Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
UK EditionUK US EditionUS CA EditionCanada AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Total Film
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
Subscribe now
Don't miss these
Key art for Marvel Cosmic Invasion showing all the heroes against a space background
Action Games Marvel Cosmic Invasion review: "Excellent '90s-tinged superhero brawling across a punchy campaign falls just short of arcade bliss"
The 50 Most Iconic Video Game Characters
Games The 50 most iconic video game characters of all time
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond screenshot showing Samus' returning Power Armor in detail. A mysterious figure is reflected in her visor
Metroid The Doom Slayer voice actor is in Metroid Prime 4, and he's down for a Samus crossover: "I wouldn't be mad at that pairing. Neither one of us say much"
Pepper Potts in Avengers: Endgame
Marvel Movies Robert Downey Jr. says Gwyneth Paltrow is "forever confused by the basic tenets of the Marvel Universe," and that she once forgot who Tom Holland is
Marvel Rivals Season 4 angela and daredevil fighting with spirit animals
Third Person Shooters All Marvel Rivals upcoming characters and leaks for Season 3 and beyond
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 screenshot of Verso, a man with black hair with white streaks running through his fringe
JRPGs Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 star Charlie Cox is right to credit motion capture actor for Gustave, says Red Dead actor, since "it takes a village" just to "depict 1 character!"
Green Ranger, one of the Fortnite Characters in Chapter 6 Season 4
Fortnite Fortnite Characters locations in Season 4 of Chapter 6
The Beast in the post-credits scene of The Marvels
Marvel Movies X-Men actor Kelsey Grammer says too much and reveals the MCU heroes and villains he will be sharing scenes with in Avengers: Doomsday
Marvel's Wolverine mask
Games Upcoming Marvel games, from the new Iron Man game to Marvel's Wolverine
Robert Downey Jr. during the Doctor Doom announcement at Marvel's SDCC 2024 panel
Marvel Movies Robert Downey Jr. shares cryptic new Marvel art of Doctor Doom and Iron Man for Thanksgiving, adding fuel to the theory they'll be connected in Avengers: Doomsday
Shadow (Keanu Reeves) in Sonic 3
Movies Every upcoming video game movie you need to know about
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 trailer screenshot of Gustav
JRPGs Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Gustave actor Charlie Cox says he was "nervous" to play the RPG, which might be why he still hasn't touched it: "I don't actually know what the story is"
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Gustave winces
JRPGs Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 performance actor says Charlie Cox is "generous" to credit him for Game Awards nomination, explains "bringing Gustave to life was a team effort"
Best video game heroes
Games The 25 best heroes in games of all time
A screenshot of Gustave in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
JRPGs Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 actor Ben Starr can "sympathize" with Daredevil lead Charlie Cox's bewilderment over the French JRPG's success, because he "didn't expect it to be this big" either
Trending
  • Best Games of 2025
  • The Future of Total War
  • Fallout Season 2
  • Gift Guides
  • New Games for 2025
  1. Games
  2. Action

If game characters starred in Guardians of the Galaxy

Features
By Amanda Orneck published 7 August 2014

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Guardians of the Game Industry

Guardians of the Game Industry

As a gamer, when I see a blockbuster movie filled with a cast of interstellar misfits like Guardians of the Galaxy, I naturally start to imagine how the movie might look with gaming characters holding the lead roles. That's not weird, is it? I mean, we've all done it with one movie or another, right?

Think of it: a movie about a comic book that is cast with video game characters. I dont think you can get more fascinating than that. Its like geek-ception. Great, now I have the Inception song stuck in my head. While I deal with that issue, check out my take on this epic movie, gamified.

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
Nathan Drake as Star-Lord

Nathan Drake as Star-Lord

A dashing tomb raider with a heart of gold? Check. Sentimental about family heirlooms? Check. Not only is Uncharteds thieving hero quick with a joke, hes also a ladies man who travels the world in search of fortune. Also, dont forget his burning desire to figure out the truth behind his ancestry.

