Line #100 IconicSequelCharacter/VideoGames


1	* Ellinor Waizen made her debut in ''[[VideoGame/{{Aleste}} Aleste 2]]'' and eventually became the most iconic character of the series, later reappearing in ''VideoGame/{{MUSHA}}'', ''GG Aleste'', and the upcoming ''Aleste Branch''.
2	* [[TheBigGuy Terence]] wasn't one of the original five birds (seven, if you [[TheDividual count the Blues as three separate characters]]) in ''VideoGame/AngryBirds'', first appearing in "The Big Setup" chapter, but he's come to be very popular among the fans. It's to the point that he becomes a recurring character in ''WesternAnimation/AngryBirdsToons'', where as Bubbles only shows up once a season during Halloween episode while Hal and Stella are PutOnTheBus.
3	* Isabelle from the ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing'' series can be considered the [[SeriesMascot most recognizable character]] of the series despite only being introduced in the fourth game, ''New Leaf''. She's had several playable appearances in other games like ''VideoGame/MarioKart8'' and ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' (first as an Assist Trophy in ''4'', and then as a playable character in ''Ultimate''), an honor that not even series veterans like Tom Nook, Mr.Resetti and K.K Slider can claim.
4	* Ezio Auditore of ''Franchise/AssassinsCreed'' is the most famous and popular assassin of the franchise as evidenced by him appearing in five games, three short movies, and even making a cameo as a guest fighter in ''VideoGame/SoulcaliburV'' despite making his debut in [[VideoGame/AssassinsCreedII the third game]]. On top of that, the most common attire he's represented with is his armor of ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedBrotherhood'', the fifth game of the franchise. Outside the Animus, Desmond's fellow Assassins [[MissionControl Shaun and Rebecca]] weren't introduced until ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedII''.
5	* ''VideoGame/{{Bomberman}}'':
6	** Initially, White was the only color of Bomberman to appear. Alternate colors (including the series' first true antagonist, Black Bomberman) wouldn't appear until the [=TurboGrafx-16=] ''Bomberman''.
7	** Louies and primary recurring villain Buggler were absent until ''Bomberman '94''.
8	** The Dastardly Bombers--Plasma Bomber, Magnet Bomber, Golem Bomber, [[BreakoutCharacter Pretty Bomber]], and Brain Bomber--first appeared in ''Super Bomberman 2''.
9	* ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}'':
10	** Mad Moxxi first showed up in "Mad Moxxi's Underdome Riot", an arena DLC for the first game, as the owner and announcer of an underground fighting ring. The next DLC, "The Secret Armory of General Knoxx", saw her quit the fighting ring to run a bar, established her relationship to Scooter, and even got her involved in the plot, setting her up for her role in the rest of the series.
11	** Charismatic, dastardly, and highly quotable, Handsome Jack is nearly as iconic as SeriesMascot Claptrap, to the point where he got [[VideoGame/BorderlandsThePreSequel his own prequel]] and [[VideoGame/TalesFromTheBorderlands the Telltale spin-off]] is largely driven by the aftermath of his death. Because of all this, you might be surprised to hear that his involvement in the original game's plot was purely a {{Retcon}}; his first appearance wasn't until ''VideoGame/Borderlands2''.
12	** The fan-favorite [[TestosteronePoisoning supremely macho]], [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} daffy]], PsychopathicManchild Mister Torgue is, like Moxxi, a DLC latecomer, first appearing in Mister Torgue's Campaign of Carnage for ''VideoGame/Borderlands2''. However, he's so popular outside the games that late arrivals will spend the entire first game and a good chunk of the second wondering where the lovable lunkhead is. Similarly, his self-named company, Torgue, was a fairly unremarkable manufacturer of firearms in the first game, apart from some bombastic ads and an above average firepower rating. In the second, they gained their now-iconic obsession with spraying [[StuffBlowingUp high-explosive bullets]] everywhere and checkered racing stripe paintjobs.
13	* ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'':
14	** Alucard is one of its most popular and recognizable characters. Yet, he debuted in ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaIIIDraculasCurse Dracula's Curse]]'', and as a side character. It was only in ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight Symphony of the Night]]'' that he became a main character.
15	** Legion, the mass of human bodies covering a laser-emitting core, has been one of the most frequently recurring bosses in the series, having appeared in no fewer than six installments. Its first appearance was in ''Symphony of the Night'', more than a decade after the franchise started.
16	* ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes'':
17	** The Arachnos organization was created for the ''VideoGame/CityOfVillains'' expansion, and immediately became one of the game's signature villain groups, even with their small role in hero content. The group's leaders, especially Lord Recluse and Ghost Widow, also stand out.
18	** Praetorian Earth, which would take the spotlight with the game's ''Going Rogue'' expansion, was introduced with the game's first major update.
19	* The ''Compati Hero'' series introduced its poster boy Fighter Roar in ''The Great Battle II: Last Fighter Twin''.
20	* ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot'':
21	** The series mainstay villains Tiny Tiger and N. Gin are introduced in the [[VideoGame/CrashBandicoot2CortexStrikesBack second game]], while the other ones Dingodile, N. Tropy, and [[GreaterScopeVillain Uka Uka]] are introduced in the [[VideoGame/CrashBandicoot3Warped third one]]. Nina Cortex was introduced even later, in ''VideoGame/CrashTwinsanity''.
22	** On the other side, Crash's little sister Coco and pet polar bear Polar are introduced in the second game, Coco's pet tiger Pura and Crash's OddballDoppelganger Fake Crash were introduced in the third game and their third bandicoot member, Crunch, was introduced in the [[VideoGame/CrashBandicootTheWrathOfCortex fourth platformer game]].
23	* ''VideoGame/DeadOrAlive'':
24	** Ayane was not part of the original roster that debuted in 1996 with the Arcade release for the first game in the series; she debuted in 1998 on the Platform/PlayStation home release as a secret character. In 1998 ''Creator/{{Tecmo}}'' had already unveiled to the public that ''Dead or Alive 2'' was in the works with a scheduled release for the following year in Arcades; Ayane was there to promote ''[=DOA2=]'' and it worked wonders. As Ayane became an extremely popular character and one of the faces in the franchise, one cannot imagine ''Dead or Alive'' without Ayane now.
25	** Several other ''DOA'' characters were absent until later installments. Like Ayane, Bass had to wait to appear until the [=PlayStation=] port of the original. Hayate (although in his Ein identity; his true identity was absent until ''3''), Helena, and Leon were all introduced in Part 2. Hitomi, Christie, and Brad Wong made their debut in Part 3. Lisa was absent until spin-off game ''Xtreme Beach Volleyball''. Kokoro, Eliott and Alpha-152 didn't arrive until Part 4, and most recently Mila and Rig didn't show up until Part 5 with Marie Rose and Honoka not being introduced until an UpdatedRerelease of the fifth game, not unlike Ayane in the first. Honoka's case may be that of HistoryRepeats, given Part 6 reveals she and Ayane are half-sisters with the same father (Raidou, the brother of the man who had a major role in the conception of Ayane's other half-siblings in mainstay Kasumi and the aforementioned Hayate).
26	* ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' series:
27	** Vergil is a possible inversion of the trope: an Iconic ''Prequel'' Character. Though he technically debuted in the [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry1 first game]] as Nelo Angelo, his incarnation from the [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry3DantesAwakening third game]] is his most famous, appearing in ''[[VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3 Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3]]'' and serving as the basis for his appearance in [[VideoGame/DMCDevilMayCry the reboot]], in which he is an important character. Heck, [[spoiler: he was even brought BackFromTheDead in [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry5 the fifth game]] as the FinalBoss!]]
