Video Game Costumes to Level Up Your Look [Costume Guide]

It's dangerous to go alone, take this! These video game costumes are just what you need on your quest for the perfect video game cosplay or Halloween costume. We have taken a selection of the 25 most iconic video game characters and compiled a handy list of costumes and accessories to help give you some great video game costume ideas! However, we will be avoiding sports video games and TV and movie-based video games as those characters easily fall into other categories. Do you have a favorite video game? Is your favorite video game character on this list? Is the cake really a lie? Check out this list and you can see how your classic video game costume ideas compare with ours!

1. Pikachu Costumes

Pikachu, we choose you! If you are surprised to see a Pikachu costume at the top of this list, you shouldn't be. The Pokémon games were so popular that they spawned into several comics, TV shows, movies, a card game, and other video game sequels along with tons of Pokémon merch. In general, Pokémon has a lot of good video game cosplay potential along with being a great choice for Halloween! You will certainly stand out from the crowd as everyone's favorite electric yellow, ketchup-loving mouse! Shop our other Pokémon costumes if you are looking to create a group cosplay or if you're a gamer couple. (You may be seeing a few more of these Pokémon characters in this list!)

2. Link Costumes

Link has always been a fan favorite in the gaming community. He started out the classic Nintendo sprite that had us exploring Hyrule, then lead us through a Link to the Past (and all over the rest of time, too). But, he has reached new heights after Breath of the Wild breathed new life into the franchise. Not only did they change the basic gaming mechanics, but they did away with his iconic green outfit and we agree that he looks great in blue too! These are great video game costumes for guys that love the Legend of Zelda. (We'll leave the green vs. blue debate up to you!)

3. Mario Costumes

Mamma mia! HalloweenCostumes.com certainly has a lot of Mario costumes! Simple and iconic, Mario is recognizable whether you are nerding out at a convention or walking on the sidewalk during Halloween. Just like the Pokémon franchise, Mario character costumes are timeless, and there are enough characters to make a video game group cosplay. You could even make a Mario-only group because there are Mario costumes for men, women, boys, girls, and infants! Pick your favorite Mario Power-Up and you're ready to make a run for the castle! (Mario is also a great costume for guys with mustaches, folks, so play to your strengths!)

4. Ash Ketchum Costumes

It's really hard to have Pikachu on this list without Ash Ketchum. They go together like peanut butter and jelly... (Or is it bananas and peanut butter?) We're not judging either way. Whether you love Pokémon for the Nintendo games or got into the world thanks to the animated series or manga, you'll likely recognize the series protagonist: Ash! His look has changed since Pokémon first made its debut in the 90s, but the red hat and accompanying yellow mouse are still unmistakable. Check out our other Pokémon costumes to pair together and you'll look ready to take on the elite four!

5. Princess Peach Costumes

We already talked about Mario but he wouldn't be anything without his leading lady, Princess Peach! These Princess Peach costumes are perfect for gamer couples, cosplay groups, and even outfitting your entire family Mario-style! Of course, she's a pretty big star all on her own, too! Her floating technique gives her the edge and keeps her from falling into the traps that made Mario famous. Peach may be a video game princess that wears pink, but she's no pushover on the track, the tennis court, or in a melee. (Her Super Smash Bros. peach bomber move will send you even farther than she can fly!)

6. Master Chief Costumes

Master Chief is one of the newer characters on this list, but he has certainly earned his right to be in the top video game characters! Halo has been a popular shooter since the early days of gaming and even made quite a few funny videos on the 'net! (Might we add that Master Chief costumes are also super-cool?) His army green armor is unmistakable, and Master Chief's helmet with its reflective golden visor hides a face that gamers still speculate about. You will feel ready to take on an alien invasion dressed as this stand-out super-soldier!

7. Lara Croft Costumes

Lara Croft is one of the most epic female video game characters on this list. She's athletic, she's an archaeologist, she's fluent in several languages, and she knows how to put up a fight! (If you're on the hunt for tough girl costumes for gamer girls: This. Is. It.) Pair this Tomb Raider costume with some lace-up boots and fake pistols, and you'll look ready to hunt down some treasure! You can even add a bow and arrow set if you want her equipment from the latest Tomb Raider movie and legendary video game series. 