Drake is no stranger to the mercenary life, and he would fit right in with the rest of the Guardians crew, as long as they dont mind him randomly climbing the interior of the Kyln. He may not have dealt with aliens specifically (yet), but Drake knows his way around ancient antiquities that could potentially destroy the world. And while hes definitely the sort to fight his way out of a scrap rather than talk his way out, I have a feeling he would do amazingly well in a dance-off.

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
Garona Halforcen as Gamora

Garona Halforcen as Gamora

Garona may not have been built as a living weapon, but being bred as a half-orc half-draenei assassin is about as close as youre going to get in the Warcraft universe. In World of Warcraft, Garona has climbed the ranks of the rogues guild to become their leader, but she started out in much the same place as Gamora, a slave to the whims of her creator, forced to kill those she respected against her will. You know, the usual heartwarming stuff.

Garonas version of Gamora would no doubt include much less almost hand-holding with the Star-Lord, and instead deal much more avenging herself on her father. And instead of seeking unspecified adventure in galaxy, I expect Garona to head straight for Azeroth the first chance she got, to make sure she can take care of business back home now that she has some strong allies at her side.

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Kratos as Drax

Kratos as Drax

There have been few men in the gaming world who have less of a sense of humor than God of Wars Kratos. Not that he isnt justified in his dour outlook on life. Hes lost his wife and daughter (*cough* by his own hand *cough*) and has been enslaved to the gods for a decade. Vengeance, bloodshed and death are his hallmarks; he elevates violence to an artform. Really, there is simply no one better suited to take on the role of shirtless badass than this son of Sparta.

Kratos and Drax have a lot in common, but their motivations are very different. So when given the chance to befriend a ragtag band of misfits, Kratos would most likely decline, and would probably kill them for good measure. This leaves no one to save the galaxy from Ronan and his ilk, which I guess makes for a very short movie. Way more blood and gore though, so theres that.

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
Daxter as Rocket

Daxter as Rocket

Daxter is an Ottsel, which is obviously a genetically created hybrid of an otter and a weasel (duh). Although he didnt start out as a rodent, Daxters personality and more weaselly traits really fit his new body. Yes its true that most of the time Daxter is out for himself, and is pretty cowardly, but when it comes time to rescue his ol pal Jak in his eponymous adventure, Daxter straps on his bug sprayer and heads into danger.

Dax would most likely have some tough times with the more technical parts of Rockets job, since hes not known for his smarts. He might learn a thing or two about tinkering from Tess though, which means he could come up with some crazy solutions to the Guardians problems. And since Daxters used to riding high on Jaks shoulders, Groot shouldnt been that big of a stretch (unless Groot is actually stretching, that is).

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
Elderoot as Groot

Elderoot as Groot

Sentient trees dont get near the playtime they deserve these days. Why it used to be that you couldnt throw an ent without hitting a treant, but times have changed. Who has the raw power and sheer goodwill to stand tall as the paragon of all things leafy? WildStars Elderoot, thats who. Sure hes ancient, but this cyborg tree created by the Eldan hasnt lost his luster over the millennia. In fact hes got nary a silver leaf on his head.

What he does have is an irrepressible desire to help out the denizens of Everstar Grove, and that drive would serve him well through adventures aboard the Meridian. Sure he cant technically move like Groot can, but he has the power to be able to infuse life into others, thus ensuring his friends will always have the aid they need. Plus, theres always container gardening. Youd just need a really, really big pot.

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
Saren as Ronan

Saren as Ronan

As far as Turians go, Saren from Mass Effect is a model citizen. Distinguished in military service, the youngest Turian ever to join the Spectres youd think this is a guy whos going places. Well he is, if Genocide Alley counts as a destination. Sarens hatred of humankind sets him on a distinctly corrupted path, and he can be firmly counted as a member of Overreacters Anonymous when he decides that all humans should die because they want entrance into the Citadel ahead of other species.

Sarens drive to annihilate another species fits in rather well with Ronans accusation of the Xandarian people. He also is quite fond of searching for artifacts that will wipe out entire peoples. Hes just thorough like that. The only issue I see here is that Saren would probably prefer surrendering to a higher power than taking out his boss directly, but who knows what sort of schemes will pass behind that zebra-striped faade when he gets his hands on the infinity gem.