28	** Lady and Nero are more straightforward examples, having debuted in the third game and [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry4 fourth games]] respectively. They have been mainstays within the franchise ever since.
29	* Varric Tethras, perhaps the most recognizable and universally-liked companion in ''Franchise/DragonAge'', didn't show up until ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII''. Since then, he's reappeared in multiple other media and is, to date, the only full-time companion to star in more then one core installment (returning as playable in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'')[[note]]Oghren from ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins Origins]]'' returned as playable in the ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOriginsAwakening Awakening]]'' expansion, while Merrill from ''II'' was temporary companion in the Dalish Origin of the first game and Anders was introduced in the ''Awakening''[[/note]]. Notably, he's also since become the series ''narrator'' in subsequent games and in the [[OldSaveBonus Dragon Age Keep]].
30	* ''Franchise/{{Doom}}'': Some of the most iconic enemies didn't join the roster until ''VideoGame/DoomII: Hell on Earth'', but they quickly became popular.
31	** The [[DemBones skeletal]] [[HomingProjectile rocket-launching]] Revenant enemy didn't join the roster until the second installment, at which point it became one of the most iconic enemies in the series, so much that it's featured heavily in the art for ''VideoGame/DOOM2016'' and ''VideoGame/DOOMEternal''.
32	** The feared [[EliteMooks Hell Knight]] didn't appear before this same game, but it was featured in every sequel. The most notables examples are ''VideoGame/Doom3'', where it's [[MascotMook the poster monster of the BFG rerelease]], and ''VideoGame/DOOM2016'', where it's one of the most dangerous enemies because of [[LightningBruiser its incredible strength, speed and durability]].
33	** The [[FatBastard Mancubus]] also first appeared in the second game, but it was featured in all the following installments. With the exception of ''VideoGame/DOOM2016'', the same can be said about the [[BrainMonster Arachnotrons]].
34	** The [[PlayingWithFire fire-casting]], [[CombatMedic enemy-reviving]] Arch-Vile was also not introduced until ''Doom II''.
35	** The [[BigBad Icon of Sin]] is one of the most iconic villains in the series, but it wasn't introduced until the second game.
36	** Samuel Hayden and VEGA, two popular supporting characters, did not appear until the 2016 game, the fifth overall release.
37	** The Makyrs, an angelic-styled faction, were not introduced until ''Eternal'', but are some of the most notable additions to the franchise. Similarly, the infamous Marauder enemy also debuted here.
38	* In ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' series, the [[OurGodsAreDifferent Daedric Princes]] are an iconic part of the franchise. Despite this, it's pretty easy to forget that they were first introduced in ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIDaggerfall Daggerfall]]'', the ''second'' game in the franchise (technically Boethiah was introduced in the first game, but only in texts describing them as a Dark Elven goddess). (And even then, there is plenty of EarlyInstallmentWeirdness with many of their appearances and personalities.) The same applies to the Eight Divines (Kynareth was mentioned in ''Arena'' -- as a ''dead'' heroine goddess), while the Ninth Divine, Talos, wasn't introduced until ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind Morrowind]]'', the ''third'' game in the series.
39	* In ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}'', the Enclave and the New California Republic are absent from the first game. The Enclave is still buttoned up at this point, and the New California Republic is only founded in the ending slides. These factions would become defining elements of the franchise starting with ''VideoGame/Fallout2''.
40	* ''VideoGame/FatalFury'':
41	** The series waited until its second game to introduce the female lead, Mai Shiranui. Kim Kaphwan debuted in the same game.
42	** Blue Mary received this treatment twice. She was first introduced in ''Fatal Fury 3'', and remained in the cast through the ''Real Bout'' era. Second, she was added to the ''King of Fighters'' series in '97, and continued to appear in every game in the main series through ''XI'', far more consistently than her fellow ''Fatal Fury'' teammates Ryuji Yamazaki and Billy Kane. Speaking of Yamazaki, he too debuted in the third game.
43	* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
44	** The three contenders for SeriesMascot are the Black Mage, the Chocobo, and the Moogle. The [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyI first title]] had no Chocobos or Moogles; Chocobos debuted in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyII'' and Moogles in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIII''.
45	** [[DragonKnight Dragoons]] were technically introduced in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyII'', but the high jumping, spear weilding Dragoon class as we know today only got its start in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIII''! In spite of this, they have since become one of the most popular and well-known jobs behind the Black Mage, thanks to the popularity of [[BreakoutCharacter Kain Highwind]].
46	** The iconic [[SummonMagic Summons]] would not debut until ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIII'' and gain plot importance in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'', and would slowly supplant the Crystals as the main world-building element linking the various Final Fantasy games together thematically.
47	** The [[PowerCopying Blue Mage]] class would only be introduced in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV''.
48	* Lyn is the only protagonist of ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade'' to not appear in the previous title, ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBindingBlade The Binding Blade]]''. Despite this, she's not only one of the most popular characters from this arc, but remains one of the most well-known characters in the entire ''Franchise/FireEmblem'' franchise.
49	* While [[GreaterScopeVillain William Afton]] is a character integral to the ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys'' series, he doesn't actually make a physical appearance (albeit as an old Atari-esque sprite) until [[VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys2 the second game]], with the original only alluding to him via hidden {{easter egg}}s.
50	* Jody Summer, [[EvilKnockoff Blood Falcon]] and [[BigBad Black Shadow]] made their debut in the second ''VideoGame/FZero'' installment, ''VideoGame/FZeroX''.
51	* Ebisumaru didn't appear in the ''VideoGame/GanbareGoemon'' series until the second game, let alone Goemon's other allies.
52	* ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'': Atreus, Kratos' son, and arguably the most recognizable character besides his father (especially if only counting characters that aren't from existing mythology) did not appear until ''VideoGame/GodOfWarPS4'', the eighth game in the series, releasing a whole 13 years after the original.
53	* ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'': Bridget, who is one of the the most recognizable characters in the series due to being trans representation, didn't make her debut until ''VideoGame/GuiltyGearXX'', roughly 5 years into the franchise. She also did not make her return or identify as trans until 2022, as downloadable content for ''VideoGame/GuiltyGearStrive''.
54	* The Arbiter in ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' is the most iconic alien character, eventually becoming a key ally of the player, but he doesn't appear until ''VideoGame/{{Halo 2}}''. The Brutes, who are one of the more popular Covenant races, also only debuted in the second game.
55	* While the ''VideoGame/HenryStickminSeries'' always revolved around the titular character, the other main characters ([[AcePilot Charles Calvin]], [[BigBad Reginald Copperbottom]], [[TheDragon the Right Hand Man]], [[KnightTemplar Dmitri Petrov]] and [[ActionGirl Ellie Rose]]) didn't exist until late in the series, having debuted in ''Infiltrating the Airship'' and ''Fleeing the Complex'', the respective fourth and fifth games of the six-installment series.
56	* ''Franchise/TheKingOfFighters'':
57	** ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters95'' introduced Iori Yagami, TheRival to the game's protagonist, Kyo. His popularity, which was spurred by his appearance and personality, managed to make him so popular that he not only kept being used as an icon for the series in later iterations, but also became a major BreakoutCharacter.
