In 2026, the video game industry still loves a safe bet. Remakes, remasters, live-service sequels, and cinematic reboots dominate release calendars. But what about the characters who stand just outside the spotlight? The companions, rivals, mentors, and tragic brothers who steal scenes without ever getting a marquee of their own? TheGamer once asked its staff which side characters deserved their own games, and the answers ranged from Phantom Thieves to Grey Wardens. That question remains relevant today. In fact, with so many studios chasing established brands, it may be more relevant than ever.

Ann Takamaki: A Phantom Thief Who Deserves the Spotlight

Ann Takamaki is one of Persona 5's most vibrant characters. She is a model, a friend, a fighter, and a survivor of abuse and exploitation. Yet Persona 5 often treats her as a punchline or a romantic option rather than a protagonist. A game focused on Ann could explore the modeling industry, xenophobia, grief, and the meaning of rebellion. Would it be a disaster? Maybe not. Atlus has kept Persona 5 alive through Royal, Tactica, and endless crossover appearances, but Ann's inner life still has room to grow. In 2026, with Persona 6 still anticipated, a smaller Ann-led spin-off could be a bold experiment.

Nishiki: Yakuza's Most Tragic Brother

Nishikiyama is the kind of character who lingers long after the credits roll. In Yakuza 0, he is handsome, loyal, and an absolute fashion icon. He loves karaoke, cares deeply for Kiryu, and dreams of something better. A prequel following Nishiki's upbringing with Kiryu and the Kazama family could be devastating. The Like a Dragon series has already branched out with Judgment, Ishin, and Gaiden, so a Nishiki spin-off is not far-fetched. The real question is whether players could handle watching his slow descent, knowing where it ends.

Vergil: The Motivated Son of Sparda

Vergil has spent decades as Dante's brooding rival, but Devil May Cry 5 finally made him playable in a meaningful way. A full Vergil game could retell old events from his point of view, letting players fight Dante as the more villainous son of Sparda. Or it could continue after DMC5, with Vergil joining the Devil May Cry crew as a reluctant antihero. Why should Dante always get the last slice of pizza? Capcom has kept the series alive through Special Editions and crossovers, but a dedicated Vergil campaign remains overdue.

Barenziah: The Elder Scrolls' Hidden Epic

Barenziah is one of the most fascinating figures in Elder Scrolls lore. She appears in in-game books, Daggerfall, and Morrowind, and her story spans politics, scandal, and power. The Elder Scrolls games often struggle with the passage of time. A player can become Arch-Mage in a week, but Barenziah's life unfolds over years. A grid-based tactical RPG in the style of Final Fantasy Tactics could follow her rise, complete with political intrigue and a shifting retinue of allies. As The Elder Scrolls VI remains anticipated, a Barenziah game could deepen the lore in a way the mainline series rarely attempts.

Mickey Mouse: The King's Missing Adventures

Mickey Mouse is a King and a Keyblade master in Kingdom Hearts, yet players rarely get to control him for more than a few minutes. What does Mickey do when he is not letting his friends suffer in the Realm of Darkness? A Mickey-led game could explore his training, his travels, and his duties as a monarch. Kingdom Hearts 4 is on the horizon, and mods for Kingdom Hearts 3 have already shown how much potential Mickey has. Square Enix should unleash it.

Jack Marston: The Last Cowboy

Jack Marston inherits a world that no longer wants him. Red Dead Redemption ends with a hollow revenge, and Jack is left as the last remnant of the Van der Linde Gang. A spin-off tracing his journey could be a tightly written twenty-hour affair about the final vestige of the Old West. It would be sad, melancholy, and perhaps too bleak for some players. But Red Dead Redemption 2 proved that melancholy can be magnificent. In 2026, with the series still beloved, Jack deserves his own chapter.

Varric Tethras: A Dating Sim? More Than a Joke

Varric Tethras is beloved by Dragon Age fans for good reason. He is witty, loyal, and surprisingly tender. A Varric dating simulator would be hilarious, but it could also be a clever way to address a long-running complaint: there is no dwarf romance in Dragon Age. Beyond the joke, a Varric-led spy thriller set in Kirkwall could work beautifully. Dragon Age: The Veilguard arrived in 2024, but Varric's story still has unexplored corners. Why not let the dwarf take the lead?

Kaito: Judgment's Perfect Protagonist

Kaito from Judgment already proved he could carry a story in The Kaito Files. He is funny, clever in his own way, and fiercely protective of his loved ones. A full Kaito game could include side cases, minigames, and the kind of urban mystery that Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio does so well. The Kaito Files lacked some of the series' best distractions, but a full sequel could fix that. Kaito even has a small family by the end of his DLC. Make it happen, Ryu Ga Gotoku.

Ciri: The Witcher's Multiversal Princess

Ciri has always been too big for a supporting role. She can travel between dimensions, she is heir to a throne, and she is tied to prophecy. A Ciri-led Witcher game could be a political thriller, a multiverse adventure, or both. In 2026, CD Projekt Red's new Witcher saga is finally putting Ciri in the spotlight, so this wish is partly granted. Even so, the possibilities remain enormous. Why should Geralt always be the center of the universe?

Duncan: The Grey Warden Prequel

Duncan is one of the most important figures in Dragon Age: Origins, yet players only meet him briefly before his story is cut short. A prequel following Duncan's earlier days could tie the series together. It could show Alistair's birth, Loghain's rise, and the friendships that shaped the Grey Wardens. The Grey Wardens are the coolest faction in Dragon Age, but the games rarely let players spend time with them. Duncan would be the perfect point of view for a tragic, political prequel.

Why Side Characters Matter

Character	Game	What a Spin-Off Could Do
Ann Takamaki	Persona 5	Explore modeling, rebellion, and trauma
Nishiki	Yakuza	Show his life before the fall
Vergil	Devil May Cry	Let players fight Dante as the rival
Barenziah	The Elder Scrolls	Deliver a tactical political epic
Mickey Mouse	Kingdom Hearts	Reveal the King's missing adventures
Jack Marston	Red Dead Redemption	Close the book on the Old West
Varric	Dragon Age	Combine romance, humor, and intrigue
Kaito	Judgment	Expand his detective family
Ciri	The Witcher	Explore dimensions and destiny
Duncan	Dragon Age	Chronicle the Grey Wardens' past

In 2026, publishers are more risk-averse than ever. Yet some of the most memorable games of the past decade began with a strange idea: a prequel about a doomed brother, a tactical RPG about a lore figure, or a dating sim about a dwarf. Side characters are not side content. They are doors into worlds that players already love. If the industry wants to surprise audiences again, it could start by looking at the supporting cast. After all, every protagonist is a side character in someone else's story. 😊