A lot of players who grew up in the 80s and 90s were probably accustomed to rescuing characters like princesses from evil villains. Super Mario Bros. Is a good example, as Mario was looking for Princess Toadstool, who later became Princess Peach. It was a common trope in other media, too, but over the years, there has been a revolution in the damsel in distress trope.
8 Games That Parody The Damsel in Distress Trope
The Damsel in Distress is a staple in fiction, including video games. These titles, however, poke fun at this centuries-old trope.
There have been games, shows, and movies wherein there are males in trouble. This trope could be funnily called dudes in distress. It doesn’t necessarily have to feature female heroes saving male characters, but it’s a common part of the story. Either way, these games are great.
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest
DK’s Kidnapping
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
- Released
- November 21, 1995
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
Donkey Kong Country was a massive hit on the SNES that helped revive Donkey Kong as a character. It only seemed right to make a sequel, but Rare was seemingly not satisfied with just another DK adventure. Instead, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest put Diddy Kong in control, who had to rescue DK from pirates. They also added a new Kong, Dixie, who was definitely the MVP.
Diddy controlled like the previous game, but Dixie could use her hair to glide around levels, making the tricky platforming sections easier. The game also added more to the gameplay, like collectible coins that could unlock areas and prizes. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest is a great sequel, and many fans appreciate it as the best in the series.
Final Fantasy 10-2
Where Is Tidus?
Final Fantasy X-2
- Released
- November 18, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Final Fantasy 10-2 is the franchise’s first direct sequel to a mainline game and featured returning cast members Yuna and Rikku, along with newcomer Paine. After receiving a mysterious video of what looked like Tidus trapped in a prison, Yuna assembles her squad of girls to solve the case. Gameplay is similar to the previous game, except this time the characters can switch jobs during turn-based combat via Dresspheres.
10 Best Female Protagonists In JRPGs, Ranked
From Lenneth to Velvet Crowe, these female protagonists redefine JRPG narratives with strength, depth, and unforgettable journeys.
The tone has also shifted from a dour pilgrimage to a more happy-go-lucky adventure despite Tidus seemingly in danger. Locations are less sprawling, but there is still plenty to explore as the game reuses nearly every asset.
The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom
Absorbing Link’s Power
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
- Released
- September 26, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom gave fans what they wanted for years: a Zelda game that actually starred Zelda as the main character. Players begin with Link, but after a dungeon run, he gets sucked into another world and is unable to leave. Zelda then gets a mysterious rod that she can use to clone objects and monsters and use them as she sees fit, such as stacking tables to reach a hard-to-reach cliff and sending out swarms of birds to tackle other enemies.
Though The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is a top-down game, it offers a large map packed with things to do, like a true open-world experience. Zelda could also learn to channel Link to learn his powers, like using his sword, in temporary states while she attempted her rescue mission.
River City Girls
We’ll Take The World On And Sing This Dope Song
River City Girls
- Released
- September 5, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Blood, Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- Beat 'Em Up
River City Girls was a great revival for the series, which led to one sequel so far. It starred the girlfriends of Kunio and Riki from the Kunio-kun series, Misako and Kyoko. As told in the animated intro, cut with a dope song, Kunio and Riki are thrown into a van, and then Misako and Kyoko have to get them back.
They prove to be equally tough as their beat ‘em up boyfriends as they punch and kick their way through the titular city. They can level up as they pound baddies and learn special moves at shops. It’s a great modern brawler, and the sequel lets players be Kunio and Riki, along with some new characters.
Spelunky 2
Pow Ana, Straight To The Moon
Spelunky 2
- Released
- September 15, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Platformer
Spelunky 2 is a direct sequel to the first game, taking place many years later. During this time skip, the previous hero, Guy, marries Tina and has a child, Ana. When Tina and Guy go to the moon to explore a new set of ruins, they disappear and leave Ana behind.
As Ana, players can explore the moon’s many dungeons. Gameplay is just as difficult as the original since players have to watch their step as they explore the ever-changing roguelike dungeon. It’s not specifically a dude in distress game, as the mom, Tina, is also missing, but it still works.
SteamWorld Dig 2
A Rusty Adventure
SteamWorld Dig 2
- Released
- September 21, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Indie Games
SteamWorld Dig 2 takes place a little after the first game, wherein its hero, Rusty, has now gone missing. A young female robot, Dorothy, is determined to find and rescue Rusty no matter the cost. Like the previous game, players will be stationed in a hub town, wherein they will dig below the surface and then return to offload loot and fill up on water.
10 Best Metroidvanias With Female Protagonists
The Metroidvania genre is filled with some amazing female protagonists.
Without water, Dorthy cannot act. SteamWorld Dig 2 is also a Metroidvania, as Dorothy will gain new exploration powers like bombs to blow up harder minerals and a hookshot to cross gaps. It is a bigger and better game in every conceivable way.
Super Princess Peach
An Emotional Journey
Super Princess Peach
- Released
- October 20, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
Princess Peach is a damsel in distress in most Mario games, so it only seemed fitting that she got her own spinoff via Super Princess Peach. Koopa Troopas kidnap Mario, whisk him away to an island, and Peach is not far behind. She gets a magic umbrella that she can use to attack enemies and glide around stages.
Peach also gets four emotional powers that players can activate on the bottom screen of the DS. Her sadness, for example, will get her to cry, which will in turn help her run faster as she spews huge streams of tears. These tears can help solve puzzles like growing plants players can then use to platform into. It was a weird setup to be sure, but a good Mario spinoff on the DS overall.
Best Feel-Good Games
These wholesome games encourage positivity and seeing the world for the best that it can be, even in the face of darkness.