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
Vi as Nebula

Vi as Nebula

League of Legends Vi takes the idea of body augmentation to a whole new place. While shes not a cyborg per se, shes modified her hands into massive gauntlets even Thanos would be jealous of. One could say Vi certainly packs a punch. Now in the role of Nebula, you can be sure Vi will use all the experience gleaned from her time the Fields of Justice. Shes an assassin after all, so hand-to-gigantic-metal-hand combat is definitely up her alley.

And her constant bickering with Caitlyn isnt that far off from the I hated you least attitude Nebula portrays with Gamora. The role of Nebula isnt all that story intensive either, which gives Vi plenty of time to pull off a heist or two while shes waiting for Ronan to decide how best to destroy the universe.

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
Blackbeard as Yondu

Blackbeard as Yondu

When I say dastardly pirate, what comes to mind? If you said Assassins Creed, then you get a cookie. Black Flag has the dastardliest pirate of them all in the person of one Edward Thatch, AKA Blackbeard. Sure he hasnt set foot in space yet, but give him time. If the booty is lucrative enough, Thatchd go anywhere the Queen Annes Revenge can sail.

Visually these two might not be a match (this isnt Bluebeard were talking about), but Blackbeard is the only one I would trust in the role of untrustworthy pirate. He might even be persuaded to part with his signature beard if the price were high enough. Blackbeard isnt much of a whistler, but spending his days surrounded by sea shanties, my guess is hed be able to figure out how to wield a musically-controlled arrow in no time flat.

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
"What a bunch of a-holes"

"What a bunch of a-holes"

So there you have it, my take on Guardians of the Galaxy recast with gaming characters. Now these certainly arent the only options out there. Blackbeard beat out Genie from Kingdom Hearts by a hair. After all, thats the brilliant thing about alternate universes: Everyones right. So heres your chance to be right. Let me know what choices you would make for these match-ups in the comments. Who knows? Maybe there is a fan artist out there just waiting for your inspiration.

If you thirst for more comic book knowledge, check out our a guide to all the upcoming comic book movies and our guide to the biggest non-games news from Comic-Con 2014.

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
CATEGORIES
Android iPad iPhone PC Gaming Wii-u Nintendo PlayStation PS4 Xbox Xbox One Platforms Mobile Gaming
PRODUCTS
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag God of War Collection Mass Effect 3
Amanda Orneck
I'm a lady gamer living it up in Huntsville, AL. My current obsession is Hearthstone.
Read more
 in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie trailer
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie adds more star power, including The Odyssey and Captain Marvel actors as Princess Rosalina and Bowser Jr.
 
 
Glen Powell in Hit Man
Glen Powell says Chris Pratt in Guardians of the Galaxy allowed leading men in action movies to be "sillier" and not "brooding" like Christian Bale
 
 
Angela brandishing her spear in Marvel Rivals promo art
The new Marvel Rivals Vanguard Angela has a real-world history that's even wilder than her comic book story
 
 
The 50 Most Iconic Video Game Characters
The 50 most iconic video game characters of all time
 
 
Chris Pratt as Peter Quill and the rest of the gang in the superhero movie, Guardians of the Galaxy.
James Gunn confirms Marvel exists in the DCU just as the DC Universe exists in the MCU, says Edgar Wright would have directed DC reality's Guardians of the Galaxy films
 
 
Milly Alcock as Supergirl
Supergirl is a "space adventure" like Guardians of the Galaxy, James Gunn says
 
 
Latest in Action
GTA 6
We got a Rockstar doormat before GTA 6: Rockstar drops new merch for GTA, Red Dead Redemption, and Bully ahead of the holidays
 
 
Michael in GTA Online
Rockstar slams the emergency button and announces big GTA Online update with a mission creator starring Michael that arrives next week
 