58	** In most minds, the ever-popular VideoGame/IkariWarriors team consists primarily of Ralf, Clark and Leona. Leona was not added to the series until ''[[VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters96 '96]]'', replacing her commander (and adoptive father) Heidern.
59	** K' and Maxima first appeared in ''[[VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters99 '99]]'', with Kula Diamond following suit in ''[[VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters2000 2000]]''.
60	** Ash Crimson debuted in ''[[VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters2003 2003]]'', with the launch of the series' third [[StoryArc arc]].
61	* Of the multitude of OriginalGeneration characters to populate the ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' series, only ''four'' appeared in [[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsI the first game]] (Sora, Kairi, Riku, and Ansem), so the majority of the cast is this. Of particular note:
62	** Half of Organization XIII debuted in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsChainOfMemories'', including the iconic Axel, and the other half debuted afterward in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII'', most notably Roxas and Xemnas. The group as a whole proved so iconic that the next game, ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts358DaysOver2'', was a midquel centered around them.
63	** The Wayfinder trio made a cameo in the secret endings of ''II'' but didn't fully appear until ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep''. Aqua, especially, since she has [[VideoGame/KingdomHearts02BirthBySleepAFragmentaryPassage her own game]], is sort of a [[GenderFlip genderflipped]] proto-[[TheHero Sora]], is an unquestionably kickass ActionGirl in a series that was long infamous for its poor treatment of (original) female characters, and becomes an important mentor figure, on par with Riku and Mickey.
64	** Master Xehanort is the BigBad. Every game released so far is part of a story arc formerly known as the Xehanort Saga, [[VillainBasedFranchise focused on all the trouble he's caused]]. And yet, he only made his proper appearance in fifth game in the series, the prequel ''Birth by Sleep'' (like the Wayfinder trio, he had a cameo in ''II''). Granted, his body-surfed self appeared in ''II'', while one of the body-surfed self's aspects was the BigBad of the fist game, but the actual Master Xehanort himself, in the flesh, is actually one of the most recent additions to the cast.
65	** On the Disney side of things is Pete. He is TheDragon to Maleficent and is the only other Disney villain to have a role outside their home world. He did not make an appearance until ''Kingdom Hearts II'' but shows up in every game since.
66	* ''Franchise/{{Kirby}}'':
67	** While the [[VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand very first game]] has the eponymous main character and his on-again off-again arch-enemy King Dedede, Kirby's mysterious rival Meta Knight first appeared in the second game, ''VideoGame/KirbysAdventure''. His appearances were also pretty sporadic; he's absent from the entire "Dark Matter Trilogy"[[note]]''VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand2'', ''VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand3'', and ''VideoGame/Kirby64TheCrystalShards''[[/note]], and it took ''Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land'' (the remake of ''Kirby's Adventure'') for him to become a consistent main character.
68	** Bandana Waddle Dee was a one-off opponent in ''VideoGame/KirbySuperStar''[='=]s Megaton Punch. He had a slightly more prominent role in ''Kirby Super Star Ultra'', rose to playable status starting with ''VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamLand'', and has become a major supporting player ever since.
69	* Hibiki Takane from ''VideoGame/TheLastBlade 2'' has become one of the faces of her series, making just as many cameo appearances as main characters like Kaede, as well as being the chosen representative from the series in ''VideoGame/CapcomVsSNK2MarkOfTheMillennium'' and ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown (2019)''.
70	* ''VideoGame/LegacyOfKain'': Raziel was introduced in the second game, ''Soul Reaver'', and quickly became a central character in the games, with his conflict with Kain driving most of the franchise's plot.
71	* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
72	** ''VideoGame/ZeldaIITheAdventureOfLink'': Dark Link is one of the series' most recognizable bosses, and the straightest example of this list as it was introduced here, the direct sequel for the first game.
73	** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'':
74	*** Hylia has become an important part of ''Zelda'' lore and religion, but the name wasn't referenced until this game introduced Lake Hylia. Even then, she only debuted as a character in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'', twenty years later.
75	*** Cuccos marked their debut here, becoming a popular species due to their ability to punish Link with surprisingly efficient success for his unjustified violence on them.
76	** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' marked the debut of many staple characters of the series who weren't otherwise introduced, twelve years after the first game:
77	*** Ganondorf was introduced as the original human form of Ganon, but eventually became the most prominent and recognizable form of the character, largely eclipsing the original boar demon.
78	*** Link's horse Epona, who would feature as his steed in several later games.
79	*** Most of the non-Hylian races, including the Gorons, Gerudo, Sheikah, and Deku and Zora as sapient cultures (also known as "Sea Zora") debuted here, and would later remain primary fixtures in the rest of the series. Gorons, notably, have been in every single major ''Zelda'' game since ''Ocarina'', except maybe ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkBetweenWorlds A Link Between Worlds]]'' (as Rosso is AmbiguouslyHuman).
80	*** Skull Kid has his first appearance here, although he had a spiritual predecessor in the ocarina-playing ghost in ''A Link to the Past''. He would only appear in two later games, but remains a very popular character in the fandom.
81	*** Gerudo witches Koume and Kotake, as well as their combined form Twinrova first show up here as well.
82	** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'' saw Tingle, one of the most recognizable characters in the series, albeit one of the most polarizing as well, show up for the first time.
83	** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'' introduces Beedle, who went on to become a recurring shopkeeper in many modern ''Zelda'' games.
84	* ''Franchise/MassEffect'': While several of the more notable characters of the series debut in the first game, ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'' brings us a number of important ones as well. Perhaps the biggest are the Illusive Man, EDI, Miranda, Mordin, and Thane.
85	* ''Franchise/MegaMan'':
86	** ''VideoGame/MegaManClassic'': Rush and Proto Man didn't appear in the series until ''VideoGame/MegaMan3''. Bass didn't come into existence until ''VideoGame/MegaMan7''.
87	** ''VideoGame/MegaManX'': Aila, Signas, and Douglas do not appear until [[VideoGame/MegaManX5 the fifth]]. [[note]]Since ''X5'' was [[SeriesFauxnale intended to be the]] GrandFinale, they are also subversions of the LastEpisodeNewCharacter trope.[[/note]] Axl didn't come into existence until ''VideoGame/MegaManX7''.
88	** Dr. Weil is the BigBad of the ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'' series, but is not mentioned until the end of ''VideoGame/MegaManZero2''.
89	* ''VideoGame/MetalGear'': Any character that is not Solid Snake or Big Boss is this. Even Gray Fox, who was in [[VideoGame/MetalGear1 the first game]], didn't have his iconic CyberNinja look [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid yet]]. More examples include:
90	** Colonel Roy Campbell and Master Miller do not appear until [[VideoGame/MetalGear2SolidSnake the second game]]. [[spoiler:This game also marks the real Big Boss' first appearance, as the one you fought in the previous game [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolidVThePhantomPain is later revealed]] to be a decoy.]]
91	** Ocelot, Naomi Hunter, Mei-Ling, Meryl Silverburgh, Johnny Sasaki, Psycho Mantis, Liquid Snake, and Otacon do not appear until [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid the third game]]. While not necessarily a character, the eponymous Metal Gear REX was also introduced here.
92	** Raiden, Vamp, and Rose do not appear until [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2SonsOfLiberty the fourth game]]. While not necessarily a character, the eponymous Metal Gear RAY was also introduced here.