8. Yoshi Costumes

Cute, green, and utterly loyal, Yoshi is a dinosaur sidekick that won't disappoint! (He doesn't even complain when he needs to take a dive to help you finish one of those really difficult levels.) Yoshi is from the Mario series, so a Yoshi costume would be a great addition to any Mario costume group. But, he's a hero in his own right, too! Ever wanted to take a spin around Yoshi's Island or really get the upper hand in Mario Kart? You can easily DIY a Yoshi egg to pair with your costume by painting green spots on a white foam egg. (Just be careful about performing any egg throws!)

9. Zelda Costumes

If you have always wished to be an elven princess, look no further! Though she's technically a Hylian, she has the pointy ears and magical legacy to make any elf proud. Zelda is the princess of the kingdom of Hyrule in the Legend of Zelda series. There are Zelda costumes for her popular dress look from the older series, but there is also the option to wear her new blue look from the Breath of the Wild! (Link and Zelda are so matchy-matchy!) Pair either of these looks with a Link costume and you can have the perfect gamer couple costume. Just remember it is Zelda's sacred arrow that is sure to bring about the final win no matter who the warriors may be! 

10. Luigi Costumes

It's about time! Let's face it, you knew Luigi would be on this list! Luigi and Mario are brothers, so a Luigi costume is a perfect costume for brothers. (These also work well for mustache bros!) Luigi might be a little bit of an underdog in comparison with his stand-out brother, but no one can work a vacuum like Luigi. Turns out that this nervous plumber is also quite the ghost buster! (Plus he jumps even higher than his more-famous brother!) A Luigi costume would be great for Halloween, conventions, and even those household chores.

11. Sonic the Hedgehog Costumes

What happens when you take a small, spiny animal, make it blue, and give it super speed? Well, you're either looking at the legendary azure echidna or you're probably looking at a quest to gather the Chaos Emeralds with the one and only, Sonic the Hedgehog! Love him or hate him, he is instantly recognizable. The game spawned several TV series and comics, and he has made a few short cameos in movies. (Sonic is even a movie star, and that kind of fame sure makes a hedgehog smile!) Get ahead of the competition and order a Sonic the Hedgehog costume for Halloween!

12. Bowser Costumes

Bowser is the first video game antagonist on this list and is also part of the Mario franchise. (More Mario-themed costumes? Yes please!) For a baddie, he's pretty popular. That might be due to the fact that his capturing the princess is usually more a comedy of errors than anything truly wicked. (We think he just needs some redecorating advice for his lava-filled castle.) While Bowser is mostly known for kidnapping Princess Peach, he also shows up in the Wreck-it Ralph movie in a group therapy session for villains called "Bad-anon." Maybe he's more of a party animal than we realize because a Bowser costume could group with Mario or Wreck-it Ralph!

13. Chun-Li Costumes

If any one character from Street Fighter was to make this list, it would be Chun-Li. Chun-Li is unmistakable with her double buns and legs of steel, but there is more to her than simply her looks! She was actually the first female character to appear in a fighting game, and she holds her own in a cast of muscular male characters! Certainly, that's nothing to sneeze at. Pair the Chun-Li costume with some pantyhose and tall white boots to complete the look. You can always add a few more Street Fighter costumes to make your video game group costume idea!

14. Freddy Fazbear Costumes

Five Nights at Freddy's is a fairly new game in comparison to many of these rather classic costume ideas. The game went absolutely viral and people have been wanting to dress as the creepy animatronic animals ever since! Freddy Fazbear is the mascot of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, but players quickly find out that he's not the cute and cuddly mascot the restaurant wants him to be. Are you ready to scare some people? Perhaps you're into the ghostly lore hidden in the game. Maybe you're just a fanatic for jump scares. Or, just maybe, you like the idea of teddy bears with a spooky side. Get your Golden Freddy on and show folks your favorite FNAF face. 

