Ah, it’s spring!  The flowers are out, the easter eggs are in (my belly), and one can feel slightly powerful by popping out to grab a muffin without wearing a coat.  Hurrah! 

So, has the ill-advised sugar rush worn off yet?  Did you completely disregard all of the lovely sunshine and promises of fresh-air for console crazy antics?  Of course you did!  And why wouldn’t you, now that Dragon Quest: The Journey of the Cursed King is out.  And ohhhhhhhh, it is so good.  And ohhhhhhhh, I am completely abandoning all friends and family for a glimpse of its RPG-goodness.  You play the role of your typical old skool hero, off on a quest to break an evil curse, guided by some OUTSTANDING British voice-acting and a motley crew of side-kicks… Which got me thinking!

All too often you witness polls, articles and debates centred around who is the greatest video game hero of all time - but what about the side-kicks?  After all, for every Mario, there needs to be a Luigi; for every Sonic, there must be a Tails.  It’s about time we gave these guys behind the scenes a little bit of credit, for without them, we would lose a lot of what makes our video game experience enjoyable and memorable.  So, here are three of my favourite side-kicks of all time!  No doubt you have your own selection, but it’s my blog, so SHUT IT.  All right?

Wheeee!  Here we go.

Name: Yangus Game: Dragon Quest: The Journey of the Cursed King Jam Loves Yangus Because: He says “Cor Blimey!” a lot, has the size and power of a small truck… and he says “Cor Blimey!” a lot.  To hear Yangus speak is to hear pure, golden Cockney-poetry.  If I were to have my way, I would have him sitting in my living room - no, no - framed in my living room, so I could gaze upon his wonderous “spifics” in a slightly unnerving, unhealthy manner.  I could wheel him out for dinner guests too, and wow them with his crazy lyrical waxings!  And if you don’t believe me, you’re ‘avin a giraffe.  Geddit?

Name: Pey’J Game: Beyond Good and Evil Jam Loves Pey’J Because: He’s the super nice uncle you always wanted - the one that taught you how to ride a bike, fly a kite, and steal your mother’s cookies by lending you his jet boots.  Hell, he’d probably even rustle you up a bacon sandwich after a night on the town if you asked him reeeeeeaaaalllyyy nicely.  It’s not often the fate of a character - and this is not even the main characer - can make you cry, but you show me one person who didn’t get a tiny bit weepy over this fella in BG&E and you will show me a HEARTLESS COW!  ...  Noticed what I did there?  Cow?  Pig?  Farm yard animals?  Oh forget it.

Name: Yoshi Game: Super Mario World Jam Loves Yoshi Because: Yoshiiii!  Now, c’mon, you can do better than that.  All together now - YOSHIIIIIII! Video game characters like these can come and go, but there is no denying that Yoshi has stood the test of time, even managing to take on the role of the hero in many Nintendo titles such as Yoshi Touch ‘n’ Go. He can fly.  He can breathe fire.  HE CAN TAKE THAT MOULDY OLD CARROT AT THE BACK OF YOUR FRIDGE AND TURN IT INTO A WEAPON OF DESTRUCTION.  What more could one want some a super ickle dragon dinosaur type-thing?  Yoshi has always been the ultimate example of a dependable, consistant, whoop-arse side kick, and no doubt he will continue to be long into the shiny bouncey future.

Toodles!