[Update 11/2/2025: added more couples & love stories]

Valentine’s Day has arrived yet again. A special day for everyone to show their love for their better half or loved one. A day for all the hopeless romantics of the world. Hearts and loving emotions fill the air. Love is in the air, love is everywhere, and there’s a lot of love in gaming as well.

From the days of Mario saving Princess Peach to now, there have been a lot of cute and hot couples in games. In celebration of this year’s Valentine’s Day, here are some of our picks:

Mario & Princess Peach (Super Mario Bros.)

Yes, we know that Mario and Princess Peach are as cliched as they come, but they’re iconic for a reason. They’re the video game equivalent of comics’ Superman/Clark Kent and Lois Lane. They started out as the stereotypical hero and damsel in distress but they have grown so much together over the years. So much so that even Hideo Kojima referenced them in 2019’s Death Stranding in the now-infamous scene. – Alleef Ashaari (ComicsLord)

Cody & May (It Takes Two)

It Takes Two is critically acclaimed and beloved for good reason; and that’s for depicting and focusing on a realistic relationship of a married couple on the verge of divorce, which is extremely rare in games. The game is still one of the most played games amongst gamer couples (both in the relationship are gamers) or gamers with their non-gamer partners. Their experiences are always wholesome and adorable, which is why this game is still one of the most recommended games for couples to play. – Alleef Ashaari (ComicsLord)

Geralt &Yennefer (The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt)

While Geralt of Rivia may be infamously known for his many escapades with lady lovers throughout his adventures, his heart has always belonged to only one woman: Yennefer of Vengerberg. The sorceress may seem cold-hearted and unflinching at first but beneath that solid exterior lies the only one who is capable of melting the heart of a cynical and gruff monster-slayer like Geralt.

Geralt and Yennefer are destined for each other, and not only because Yen is like a mother to Geralt’s adopted daughter, Ciri, but also because their love for each other is pure. An unforgettable side quest in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt had Geralt and Yen hunting down a Djinn. The reason was to have the magical creature remove Geralt’s last wish (which was to bind the two of them together forever) so that she could see whether they truly love each other or if they are just together because of a forced magical bond.

There’s even a song dedicated to their love. – Alleef Ashaari (ComicsLord)

Ellie & Dina (The Last Of Us Part 2)

Say what you want about The Last Of Us Part 2, but Ellie and Dina’s relationship was one of the highlights of the game. It’s not often that we get the main protagonist of the game being queer and in an LGBTQA+ relationship, but Ellie and Dina also end up raising a baby together and that’s even rarer to be seen in games. While their relationship doesn’t end well at the end of the game, it was great seeing the game showing us moments when Ellie looked happy when she was with Dina, despite everything else that happens in the game. – Alleef Ashaari (ComicsLord)

Tidus & Yuna (Final Fantasy X)

While couples like Cloud and Tifa/Aerith (Final Fantasy VII) and Squall and Rina (Final Fantasy VIII) are often more spoken of, the relationship between Tidus and Yuna might be the most tragic. This is, of course, considering what happens at the end of the game, and that they don’t end up together. That said, they’re one of the sweetest couples together, which is what makes it all even more sad.

Also, Suteki Da Ne will make any Final Fantasy X fan tear up. – Alleef Ashaari (ComicsLord)

Nathan Drake & Elena Fisher (Uncharted)

Following Nathan Drake and Elena Fisher on their adventures together throughout the four Uncharted games is an epic experience. It was even better for fans with the payoff at the end of the fourth game when we learned that Nathan and Elena would have a daughter together. It was the perfect cap to their romance. – Alleef Ashaari (ComicsLord)

Killjoy & Raze (VALORANT)

Hailed as the ultimate e-dating game, Valorant finally announced in December 2022, that Nanobomb is canon! Nanobomb, or Killjoy and Raze, had their relationship teased for quite awhile. The two agents are known to have a friendly rivalry between them. Valorant even confirmed that the relationship was honestly the “worst-kept secret” in the community. Honestly, how nice is it that there is another queer relationship in a mainstream shooter game? – Xandria Morden (Xandolls)

Bloodhound & Fuse (Apex Legends)

As a Day 1 girly of Apex Legends, I squealed at this one! Bloodhound is known as the non-binary character from the start, and Fuse was confirmed to be pansexual even before release. Seeing their relationship blossom from Season 8 to when they were confirmed as a couple was honestly so sweet. Bloodhound was initially scared when they were getting close to Fuse, and sort of backed away (So relatable AAAAAAAAAH!), but dear ol’ Fusey comes in with the “What we got mate… I ain’t felt with anyone.” Fusehound also has one of the healthiest relationships in I’ve ever witnessed, which is a nice change considering we see so many toxic relationships these days. – Xandria Morden (Xandolls)

Bayek & Aya (Assassin’s Creed Origins)

Most lists feature couples getting into love. But what about established couples and married folks falling out of love during the course of the title? Enter Bayek and Aya, a married couple who has to deal with the fallout of losing their child, and the eventual breakdown of their relationship.