93	** The Boss, EVA, Major Zero, and Volgin do not appear until [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater the fifth (chronologically the first) game]].
94	* ''VideoGame/MetalSlug'': While Marco and Tarma are both present in the series from the very beginning, the series' resident Action Girls Fio and Eri wouldn't appear until the second title in the series.
95	* ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'':
96	** One of the most iconic antagonists in the series, alongside Ridley and Mother Brain, is Dark Samus; she wouldn't be introduced until ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime2Echoes'' (the first ''Metroid Prime'' only features her precursory incarnation, the eponymous Metroid Prime), which is the ''seventh'' game in the series (and chronologically the fourth).
97	** Prior to the events of the first game, Samus served in the Galactic Federation under a commander named Adam Malkovich. He is first mentioned in ''VideoGame/MetroidFusion'', but he and the Federation ship AI that she names after him in the same game remain prominent in nearly all subsequent non-Prime installments.
98	** Despite Ridley, Kraid and Mother Brain appearing in the first game, depictions of rank-and-file Space Pirates didn't exist in the series until ''VideoGame/SuperMetroid''.
99	* ''VideoGame/MonkeyIsland'': Murray, the talking skull, is one of the most iconic, and popular, characters from the series. He first showed up in the third game, ''VideoGame/TheCurseOfMonkeyIsland''.
100	* ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' has several monsters that have become iconic staples, but some of them appeared long after the first game's release: Kushala Daora and Rajang in ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter2Dos'', Tigrex in ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterFreedom2'', Lagiacrus and Deviljho in ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter3Tri'' and Zinogre in ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterPortable3rd'', to name a few.
101	* ''VideoGame/MonsterRancher'': Mocchis are one of the "main 6" monster breeds, and are often one of the species shown at the forefront in the series. This is possibly due to Mocchi's involvement as the mascot of the [[Anime/MonsterRancher anime series]]. However, Mocchis didn't appear until ''Monster Rancher 2.''
102	* ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' has had many of these through its history:
103	** Shao Kahn, Kuai Liang and Kitana might be among the most notable; Kahn became the main villain of the entire franchise; Kitana later ended up appearing in [[Film/MortalKombatTheMovie the first film]] (based on the first game's events), even though she debuted in [[VideoGame/MortalKombatII II ]][[note]]Though her appearance in the film can also be considered something of a DevelopmentGag in that the prototype character that would become Kitana, then known as "Kitsune", [[WhatCouldHaveBeen was to be in the game as a NPC]] who was the daughter of Shang Lao (named [[EvilSorcerer Shang Tsung]] in the final product).[[/note]]; and not only did Kuai Liang debut in the second game [[LegacyCharacter but he isn't even the original Sub-Zero]] yet has become the main holder of that moniker for most of the games. [[note]] Plus you've got Jax, Mileena, Baraka, and Kung Lao. There's also Quan Chi, Shinnok and Tanya from ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombat4 4]]'' onward (though the former two officially made their debut in the earlier ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombatMythologiesSubZero Mythologies]]'' alongside Sareena, with Quan Chi actually being a CanonImmigrant from [[WesternAnimation/MortalKombatDefendersOfTheRealm Defenders Of The Realm]]). Kenshi and Frost had to wait until [[VideoGame/MortalKombatDeadlyAlliance Deadly Alliance]].
104	** Cassie Cage, Jacqui Briggs, and Takeda Takahashi do not appear until Mortal Kombat X.
105	* ''VideoGame/{{Mother}}'': The Mr. Saturn are the mascots of the trilogy, but they first appeared in ''Mother 2''[=/=] ''VideoGame/{{EarthBound\|1994}}''.
106	* ''VideoGame/{{Neptunia}}'':
107	** The CPU Candidates were first introduced in ''VideoGame/HyperdimensionNeptuniaMk2'' and they have continued to appear in every following game of the main series and most of the spin-offs. They even appear in the [[VideoGame/HyperdimensionNeptuniaReBirth1 remake]] of the [[VideoGame/HyperdimensionNeptunia original game]] where they originally weren't present.
108	** Warechu, a villain mascot introduced in ''mk2'' also appears in all following games of the main series. He also appears in the spin-off ''VideoGame/HyperdimensionNeptuniaUActionUnleashed''.
109	* Kyle Magdigan and Eve do not appear until ''VideoGame/ParasiteEve2''.
110	* ''VideoGame/{{Pico}}'': Pico himself doesn't make an appearance until the ''third'' game, ''Pico's School''. The first two entries, ''Darnell Plays with Fire'' and ''Nene's Interactive Suicide'', were solo-focused one-shots.
111	* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'':
112	** While future gens are hit and miss depending on the person, mons introduced in ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'' are often cited interchangeably with the original ''VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue'' mons. Part of this reason is that a majority of them were suppose to be in the original game but were left out due to hardware limits at the time. This can be shown by the index number of the mon.
113	** Cynthia. A highly popular character who appeared first in ''VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl'' and went on to appear in every game in the main series until Gen VI (and even then, she came back for [[VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon Gen VII]]).
114	** Lucario has become one of the faces of the franchise alongside original-generation characters, but they too debuted in ''Diamond and Pearl''.
115	** Looker was introduced in ''[[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl Platinum]]'', where he quickly became a fan favorite. He subsequently appeared in every game until [[VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield Gen VIII]].
116	** Two of the most iconic [=NPCs=], N and Lillie, are from the [[VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite fifth]] and [[VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon seventh]] generation games respectively.
117	* Wheatley from the [[VideoGame/Portal1 Portal series]] is beloved by players for his [[Creator/StephenMerchant iconic voice]], wit, bumbling nature and unexpected yet fitting [[spoiler: [[FaceHeelTurn turn to villainy]]]], making him among the closest candidates for series mascot (his popularity only being matched by [[BigBad GLaDOS]]). However, he only made his debut in the first [[VideoGame/Portal2 sequel]].
118	* ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank'':
119	** Doctor Nefarious came about in the third game, ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankUpYourArsenal'', yet he's since become the series' most recognizable villain and the de facto archnemesis of our titular duo, becoming the most recurrent villain in the franchise and even being made playable in ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankAll4One'' along with the title duo and series mainstay Captain Qwark. They even retconned a pre-robotised Nefarious into the [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2016 2016 reimagining of the first game]] as a supporting villain and final boss.
120	** Talwyn, Cronk and Zephyr were introduced in ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureToolsOfDestruction'', and appeared in most of the following games.
121	* Globox, Murfy, and the Teensies weren't introduced until the [[VideoGame/Rayman2TheGreatEscape second game]] of the ''VideoGame/{{Rayman}}'' series, but since then they've been mainstays almost as important as Rayman himself. Barbara debuted even later in ''VideoGame/RaymanLegends'', but has appeared in every game since.
122	* ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'':
123	** Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield and Ada Wong first appeared in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil2'' and went on to become key characters in the series, with many installments revolving around them.
124	** Nemesis first appeared in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil3Nemesis'' and has gone on to make a appearance as a main antagonist in ''Film/ResidentEvilApocalypse'' and as a playable character in ''[[VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3 Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3]]''.
