Best Beards in Videos Game History

Part of the fun of video games is playing as your favorite character. You get to be a super spy or a grizzled survivor exploring and fighting your way through a new world. But just as some people love to play a particular class or gaming series, we love it when we get to play as a bearded character. There's just something about mowing down your enemies while sporting a killer beard.

Of course, not all of the best beards in video games are worn by playable characters. Nonetheless, we've scoured through our backlog of games to find the best-bearded video game characters. Here are our 5 top picks. 

5 Best Beards in Video Games

1. Arthur Morgan – Red Dead Redemption 2

Source - reddead.fandom.com

Red Dead Redemption 2 was another landmark moment in video game history. As the game's bearded protagonist, Arthur Morgan is a gunslinging, disease-ridden mess. Throughout the game, you've got to navigate the Old West as Arthur gradually falls to pieces. It's incredible.

Perhaps most amazing is the beard mechanics – yes, really. Take a visit to the barber, and you can shape his beard, choosing whether to go wild and wooly or more refined. And, if you don't get your beard trimmed regularly, it'll keep on growing and growing and growing. Amp up your beard growth with a Hair Tonic, and it'll reach epic proportions.

Indeed, Arthur's beard reflects the harsh, gritty times the game is set in. It's just part of what makes him a standout in the pantheon of bearded video game characters.

2. Captain Price – Call of Duty Series

Source - callofduty.fandom.com

Captain Price from the Call of Duty series is a legendary figure in the world of video games, and his iconic beard is just as memorable as his leadership and tactical prowess. The character is synonymous with the series – and it's always a pleasure to fight as him. 

Sometimes, you get a full beard; other times, it's Victorian-esque mutton chops. Either way, it's always a surprise. But we'd expect nothing else from the British SAS tactician. In fact, in the high-octane realm of Call of Duty, Price's beard adds a touch of gravitas and seasoned leadership.

Whether he's orchestrating a critical mission or engaging in intense firefights, Price's beard is as much a part of his identity as his signature boonie hat and calm, commanding voice.

3. Dr. Wily – Mega Man

Source - destructoid.com

Ah, Dr. Wily, the notorious brains behind the endless stream of robotic ruffians in the Mega Man universe. This guy isn't just your garden-variety villain; he's a walking, talking embodiment of 'mad scientist chic' with a dash of unruly facial flair. Spot him in a lineup? Easy. Just look for the explosive hairdo and that colossal Walrus mustache that screams, "I'm up to no good."

But there's more to Wily's mustache than meets the eye. It's not just facial hair; it's a character trait, a part of his identity as palpable as his schemes or his rivalry with Dr. Light. 'Cause trust me – when you're battling against a pixelated character, you'll take any identifiable features. 

4. Joel Miller – The Last of Us 

Source - thelastofus.fandom.com

In the gritty, post-apocalyptic world of 'The Last of Us,' you'd be lucky to have someone like Joel Miller looking out for you. His beard is almost a character in its own right.

It's the scruffy, unapologetic badge of a man who's seen too much, done too much, and somehow keeps pushing forward. This isn't the kind of beard you groom for style; it's the kind that grows because there's no time to shave when you're navigating a world filled with infected monsters and human threats.

Think about it: Joel's beard is the anti-hero of facial hair. It's not here to impress you or win beauty contests. It's rugged and messy, and it tells a story of survival without uttering a single word. It's not just a static feature: it grows, it changes, reflecting his inner turmoil and the shifting dynamics of his relationship with Ellie.

5. Dr. Eggman – Sonic the Hedgehog

Source - gamerant.com

God, I hate Dr. Eggman. No matter how much 7-year-old me tried, he was awful, taunting me in his flying ship. But there's one thing I cannot hate: his glorious mustache. Clearly attending the same style school as Dr Wily (does a PhD come with a mustache?), he's the perfect pixelated villain.