History GeniusBruiser / VideoGames

* Odd example in ''[[VideoGame/NintendoWars Advance Wars: Dual Strike]]''. Normally, Jugger is TheBrute and is coded with an intentionally stupid [=AI=] script. When he uses his [=CO=] power though, he switches to the ''smartest [=AI=] script in the game'' and spends the next turn liberally [[CurbStompBattle tossing you to the curb]].

* Iron Tager from ''VideoGame/BlazBlue'' is this trope to a T; a massive, genetically and cybernetically modified hulk of a man, almost eight feet tall and over a thousand pounds. Tager is able to throw opponents around the battlefield like rag dolls, sometimes jumping after them and plowing them straight back down into the earth face-first. A single full-on punch from Tager will easily send his target flying to the opposite edge of the screen. However, the very reason he's able to do this is that he was dealt a grievous wound while doing field research, his life only saved by the cybernetic enhancements he uses in battle. As testament to his immense practical and technical knowledge, in addition to his raw physical capability he also uses electromagnetism to draw opponents towards him rather than having to chase after them himself. When he's not throwing his weight (and/or opponents) around in direct battle, he operates primarily as a field agent, and when not in the field, he works as a researcher directly under the greatest scientific mind in the world. Finally, in addition to his fearsome intellect and frightening battle ability, Tager's quite the calm, collected gentleman -- he rarely, if ever, actually gets angry, has an open and honest demeanor and is quite happy to discuss scientific theory when the opportunity presents itself.

* Ar-Kaius the Architect in ''The Blade of Galadriel'' DLC for ''VideoGame/MiddleEarthShadowOfWar'' is an Olog-Hai captain just as big and strong as any other and also a great fortress architect both skilled at designing very tough fortifications and noticing weaknesses in structures to better wreck them. He keeps a full set of geometry instruments on his chestplate at all times and even has a blue beret and a full grey beard that make him look like a more muscular version of Creator/LeonardoDaVinci

* ''Franchise/{{Doom}}'': While he may not initially look it, due to his silent nature and brute force approach, the [=DoomGuy=], particularly his incarnation as the [[Characters/Doom2016TheDoomSlayer Doom Slayer]], is far from a mindless killing machine. What initially appears to be the Slayer smashing equipment without any heed to Hayden's instructions is shown to be the Slayer ignoring the instructions because he knows from experience no good can come from the use of Argent energy. He is also shown to be very adept at various different technologies, even having rebuilt VEGA from a copy he made. His absolute focus on destroying the demonic threat at all costs, [[GodzillaThreshold with any economonic, property or even planetary damage being secondary at best]], leads him to come up with innovative and out-of-the-box (if less than subtle) strategies that are able to foil the demons where every other tactic fails.

* ''Franchise/{{Doom}}'': While he may not initially look it, due to his silent nature and brute force approach, the DoomGuy, particularly his incarnation as the [[Characters/Doom2016TheDoomSlayer Doom Slayer]], is far from a mindless killing machine. What initially appears to be the Slayer smashing equipment without any heed to Hayden's instructions is shown to be the Slayer ignoring the instructions because he knows from experience no good can come from the use of Argent energy. He is also shown to be very adept at various different technologies, even having rebuilt VEGA from a copy he made. His absolute focus on destroying the demonic threat at all costs, [[GodzillaThreshold with any economonic, property or even planetary damage being secondary at best]], leads him to come up with innovative and out-of-the-box (if less than subtle) strategies that are able to foil the demons where every other tactic fails.

** In the series' backstory, the [[OurDwarvesAreDifferent Dwemer]] were an entire race of genius bruisers. They were the most [[SufficientlyAdvancedAliens technologically advanced race]] known to have ever walked Tamriel. It's said that even the dullest of their kind was still a genius compared to a clever man, and that even a Dwemer child was capable of building a [[MechaMooks mechanical golem]]. The only military force in history that really challenged them was a [[ProudWarriorRace Nord army]] led by masters of the [[MakeMeWannaShout Thu'um]], and even then, the Dwemer crushed them after [[EnemyMine joining forces]] with their rival Chimer. Later, while tampering with the [[CosmicKeystone heart]] of a [[GodIsDead "dead" god]], they did ''[[RiddleForTheAges something]]'' which caused their entire race to disappear from all known planes of existence in an instant. Much of what they left behind is now LostTechnology being used by the more clever members of the other races along with the occasionally LostSuperweapon HumongousMecha.

* Don't let his ridiculous getup fool you: Birdie, from ''Franchise/StreetFighter'', is pretty on the ball, and has designs on Shadowloo.
** Rashid somehow tops him, not only by stopping C.H.A.I.N.S., Bison's final project, but by beating down [[PoisonousPerson F.A.N.G.]] and a ZergRush of troops in his story mode of Street Fighter 5.

** Nekomaru Nidai in ''VisualNovel/Danganronpa2GoodbyeDespair'' is the RatedMForManly [[TheBigGuy big guy]] of the group, and has the title of [[TheAce Ultimate]] Team Manager due to his masterful ability as an athletic trainer and coach. The Japanese version adds to this, as he speaks in an [[AntiquatedLinguistics archaic dialect that makes him come across as a professor]].

* ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'':

* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'': Ganondorf is usually portrayed as a genius bruiser whenever he's not a drooling beastie, and sometimes even then. He always plans ahead of time and is rather methodical. Tricking Link into opening the sacred realm so he could get the Triforce (''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime''), setting up plagues and curing them through Aganihm in order to gain (political) power (''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast''), and apparently setting up several resurrection plans are some of his highlights. Even when things don't go his way, he can salvage the situation; his actions in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'', including feeding on the Twili's hate and allowing Zant to release him, as well as getting around every seal placed on him, are examples of this. He is also a beastly fighter: in his human form, he's canonically seven and a half feet tall, and deadly with swords and his bare fists, while his true form is a gigantic [[FullBoarAction boar]] more than capable of crushing Link with his sheer size.\\\

* In ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'', the children who would become the {{S|uperSoldier}}partan-IIs were selected as much for brains as for brawn, with the Master Chief himself having enough tactical knowhow to make even admirals listen to him. Additionally, the [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Sangheili/Elites]] and [[KillerSpaceMonkey Jiralhanae/Brutes]] are physically impressive species who nonetheless have their fair share of brilliant scientists and engineers; something similar applies to many of the more brawny Lekgolo gestalts (like the Mgalekgolo/Hunters) too. But these are all topped by Forerunner Warrior-Servants, who are both highly skilled tacticians and equipped with armor and mutations far superior to what even the Spartans have.

* Pick any member of the Belmont family from ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' series and you've got a pretty good chance of finding a Genius Bruiser. Notable examples include Juste, Richter and Julius. Alucard is also a fairly sharp guy, particularly in his ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaChroniclesOfSorrow'' persona of Genya Arikado.

* ''VideoGame/EldenRing'': Starscourge Radahn was one of the most powerful participants in the Shattering, which he owed just as much to his mind as his martial prowess and giant stature; he's an accomplished general and good enough with gravity magic to hold the stars in place and to cast spells using only his greatswords as foci. Sadly, he doesn't get to show most of it off during his boss fight due to the [[WorfHadTheFlue horrible state]] you fight him in.

* Eddie, the fourth party member in ''VideoGame/BoxxyQuestTheGatheringStorm'', is practically the ideal definition of this trope. He’s quiet, mild-mannered, works in a library, and uses his research skills to [[EnemyScan find information about enemies]]… yet he also jumps at the chance to go adventuring, and turns out to be the hardest-hitting powerhouse on the team, with a proficiency for wielding [[AnAxeToGrind large axes]] and [[DropTheHammer war hammers]].

** In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'', Galmar Stonefist, the right-hand man of [[RebelLeader Ulfric Stormcloak]] (either TheDragon or the NumberTwo depending on which side you take in the Civil War) looks like a typical [[HornyVikings Nord]], a hugely-built ProudWarriorRaceGuy with ManlyFacialHair and a [[AnAxeToGrind huge battle-axe]], but he demonstrates a surprising amount of brains. He is a very-skilled tactician, a gifted speaker, possesses an impressive knowledge of Skyrim's history and folklore, and he pulls a BatmanGambit on his Imperial enemies with some altered documents.

*** While not an Archon, Alisaie Leveilleur is a student of Sharlayan, the youngest to gain admission to the Studium besides her twin brother, and the granddaughter of the man who was both the Scions' mentor and founder of their predecessor organization, the Circle of Knowing. However, she is very much an ActionGirl, preferring to fight with the sword than to study with the tome. This mix is shown by her taking on the MagicKnight job of Red Mage from the second expansion onward. She is no slouch as an intellectual, however, as the very same HotBlooded {{Determinator}} personality that drives her to joining the fray also gives her to stubbornness needed to ultimately achieve something that none had achieved and all had given up on: [[spoiler:A cure for the {{Brainwashing}} power of Primals known as Tempering]].

*** While not an Archon, Alisaie Leveilleur is an honors student of Sharlayan and the granddaughter of the man who was both the Scions' mentor and founder of their predecessor organization, the Circle of Knowing. However, she is very much an ActionGirl, preferring to fight with the sword than to study with the tome. This mix is shown by her taking on the MagicKnight job of Red Mage from the second expansion onward. She is no slouch as an intellectual, however, as the very same HotBlooded {{Determinator}} personality that drives her to joining the fray also gives her to stubbornness needed to ultimately achieve something that none had achieved and all had given up on: [[spoiler:A cure for the {{Brainwashing}} power of Primals known as Tempering]].

* [[TheDitz Birdbrained]] moments aside, Utsuho Reiuji of ''Franchise/TouhouProject'' demonstrates pretty good understanding of [[ILoveNuclearPower nuclear physics]] in ''VideoGame/TouhouHisoutensokuChoudokyuuGinyoruNoNazoOOe''. Possibly a RequiredSecondaryPower for her since nuclear power is her specialty.

* ''VideoGame/Sly3HonorAmongThieves'' has Dr. M, a well-spoken scientist who used to plan elaborate heists and can go toe to toe with the group's strong man Murray... as the landowner of the island the vault and its contents were legally his property.