125	* ''VideoGame/SaintsRow2'' and ''VideoGame/SaintsRowTheThird'' added a quite a few new major characters to the series, but there are a few standouts:
126	** Shaundi, the lieutenant assigned to the Sons of Samedi in ''2'', was an instant fan-favorite due to her eternally laid-back attitude and [[TheHedonist hedonistic]] [[TheStoner stoner]] lifestyle, not to mention her surprising competence at intelligence-gathering (helped by the fact that she's [[ReallyGetsAround slept with half the population of Stillwater]]). She underwent a ''drastic'' redesign in ''The Thrid'', turning into an intense, no-nonsense ActionGirl, but both iterations of the character proved popular, to the point that they ''both'' appear in ''VideoGame/SaintsRow4'' as separate entities in a computer simulation.
127	** Pierce Washington, the lieutenant assigned to the Ronin in ''2'', firmly established himself as the ButtMonkey of the franchise, being an extremely talented but insecure NoRespectGuy who is constantly [[OvershadowedByAwesome overshadowed]] by [[PlayerCharacter the Boss]] and [[TheLancer Johnny Gat]] (the latter of whom outright steals his spotlight as the focus of the Ronin arc). Unlike Shaundi, his character remained consistent through all subsequent games, giving him a satisfying character arc as he tries (and often fails) to earn some well-deserved respect from his homies.
128	** Kinzie Kenzington, the lieutenant assigned to the Deckers in ''The Third'', is perhaps the biggest example after ''2''. An FBI whistleblower turned criminal hacker, fans were shocked and thrilled by the revelation that her cute, mousy nerd exterior hides her true nature as a [[LovableSexManiac horny]], [[BrainsAndBondage sadomasochistic]] [[CuteAndPsycho nutcase]] who gives the Boss a run for their money in the psychopathy department. She was the only one of the game's new lieutenants to return in ''4'' as a major character, where her hacking expertise makes her one of the most valuable members of the Saints (what with the game taking place almost entirely in a computer simulation).
129	* In another SNK series, Genjuro Kibagami debuts in ''[[VideoGame/SamuraiShodown Samurai Shodown 2]]'' as a more directly involved rival to Haohmaru compared to historically-inspired rival Ukyo Tachibana; since then they have been the series' traditional fighting game {{Shotoclone}}-rivals.
130	* The Gessen and second batch of Hebijo girls in the ''VideoGame/SenranKagura'' series didn't appear until the first PS Vita title, ''Shinovi Versus'', most notably Yumi from the former group, who has gone on to be the second flagship character of the series after main protagonist Asuka.
131	* Jack Frost, the SeriesMascot of ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' and Creator/{{Atlus}} as a whole, first appeared in ''VideoGame/MegamiTenseiII''. Even then, his appearance was wildly different, looking more like a snowman than the imp-like design ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiI'' gave him.
132	* Pyramid Head was introduced in the [[VideoGame/SilentHill2 second]] ''Franchise/SilentHill'' game and has since become an iconic part of the series, appearing in both ''Silent Hill'' movies.
133	* ''VideoGame/SlyCooper'': Dimitri was introduced in [[VideoGame/Sly2BandOfThieves the second game]], but proved popular enough to return in both the [[VideoGame/Sly3HonorAmongThieves third]] and [[VideoGame/SlyCooperThievesInTime fourth]] games. In ''Sly 3'', he joined the Cooper Gang and became a playable character.
134	* ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'': Many of the series' most well-known characters fall here.
135	** Sonic and Dr. Eggman were the only characters introduced in [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog1 the first game]]. Sonic's best friend Miles "Tails" Prower was introduced in ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2'', his groupie Amy Rose and his first rival Metal Sonic debuted in ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogCD'', and his FriendlyRival Knuckles the Echidna's first appearance was in ''VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles''.
136	** Big the Cat debuted in ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure''.
137	** Shadow the Hedgehog and Rouge the Bat, two new rival characters for Sonic and Knuckles respectively, debuted in ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'', almost an entire decade into the series` lifespan and have become mainstays ever since.
138	** Cream the Rabbit debuted in ''VideoGame/SonicAdvance2'' and has similarly become a series mainstay.
139	** The Chaotix (Espio the Chameleon, Charmy Bee, and Vector the Crocodile) and E-123-Omega all debuted in ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes''. Notably, the former group actually had their first appearance in an old spin off title, ''VideoGame/KnucklesChaotix'', but their appearance in ''Heroes'' ignored it and all of their characters were effectively retooled, playing this trope straight.
140	** Blaze the Cat debuted in ''VideoGame/SonicRush'' and would go on to have a major role in the franchise's [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006 15th anniversary title]].
141	** Silver the Hedgehog also debuted in ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006''. Because of the game's ending, however, it technically never happened and he would be reintroduced a year later in ''VideoGame/SonicRivals''.
142	** Eggman's robot henchmen, Orbot and Cubot, debuted in ''VideoGame/SonicUnleashed'' and ''VideoGame/SonicColors'' respectively.
143	** Wisps, the tiny alien creatures that grant Sonic [[PowerUp power-ups]] in many later games, first appeared in ''VideoGame/SonicColors''.
144	* In the ''VideoGame/{{Soul\|Series}}'' series:
145	** Nightmare debuted in the second game, ''Soulcalibur'', and became the main villain of the franchise, appearing in all following games and even becoming [[SeriesMascot the mascot for Project Soul]]. This is something of [[ZigZaggingTrope a zig-zag]], however, as Nightmare is the BrainwashedAndCrazy alter ego of Siegfried, one of the main characters in ''Soul Edge''. Starting in ''Soulcalibur III'' (the game where the ''SCII'' design of Nightmare was used as the series logo), [[EnemyWithout the two became completely separate characters]], with the popularity of ''both'' of Siegfried's identities influencing subsequent entries -- two other characters [[LegacyCharacter would assume the mantle of Nightmare]] (Soul Edge in ''III'' and ''IV'', Graf Dumas in ''[[VideoGame/SoulcaliburV V]]'') and Siegfried himself was firmly positioned as TheHero for ''III'' and ''IV'' in addition to being one of the few longstanding veteran characters to appear after the TimeSkip that led to ''V''.
146	** Ivy, who also made her debut in ''Calibur'', became to the franchise what Chun-Li is to ''Street Fighter''. Notably, she was the ''only'' female character from the first three games (''Edge'', ''Calibur'', and ''Calibur II'') to not be PutOnABus for ''Soulcalibur V''.
147	** Maxi and Astaroth were introduced as replacements for Li Long and Rock, respectively, and are both far better known than their predecessors. While Rock continued to appear as an unlockable character, Li Long never came back after the original game except as a bonus character in ''Soulcalibur III'' (later upgraded to a full-fledged fighter in ''III: Arcade Edition'').
148	** Kilik and Xianghua were also introduced in the second installment and quickly became two of the best-known characters in the series. In fact, ''VideoGame/SoulcaliburVI'' (set in [[ContinuityReboot a new timeline]] covering the events of ''Soul Edge'' and ''Soulcalibur'') even features them (and Maxi) as the protagonists of the main story mode ("Soul Chronicle"). [[note]]That said, Kilik and Xianghua were positioned as major characters in their debut as well ([[CharacterSelectForcing the cursors for P1 and P2 on the character select screen default to them]]) and ''Soulcalibur II'' states that they were jointly responsible for defeating Nightmare, with Xianghua going on to defeat [[FinalBoss Inferno]] (the spirit of Soul Edge). Because of this, WordOfGod in the ''SCV'' era designated Xianghua as the protagonist of ''Calibur''.[[/note]]
149	** Yoshimitsu didn't arrive until the second game either (though his descendant has been in [[Franchise/{{Tekken}} his series]] from the beginning).
