Top 10 Bad Guys Turned Good in Video Games

1. Cranky Kong (Donkey Kong)

   

   It's been a long time since Donkey Kong was Mario's barrel-throwing enemy. He's now grown into Cranky Kong, however, and he's simply around to advise DK and raise him right.

2. Captain Qwark (Ratchet and Clank)

   In the first two R&C games, Qwark wasn't at his best. He teamed up with Drek in the first game and was the main villain in the second. By the third game, he proved he was a hero after all (though an arrogant one), and since then, he's been a good guy.

3. Knuckles (Sonic the Hedgehog)

   

   Knuckles the Echidna is a fictional character from Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog video game series. He is portrayed as a red, anthropomorphic echidna who is serious, determined, and loyal, though sometimes gullible.

   Knuckles possesses the ability to glide through the air, climb vertical surfaces,... read more

   He was tricked into being Sonic and Tails' enemy in Sonic 3, but by the end, he teamed up with them. Now it's kinda weird seeing him evil back then.

4. King Dedede (Kirby)

   

   King Dedede is a fictional character and a recurring antagonist and rival in Nintendo and HAL Laboratory's Kirby video game series. He is sometimes portrayed as Kirby's enemy, though his role varies between games. King Dedede is recognizable by his hammer and royal attire.

   Like Meta Knight, he was only evil for a short time. He tried to stop Kirby from unleashing Nightmare in Adventure. Since Super Star, he's been good. All the fights since then (except for the fight in Mass Attack, which was weird to begin with) were either started by Kirby or had the King being possessed by some embodiment of evil.

   Dedede used to be the main villain in Kirby games, but he ended up teaming with the pink marshmallow in Kirby 64. Since then, he hasn't done much villainous. He even helps you in Kirby Return to Dreamland and Triple Deluxe.

5. Bowser (Super Mario)

   

   Bowser is the main antagonist of the Mario Bros. franchise. From kidnapping Princess Peach to disrupting games in the Mario Party spinoff series, this king of the Koopas has become a recurring enemy in the series. He first appeared in the 1985 video game Super Mario Bros., in which he kidnapped Princess... read more

   Eh, I wouldn't say he's good. I mean, in Galaxy, he tries to take over the universe. However, he has his moments.

   He hasn't gone totally good, but he has gotten less evil through the years.

6. Meta Knight (Kirby)

   

   Meta Knight is a fictional character from the Kirby series of video games created by Nintendo and HAL Laboratory. He is often portrayed as one of Kirby's rivals, although he sometimes allies with Kirby to battle common enemies.... read more

   He was never really evil. In Adventure, he basically dueled Kirby to prepare him for the final fight against Nightmare. Meta Knight knows what Kirby is going to do and prepares him for the challenge ahead. He was only really evil for one subgame in Super Star (even then, he just wanted everyone to be more active).

   Another Kirby character. Meta Knight started as a nameless villain in Kirby's Adventure, became a main antagonist in Kirby Super Star, and after that, I guess he gave up.

7. Balrog (Cave Story)

8. The Amalgamates (Undertale)

9. Miles Edgeworth (Ace Attorney)

10. Master Hand (Super Smash Bros.)

    In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, he died saving his brother.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    King Olly (Paper Mario: The Origami King)

    

    The reason he turned good is because Spoiler Warning he not only apologizes for his actions after being defeated but also willingly sacrifices himself to undo his mess.

12. ?

    Crunch Bandicoot (Crash Bandicoot)

    
The Contenders

13. Globulous Maximus (SpongeBob SquarePants Featuring Nicktoons Globs of Doom)

    Globulous Maximus is the main antagonist in Globs of Doom, but he was born a giant booger.

14. Dimitri Lousteau (Sly Cooper)

    THANK YOU FOR ADDING THIS! I swear, I could never remember his name!

15. Asriel (Undertale)

    

    The most dreadful, merciless flower in history to a lonely, crying kid? Touching.

