad Jack Heavy Rain 2010 NPC American [2]
Lenora Pokémon Black and White 2010 NPC American [2][36]
Marshal Pokémon Black and White 2010 NPC American [2]
Iris Pokémon Black and White 2010 [2]
Nathan Copeland No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle 2010 [2]
Jacob Taylor Mass Effect 2 2010 [19]
Anthony Higgs Metroid: Other M 2010
Sam B Dead Island 2011 [28]
Yelena Fedorva Deus Ex: Human Revolution 2011 Russian
Nix Infamous 2 2011 American
Nazir The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 2011
Nazeem The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 2011
Blacker Baron Anarchy Reigns 2011
Miles Morales Marvel Super Hero Squad Online; Marvel Avengers Alliance; Spider-Man Unlimited; Marvel Contest of Champions; Marvel: Future Fight; Lego Marvel's Avengers; etc. 2011, 2012, 2014, 2014, 2015, 2016 PC Miles Morales has appeared in numerous games [37][38][39][40][41]
Aveline de Grandpré Assassin's Creed III: Liberation 2012 PC French [42]
Sir Hammerlock Borderlands 2 2012
Tyrael Diablo III 2012
Basilio Fire Emblem Awakening 2012
Roy Boateng (Big Bo) Binary Domain 2012
Clementine The Walking Dead 2012 PC American [2]
Lee Everett The Walking Dead 2012 American [2]
Steven Cortez Mass Effect 2012 NPC [43]
Raymond Valentine Hitman Absolution 2012
Hog Rider Clash of Clans 2012 NPC [44]
Emmett Graves Starhawk 2012 [3]
Lieutenant Alphanso Adams Spec Ops: The Line 2012
Vixen (Mari McCabe) Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, Lego DC Super-Villains 2012, 2014, 2018 PC Also in other games as an NPC [45]
Adéwalé Assassin's Creed 2013 NPC Trinidadian
Warden Martin Joseph Batman: Arkham Origins 2013 NPC American
Hexxat Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition 2013 PC
Daisy Fitzroy BioShock Infinite 2013
Franklin Clinton Grand Theft Auto V 2013 PC American [2]
Marlow Briggs Marlow Briggs and the Mask of Death 2013
Henry The Last of Us 2013 NPC American [2]
Marlene The Last of Us 2013 NPC American
Riley Abel The Last of Us 2013 NPC American
Sam The Last of Us 2013 NPC American [2]
Bryan Roses Killer Is Dead 2013 [2]
Nilin Remember Me 2013 [42]
Grant Pokémon X and Y 2013
Wonder-Black The Wonderful 101 2013 [2]
Mister Terrific Injustice: Gods Among Us 2013 NPC
Aurelia Hammerlock Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel 2014
Sergeant Cormack Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare 2014
Knox Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare 2014
Delrin Barris Dragon Age: Inquisition 2014
Vivienne Dragon Age: Inquisition 2014
Firestorm Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham; Injustice 2; Lego DC Super-Villains 2014, 2017, 2018 PC [46]
Preston Garvey Fallout 4 2015 American
Principal Ray Wells Life Is Strange and Life Is Strange: Before the Storm 2015 American
Pallegina Pillars of Eternity and Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire 2015
Qhira Heroes of the Storm 2015
Jacqui Briggs Mortal Kombat X 2015 American
Master Raven Tekken 7 2015
Leroy Smith Tekken 7 2015 American
Matt Until Dawn 2015 American
Merlin Crypt of the Necrodancer 2015 NPC
Philip Ojomo Dead by Daylight 2016 PC Nigerian Killer known as "The Wraith" [47]
Lisa Sherwood Dead by Daylight 2016 PC American Killer known as "The Hag" [48]
Herman Carter Dead by Daylight 2016 PC American Killer known as "The Doctor" [49]
Joey Dead by Daylight 2016 PC Canadian Killer who is a part of "The Legion" [50]
Portia Maya Dead by Daylight 2016 PC Caribbean Killer who is The Houndmaster
Claudette Morel Dead by Daylight 2016 PC Canadian A survivor [51]
Adam Francis Dead by Daylight 2016 PC Jamaican A survivor [52]
Rogue Nuclear Throne 2016
Lincoln Clay Mafia III 2016 PC American [53]
Baptiste Overwatch 2016 PC Haitian [54]
Doomfist Overwatch 2016 PC Nigerian [55]
Lúcio Overwatch 2016 PC Brazilian [56]
Olivia Hall Hitman 2016
Kalvin Ritter Hitman 2016
Kiawe Pokémon Sun & Moon 2016 NPC Hawaiian [57]
Olivia Pokémon Sun & Moon 2016 NPC Hawaiian
Demetrius Stardew Valley 2016
Maru 2016
Nadine Ross Uncharted 4: A Thief's End 2016
Menat Street Fighter V 2016 Egyptian
Marcus Holloway Watch Dogs 2 2017 American
Twintelle Arms 2017
Marcus Howard Call of Duty WW2 2017
Mat Sella Dream Daddy 2017
Sylens Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West 2017 NPC
Black Lightning (Jefferson Pierce) Injustice 2; Lego DC Super-Villains 2017, 2018 PC Black Lightning has appeared in numerous games
Liam Kosta Mass Effect: Andromeda 2017
Dayo Igwe Prey 2017
Beatrix LeBeau Slime Rancher 2017
Marina Splatoon 2 2017
Black Manta (David Hyde) DC Unchained; Fortnite Battle Royale; Injustice 2 2017, 2017, 2018 PC American Black Manta has appeared in numerous games [58][59]
Mira Donut County 2018 PC
Dandara Dandara 2018 PC
Lenny Summers Red Dead Redemption 2 2018
Tilly Jackson Red Dead Redemption 2 2018
Zoe Washington Hitman 2 2018 NPC
Sophia Washington Hitman 2 2018 NPC
Stone Hitman: Sniper Assassin 2018 PC
Winston Smith Return of the Obra Dinn 2018 NPC American
Zasalamel Soulcalibur VI 2018 PC Sumerian [13]
Alex The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan 2019
Brad The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan 2019
Félicité "Fliss" DuBois The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan 2019
J.D. Morrison Devil May Cry 5 2019
Bangalore Apex Legends 2019
Nessa Pokémon Sword and Shield 2019 NPC British Water-type gym leader of Galar
Leon Pokémon Sword and Shield 2019 NPC British Champion of the Galar region
Hop Pokémon Sword and Shield 2019 NPC British Leon's little brother
Maria Assemble with Care 2019 PC
Carmen Assemble with Care 2019 NPC
Helena Assemble with Care 2019 NPC