150	** Sophitia's been around since the beginning, but her sister Cassandra debuted in ''II''. However, some may consider this a case of [[ZigZaggingTrope the waters being muddied]]. Cassandra was PromotedToPlayable in ''II'', but was already mentioned in Sophitia's biography in ''Soul Edge''.
151	** Characters such as Raphael (introduced in ''II'') and Tira (introduced in ''III'') fit the trope to a lesser extent, as they become quite relevant to the series' story in later installments. Notably, they and a few others introduced in ''II'' and ''III'' (Talim, Zasalamel, and Amy) were introduced in the new timeline of ''VI'' [[AdaptationalEarlyAppearance earlier than they had been in the original one]].
152	** A case can be made that Hildegard von Krone (introduced in ''IV'') also qualifies as she has managed to remain playable in every future installment (either on the default roster or as DLC) and retain importance in the storyline to one degree or another. She is also the latest introduced character from the old timeline (as of this writing) to appear in ''VI''.
153	* Sludge Vohaul didn't show up until the second game in the ''VideoGame/SpaceQuest'' series (and indeed was in only two out of the six official games overall), yet he's treated as Roger Wilco's major iconic arch-nemesis by the fans.
154	* ''Franchise/SpyroTheDragon'':
155	** Ripto was the BigBad of ''VideoGame/Spyro2RiptosRage''. He later became the main antagonist for the original series.
156	** ''Ripto's Rage'' also introduced Hunter, who'd go on to appear in every subsequent game in the classic series and was the only classic character besides Spyro and Sparx to reappear in the ''Legend'' games.
157	** Bianca did not appear until ''VideoGame/SpyroYearOfTheDragon'' but ended up the main female character of the series ([[DemotedToExtra not that she does much]]).
158	** Ember and Flame only ever appeared in [[VideoGame/SpyroAHerosTail one console game]] (though Ember reappeared in a handheld title), but are very popular characters in the fandom.
159	** For some fans it can be hard to remember that Cynder isn't a "classic" continuity character. She was introduced nearly ten years into the franchise in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfSpyro'' games, but has since become a mainstay in the fandom and was brought back in ''VideoGame/{{Skylanders}}'' (unlike everyone else but Spyro and Sparx).
160	** An amusing case for an Iconic Sequel ''Enemy'': the Rhynocs first appeared under the leadership of the Sorceress in ''Year of the Dragon'', but every iteration afterwards has them as common minions led by Ripto.
161	* ''VideoGame/{{Starcraft}}'':
162	** Despite being one of the most important Protoss, Artanis isn't introduced until the Brood Wars expansion. A later RetCon would establish him as the NonEntityGeneral of the original Protoss campaign, but he only appeared as a character in the expansion.
163	** Many important Terran characters, such as Raynor's NumberTwo Matt Horner or Mengsk's son Valerian weren't introduced until ''VideoGame/WingsOfLiberty''.
164	* ''Franchise/StarFox'':
165	** Fox's love interest Krystal was a DamselInDistress for most of ''VideoGame/StarFoxAdventures'', but proved to be very popular. She'd join the team at the end of game and continue to serve as a member of Star Fox in the next installment, ''VideoGame/StarFoxAssault''.
166	** Double subverted with Star Wolf, Star Fox's rival mercenary team. They were meant to debut in ''VideoGame/StarFox2'', but when that got shelved (for twenty years) in favor of the ContinuityReboot that was ''VideoGame/StarFox64'', Wolf and his team were one of the few elements from the aforementioned game to be utilized for the title.
167	* Lana Beniko of ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'' first appeared in the storyline leading up to the second expansion. That storyline also introduced her Republic counterpart, Theron Shan, to the game, although he had previously appeared in tie-in comics.
168	* ''VideoGame/StoryOfSeasons'':
169	** The most well-known characters are from ''VideoGame/HarvestMoon64'' and ''VideoGame/HarvestMoonAWonderfulLife'', which are the second and fourth console games respectively. Doctor didn't even appear in ''64'', but in its Platform/PlayStation counterpart ''VideoGame/HarvestMoonBackToNature''.
170	** Witch Princess debuted fifteen games into the series in ''VideoGame/HarvestMoonDS'' but has become a staple character on par with the Harvest Goddess.
171	** Many of the most popular bachelors in the series weren't introduced until ''VideoGame/HarvestMoonDS Cute'' (Skye), ''VideoGame/HarvestMoonIslandOfHappiness'' (Vaughn), and ''VideoGame/HarvestMoonTreeOfTranquility'' (most of the bachelors).
172	* ''Franchise/StreetFighter'':
173	** Chun-Li, Guile, Zangief, Vega, Blanka, and M. Bison? They weren't introduced until ''VideoGame/StreetFighterII''. Due to SequelDisplacement, the entire ''SFII'' cast is better known than the non-holdovers from [[VideoGame/StreetFighterI the first game]]. And Cammy didn't join until the fourth iteration (''Super Street Fighter II'').
174	** Though Akuma was present in ''Super Street Fighter II Turbo'' (the fifth and final iteration of ''SFII''), he was a secret-only character until ''[[VideoGame/StreetFighterAlpha Alpha 2]]''.
175	** Other examples: Dan, Rose, and Sakura in the ''Alpha'' series; Alex, Ibuki, Yun, Yang and Dudley in ''[[VideoGame/StreetFighterIII III]]''; and C. Viper and Abel in ''[[VideoGame/StreetFighterIV IV]]'', with Juri joining them in ''SSFIV''.
176	* ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'':
177	** The original ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong'' game only had the titular gorilla, Pauline, and Mario (there known as Jumpman). Luigi first appeared in ''VideoGame/MarioBros'' while Bowser, Toad, Goombas, and Princess Peach weren't introduced until ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros1''.
178	** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros3'' is the first game where the Koopalings appear.
179	** Yoshi has become such a recognizable character in the ''Mario'' series that it's easy to forget he didn't show up until ''VideoGame/SuperMarioWorld''. An early version of him was created for the original game but he was too much for the console to handle.
180	** As for classic enemy types, Shy Guys, Snifits, Ninjis, Pokeys, Birdo and Bob-ombs ([[https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/ボム兵#近種 specifically a subspecies thereof]], retroactively derived from the more famous specimens which debuted in ''Super Mario Bros. 3'') didn't appear until ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros2'', and [[VideoGame/DokiDokiPanic weren't originally designed for the Mario series at all]]. Boos, Chain Chomps, Dry Bones, Boss Bass and Thwomps didn't show up until ''3'', and ''[[VideoGame/SuperMarioWorld World]]'' was the first game to propose the very concept of the Magikoopa (let alone Kamek's debut in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioWorld2YoshisIsland'') as well as Wigglers.
181	** Daisy and Waluigi have become ubiquitous characters in ''Mario'' spinoffs, but Daisy didn't appear until ''VideoGame/SuperMarioLand'' and wouldn't pop up in a spinoff until ''NES Open Tournament Golf'', while Waluigi debuted in ''VideoGame/MarioTennis'' for the Nintendo 64.
182	** While most of Donkey Kong's supporting cast would apply given that they debuted in the ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry'' series a decade after the original arcade game, within the series itself, the prominent character Dixie Kong, seen as part of the main trio along with Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong, didn't appear until ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry2DiddysKongQuest''.