15. Scorpion Costumes

If you can already hear the cry of "Mortal Combat!" it might be time to "Get over here!" Scorpion was one of the original characters in Mortal Kombat and has been in the majority of the games ever since. Seriously, is there anything cooler than a resurrected ninja? Pair this Mortal Kombat Halloween costume with a few ninja weapons and you'll feel ready to do some hapkido. We also have a deluxe mask version of Scorpion's face for a costume upgrade.

16. Foxy Costumes

Foxy is another of the animatronic atrocities that you encounter in the Five Nights at Freddy's game. Get a Foxy costume to accompany Freddy Fazbear and you'll be ready for any convention or Halloween party. Being a fox is great, but a scary pirate fox is simply icing on the cake!

17. Charizard Costumes

Charizard is another video game creature from the Pokémon universe. His younger self starts as the adorable Charmander, a famous first-generation starter. Charizard may look like a dragon but it is actually a Fire/Flying type! (Unless, of course, you pull off some pretty amazing mega evolution tricks.) Either way, fire breath is nothing to overlook. This guy has everything and often stands as a bigger mascot of Pokemon fame than Pikachu. Wear a Charizard costume or a Charmander costume and you will be the envy of all generation one fans!

18. Minecraft Steve Costumes

Minecraft is another game that is still fairly new, but it shattered records everywhere and quickly became a viral sensation. Steve is a default skin for the player character and is easily recognizable due to the pixelated format. If you want to wear a Minecraft Steve costume but you don't want to be any regular old Steve, there is also a green zombie version too! Equip your Minecraft costume with a pixelated sword and you'll be ready to take on any creepers!

19. Silent Hill Nurse Costumes

If you are a horror game fan, you are undoubtedly familiar with the famous (and bloodthirsty) nurses of Silent Hill. You'd think that they have their degree, but it turns out that their real talent comes in making people scared as heck! A Silent Hill nurse costume is a great choice for Halloween because it's creepy whether you are familiar with the character or not! Take your costume to the next level by getting a creepy nurse mask, white heels, and a fake knife.

20. Ezio Costumes

Let's face it: every gamer wants to don a pointed hood and look completely epic. An Ezio costume will set you in the right direction! The character is so popular that there are Ezio costumes for men, women, and kiddos, too. You can wear an Assassin's Creed costume anywhere: Halloween, conventions, and even your local Renaissance festival! (The character's history sets him in the Italian Renaissance, so no one can tell you you're not period correct!)

21. Creeper Costumes

Some might wonder what the bad guy of the Minecraft universe may be. Indeed, the storyline of a place where you can farm and build anything you want can be a little hidden. Sure, there are secrets of Ender Dragons and even worse out there, but there's one thing that we all dread... the hissing sound once your house is all set up! The creeper is a true antagonist in Minecraft. A creeper costume is a great costume for friends because you can pair it with any Steve or Alex. You can also get your cardio in for the day if you decide to chase your friends and get your hissss on! 

22. Toad Costumes

You may be familiar with Toad as another Mario character, especially if you are a Mario Kart fan. (Or perhaps you enjoy all the Toad memes!) Toad is an attendant to Princess Peach and is always portrayed as being shorter than her, so Toad would make a fun mother/son costume! There are still Toad costumes for men and women, so it would work as a couples costume too!

23. Donkey Kong Costumes

Monkey costumes and gorilla costumes are always popular, so why not wear a Donkey Kong costume? Early Donkey Kong games featured the ape as a barrel-throwing antagonist, but later he became a playable protagonist in his own series. (Just watch out for any crocodiles!) Grab your favorite banana prop and you'll feel like the king of Donkey Kong Country!

Whether you're into the classic video games or the newer ones, there certainly are a lot to choose from for this year! The great thing about video game costumes is that they're not just for Halloween! Are you going to be dressed as a video game character at a convention this year? Do you have kids that love to play dress-up? Are you planning a video game-themed party? The possibilities are endless! Browse through our online selection of video game costumes and find something that makes you feel like the bob-omb at your next party!