In the following list, I will attempt to bring together the best voices in videogames today. These are (voice) actors who pour their heart and soul into their characters, and who become living representation themselves of the roles they play. Their voices are so emblematic, that movies about them would just not be the same without their voices. So without further ado, here you have them: Top 5 Videogame Voice Actors.

#5: Armin Shimerman: Andrew Ryan (Bioshock) ***Spoilers***

The voice of Armin Shimerman fits perfectly to the character of Andrew Ryan. The passion of Shimerman’s delivery is matched only by Andrew Ryan’s zealous love for the city of Rapture. Every time Ryan speaks to you, you listen. Regardless of what you are doing in the game, you listen, you just HAVE to. His voice captivates you because of the sheer ardor with which he delivers. Couple that with incredibly profound monologues and you have a character so rich, that it is becomes painful to kill him. And that scene… the scene when the man commands you to kill him is a scene so powerful that it continues to reverberate years after playing the game. He may be dead, but you are a slave, he chose to die, you did not have a choice but to kill him. Shimerman presents this episode flawlessly, starting out clam, poised, even though he knows he will die, and build up from there to utter rage and determination. Even when nearly clubbed to death, Ryan is draconian and commanding, making you feel like a mere pawn. I hope to continue hearing Mr. Shimerman in more projects, as he adds a layer of depth to his characters that undoubtedly resonate with gamers.

You can also hear Shimerman as:

• Toad in X-Men Legends
• Dr. Nefarious in Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal
• Razputin’s father in Psychonauts.
• Shimerman also lent his voice to Bioware for their games Jade Empire and Mass Effect.

#4: Brian Cox: Scolar Visari (Killzone 1 and 2)

You might know Mr. Cox from movies such as Troy (Agamemnon) and X2 (William Stryker) but the role that puts him in our list is of Autarch and would be emperor of Helghan: Scolar Visari. The intensity in Mr. Cox’s voice as he delivers his speech reflects the true and undying pride in his homeland and army. Watching the intro for both Killzone 1 and 2 always sends a tingle down my spine thanks to the inspiring words of Visari. He starts out passively in each speech, as if addressing the troops directly and personally, but he steadily climbs in excitement and ardor, culminating in a tone so inspiring, you feel like joining the Helghast and hunting some ISA dogs! “Defenders of the Helghast dream NOW IS OUR TIME!!”

You can also hear Cox as:

• Lionel Starkweather the Director in Manhunt

#3: Steve Downes: Master Chief (Halo 1-3)

Granted, Master Chief isn’t the most talkative of characters, and his dialogues are not nearly as deep as the previous two, but damn is his voice cool. It helps that Steve Downes works at a radio station, because the extremely low tone necessary to voice Master Chief requires nothing less than a master of his craft. It may also help that he is a smoker (Neither PinchoVe or NextGN endorse smoking kids), because the tones this guy reaches only escape us mortals when we’ve just woken up with a really bad hangover. Had Master Chief been a more talkative character, he would’ve made our second spot in the list.

You can also hear Downes as:

• Gunnar in Septerra Core: Legacy of the Creator

#2: Nolan North: Nathan Drake (Uncharted 1 and 2)

Nolan North is a guy who loves his job. He’s a veteran to the industry, having voiced characters from blockbusters such as Gears of War 2 and Metal Gear Solid 4, as well as the Prince in Prince of Persia. But it is thanks to Nathan Drake that Nolan North gets the runner up spot on the list. It’s weird, because the first impression you get from Nathan (at least the one I got) is that he was just a typical, superficial, cocky wiseass. This can’t be farther away from the truth because as it turns out, Nathan is an incredibly likeable guy; the type of dude you’d want to be friends and have a beer with. You root for him because he’s sincere, cool, and funny, and he seems like an ordinary guy caught in extraordinary situations. The Prince also surfaces as a great example of his work, he may be a bit cocky, but his witty remarks never dry up, and his conversations with Elika are funny and believable. Nolan brings a ton of his own personality and humor to his characters, and makes his characters his own. You can see Nathan in Nolan, as well as Nolan in Nathan, and if there is ever a chance of an Uncharted movie, I wouldn’t want anyone but Nolan North as the protagonist.

You can also hear North as (o.k., the man has a huge list of games he’s done voices for… these are only a few):

• Desmond Miles in Assassin’s Creed
• Male Hero in Fable 2
• Jace Stratton in Gears of War 2
• Hades, Greek Soldier, Fisherman in God of War
• Sgt. Forge in Halo Wars
• Ghost Rider, Deadpool, Hawkeye in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
• The Prince in the latest Prince of Persia
• Raphael in TMNT games

#1: David Hayter: Snake (Metal Gear Solid Series)

Alas, we come to the number one spot. Did you call it? You probably did because when it comes to cool, memorable, and characteristic voices, no one tops Mr. David Hayter aka Snake. From the beginning of the series, Hayter has breathed life into Snake, making him the badass we have come to know and love. But truly, the crown jewel of his performance has to be Old Snake in MGS4. A battered man, coming to grips with his age and mortality, each monologue depicts a grizzled veteran aching to retire, but straining himself to the extremes to answer the call of duty. Each grunt, sigh, and groan of affliction that Snake utters weighs us down, as he makes us feel what he is going through. Interestingly enough, Hayter is the writer of the first X-men movie and co-writer for the second. He also co-wrote Watchman (the movie) and The Scorpion King.

Honorable Mention: Kiefer Sutherland: Sgt. Roebuck (Call of Duty: World at War)

A new and welcome addition to the gaming industry, Mr. Sutherland proves that the boundaries between gaming and film are getting harder to differentiate as time goes on. Kieffer Sutherland brings Jack Bauer’s voice to Sgt. Roebuck, and every time he barks an order at you, you listen and follow the order, because lets face it, what Jack Bauer wants, Jack Bauer gets. It’s probably a matter of time until more and more movie actors follows Kieffer’s example and voice our favorite characters in our favorite games. Expect Christian Bale to appear in ¾ of the games in 2 years.

Games have become more complex as time goes by, and gamers have come to expect near perfection in every aspect, and voice acting is no exception. Tell us what you think – who are your favorite voice actors? Who did we miss?