183	** Wario made his debut in the ''Mario'' franchise as the FinalBoss of ''VideoGame/SuperMarioLand2SixGoldenCoins'', and then managed to supplant Mario's role as a protagonist in ''VideoGame/WarioLandSuperMarioLand3'', turning it into the start of the ''VideoGame/WarioLand'' series. He later gained a second sub-series (''VideoGame/WarioWare''), and became a regular character in ''Mario'' spinoffs.
184	** Wario's EnsembleCast in the ''VideoGame/WarioWare'' series has steadily increased as more games have released - emphasis on "steadily", as many notable members weren't there from the start.
185	*** 18-Volt, best friend of ''[=WarioWare=]'' veteran 9-Volt, wasn't introduced until ''VideoGame/WarioWareTwisted'', the third game.
186	*** Young witch-in-training Ashley, her imp-like {{familiar}} Red, and Dr. Crygor's robotic companion Mike were all introduced in ''VideoGame/WarioWareTouched'', the fourth game in the series.
187	*** Martial artists Young Cricket and Master Mantis, as well as Dr. Crygor's granddaughter Penny Crygor, were introduced in the fifth game, the Wii title ''VideoGame/WarioWareSmoothMoves''.
188	*** 5-Volt, the mother of 9-Volt, downplays this, as she was first mentioned [[AllThereInTheManual on the first game's website in Japan]] (though not by her current name), and made minor cameos as a background character in ''Twisted!'' and ''Touched!''. Her first appearance as [[AscendedExtra more than just set-dressing]] was in ''VideoGame/GameAndWario'', a Wii U title released just over a decade after the series began, as the catalyst for 9-Volt's minigame (Gamer) and as a threat during the mode itself.
189	** Bowser Jr. was not introduced until ''VideoGame/SuperMarioSunshine''.
190	** Rosalina and Captain Toad have become major series characters, but they didn't debut until ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy''.
191	** E. Gadd is a reoccurring character who is referenced in various ''Mario'' games, from ''Super Mario Sunshine'' to ''Mario Kart'', but he only first appeared in ''VideoGame/LuigisMansion''.
192	** Starlow first appeared as an ExpositionFairy in [[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiBowsersInsideStory the third]] ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigi'' game, but she has consistently appeared in every one since, including the remake of the original title.
193	** Toadette made her debut as Toad's counterpart in ''VideoGame/MarioKartDoubleDash'', and has since made appearances in not only a variety of spinoff titles, but also the core games.
194	* Happens frequently with the OriginalGeneration characters in ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'', especially considering they were introduced until ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars2''. Most tellingly with Masaki Andoh and the Cybuster in particular, to the point that he factors into the first three multi-game storylines while the fourth prominently features an EvilCounterpart.
195	* ''VideoGame/TalesSeries'':
196	** ''VideoGame/TalesOfDestiny'': Leon Magnus who's consistencely among the most popular characters, to the point that he was retired from the popularity poll.
197	** ''VideoGame/TalesOfEternia'': Celsius, the summon spirit of ice. Even though she debuted later than the other summon spirits, she's become the most popular among them that she was made playable in several of the crossover games.
198	** ''VideoGame/TalesOfDestiny2'': Barbatos Goetia was TheDragon to [[BigBad Elraine]] and was the one responsible for the death of the protagonist's father Stahn. He's one of the most popular villains in the fandom for his LargeHam tendencys and FountainOfMemes status. He was even was one of the cameo bosses in ''Vesperia''.
199	** ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'': Kratos Aurion[[note]]who was one of the cameo boss in ''Vesperia'' alongside Barbatos[[/note]] and Zelos Wilder.
200	** ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss'': Jade Curtiss; his DeadpanSnarker personality and usefulness in battle made him very well loved among fans.
201	** ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia'': Yuri Lowell is probably the king of this trope for this series. He ranked 1st place in the official popularity polls every time since his debut until he was retired from it alongside the above mentioned Leon. There's also Rita Mordio who's gained infamy for possibly being the most broken mage of the series.
202	* ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'':
203	** The game's nine classes are significantly more recognisable and iconic than their equivalents in the original [[VideoGame/TeamFortress1 Team Fortress]] and its [[VideoGame/TeamFortressClassic subsequent port]], owing to their more varied appearances, characterisations and backgrounds. However, even though most of the classes look and sound completely different to the originals, they weren't confirmed to be distinct characters until the Team Fortress webcomics formally reintroduced the classic versions, so for a solid chunk of their history the newer mercs were seen as either [[AlternateContinuity alternate versions]] or examples of [[CharacterisationMarchesOn characterisation marching on]].
204	** The secondary characters (who mostly appear in supplementary materials), with The Administrator, Ms Pauling and Saxton Hale being particularly popular among the fanbase.
205	* ''Franchise/{{Tekken}}'' certainly does this. The only regularly recurring characters present since the first game are Heihachi and Kazuya Mishima, Paul Phoenix, Marshall Law, Lee Chaolan, Nina and Anna Williams, and Yoshimitsu. The Jack, King, and Kuma lines all started here, but were not always the same character in every installment.
206	** Lei Wulong and Jun Kazama were both introduced in ''Tekken 2''. Kazuya's devil form was also introduced in this game.
207	** Jin Kazama, Ling Xiaoyu, Hwoarang, Eddy Gordo, Julia Chang, Mokujin, King II, Kuma II, Panda, and Bryan Fury were all introduced in ''VideoGame/Tekken3''.
208	** Steve Fox, Craig Marduk, and Christie Monteiro were all introduced in ''VideoGame/Tekken4''. Lee's "Violet" SecretIdentity was also introduced in this game.
209	** Asuka Kazama, Feng Wei, and Raven were all introduced in ''VideoGame/Tekken5'', while Lili de Rochefort and Sergei Dragunov were both introduced in the game's re-release titled ''Dark Resurrection''.
210	** Leo Kliesen, Miguel Caballero Rojo, and Bob Richards were introduced in ''VideoGame/Tekken6'', while Lars Alexandersson and Alisa Bosconovitch were added for the re-release ''Bloodline Rebellion''.
211	** The ''Fated Retribution'' re-release of ''VideoGame/Tekken7'' introduced Leroy Smith.
212	* ''Franchise/TouhouProject'' has incredible amounts of this, particularly if one ignores the fact that the sixth game was essentially a reboot. A full list:
213	** Characters that appeared before the reboot:
214	*** Marisa Kirisame first appeared as a ''boss'' in the second game ([[EarlyInstallmentWeirdness and was a redhead]]) and has been a playable character in every main series game since.
215	*** Alice Margatroid, one of the few other characters from before the reboot to become prominent after it, debuted in the ''last'' game before the reboot, ''Mystic Square''.
216	** Post-reboot:
217	*** The seventh game introduced both Youmu Konpaku, who has appeared as a playable character in multiple subsequent games, and Yukari Yakumo, who is probably one of the most important characters to the world as a whole. It also marked the first post-reboot appearance for Alice, which sort of makes her qualify twice over.
218	*** The eighth game, ''Imperishable Night'', introduces Reisen Udongein Inaba.
219	*** The ninth game marked the debut of Aya Shamameiru, who since got two spin-offs as a main character and appeared in each of the next two main series games. Though technically she actually debuted in one of the side materials by a few days.