 
BioShock 2
6 years since BioShock 4's announcement, South of Midnight star thinks she might have had a role in the long-awaited FPS but there were so many NDAs she's not actually sure
 
 
samus looking at the camera in her armor with her helmet on
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond players are finding Samus' sidekick so annoying they are sharing hints for how to lessen the cringe: "I shut off voice volume completely and instantly felt better"
 
 
Romeo is a dead man key art featuring multiple characters
The next Suda51 game, Romeo is A Dead Man, is coming February 2026, and the man himself says a Switch 2 port is "something that we'd definitely like to do"
 
 
Samus does the Akira slide in Metroid Prime 4
Metroid Prime 4 continues an unfortunate trend of locking major features behind amiibo, with the new $30 Samus figure a requirement if you want a radio for your bike
 
 
Latest in Features
Big Preview Total War hub image featuring Warhammer 3 characters
Explore the future of Total War in the GamesRadar+ Big Preview
 
 
Dust Bunny
Bryan Fuller's Dust Bunny is a weird and wonderful tale with one important lesson: "Believe children"
 
 
Hand using the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con controller in its mouse setting
Here's how to use mouse controls on Metroid Prime 4, and how to make them even better
 
 
Matt Mercer smiling and Brennan Lee Mulligan talking, with a white line dividing them
I've watched 1000+ hours of D&D podcasts, here's what Critical Role 4 should learn from Dimension 20 and new DM Brennan Lee Mulligan
 
 
Art from Octopath Traveler 0 showing Alexia walking down some steps and examining statues
Octopath Traveler 0 fulfils a wish I've had since the first JRPG in the series, but it also loses something that made its predecessors special
 
 
A beautiful Mediterranean coastal fortress as depicted in concept art for Total War: Medieval 3
"Medieval 3 is, in some sense, our Half-Life 3" – Total War: Medieval 3 is finally in the works, and Creative Assembly is leaning on immersion to make it worth the 19-year wait
 
 
  1. Art from Octopath Traveler 0 showing the hero being haunted by the images of those who burned his hometown, with ghostly images of the three surrounding an image of a town on fire behind him as he walks forward
    1
    Octopath Traveler 0 review: "The strongest entry in this retro-styled JRPG series yet, I love the greater focus on tactical battles"
  2. 2
    Sleep Awake review: "An all-timer horror premise is let down by tired stealth that I feel like I'm sleepwalking through"
  3. 3
    Metroid Prime 4: Beyond review: "The series' atmosphere has never been better, while being dragged down by a boring overworld and clunky psychic powers"
  4. 4
    Routine review: "This imperfect but wonderfully atmospheric moon-based horror leaves a strong impression"
  5. 5
    Marvel Cosmic Invasion review: "Excellent '90s-tinged superhero brawling across a punchy campaign falls just short of arcade bliss"
  1. Freddy Fazbear in Five Nights at Freddy's 2
    1
    Five Nights at Freddy's 2 review: "We have waited two years for a Five Nights at Freddy's 1.5"
  2. 2
    Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review: "Brings Knives Out back to its roots for a sequel that's almost on a par with the original"
  3. 3
    Wicked: For Good review: "Builds to an incredibly cathartic conclusion, but isn't quite as captivating as Part 1"
  4. 4
    The Running Man review: "Some fun action and Glen Powell's star power aren't enough to energize this disappointing Stephen King adaptation"
  5. 5
    Predator: Badlands review: "Die-hard fans may be disappointed, but as a blockbuster action-adventure, Badlands kills it"
  1. Noah Schnapp as Will Byers and Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna in Stranger Things season 5
    1
    Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 review: “Can the Duffer brothers stick the landing? It’s sure looking like they will”
  2. 2
    Pluribus season 1 review: "Easily one of the year's best dramas"
  3. 3
    The Witcher season 4 review: "The Henry Cavill-less fourth season is the best yet"
  4. 4
    IT: Welcome to Derry review: "A supremely confident step back into the history of Stephen King's cursed town and killer clown"
  5. 5
    Splinter Cell: Deathwatch review: "A pale imitation of the long-dormant stealth franchise"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...