Top 5 Romances in Gaming

From adventurous couples to cat-and-mouse flirting, we’ve rounded up the most notable romances in gaming that left a mark on our memories… for better or worse.

Nate & Elena (Uncharted series)

What are the odds that gaming’s most daring treasure hunter (barring that other artefact-loving female), would be the ultimate ladies-man too? Nathan Drake had the ladies swooning from his first appearance in Uncharted, and even caused a tense love triangle in Among Thieves.

The women involved were Elena Fisher and Chloe Frazer. Drake inevitably chose Elena, and the two have one globe-spanning romance that most die-hard love fans would be envious of.

Things reached a climax in Uncharted 4: Among Thieves, where we got to see a mature relationship between the two, and more importantly, the strain Nate’s adventuring took on his blonde bombshell partner.

Nate and Elena

Mario and Peach (Super Mario series)

Besides being an on-going (and somewhat insulting) stereotype, Mario is one persistent dude.

The legendary gaming icon has chased Princess Peach from castle to castle, constantly being disappointed and ditched, but the moustachioed Italian plumber has never given up.

The unrelenting nature of Mario has to be admired, and the cat-and-mouse game between him and Peach always keeps us coming back for more.

Mario being stood-up… again.

Dom & Maria (Gears of War 2)

While a more tragic story, the romance between Dom and Maria is one of the more serious-toned and powerful elements to the Gears of War franchise.

Dom’s quest to find his wife following the events of E-Day drives his strength in the war against the Locust hordes, and (SPOILER ALERT) when he finds Maria in the mid-point of Gears 2, she’s a shadow of her former-self and on Death’s door. Dom is left to euthanise his beloved Maria, which marks a tragic and sad end to a romance which we wish we had saw more of.

“I got some dust in my eye, OK!?…”

Mr. & Mrs. Pac Man (Mrs. Pac-Man)

Mr. & Mrs. Pac Man are the typical married couple. Mr. Pac is constantly following behind his wife, trying to keep up as she speeds through mall-like corridors.

While the only real difference between the two is a bow and some lipstick, the two yellow orbs make a great couple – they both share the same hobbies – running around dark rooms, listening to repetitive rave music and gobbling up pills… wait… what?

Mr & Mrs. Pac-Man out on the town!

Sonic & Elise (Sonic the Hedgehog – 2006)

No matter how we put it, Sonic & Elise’s relationship is just plain weird, but we have to admire it.

Instead of settling down with Rouge the Bat or fellow hedgehog Amy Rose, everybody’s favourite spiked anthropomorphic hero decided to hook up with a human princess.

The relationship is pretty awkward from the get-go, and a cringe-worthy kiss the two share just puts the cherry on top.

So, on that uncomfortable note, have a great Valentine’s Day!

Elise and Sonic