Mellow Yellow

Wigglers are the most docile enemies that Mario has ever encountered. I’m not even sure if they should be classified as enemies. Goombas walk around with permanent scowls and Chain Chomps could be likened to junkyard dogs, but Wigglers are as friendly as can be. If left to their own devices, the yellow caterpillars show no signs of aggression as they go about their business. There’s nothing threatening about them, and they literally sprout flowers from their heads like Pikmin. If someone is rude enough to jump on them, however, their bodies will turn beet red and they’ll be overwhelmed with rage. Wigglers have been featured as enemies, allies, and even playable characters, but the rules are the same in every outing. If Wiggler’s yellow, he’s a friendly fellow. If Wiggler’s red, you’re better off dead. I much prefer the yellow version!

Starfy is the young prince of Pufftop, which is located in the clouds high above the ocean. Some people mistake Starfy for a starfish while others believe he’s a proper star. The truth probably lies somewhere in between, and the little guy appears to have both organic and celestial qualities. Starfy is an unlikely hero if ever there was one, and he’s so absent-minded that he’ll occasionally forget how to use his own abilities. His trademark Star Spin isn’t especially powerful in the first place, but Starfy’s determination is admirable. He’ll do anything to help his friends, and he has been their saving grace on numerous occasions. He might be a little too helpful, however, and he often deviates from his main objective in order to help other individuals that he meets. You certainly can’t question his tenacity.

Doshin the Giant looks like something I would have come up with when I was in kindergarten, but I admire the simplicity of his design. Doshin is said to be the reincarnation of the sun, and he certainly looks the part with his massive yellow body. After emerging from the ocean, he takes refuge on a small island nation and decides to help the locals with their daily tasks. The friendly giant is powerful enough to alter geography, and he can increase his size by answering the prayers of the villagers. Doshin the Giant launched alongside the ill-fated 64DD in 1999, and the subsequent GameCube version never made it to American shores. Despite his obscurity, he left an indelible impression on me. He’s basically featureless aside from his perpetual smile and a few strands of hair, so he’s largely defined by the color of his skin.

During the development of Sonic the Hedgehog, the designers proposed a character who had extendible ears. This premise was discarded, but Sega resurrected the idea and devised a new character with stretchable arms. With that, a star was born. Although Ristar’s main purpose is to grant wishes, he finds himself engaged in battle with an evil space pirate. Ristar has to contend with all sorts of dangerous enemies in order to restore peace, but he’s not afraid to literally throw himself into harm’s way. By using his stretchy arms as a veritable slingshot, he hurls his body with reckless abandon. This doesn’t seem out of character for a shooting star, but you still have to admire his ingenuity. Ristar will also grab onto enemies from afar and smash them with his face! I can’t say I’ve ever been headbutted by a star, but it doesn’t look fun.

By harnessing the power of the Chaos Emeralds, Sonic is able to transform into Super Sonic. This form is basically the hedgehog equivalent of a Super Saiyan. When it’s activated, Sonic’s fur turns yellow and a golden aura surrounds him. Although his proportions are largely unchanged, Super Sonic is bestowed with all sorts of new powers and abilities. He’s strong enough to smash through metallic monstrosities and mountain-sized beasts, and he’s essentially invulnerable. Sonic has always been known for his super speed, but his transformation allows him to move even faster. Super Sonic can dart around with the intensity of a lightning bolt, and his heightened reflexes allow him to be remarkably precise with his attacks. The only reason why Super Sonic isn’t ranked higher on this list is because the form is only temporary.

The Servbots are a group of all-purpose robots with child-like personalities and LEGO-like heads. They were created by a young air pirate named Tron Bonne, and their central purpose is to serve the family. They occasionally make mistakes, however, and they’re not as reliable as they could be. Even though Tron Bonne tends to them like a mother, she occasionally has to discipline them in humorous ways. The Servbots are small in stature and relatively weak, but the timid little guys prove their worth by performing a wide range of duties. Whether they’re preparing meals or piloting airships, their work ethic is commendable. Although the Servbots are being recognized as a group, it should be noted that all 41 of them have their own personalities and fields of expertise. I’m rather fond of all of them, so I’m content to highlight the entire lot.

Isabelle made her debut in the fourth mainline Animal Crossing, and she became an instant fan favorite. In the beginning, the gentle Shih Tzu was tasked with assisting player with their mayoral responsibilities. Her advice proved to be invaluable, and I always enjoyed my conversations with her. Some of the Animal Crossing characters seem like they want something from you, but Isabelle was just there to lend a helping hand paw. Although her role has changed from one game to the next, she can always be identified by her friendly personality and adorable smile. She acts like a ball of sunshine, so her golden fur is only befitting. Isabelle’s appeal is universal, and you will not find a more wholesome video game character. That’s probably why she landed guest appearances in both Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Final Fantasy II experimented with a lot of new ideas, and not all of them were well received. Everyone appreciated the chocobos, however, and they’ve been staples in the series ever since. The amazing creatures come in a variety of colors, but they’re usually characterized by their yellow feathers. Although they’re essentially large birds, chocobos could be likened to horses in their utility. Not only can they be used as mounts, but they can also pull carts or carriages. The flightless birds can reach areas that would be otherwise inaccessible, and they can even be raced against each other! Chocobos are clearly inspired by the horseclaws from Nausicaä, but they’ve established an identity of their own. I always look forward to stumbling upon a chocobo stable, and their distinctive chirp is indicative of their gentle nature.

The primary goal of Pokémon was to collect 150 unique “pocket monsters.” As such, none of them could be considered an official mascot. Although Pikachu was certainly endearing, the pudgy mouse-like creature didn’t play an especially important role in the game. During the development of the anime series, the producers noticed how Pikachu’s friendly design resonated with young children. To that end, they put the little guy on a diet plan and made him the face of the franchise! His yellow body was intended to signify his innate electrical abilities, but the color scheme was also ideal for marketing purposes. Pikachu is the most iconic Pokémon by far and has been the focal point of many spinoff titles. He has been plastered on everything from airplanes to panties, and no one in gaming has moved more merchandise.

Depending on your definition, Pikachu is arguably more iconic than Pac-Man. That being said, Pac-Man still has a stronger association to yellow by virtue of the fact that his original sprite was a single color. A day in the life of Pac-Man consisted entirely of eating dots and evading ghosts, and his physical appearance was even more simplistic than his daily routine. His only defining physical characteristics were his circular shape and his yellow sprite. Pac-Man’s design has evolved over time to be more in line with the marketing materials, but he’ll forever be associated with yellow regardless of how many limbs he has or how many fashion accessories he wears. Pac-Man was the industry’s first true icons, and he’s still relevant today. He’s not only the top candidate for this list, but he’d be deserving of a spot on the Mount Rushmore of gaming characters.