Most Hilarious Side Characters in Video Games

7 May 2026

Let’s face it — video games wouldn’t be half as fun without those quirky, laugh-out-loud side characters that pop in just when things start getting intense. You know the ones I’m talking about — the NPCs who have nothing to do with the plot but somehow steal the show with their absurd one-liners, awkward animations, or just downright ridiculous antics.

Every hero needs a sidekick, and sometimes these sidekicks (and even random townsfolk) outshine the protagonist with their hilarious banter and unpredictable behavior. So buckle up, because we’re diving deep into some of the most hilarious side characters in video game history who’ll have you chuckling long after you’ve logged off.

What Makes a Side Character Hilarious?

Before we start handing out gold stars, let's talk about what actually makes a video game side character hilarious. It’s not just about cracking jokes or being goofy; there’s an art to it.

- Timing: Humor is all about delivering the punchline at just the right moment.
- Relatability or absurdity: Some characters make us laugh because they remind us of someone we know. Others are just so bizarre, we can’t help but giggle.
- Voice acting: An exaggerated delivery, weird accents, or perfect comic timing can make all the difference.

With that in mind, let’s get into the good stuff.

1. Claptrap – Borderlands Series

Oh, Claptrap. This little, one-wheeled robot is the definition of chaotic comic relief. From his annoyingly enthusiastic voice to his tendency to monologue while you’re in the middle of a gunfight, Claptrap is impossible to ignore — even when you want to.

He’s the kind of character who thinks he’s the life of the party, but everyone else sighs when he shows up. Yet somehow, you end up missing him when he’s gone. Whether it’s his terrible dance moves or endless self-aggrandizing, Claptrap is the Borderlands mascot for hilarious dysfunction.

> Funniest Moment: His solo dubstep dance party. Just... why?

2. Wheatley – Portal 2

If the Portal games are a mind-bending puzzle fest, then Wheatley is the lovable fool who fumbles his way through them. Voiced masterfully by Stephen Merchant, this British AI core brings a whole new level of dry, awkward humor to Portal 2.

Wheatley starts off as your helpful guide and devolves into a power-hungry moron with a god complex and zero impulse control. His blend of incompetence and charm makes you laugh even as he accidentally tries to kill you.

> Funniest Moment: When he “solves” a puzzle by bashing something and proudly declares, “That was easy.”

3. Dandelion (Jaskier) – The Witcher Series

If Geralt is the brooding, stoic anti-hero, Dandelion (or Jaskier for those Netflix-only fans) is the walking comedic break the game desperately needs. He’s flamboyant, romantic, always in trouble, and always has something witty to say.

From his over-the-top poems to his hopeless attempts at being charming, he’s like that friend who thinks they’re cooler than they actually are — and you love him for it.

> Funniest Moment: His endless attempts to narrate Geralt’s stoic silence with poetic drama. “Ah, Geralt, the White Wolf roared in silence once more…”

4. Goat – Goat Simulator

Okay, okay — the goat isn’t technically a side character, but we’re bending the rules here because come on — it’s a goat that wrecks everything for no reason. Goat Simulator is more like a joke-turned-game, and the goat at the center of it all does everything you'd never expect — lick objects, wear jetpacks, and ragdoll into traffic.

Sometimes the comedy lies in watching other characters react to the goat’s chaos — flying pedestrians, screaming NPCs, or a person doing yoga getting launched into orbit.

> Funniest Moment: Accidentally summoning Satan during a goat ritual. Because... goats, right?

5. HK-47 – Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Imagine if C-3PO had a dark (and homicidal) cousin, and you'd get HK-47. This assassin droid refers to organic beings as "meatbags" and casually suggests violent solutions to every problem.

What makes HK-47 hilarious is how deadpan his delivery is. He doesn’t crack jokes in the traditional sense, but his straight-faced, overtly violent suggestions are so unexpected, you can’t help but burst out laughing.

> Funniest Moment: "Statement: I find your discomfort highly entertaining, meatbag."