16. Asgore (Undertale)

    

    Asgore Dreemurr is a boss monster and the king of the monsters in the 2015 RPG Undertale, created by Toby Fox. Asgore is portrayed as the main antagonist, with a plan to collect seven human souls to break the barrier trapping the monsters underground. His character is slowly revealed through hints and... read more

17. Arbiter (Halo)

    

    In the Halo science fiction universe, the Arbiter is a title given to select Sangheili warriors of the Covenant. It holds ceremonial, religious, and political significance within their society. Characters bearing the Arbiter title often play crucial roles in the storyline of the Halo series.

18. Giovanni (Pokémon)

19. Captain Hook (Disney Infinity)

20. Egil (Xenoblade Chronicles)

21. Handsome Jack (Tales from the Borderlands)

    

    Handsome Jack is the main antagonist of both Borderlands 2 and Tales from the Borderlands, and the deuteragonist of Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. He is the CEO of the Hyperion Corporation and seeks control over the planet Pandora. Known for his dark humor and manipulative tactics, Jack is considered one... read more

22. Magolor (Kirby)

    

    Magolor is a fictional character from the Kirby series of video games owned by Nintendo and HAL Laboratory. He first appeared in Kirby's Return to Dream Land as a mysterious ally who later reveals a more complex agenda. Magolor has since become a recurring character in the series, appearing in spin-offs... read more

    Magolor Epilogue is the ultimate redemption story. Magolor betrayed Kirby and stole the Master Crown. He tried to take over existence, but he lost. After defeat, the crown took over and devoured Magolor's soul, turning him into a "sad shell."

    Already he's remorseful. He gets killed and then banished to another dimension. However, the Master Crown breaks off his head, freeing him from its control (and he loses most of his powers).

    All this means that Magolor effectively gets a second chance, one that he doesn't waste. He recovers his powers attempting to get home and apologize to Kirby for what he's done. Before he can, though, the crown returns and destroys the dimension. Magolor then uses his full, regained might to destroy the evil artifact once and for all.

    And guess what? He does it, redeeming himself in the process. He's helped Kirby in every game since.

23. Count Bleck (Super Paper Mario)

    

    Count Bleck, whose real name is Lord Blumiere, is the central antagonist in the 2007 Nintendo Wii video game Super Paper Mario. Throughout most of the game, he serves as the main villain, seeking to destroy all worlds out of despair over a lost love. By the end of the story, he experiences redemption... read more

    Surprised he wasn't on the list already. He is without doubt my favorite Nintendo villain of all time.

24. Darth Vader (Lego Star Wars)

    

    Darth Vader is a Star Wars character who serves as the main antagonist of the original Star Wars trilogy and as the central figure in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, where he is known by his original name, Anakin Skywalker. Initially trained as a Jedi Knight, Anakin defects to the Sith under the influence... read more

25. Papyrus (Undertale)

    

    Papyrus is a character from the 2015 game Undertale, created by Toby Fox. He is the younger brother of Sans the Skeleton, a Royal Guard in training, and a sentry in the town of Snowdin. Unlike his brother, Papyrus is energetic, loud, and somewhat full of himself, but in an endearing and earnest way.... read more

26. Ganondorf (The Legend of Zelda)

    

    Ganon, referred to as Ganondorf in his human form, is a fictional character and the central antagonist of Nintendo's Legend of Zelda series. He is a power-hungry Gerudo who possesses the Triforce of Power and seeks to conquer Hyrule by obtaining the remaining pieces of the Triforce. Ganon has appeared... read more

    Ganondorf was never really the bad guy. He holds the Triforce of Power, so he's technically a hero. He tries to save his people (Ocarina of Time), end a war (Hyrule Warriors), and turn Bowser back to normal (Super Smash Bros. Melee) - all by himself!

    He tried to restore Hyrule in Wind Waker. Enough said.

27. Mr. L (Super Paper Mario)

    

    Mr. L, also known as the Green Thunder, is a major supporting antagonist in Super Paper Mario. He is Luigi's evil alter ego, created after he is brainwashed by Nastasia. Mr. L is also the creator of the robotic vehicle Brobot.

    He turned evil in the game, then good again in Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam Bros.

    He remembered his good side eventually. Luigi even thanked him for it!