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Top 20 skeletons in video games

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Ignacio Weil

Gaming - November 4th 2024, 19:00 GMT+1

Cropped About — About this gallery:

For this list, we decided to take a look at all the skeletons haunting the gaming world and rank our favorites. As always, we’re sticking to one game per franchise.

Remember, this list is totally subjective! If you think we missed an essential skeleton, why not shout it out in the comments? | © LucasArts

Cropped Breath of Death VII — 20. Dem the Skeleton Knight (Breath of Death VII)

Dem is the chivalrous (and skeletal) knight in *Breath of Death VII*, leading a cast of quirky undead heroes on a retro RPG adventure. With his sharp wit and loyal personality, Dem adds humor to the classic knight role. He’s proof that even a bony knight can still be a hero. | © Zeboyd Games

Cropped Osteoblasts — 19. All skeletons (Osteoblasts)

The skellys in *Osteoblasts* are as bony as they come, packed with humor and undead antics. In this skeletal RPG, they take on various roles, from warriors to wizards, creating a quirky and fun team of boneheads. It’s a skeleton-themed adventure that’s unapologetically weird and delightful. | © Moonana

Cropped Mr Bones — 18. Mr. Bones (Mr. Bones)

Mr. Bones is a skeleton with soul—literally—in this quirky game where music saves the day. He’s on a mission to stop an evil undead army, using rhythm and wit instead of brute force. With his jazzy moves and unique gameplay, Mr. Bones is a skeleton who rocks, rolls, and rattles. | © Sega

Cropped Scorpion — 17. Scorpion (Mortal Kombat series)

“Get over here!” Scorpion’s undead warrior status makes him one of *Mortal Kombat*’s fiercest fighters. While not a full skeleton, he’s got the skull and the undead rage to match, with powers straight from the nether realm. He’s proof that even a skeleton can be terrifying in a fight. | © NetherRealm Studios

Cropped Captain Flameheart Sea Of Thieves — 16. Captain Flameheart (Sea of Thieves)

As the spectral captain in *Sea of Thieves*, Flameheart is a literal ghost pirate haunting the seas. With his fiery skull and thirst for vengeance, he’s a constant threat to players, summoning fleets of ghost ships. Flameheart proves that even after death, a true pirate’s spirit is impossible to extinguish. | © Rare

Cropped Skul — 15. Skul (Skul: The Hero Slayer)

Skul may be small, but he’s got big bones to pick with heroes in *Skul: The Hero Slayer*. This plucky little skeleton can swap heads for different powers, keeping his gameplay fresh and frenetic. Skul’s quest to save his demon friends flips the script, making him the hero in a world that usually hunts his kind. | © SouthPAW Games

Cropped Death Death and Taxes — 14. Death (Death and Taxes)

In *Death and Taxes*, you’re Death itself, deciding who lives and who… well, doesn’t. With a bureaucratic twist, you play as a skeleton grim reaper tasked with paperwork on mortality. It’s darkly funny and morbidly satisfying, and your decisions shape the fate of your skeletal persona. Talk about a job with grave consequences! | © Placeholder Gameworks

Cropped One Piece Pirate Warriors 4 Brook — 13. Brook (One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4)

Brook brings musical flair to necromancy, rocking as the musician skeleton in *One Piece*. With a violin in one hand and a sword in the other, he’s both deadly and hilarious, with a bone-cracking sense of humor. Brook is the skeleton who proves that a life of piracy doesn’t have to end at death. | © Bandai Namco Entertainment

Cropped Emil Nier — 12. Emil (Nier)

Emil is a skeleton with a tragic backstory and an unbreakable spirit in *Nier*. With his haunting smile and magical abilities, he’s both endearing and heart-wrenching. Emil’s loyalty and kindness make him a beloved character, reminding us that even the most cursed skeletons can have a heart of gold. | © Square Enix

Cropped Killer Instinct Spinal — 11. Spinal (Killer Instinct)

Spinal is the pirate skeleton who brings undead chaos to the *Killer Instinct* arena. With his wild, bone-rattling laughter and cursed sword, Spinal’s all about unpredictable, swashbuckling mayhem. He’s not just fighting; he’s haunting the stage, proving that even skeletons know how to have a good brawl. | © Rare

Cropped Medi Evil — 10. Sir Daniel Fortesque (MediEvil)

Sir Dan is a skeletal knight with a lot of spirit—if not a lot of grace—in *MediEvil*. Revived accidentally, he bumbles his way through heroics, determined to redeem himself despite his less-than-stellar skills. With one eye and a big heart, Sir Dan’s clumsy bravery has won him a place in many a gamer’s heart. | © Sony Interactive Entertainment

Cropped Greg the Grim Reaper Conkers Bad Fur Day — 9. Greg the Grim Reaper (Conker’s Bad Fur Day)