6. Dogmeat – Fallout Series

Now, hear me out — Dogmeat doesn’t talk, doesn’t crack jokes, but he ends up being one of the funniest companion characters in the Fallout series. Why? Because of how absurd situations get with him involved.

He’ll run into battle, heroically (and futilely) charge a Deathclaw, or randomly steal items and drop them in front of you like a proud pet showing off a dead bird. There's a loyal goofiness in how Dogmeat operates — and the best part? He’s never mad at you, even if you accidentally threw a mini-nuke in his direction.

> Funniest Moment: Barking happily in the middle of a chaotic gunfight like it's a game of fetch.

7. Tingle – The Legend of Zelda Series

Tingle is one of the strangest characters Nintendo ever created — and maybe one of the funniest, intentionally or not. He’s a 35-year-old man in green tights who thinks he’s a fairy and sells you maps for exorbitant prices while yelling “Kooloo-Limpah!”

You either love him or find him deeply unsettling, but he’s definitely unforgettable. It’s hard not to laugh at his bizarre obsession with magic and rupees, especially when he floats around in his red balloon and talks like he’s on a permanent sugar high.

> Funniest Moment: Every single time he appears out of nowhere and strikes that dramatic pose.

8. Sergeant Johnson – Halo Series

For a game that’s mostly serious and sci-fi action, Sergeant Avery Johnson injects just the right dose of no-nonsense, tough-love military humor. He’s the Marine who always has a comeback, a wisecrack, or a sarcastic jab for any situation.

His over-the-top military swagger, mixed with deadpan delivery, makes him the ultimate hype man and comic relief rolled into one. You never know whether to salute him or laugh along.

> Funniest Moment: His reaction when seeing a Covenant enemy for the first time: “I know what the ladies like.”

9. Handsome Jack’s Echo Logs – Borderlands Series

Yes, Handsome Jack is a main antagonist, but the real comedy gold lies in his pre-recorded Echo logs scattered throughout Pandora. These audio clips showcase just how ridiculously narcissistic and twisted he is.

He shifts from charming to psychotic in milliseconds, dropping one-liners that are as disturbing as they are hilarious. It’s like listening to a TED Talk hosted by someone who’s clearly off their rocker.

> Funniest Moment: His "butt stallion" speech. Google it. Thank me later.

10. Trevor Philips – Grand Theft Auto V

Trevor is not your typical side character — he’s one of GTA V’s playable protagonists — but he often feels like the funniest NPC of them all. He’s unfiltered, unpredictable, and so absurd that even serious moments become hilarious when he's around.

He’ll nonchalantly burn down buildings, go on bizarre rants, and show up in his underwear mid-mission — and somehow it all just works. Trevor is a walking contradiction that GTA players either fear or laugh at.

> Funniest Moment: Waking up drunk in a dress on a beach — and not even questioning it.

Why We Love the Funny Weirdos

Video games are full of intense battles, emotional cutscenes, and deep narratives. But it’s the random, unexpected humor that gives these worlds a heartbeat. These funny side characters offer a breather, reminding us not to take everything so seriously.

They’re like that one friend in every group who can’t help but crack a joke in the middle of a crisis — sometimes you need that chaotic energy to stay sane.

Honorable Mentions

Let’s give a nod to a few more hilarious gems who didn’t quite make the top list but still deserve love:

- Manny Calavera (Grim Fandango) – A smooth-talking, sarcastic skeleton in a noir-styled afterlife.
- Louis (Left 4 Dead) – Always freaking out about zombies, but somehow always alive.
- Sans (Undertale) – A pun-loving skeleton with a lazy streak.
- Sheogorath (Elder Scrolls) – The Daedric Prince of Madness. Enough said.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the main characters might carry the plot, but it's the hilarious side characters who steal the show. They’re the unexpected MVPs — pulling you away from epic quests just to make you laugh with their antics, voice lines, or sheer randomness.

So next time you're deep into a game, take a moment to appreciate the background weirdos. They may not be saving the world, but they sure are saving your sanity.