Top 10 video game protagonists to dress up as for Halloween 2023

It’s officially spooky season. The leaves are falling, you can smell pumpkin spice in the air, and there’s a Spirit Halloween on every corner. Yes, it’s a truly good time to be alive. Except for the fact that you just got invited to a costume party with a bunch of friends you like to game with, and you need a Halloween costume. 

I can’t say I know the feeling, being introverted and all, but I can offer some good suggestions for video game costumes if you want to dress up as your favorite protagonists for the Halloween party — but also, you could also wear these to your next con. It should be noted that some of these will seem like a lot to put together, but if you’re gonna dress to impress, you might as well go all out. You’ll surely be the object of everyone’s admiration and envy!

Top 10 video game protagonists to dress up as for Halloween 2023

10. The Prince (Katamari Damacy)

I have never seriously played Katamari Damacy, but if there is one thing I know about the series, it’s The Prince. One of the more truly iconic video game costumes for Halloween if I ever saw one. And anyone who gets the reference will ensure you’re absolutely rolling in the candy. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a good time to me. 

9. Kratos (God of War)

On the other hand, let’s say you wanna avoid being called “cute” while out on the town. In that case, why not opt for something a little more vengeful? God of War: Ragnarok was one of the biggest releases of late 2022, so you’ll most certainly be recognized. And if not, you can always exact your vengeance on them from the deepest, darkest layer of Helheim. 

8. Link (The Legend of Zelda)

I think this would be an excellent choice for any introverts out there. You won’t have to say a word — just an awkward grunt here and a worrying scream there, and you’ll be on your way to the most successful of all the video game costumes at the Halloween party. I think the one thing you’d have to be wary of is people asking if you’re supposed to be “that guy Zelda.” 

7. Gordon Freeman (Half-Life)

If you’d like to appeal to the older gamers — let’s be honest, who doesn’t? — why not dress up as the protagonist of a slumbering franchise? You’ll be feeling like Gordon Freeman in your HEV suit, but be careful! It probably won’t protect you from any head-crab zombies or Vortigaunts in the area. 

6. Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy VII)

I think this would be one of those costumes where you could either be really creative or really meme-y. I say creative because you could easily (well, maybe not easily) construct a suit that looks like Cloud on the original PlayStation, polygons and all. But you could opt to go with his Remake variant, and you’d likely be just as recognizable, especially with the gravity-defying hair. Bonus points if you bring a two-wheeler.

5. Aloy (Horizon Zero Dawn / Horizon Forbidden West)

If you’d like to go with a costume that’s somewhat topical but you’re not exactly feeling Kratos, why not go with Aloy, the main character of the Horizon franchise? It’s not as daunting as it sounds, given there’s an official cosplay guide. If you’d like to take it a step further, you could bring a bow and arrows (be careful, you’ll poke your eye out!) and shoot rolls of toilet paper at the houses that don’t recognize you. If someone asks, I didn’t tell you to do that.

4. Among Us / Fall Guys Bean (Among Us / Fall Guys)

I consider the beans from Among Us and the beans from Fall Guys to be in the same category of video game costumes. In either case, your Halloween outfit will consist of a gigantic, oval-shaped bean costume, and that’s one of the funniest things on this list. If you’re gonna do this, I would start working on your victory pose now because I imagine moving in that thing is a nightmare and then some. 

3. Spider-Man (Spider-Man)

It’s not entirely controversial — or, well, it shouldn’t be — to say one of the best things about Spider-Man is that anyone can be under the mask. It’s a symbolic gesture that is tied to a very real truth: anyone can be a hero, regardless of characteristics. Plus, this is one of those entries where you can easily repurpose an old costume from the midnight release of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man from 2002. I won’t tell anyone.

2. Leon S. Kennedy (Resident Evil 4)

I think the coolest thing about someone cosplaying as Leon is that it can literally be anyone — I recently attended Colossalcon Texas, where I saw a great many Leon cosplayers. They came in all shapes and shades, but one thing is for certain: I recognized all of them as Leon. Just find a police outfit, style your hair (or find a wig) into the most Karen style you possibly can, and BAM. Leon. 

1. Protagonist (New Pokémon Snap)

Do you have a camera? What about a pet dog or cat? If the answer to either of these questions was ‘yes’, then you could easily dress your pet up as a pokémon and dress up as the protagonist of eitherPokémon Snap or New Pokémon Snap. As for what ‘mon your pet goes as, I’ll leave that one up to you.