Greg might be the Grim Reaper, but in *Conker’s Bad Fur Day*, he’s more annoyed than terrifying. As a tiny, cranky reaper, he’s stuck with all the indignities of his job, like handling Conker’s repeated resurrections. Greg’s the kind of death who’d prefer a vacation but begrudgingly does his job, making him the most relatable reaper in gaming. | © Rare

Cropped Dry Bones Super Mario — 8. Dry Bones (Super Mario series)

Dry Bones is a classic; he’s the skeleton that refuses to stay down in the *Mario* universe. No matter how many times he falls apart, he’s back on his bony feet with a single clatter. As a recurring nuisance, Dry Bones is the backbone of Bowser’s minions, proving that skeletons don’t need muscles to be persistent. | © Nintendo

Cropped Planetscape Torment — 7. Morte (Planescape: Torment)

Morte is the sassy, floating skull with a knack for trouble and a weakness for flirting. In *Planescape: Torment*, he’s full of sarcasm, one-liners, and questionable advice, giving him a personality that’s anything but dead. He may be just a skull, but Morte’s got more personality than most fully fleshed-out characters. He’s got your back… and your funny bone. | © Black Isle Studios

Cropped Grim Fandango — 6. Manny Calavera (Grim Fandango)

The ultimate skeleton with style, Manny Calavera is your suave travel agent to the Land of the Dead. In *Grim Fandango*, he’s on a journey through an afterlife that’s equal parts noir and surrealism. Manny’s mix of wit and existential angst makes him both charming and relatable, reminding us that the afterlife isn’t all bad if you’ve got a good suit and some dry humor. | © LucasArts

Cropped Skelly Hades — 5. Skelly (Hades)

Skelly is your punching bag, your trainer, and your biggest fan in *Hades*. This spirited skeleton takes every hit with a smile and offers tips with just the right amount of sarcasm. He’s always there to help Zagreus train, no matter how many times he gets pummeled. With his Brooklyn accent and undying cheer, Skelly brings a light-hearted twist to the underworld. | © Supergiant Games

Cropped Monkey Island 3 Murray — 4. Murray (Monkey Island 3)

The skull who thinks he’s a villain, Murray’s confidence is only matched by his inability to do anything without a body. With threats that range from “I’ll destroy you” to “I’ll gnash my nonexistent teeth at you,” Murray’s villainous charm is hilariously ineffective. He might be all talk, but that’s what makes him one of gaming’s most lovable bony blusterers. | © LucasArts

Cropped Fane — 3. Fane (Divinity: Original Sin 2)

Fane is a skeletal time traveler with a penchant for sass, and he brings undead sophistication to *Divinity: Original Sin 2*. As the only skeleton with a sense of humor in Rivellon, Fane is equal parts ancient wisdom and sarcastic quips. His necromancer skills and undead status make him delightfully unconventional, and he tackles every fight with a smile (well, as much as his lack of lips allows). | © Larian Studios

Cropped Dark Souls — 2. Skeleton with a Hat (Dark Souls 3)

He’s got bones, he’s got a hat, and he’s in *Dark Souls 3*. Need we say more? This unnamed skeleton has become a fan favorite for his mysteriously stylish look, giving a little unexpected charm to the relentless gloom of the game. He’s proof that sometimes, all it takes to stand out in a crowd of undead is a fabulous accessory. Who knew bones could be fashionable? | © FromSoftware

Cropped Undertale — 1. Sans and Papyrus (Undertale)

Sans and Papyrus are the ultimate bonehead brothers in *Undertale*, with Sans being the wisecracking slacker and Papyrus the enthusiastic try-hard. They’re both charmingly skeletal but couldn’t be more different. Sans can break the fourth wall with a look, while Papyrus is too busy making spaghetti or setting traps. These two give *Undertale* its wit and warmth, proving that skeletons can have big, bony hearts. | © Toby Fox

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Skeletons in video games aren’t just piles of bones; they’re characters with charm, wit, and sometimes, a surprising amount of personality! From wise-cracking skulls to fierce skeletal warriors, these bony beings have become iconic across gaming history.

In this list, we’re celebrating the most memorable skeletons to ever rattle our screens, from mischievous sidekicks to downright terrifying foes. So, let’s dive into the world of the undead and rank the top 20 skeletons that bring games to life—even from beyond the grave!

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Skeletons in video games aren’t just piles of bones; they’re characters with charm, wit, and sometimes, a surprising amount of personality! From wise-cracking skulls to fierce skeletal warriors, these bony beings have become iconic across gaming history.

In this list, we’re celebrating the most memorable skeletons to ever rattle our screens, from mischievous sidekicks to downright terrifying foes. So, let’s dive into the world of the undead and rank the top 20 skeletons that bring games to life—even from beyond the grave!