The 10 Best Mounts In Video Games | Screen Rant
Though their popularity has risen alongside the influx of modern, open-world RPGs, rideable mounts have been an essential part of gaming for decades. Some famous examples are only usable in certain parts of games and grant the player character access to unique combat abilities. Others are constant work-horses that carry players' equipment and help them get around the play area more quickly.
Either way, the best mounts in gaming leave an impression on players. While most of them can't talk or communicate, many still play important narrative roles in their stories and help deliver emotional story beats that remain talked about long after the end credits roll.
Several frustrating cliches in the Pokémon franchise need to change, but one that Game Freak laid to rest with somewhat recently is straight, static paths. When Pokémon X and Y brought the games into 3D, it also expanded the map and provided more visually exciting areas to walk around.
Along with changes to traversal came the very first ridable Pokémon. There are five in total, but Rhyhorn is the earliest one that can be controlled freely. This addition did a lot to sell the idea that humans and Pokémon interact in more ways than just battles.
Shadow of the Colossus features several sad moments that are among the most tragic cutscenes in video games, and even Agro, the horse, is the source of a major tear-jerker. Agro isn't just a companion to The Wanderer; he's also a vital part of his combat strategy as he attempts to take down the enormous titular creatures.
Unfortunately for Agro fans, this trusty steed's most heroic act was a self-sacrificial one. Before facing the final colossus, Agro fell short of making it across a collapsing bridge. In her final moments, one last buck threw The Wanderer the rest of the way to safety.
Beyond their looks, mounts in Guild Wars 2 are notable for being incorporated into the game in a more meaningful way than what is commonly seen elsewhere. They don't only allow players to get around the map faster; several areas are designed only to be traversed on specific mounts and are otherwise inaccessible.
The Griffon is a particularly popular choice due to its Glide ability. While it can't fly in a traditional sense, it can maintain whatever elevation it starts at. After beating the Path of Fire storyline, players can find this majestic beast in the Crystal Desert.
Skyrim is full of several hidden locations, and some of them may seem impossible to get to until players find the correct mount. Horses are very commonplace throughout the game, but Shadowmere is one of the most useful.
Players can obtain this jet-black horse after completing the quest "A Cure for Madness." Shadowmare's most obvious perk is that he is faster than any other steed in the game, but his additional benefit is easier to miss. Shadowmere can travel up inclines too steep for other horses and people traveling on foot.
There are several horses that Link can ride in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, but The Lord of the Mountain features a unique look. It resembles Blupees, which themselves resemble owl/rabbit hybrids, but the Lord of the Mountain has the legs and body of a horse. Link can ride The Lord of the Mountain, but it cannot be kept at a stable.
There is no clear answer in-game as to where this spiritual entity comes from, but hits indicate that it may be the spirit of someone who died on Satori Mountain, where the creature can be found.
Unsurprisingly, the Donkey Kong Country franchise features a wide array of animal characters alongside the titular family of apes. While some of them are more humanized, others remain closer to their real-world animal counterparts. Rambi the Rhinocerous is one such animal that acts as a mount that Donkey Kong can ride and has the ability to damage enemies and break vulnerable walls.
Since his initial introduction, Rambi has appeared or been referenced in over a dozen games, including Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart, and Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle.
Ghost of Tsushima is a PlayStation-exclusive cinematic action game that garnered critical and commercial success for its tight gameplay, beautiful visuals, and engaging story. The game's open-world island of Tsushima means that players are frequently traversing substantial distances, and Jin's horse is one of his only loyal companions and a valuable tool for travel.
Players get to select the horse's color and name from various options, though none of them affect the horse's abilities or performance. There are a few other horses that players use throughout the game, but it's hard for some to move on after spending so much time with Nobu, Sora, or Kage.
Roach only appears via indirect reference and images in the first two Witcher games, but Geralt's dependable mare plays an essential role throughout The Witcher 3. Geralt is a man that prefers to keep his company sparse, so Roach is often the only one present to help him through his journey.
In addition to Roach being the subject of many memorable glitches in The Witcher series, some players may not realize that Roach isn't one specific horse; instead, it's the name that Geralt gives to all of his horses as they accompany him.
Yoshi is the only mount so popular that he spun off into a leading character of his own games. Fans were first introduced to this character in Super Mario World, in which he was a rideable companion for Mario.
In addition to granting Mario increased mobility, Yoshi is also famous for his froglike tongue that can be used to grab objects and enemies. In addition to his own games, Yoshi has remained popular by starring in hit crossover franchises such as Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart.
The Legend of Zelda franchise has introduced players to several memorable characters, but Epona has appeared in more games than most. She first appeared in Ocarina of Time and has subsequently been part of most major Legend of Zelda titles.
Epona doesn't have any particularly unique abilities or visual design qualities, but she has been a consistent companion for Link in a series that is often subject to dramatic narrative changes. Epona also appears in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as an unlockable sticker and trophy.