The 13 Greatest Pets in Video Game History

Yoshi is the ultimate in gaming pets. He's at the top of the list for a reason: we've known him the longest and he's seen us through more games than anyone else on this list. Yoshi is the first taste we got of the blooming Nintendo universe when we all brought home our Super Nintendos and popped in the included-game Super Mario World.

Not only was Mario in multiple dimensions, and not only were some set pieces translucent, but we had a friend. A fried we could play with at the same time (Luigi doesn't count, as the Mario Bros. seem to roll solo when they're on missions most of the time for some reason).

This new friend was not only a domesticated dinosaur that we just happen to run into, but he could swallow our enemies. He could provide is with a powerful stomp and would let us ride him seemingly forever. With a convenient saddle on him, Yoshi would also swallow the power-ups we have and breathe fire, or even fly.

Through dozens of Nintendo games, Yoshi's not only moved on to be the most popular and successful pet in the history of video games, he's become the most iconic; I mean, hell, the guy has his own ISLAND.

Aside from his own games, Yoshi's also gone on to be some of the best playable characters in various Nintendo games. He kicks some serious ass in Smash Bros., and is one of the most easily maneuverable players in any Mario Kart game.

He also just barely made it in to be included in the ill-fated Super Mario Brothers The Movie (picture here and here ).

Yoshi's been through quite a lot with us and has provided Mario with his equivalent of a mighty steed. A mighty steed that is a loyal friend, can EAT enemies and is a freaking DINOSAUR (this is the most badass picture of "Yoshi" ever, even if it looks nothing like him... except for the red spikes).

And now, a cheesy Yoshi tribute.

Agro. Oh, Agro. Spoilers below and in video, by the way.

Shadow of the Colossus is arguably one of the greatest games of all time, and definitely one of the most beautiful, especially for its time. The story of a man who wants to bring his true love back to life, but must first fight a variety of different, ancient giants; this game is one you spend on your own for most of the time. It's a music-less, realistic, gorgeous wasteland of wonder.

Throughout all of this, you have only one friend: Agro. Agro is the name of your horse in Shadow of the Colossus. He breathes like a real horse, which makes him that much more awesome, he gets tired and he gets you through these chore-like maps quicker than you otherwise would. Seriously, these maps are unnecessarily huge, but it all adds to the beauty, solitude and wonderment which is this game. Agro gets you everywhere you need to go.

There's also a whole slew of cool tricks you could do with him, which you can click here to see a tutorial for.

He's faithful til the end. Fights fights with you, rides with you to the middle of nowhere to help your true love... and then he makes the ultimate sacrifice.

In one of the levels leading up to the end, Agro is taking you to the top of a mountain, as he's done with no problems before, but he is only a horse. He's only flesh and blood. You can see him getting tired in this scene when he's running up the stairs. The bridge gives out and not only does Agro buck you off, thus saving your life, he accepts his fate and falls down to his watery, g-force laden death. A horrible way to go for the greatest pet in video game history, but that very action is what made him so great.

He did anything that was needed of him all the way until he sacrifices himself for you. We love you Agro.

By the way, the person playing through the game in this YouTube video has no heart. I don't know about you guys, but I paused the game for a few minutes and walked around to "process" Agro's death.

Agro!

So, good luck finding a more awesome pet than this. Ever faithful, Rush is the awesomely named classic rock name of Mega Man's main dog, seen in this vintage trailer for "Rock Man 3" (Mega Man).

Mega Man uses Rush for many purposes. He turns into a one-seater jet, he turns into a one-seater submarine, he can turn into a spaceship (later on in Mega Man games), a drillcar (such a crappy move in MvC2), and even a motorcycle.

Also, he's happy, playful and in some ways gets Mega Man out of so much trouble, that Mega Man really wouldn't be able to survive without him.

In later games, Rush even becomes a jetpack and powers Mega Man up so that he can shoot greater blasts and use his arms as rockets. Eat THAT, Animal Orbs from Castle Crashers (which are totally on this list).

He's also a pretty cool-looking robot, even though he's been tragically been made a part of that whole Mega Man universe Island of Doctor Moreau With Robots thing.

To bring it into real life, here's a video (click this sentence) of a guy who's actually pretty funny, dressing his dog up like Rush.

Lamarr is the name of the female head crab that Dr. Isaac Kleiner takes, neuters and makes his own personal, extremely annoying pet.

The head crabs in the Half-Life series are horrible, horrible creatures that will latch onto someone's head and turn them into lifeless, violent mutant/zombie-like creatures. But first the person appears dead, like this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=90Fi8MSBAGg

Lamarr is a member of this terrible enemy species, but she has no beaks (which means she can't kill or seriously hurt anyone). You can see the scene where Lamarr is introduced attached here. Lamarr is "debeaked" and "The worst she might do is attempt to couple with your head…fruitlessly".

If you took the teeth and nails off a zombie, that is what Lamarr would effectively be... only cuter... kind of.

THIS is why she's awesome.

Epona is your Link's horse and companion in the Legend of Zelda.

Ever since Ocarina of Time, we've known her as the horse who helps Link in the battle for good, no matter how long the journey.

Ever loyal, if Link isn't the one who's mounting her, she will actually buck anyone else from her saddle. Link meeting her was kismet.

Fueled more by how much, as gamers, we've all been through with her at this point, she makes the list because she gives one of the most iconic video game characters in gaming history a thorough, loyal and ever-growing companion.

Also, she has a song. So unlike whistling or just calling out their name, the fact that she has a song that will make her come whenever you need her is amazing. It creates a bond, a unique communication that you don't usually see in most video game relationships.

Click here to hear Epona's Song