** Speaking of which, there's Chris Redfield himself. True, he comes off as a meathead soldier at times, but he's a man who was ranked high in the Air Force and made his way to the elite tactical squad hand-picked by Wesker when he was only 24. Besides marksmanship, Chris is a proficient pilot and displays martial skill in boxing, kickboxing, Judo, and Brazilian Jujitsu. He's also somehow strong enough to punch 151-ton rock out of his way in the FinalBattle of ''[=RE5=]'' and unlike Wesker ''didn't'' take a SuperSerum to achieve that level of strength. Both ''[[VideoGame/ResidentEvil7 RE7]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/ResidentEvilVillage RE Village]]'' show how methodical and crafty Chris is bedsides his strength, like in the former where outsmarts a Jigsaw-esque TrapMaster like Lucas and latter where he’s TheChessmaster.

* Kratos from ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'', despite being a brute that kills anything that so much as looks at him funny, is still intelligent enough to succeed at obtaining PandorasBox, a task many adventurers before him failed, the path to it requiring as much wit as it does brute strength. In fact, he spends just as much, if not more of his time solving puzzles than he does killing monsters and Gods.

* [[VideoGame/WarioLand Wario]] definitely qualifies. Don't let his [[FatIdiot potbelly]] and [[{{Gonk}} ugly face]] fool you; on top of being able to shatter solid rock walls with a shoulder charge and lift enemies twice his size over his head with one arm, the man is a highly experienced treasure hunter (which, as his games demonstrate, is a job that usually requires fairly extensive use of your noodle!) and [[VideoGame/WarioWare a wildly successful game designer and corporate owner]] to boot. Some games such as ''[[VideoGame/MarioTennis Mario Power Tennis]]'' and ''VideoGame/WarioMasterOfDisguise'' even show that Wario is actually a [[WeekendInventor pretty decent inventor]].

** Cid Highwind of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' is one of the best examples in the series. Featuring some of the highest HP and Strength stats in the game, the second-best limit break damage, serious muscles and a nasty mouth, he also has stacks of engineering blueprints in his house and a massive airship named after him, presumably because he designed the damn thing himself.
*** Oh, and he's the world's first astronaut (is hinted to have had a hand in building the rocket too), runs a town, has flown a light plane, a jet-powered airship & a more traditional zeppelin style one. He's quite possibly the most book-smart FF hero ever. And a ''powerhouse''.

** His son [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil6 Jake Muller]] takes after him. Though it's [[DownplayedTrope downplayed]] since he's not that educated and drops more curses than big words, he's implied to be able to pick up skills very quickly. Aside from learning combat skills well enough to kill multiple experienced attackers after the relatively little experience when he was just a teenager, he speaks and writes flawless English despite it probably being his second language and learns how to both speak and read fluent Chinese — a ''tone language'' with vastly different grammar from English and most European languages — after listening to his captors speak it for a few months.
** Jill Valentine certainly counts. Her Delta Force background training that got her recruited for S.T.A.R.S [[AllThereInTheManual detailed in her bio]] involves bomb disposal as well as [[MasterOfUnlocking lockpicking]], she's also a talented pianist as ''[=RE1=]'' and ''[=RE5=]'''s DLC shows. More importantly, she's a OneWomanArmy proficient in martial arts like Taekwondo, Tricking, Pro-Wrestling as well knives and firearms who's killed armies of zombies, giant monsters and defeated TheDreaded Nemesis all by herself. In ''[=RE5=]'' even while [[BrainwashedAndCrazy brainwashed]] she retains her intelligence and skill for most of the game but also has superpowers akin to the aforementioned Wesker.

** Jill Valentine certainly counts. Her Delta Force background training that got her recruited for S.T.A.R.S [[AllThereInTheManual detailed in her bio]] involves bomb disposal as well as lock picking, she's also a talented pianist as ''[=RE1=]'' and ''[=RE5=]'''s DLC shows. More importantly, she's a OneWomanArmy proficient in martial arts like Taekwondo, Tricking, Pro-Wrestling as well knives and firearms who's killed armies of zombies, giant monsters and defeated TheDreaded Nemesis all by herself. In ''[=RE5=]'' even while [[BrainwashedAndCrazy brainwashed]] she retains her intelligence and skill for most of the game but also has superpowers akin to the aforementioned Wesker.

** Speaking of which, there's Chris Redfield himself. True, he comes off as a meathead soldier at times, but he's a man who was ranked high in the Air Force and made his way to the elite tactical squad hand-picked by Wesker when he was only 24. Besides marksmanship, Chris is a proficient pilot and displays martial skill in boxing, kickboxing, Judo, and Brazilian Jujitsu. He's also somehow strong enough to punch 151-ton rock out of his way in the FinalBattle of ''[=RE5=]'' and unlike Wesker ''didn't'' take a SuperSerum to achieve that level of strength.

** ''VideoGame/MetalGearRisingRevengeance'' has [[spoiler: Senator Steven Armstrong]] who is quite good at manipulating others and organizing various illegal activities while keeping up false motives as his disguise. Since his body was artificially enhanced, he's also a MightyGlacier and a LightningBruiser at the same time.