The Mishima Clan (Tekken)
The Mishima clan has a…tumultuous heritage, to say the least. When players are introduced to this Tekken family in the original game, it is via a storyline where the featured protagonist, Kazuya Mishima, seeks revenge against his father, Mishima Zaibatsu, for throwing him off a cliff.
That story is just the tip of the iceberg regarding this clan’s rivalry though, as the franchise pits Mishima characters against each other throughout.
The family’s constant in-fighting all centers back to a curse that plagues their bloodline. Known as the Devil Gene, just about every member of the Mishima turns against one another when joining forces.
Despite this curse, some still manage to break free, hoping to forge a new path for their illustrious clan.
The Koopas (Super Mario)
While the Koopas may be the villains of the Super Mario world, there is no doubting that Bowser’s group is a strong and prestigious one.
Even though the only child that canonically belongs to Bowser is Bowser Jr, the seven Koopa Kids – as well as the many Koopling minions laced throughout the world – have been noble henchmen for King Koopa ever since they were introduced.
Whether they are battling plumbers, racing go-karts, or attempting to win a board game, the Koopa Kids are always doing their best to serve the big guy.
Some fans may be interested to know that the Koopa lineage may even spawn outside of King Koopa, as Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels shows Bowser even has a brother, furthering the possibilities of the family name.
The Olympic Gods (God of War)
Regardless of the genre, the Olympic Gods have always been a colorful group, featuring plenty of competitiveness amongst their family, as well as a lot of bastard demigod children.
For the God of War version of this family, these traits are ever prevalent – so much so that they even lead to the family’s demise.
In a quest for vengeance and revenge, the series’ main character, Kratos, battles and kills the illustrious Gods in a lot of epic, rage-induced battles.
It isn’t long before Kratos finds out that he is a member of this big happy family, as it turns out he is the demigod child of Zues.
Yet another example on this list of a prestigious family filled to the brim with strife between blood related kin.
The Kongs (Donkey Kong)
Referred to as the Kong Klan or the DK Krew, Donkey Kong and his crew of sentient primates are a tight knit group.
While they are more of a tribe than a family, together Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Cranky Kong, Dixie and her family, and a handful of friends can be seen throughout the series protecting their horde of Bananas away from the rival Kremlin Krew.
Just like the Koopas, the Kongs also participate in plenty of group activities, as members are strewn throughout other Nintendo series like Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart, and Mario Party.
The Belmonts (Castlevania)
Outside of maybe the Van Helsing family, there are few names more synonymous with Vampire hunting than the Belmonts.
Since the eleventh century, the Belmonts have made it their mission to slay Count Dracula and other creatures of the night.
Across the many games that make up the Castlevania saga, Trevor, Simon, Rictor, and a slew of other Belmont descendants carry on the tradition of creating wall stakes out of evil.
Ironically enough, this family does eventually share ties with another prestigious family…Dracula’s. In the Dark Night Prelude Saga, Sonia Belmont and Alucard (Dracula’s Son), have a son together, Trevor Belmont, creating a descendant of the two rival factions.
Les Enfants Terribles (Metal Gear Solid)
Even as someone who never followed the labyrinth of a storyline that is the Metal Gear Solid series, I know of the epic tale of the Bosses and Les Enfants Terribles.
When the government aimed to produce clones of legendary soldier Big Boss, aka Naked Snake, they were met with resounding success. As a result of the tests, they seemingly cloning two soldiers: Solid and Liquid Snake.
Just like their clone-daddy, these two soldiers possessed incredible abilities and durability, allowing them to survive physical and mental anguish that would have left normal humans dead or insane.
If that wasn’t enough, it was soon revealed that a third clone had successfully been made, and it turned out to be the president of the United States, George Sears, a.k.a. Solidus Snake.
As the series goes on, the family is pitted against each other in a bevy of situations that lead to tragic results.
The Royal Family of Ylisse (Fire Emblem)
What would a list about prestigious families be without a little bit of Royalty? For Fire Emblem fans, there is no family more honored and cherished than The Royal Family of Ylisse.
Throughout the Fire Emblem series, Chrom and his descendents fight for the land of Ylisse, a medieval setting plagued by conflicts of War and Magic.
Between Chrom, Marth, Robin, Lucina, and a lot other notable names, the Royal Family stands out in gaming as one of the most important families around.
More recently, they’ve even branched out of their own franchise, competing in fighting series, Super Smash Bros. and quickly becoming fan favorites to play as.
Desmond Miles’ Lineage (Assassin’s Creed)
Though this may be a bit of an odd family, considering one member uses a machine to relive the lives of his ancestors, the long line of assassins that make up the Assassin’s Creed series is nothing if not prestigious.
Through the eyes of Desmond Miles, the Assassin’s Creed series explores the deep bloodline of characters like Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, Ratonhnhaké:ton, Maria Thorpe, and by extension, all of their families.
Via the animus, Desmond experiences everything they do. He lives their lives, including that of a wealthy Italian, a British noble, and even an indigenous tribesman.
Aside from the fact that these characters don’t share the same last name, they’re all assassins. The catch is that, while many of them work towards the greater good, serving the Assassin’s Guild, a handful of them are members of the rival Templar Guild.
While the later games in the series still use the animus, they no longer use Desmond’s bloodline, choosing to usually use nameless avatars to further the story.
Lin Kuei Clan (Mortal Kombat)
Loosely based on the ancient Chinese clan of the same name, this group of assassins is constantly fighting against and with each other in the Mortal Kombat series.
Made up of Elder Sub-Zero, the Younger Sub-Zero, Cyrax, Sektor, Smoke, and Frost, the Lin Kuei clan has become one of the most important groups in all of Mortal Kombat.
While they may have started out as an evil gang of assassins, the group has shifted into a friendly power as the series has gone on.
Just because they’re friendly doesn’t mean they won’t dish out a fatality here and there.
The Van der Linde Gang (Red Dead Redemption 2)
While they aren’t all related by blood, there are few families on this list that are more compelling, and tragic, than the Van der Linde gang in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Made up of a cast of colorful outlaws, this group sticks together throughout the game, setting up camp in multiple different places in order to evade the law.
Serving as a hub area, characters interact with each other and Arthur at the camp in a fashion reminiscent to growing up with my own siblings.
The group greets and antagonize each other accordingly, as well as play games of poker, eat together, and even sing jovial campfire songs at night.
These small conversations, coupled with missions based around or including just about every member of the gang, builds the dynamic, strengthening the family’s bond as things go.
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