Video Game Heroines

Not so long ago, female video game personas fit the role of damsel in distress. But that is no longer the case. It seems there is nothing these electronic heroines can’t do--particularly in the fighting-game genre. From Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft to Metal Gear Solid’s Meryl Silverburg, these femmes fatales aren’t to be trifled with. We’ve compiled a list of some of the more popular characters in recent memory.

LARA CROFT

Strengths: More agile than an Olympic medalist, Lara can wrestle Tibetan tigers or mobsters. She is skilled with dual 9mm handguns.

History: She first appeared in the 1996 PlayStation superhit, Tomb Raider. Since then, she has starred in two sequels to the game and been seen in an array of magazines.

CHUN LI

Strengths: She is a world-class gymnast and Interpol officer, able to defy the laws of physics with her vast repertoire of attacks.

History: Chun debuted in 1991 with the first incarnation of Street Fighter II. She has appeared in nearly every subsequent version of the game.

TIFA LOCKHART

Strengths: Besides her ability to defy gravity and the laws of physics, Tifa packs a mean punch with a multiple attack combination.

History: Tifa debuted in one of the bestselling PlayStation role-playing games (RPGs) of all time, 1997’s Final Fantasy VII.

SONYA BLADE

Strengths: Sonya’s kiss-of-death technique causes its recipient to spontaneously combust. She can also break necks with her leg-scissor grab.

History: With a career as extensive as Chun Li’s, Sonya is a seasoned video game veteran. She first appeared in the controversial 1991 release, Mortal Kombat.

AYA BREA

Strengths: A rookie in the New York Police Department, Aya is an expert when it comes to dealing with supernatural forces. Between her sharpshooting skills and telekinetic powers, she’s one tough cookie.

Origin: Aya made her debut with the 1998 release of Parasite Eve, a newcomer to the RPG adventure genre. Look for a sequel starring Aya in the near future.