10 Best Robotic Companions In Video Games, Ranked

For over thirty years of gaming, it’s been common for the main protagonist to have a companion at their side. Whether it’s the voice in their head or a cute creature to ride on their shoulder, it makes for a character dynamic that still works to this day.

One of the variants to this trope is the use of a cybernetic or robotic companion. Games within the realm of science fiction like to pair the hero with a robotic partner to help them on their journey. This means the characters must have a robotic body, so AI guides such as Cortana from Halo will not be included.

Rush – Mega Man Series

The only thing better than a dog companion is a robot dog companion. One of the first robot companions in gaming, Rush is a cybernetic dog that the player could summon for a spring jump to higher locations. With different power-ups, Rush could also transform into a hoverboard or a submarine for Mega Man to ride.

Rush might not have much in terms of personality but he is a loyal friend to Mega Man and Dr. Light., proving to be a good dog with a good heart. Without Rush, the concept of robots as the hero’s friend might not exist today.

Robo – Chrono Trigger

This classic but challenging JRPG for the SNES features a lot of unique characters including an actual frog with a sword. One of these characters is a robot from the year 2300 A.D. who joins Crono, Frog, and Marle on their quest to save the timeline from disaster.

Not only is he one of the more versatile party members to have in Chrono Trigger but he’s one of the more unique robots in terms of design. He features elements of sci-fi and fantasy mixed together with a steampunk aesthetic. He’s also a very charming and loyal companion that is hard to not fall for by the end of the journey.

CL4P-TP (Claptrap) – Borderlands Series

Across the four Borderlands games, the Vault Hunters always meet a little but also maniacal robot named CL4P-TP AKA Claptrap. He talks a bit more than he should but that’s part of his charm as he guides the player while also proving to be quite the bloodthirsty robot; he is also one of the most beloved characters in the Borderlands mythos.

More often than not, Claptrap just gets himself into trouble and it’s up to the player to save him but he means well and he is helpful in a lot of situations. Even when he’s causing trouble, Claptrap’s poor mental health leads to him filling every scene with comments that are bound to make anyone laugh.

HK-47 – Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic

Similar to Claptrap, HK-47 is a droid whose processors might need a bit of tweaking. He has a love for murdering as a result of being an assassin droid built to serve Darth Revan. HK-47 also has a tendency to state things as they are, similar to K-2S0 from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story which leads to a lot of comedic situations.

Despite being the definition of a murder bot and his less than likable personality, HK-47 does have a charm factor. This has earned him a spot as a fan-favorite character in Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic.

Nick Valentine – Fallout 4

When it comes to robots, nobody expects to see them as old-school noir detectives. Nick Valentine is that style of detective, making his debut in Fallout 4. He can be found in Diamond City and recruited to the player’s side much like Dogmeat, Cogsworth, or Piper Wright.

From Nick’s many stand-out quotes to his overall design, mixing old and new technology that perfectly represents the Fallout universe; Nick Valentine is one of the more memorable characters in Fallout 4, to the point of returning as a major part of the Far Harbor DLC.

Ghost – Destiny Series

Being voiced by the one and only Nolan North, it’s hard not to enjoy Ghost’s presence in the Destiny games. Since the Guardians that players control are mostly silent, Ghost provides all the commentary while also guiding the player on their journey across multiple planets.

For every genuinely funny moment with Ghost, Nolan North also brings a lot of emotion. He gives Ghost so much personality that it’s impossible to compare the character to another robot in fiction.

GLaDOS – Portal 2

She began as the main antagonist of the first Portal but in Portal 2, GLaDOS goes through a character journey. When Wheatley takes over the Aperture facility, Chell ends up allying with GLaDOS and this results in the player learning more about the strange artificial intelligence.

GLaDOS ends up being more than just a murderous program, she was once a person and has a rather tragic story as to how she became GLaDOS. By the end of Portal 2, she’s a completely different character that the player feels invested in.

BT-7274 – Titanfall 2

Pilots in the distant future are bonded with exosuit-like robots known as Titans. Jack Cooper is paired with a Titan designated BT-7274 and at first, it seems like nothing more than a pilot talking to a basic computer program. However, over the course of the Titanfall 2 campaign, Jack and BT form a bond.

This is due to the couple being linked psychologically which helps the pilot and their Titan work together on the battlefield.

Clank – Ratchet & Clank Series

Clank is to Ratchet what Daxter is to Jak, the lovable sidekick who tends to be in the spotlight more than the main hero. Much like Daxter, the friendship between the titular Ratchet and Clank is believable as it continues to blossom over the several games in the franchise.

Unlike Daxter, Clank is a valuable asset and friend who is always helpful to Ratchet on their journey together. Clank even stands on his own thanks to having abilities to take on enemies himself when he’s not assisting Ratchet. In many ways, Ratchet is the quintessential robot companion that kids and adults can love.

BD-1 – Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

After how well they created the friendship between Cooper and BT in Titanfall 2, Respawn Entertainment hit the nail on the head again with Star Wars. In Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Cal Kestis forms a bond with a small droid named BD-1 and their friendship grows throughout the campaign.

One of BD-1’s best qualities is how cute he is, as he’s like a little puppy that’s always riding Cal’s shoulder, chirping and beeping. Even the way he slices into tech is adorably animated. However, like Clank, he’s useful in gameplay as he provides healing stims as well as helpful navigation.

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