When we say “best” couples, we also have to acknowledge the realistic portrayal of the duo in some games. In a game where you assassinate shadowy figures and have to deal with the call of duty, having an established married couple getting tested through and through makes the journey of Aya and Bayek all the more interesting. True, the two eventually parted ways, but it’s all about the journey, not so much the destination. And the time you spend as Bayek when you meet up with Aya shows that nothing lasts forever, so cherish it as much as you can. – Jonathan Toyad (Mr Toffee)

Nahobino & Yoko (Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance)

When you pick the Canon of Vengeance in last year’s epic Shin Megami Tensei game, you will meet with newcomer Yoko. She brings in her viewpoint of the world and pragmatism, so much so that she’s a standout that you want to root for. Just be prepared for a pretty bleak ending if you follow through with her train of thought. – Jonathan Toyad (Mr Toffee)

Adol & Karja (Ys X)

While not explicitly stated or confirmed that they’re a couple, they might as well be. Both the red-haired troublemaker and the pirate princess have great chemistry with each other, especially when compared to the former’s other pairings with females in past entries. If the next Ys entry set in the far future has them meeting up again and somehow has its writers ship the two, I doubt anyone would complain given how well they work with each other in Ys X. – Jonathan Toyad (Mr Toffee)

Cloud & Tifa (Final Fantasy VII Remake & Rebirth & the next one with an “R” word)

One’s a SOLDIER with a muddled past and taking up someone else’s persona. The other is a childhood friend who makes a mean drink and is the golden child of the plastic resin figure industry everywhere next to the likes of Bleach’s Rangiku Matsumoto and Evangelion’s Asuka. Both Cloud and Tifa are a pair made in Seventh Heaven, as they are from the same hometown and have their fates intertwined through FFVII’s plot (and the remakes by extension).

True, Tifa won by default in the eternal love triangle between her and Aerith (thanks to Sephiroth’s pointed argument). But you can’t deny the childhood bond both Cloud and Tifa have in their lifespan and history in Nibelheim and Midgar. – Jonathan Toyad (Mr Toffee)

Justin & Feena (Grandia)

There’s nothing more wholesome than a love story brewing between friends, especially when it’s done naturally through the course of the JRPG the duo are in. In this case, it’s 1997’s Grandia. You play a red-headed adventurer named Justin who ventures out into the unknown and then crosses paths with an adventurer guild member named Feena.

While cliché by even standards back then, the writing and banter between the two is just heartwarming and makes them both loveable. The part about this love story that shines the most is a segment where they’re separated in a cave and end up having to work together with the enemy they’re stuck with. Twists and turns abound, naturally, but through it all, both Justin and Feena are there for each other. While the circumstances around the love story can be out of this world, the actual getting-together shouldn’t be and can always be old-fashioned to get you going “aww”. Gameart’s Lunar series has great love stories in them, but Grandia is close to my heart because of how it frames the plot and evolves Justin from a child to a man, accompanied by a stirring score from veteran Noriyuki Iwadare.

Aside: if you’re thinking of playing this on the Grandia HD Collection that’s available now, please turn on Japanese VO. English dubs for Japanese games back in the late 90s weren’t exactly the best then. – Jonathan Toyad (Mr Toffee)

Johnny Silverhand & Alt Cunningham (Cyberpunk 2077)

Ah, Night City—where love stories are written in blood, neon, and a significant amount of cybernetic augmentation. Johnny Silverhand and Alt Cunningham were the it couple of their time: a rockstar revolutionary and the most brilliant netrunner in history. But, as with all things in Cyberpunk, it didn’t end well. Alt got kidnapped and had her soul forcibly uploaded into cyberspace, while Johnny stormed Arasaka Tower in a blaze of glory—and a nuclear explosion. If that’s not romance in the dystopian age, I don’t know what is. – Lewis Larcombe (Lickety)

Link & Zelda (The Legend of Zelda)

Few couples in gaming have been through as much as these two. Over countless timelines, reincarnations, and Hyrulean catastrophes, Link is forever running, gliding, or sailing to save Zelda from the latest calamity—because that’s what Destined Hero Boyfriend does. And while their relationship is usually left to subtext, Tears of the Kingdom finally gave us a Zelda who doesn’t just get rescued—she gets a proper glow-up as a literal immortal dragon. So, Link, what’s the move now, mate? – Lewis Larcombe (Lickety)

The Boss & Naked Snake (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater)

The original will-they-won’t-they duo, but with more military espionage and tragic betrayals. The Boss isn’t just Snake’s mentor—she’s his everything. His teacher, his mother figure, and, in some ways, his one true love. But love in the Metal Gear universe doesn’t come with happy endings. In the end, Snake is forced to pull the trigger, cementing their relationship as one of the most heartbreakingly poetic stories in gaming history. “Snake… you’re a fine man.” No, YOU’RE crying. – Lewis Larcombe (Lickety)

Commander Shepard & Liara T’Soni (Mass Effect Series)

Ah yes, the intergalactic love story that gave sci-fi nerds everywhere an existential crisis about their dating preferences. Shepard and Liara are the ultimate power couple in Mass Effect—one’s a battle-hardened, galaxy-saving war hero, and the other is a brilliant, long-lived Asari scientist with a penchant for digging up Prothean artefacts. It’s basically the classic “badass soldier falls for the brainy academic” trope but with more biotics, space politics, and occasional universe-ending threats.

Liara starts off as a socially awkward, nerdy historian who blushes at the mere thought of Shepard, but by Mass Effect 3, she’s a ruthless Shadow Broker who can probably ruin your entire financial portfolio with a single email. And yet, through all of that, she remains Shepard’s most devoted partner, proving that even in a universe filled with war, betrayal, and morally questionable decisions, true love still prevails—unless, of course, you got distracted by Tali, Garrus, or any other of Shepard’s ahem “extracurricular activities.” – Lewis Larcombe (Lickety)

If your favourite gaming couple is missing from this list, mention your picks in the comments below. Happy Valentine’s Day!