220	*** Sanae Kotiya debuted in the ''tenth'' game and has been either a playable character or a boss in almost every game since (as of the 15th main line game, she's only missed one main game and has been in over half the side games); furthermore, the rest of the Moriya Shrine CastHerd was the major driving story force for the next few games. Nitori Kawashirosawa, unrelated to that cast herd, also made a number of appearances after debuting in this game.
221	*** Byakuren Hijiri debuted in the 12th game and took over from the Moriya Shrine group as a major driving force.
222	* With over ten games in the ''VideoGame/TrailsSeries'', it's not surprising that some of its most well-known characters appeared in the later titles:
223	** Given their popularity with fans, and their significance to the greater ''Trails'' universe, it's baffling to imagine that [[ChurchMilitant Kevin Graham]] and [[ChildProdigy Renne]] weren't introduced until the ''Second Chapter'' of ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsInTheSky Trails in the Sky]]''.
224	** Altina Orion doesn't show up until the second game in the [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsOfColdSteel Erebonia arc]], and isn't playable by default until the game after that, yet is still one of the franchise's most well-received characters, getting second place (just behind [[TheHero Rean]]) in the popularity poll for ''Cold Steel III'', and ranking on third place in ''Cold Steel IV'''s.
225	** It's also easy to forget that Rean himself wasn't introduced until the sixth ''Trails'' game, given just how many players usually think of him whenever somebody mentions the franchise, likely due to him being a protagonist in more games than any of his counterparts at ''five''. And it really says something when, even in [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsIntoReverie a game]] where he has to [[RotatingProtagonist share the protagonist label with two other people]], he's the most recognizable one.
226	* The ''VideoGame/{{Unreal}}'' franchise has Malcolm, the leader of Thunder Crash, eventual 9-time canonical winner of the Liandri Grand Tournament and SeriesMascot. He debuted in ''VideoGame/UnrealTournament'', which itself is a spinoff of ''[[VideoGame/UnrealI the eponymous first game]]'', which [[FeaturelessProtagonist didn't really have much]] in the field of a protagonist. ''UT'' itself neither had a main character, however, thanks to him being the default selectable player and ''VideoGame/UnrealTournament2003'' giving him a major role as well as having him return as the overall FinalBoss (as well as ''VideoGame/UnrealTournament2004'' having him as one of the three possible end-game bosses) cemented him as this.
227	* Almost every iconic character from the ''VideoGame/{{Warcraft}}'' universe debuted in ''Warcraft II'' or later. The rare exceptions are Medivh and Garona. Even then, most ''Warcraft II'' characters were PutOnABus, and the really iconic ones (including but not limited to; Prince Arthas/The Lich King, Thrall, Jaina Proudmore, Vol'jin, Illidan Stormrage, Kel'Thuzad, Sylvanas Windrunner, Rexxar, Kael'thas Sunstrider, Chen Stormstout, and the entire Night Elf, Draenei, and Naga races) come from ''Warcraft III''.
228	** This even extends to the series' MascotMook: Murlocs first appeared in ''Warcraft III'' but didn't have their iconic look until ''[[ExpansionPack The Frozen Throne]]'', looking more like generic FishMen originally.
229	** ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' originally released with only nine character classes. Death Knights (who appeared in their Orcish necromancy form in ''Warcraft II'' the Scourge form in ''Warcraft III'', as RTS units in both cases) were added with the second ExpansionPack, ''Wrath of the Lich King'', and are basically inseparable from the game nowadays. Two other classes, Monks and Demon Hunters, also appeared later, but haven't earned the same level of popularity.
230	** High (and Blood) Elves were in the lore from the start (the Blood Elves appeared in ''Warcraft III''), but weren't actually playable until ''The Burning Crusade'' (unless you count elven archers from ''Warcraft II'', which were technically High Elves). Before then, they didn't even have a unique model, and instead used an infamously ugly Night Elf retexture for their few appearances.
231	** Garrosh Hellscream appeared with ''The Burning Crusade'', although he didn't have his well known {{shirtless\|Scene}} design with Mannoroth's tusks as shoulder armor until ''Cataclysm''.
232	** [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent Worgen]] didn't appear until ''[=WoW=]'' (even though {{RetCon}}s say they were around in the Third War and much earlier), but were just mooks at that point. It wasn't until ''Catacylsm'' that the Worgen of Gilneas became a playable race (with a redesign to boot).
233	* The Mana Spirits in the ''VideoGame/WorldOfMana'' series are totally absent in the first ''Seiken Densetsu'' (released as ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyAdventure'' in the West), and make their debut in the second game, ''VideoGame/SecretOfMana''.
234	* [[VideoGame/WWEVideoGames Yuke's WWE Games]]:
235	** Wrestling/ShawnMichaels did not appear in the first game in the series, which came out in the middle of his temporary retirement. He made his debut instead in ''Know Your Role''.
236	** Wrestling/KurtAngle, Wrestling/EddieGuerrero, and Wrestling/ChrisBenoit also did not appear in the franchise until the second game.
237	** Wrestling/{{Lita}} and Wrestling/TrishStratus, two of the most iconic female wrestlers of all time, also missed the first installment.
238	** Wrestling/BookerT, Wrestling/BrockLesnar, Wrestling/HulkHogan, Wrestling/RandyOrton, Wrestling/RicFlair, and Wrestling/RobVanDam first appeared in ''Shut Your Mouth''.
239	** Wrestling/{{Batista}}, Wrestling/{{Goldberg}}, Wrestling/JohnCena, and Wrestling/ReyMysterioJr first appeared in ''Here Comes the Pain''.
240	** Wrestling/BobbyLashley, Wrestling/TheGreatKhali, Wrestling/JohnMorrison, and Wrestling/MickieJames debuted in ''[=SmackDown=] vs. Raw 2007''.
241	** Wrestling/CMPunk and Wrestling/MontelVontaviousPorter first appeared in ''2008''
242	** Wrestling/BethPhoenix, Wrestling/KofiKingston, and Wrestling/TheMiz in ''2009''.
243	** The Wrestling/BellaTwins and Wrestling/DolphZiggler in ''2010''.
244	** Wrestling/{{Sheamus}} and Wrestling/DrewMcIntyre in ''2011''.
245	** [[Wrestling/BryanDanielson Daniel Bryan]], Wrestling/AlbertoDelRio, and Wrestling/BrayWyatt (as [[Wrestling/TheNexus Husky Harris]]) in ''WWE '12''.
246	** Wrestling/AJLee, Wrestling/{{Ryback}}, and [[Wrestling/ClaudioCastagnoli Cesaro]] in '''13''.
247	** Wrestling/TheShield (Wrestling/DeanAmbrose, Wrestling/RomanReigns, and Wrestling/SethRollins) and Wrestling/BigELangston in ''2K14''.
248	** Wrestling/BrayWyatt (as himself), Wrestling/{{Paige}}, Wrestling/SamiZayn, and Wrestling/XavierWoods in ''2K15''.
249	** [[Wrestling/FergalDevitt Finn Bálor]] and Wrestling/KevinOwens in ''2K16''.
250	** Wrestling/AJStyles, Wrestling/AlexaBliss, [[Wrestling/KanakoUrai Asuka]], Wrestling/{{Bayley}}, Wrestling/BeckyLynch, Wrestling/BraunStrowman, Wrestling/CharlotteFlair, Wrestling/SashaBanks, and Wrestling/ShinsukeNakamura in ''2K17''.

Context IconicSequelCharacter / VideoGames