2020s

Character Game Release date Role Nationality Notes References
Cherry Hunter Streets of Rage 4 2020 PC
Sunny Calico (video game) 2020 NPC
Colt Vahn Deathloop 2021 PC [60]
Julianna Blake Deathloop 2021 PC [60]
Antón Castillo Far Cry 6 2021 NPC
O'saa Fear & Hunger 2: Termina 2022 PC, NPC
Ryme Pokémon Scarlet & Violet 2022 NPC Spanish [61]
Tyme Pokémon Scarlet & Violet 2022 NPC Spanish [61]
Dolores The King of Fighters XV 2022 PC
Taion Xenoblade Chronicles 3 2022 PC [62][63]
Hepha Time to Morp 2023 NPC
Alfre Holland Forspoken 2023 PC American [64]
Estelle Season: A Letter to the Future 2023 PC [65]
Wyll Ravengard Baldur's Gate 3 2023 PC One of ten companions the player can choose to recruit. He is also PC as an Origin character. [66]
Kimberly Street Fighter 6 2023 PC American
Deadshot (Floyd Lawton) Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League 2024 PC American [67]
Amanda Waller Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League 2024 NPC American [67]
John Stewart (Green Lantern) Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League 2024 NPC American [67]
Prism Dispatch 2025 NPC American [68]
Merlin Rift of the Necrodancer 2025 NPC
Keyes Date Everything! 2025 NPC Nigeria
Curt Date Everything! 2025 NPC
Rod Date Everything! 2025 NPC
Fantina Date Everything! 2025 NPC
Henry Hoove Date Everything! 2025 NPC
Prissy Plastique Date Everything! 2025 NPC
Phoenicia Date Everything! 2025 NPC
Rainey Date Everything! 2025 NPC
Reggie Date Everything! 2025 NPC
Stefan Date Everything! 2025 NPC
Teddy Date Everything! 2025 NPC
Telly Date Everything! 2025 NPC
Tyrell Date Everything! 2025 NPC
Willi Date Everything! 2025 NPC
Winnifred Date Everything! 2025 NPC

See also

References

External links

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