Candy from luchadores, I’ve been gaming for as long as I can remember, and I’ve seen many amazing characters fill my childhood with amazing memories. As a Latino, I feel proud to say that many of them were Hispanic characters. I loved these Hispanic characters in gaming because the writers avoided the same old stereotypes. They are not sidekicks or villains. Instead, they showcase Hispanic tradition, culture, and values to create authentic and unique portrayals of what being Latino means. Let me share some of those that I loved the most. Maybe we’ll find a common favorite and enjoy a game or two together. Just make sure your internet can keep up. If it’s a bit shaky, I’d recommend Xfinity for its speed and reliability. They also offer Spanish assistance through Xfinity servicio al cliente
Now, let the games begin!
King from the Tekken Series
Where are my fellow Tekken lovers at? As a child, I used to feel scared that I might one day run into a cheetah-faced man. It was only a bit later that I learned of Luchador and understood what King is all about. King is a Mexican wrestler who has an impressive physique and an even more impressive fashion sense.
Unlike most Luchadores, he’s changed his traditional mask into one that growls, “Don’t mess with me!”Let me share a bit of the character’s real-life background with you. The character was created based on two actual masked wrestlers: Japanese icon Satoru Sayama, who was known as Tiger Mask, and the real-life Nacho Libre, Fray Tormenta, a Mexican Catholic priest who started a side hustle as a luchador to raise money for his orphanage.
Lucha Libre, or in simple terms, the Hispanic WWE, is one of the most important cultural elements for us, and to see it represented on a worldwide level brings tears to my eyes as I write this.
Miles Morales from Spider-Man
I already know what you’re thinking: Miles Morales isn’t Hispanic; he’s Black. Well, you might want to think again, because you’re only half right. If the last name doesn’t ring a bell, let me brief you a bit about the character. Miles Morales is an Afro-Puerto Rican teenager from Brooklyn who embraces the role of Spider-Man after the legendary Peter Parker. I love the original Spidey suit, but I have to say that I kind of like Miles’s suit more. Maybe it’s because black and red have always been my favorite colors, and I even found myself loving the Batman Beyond suit more than the original.
Anyway, coming back to the Marvel universe, Miles’s carefree, lively personality paired with his fierce sense of responsibility is a perfect representation of what it means to be Hispanic and also what it means to be Spider-Man. Like Uncle Ben said, “With great power comes great responsibility.” And Miles perfectly stays true to this statement.
Reyna from Valorant
I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, Reyna is a total baddie! She is relentless, vicious, and determined to get her way. That personality, paired with the killer looks, sharp skills, and tattoos, packs a pure badass vibe that screams Latina girl power louder than James Hetfield. Please don’t tell me you haven’t heard of Metallica. By the above, it should be pretty clear that Reyna is all about bringing the Hispanic resilience, courage, and determination to life. I like how her character also touches on the importance we place on family, with her main motivator being saving her sister’s life.
Rico Rodriguez from Just Cause
Another badass Hispanic character in gaming joins the list. Rico Rodriguez is a tough-as-nails Mexican American CIA agent who can outmatch any challenge that comes his way. The charismatic, skilled, and resourceful masculine action hero brings an aura of fearlessness and relentlessness throughout all his missions, which somehow reminds me of my father. The best part is that the character is layered, which means that despite his having a tough side, there’s much more to him than that. He also has a range of witty one-liners ready to go, which, in my view, is another aspect that makes the character an authentic Hispanic, because everybody knows we love to joke. Game
Sombra from Overwatch
She plays for the bad guys, but I still mention her here because the writers created and executed her character well. The Mexican super hacker, originally named Olivia Colomar, seems more like someone caught on the wrong side of things than someone truly evil. Her backstory adds real complexity to her character. She lost her parents early in life and eventually became a hacker. Later, a global conspiracy targeted her, and she joined the terrorist organization Talon to uncover the truth behind it. Throughout the game, we can see her make many cultural references, but what I like most is that she’s not eye candy but instead a perfect portrayal of the focus, hard work, and drive that Latina women have.
Hispanic Characters—Improving Gaming Experiences with Cultural Flair
The introduction of more mainstream Hispanic characters in gaming marks the dawn of a new era, one where diversity, inclusion, and actual representation become more common.