History Flanderization / VideoGames

*** Remilia and – yes – Flandre are intelligent, young (by vampire standards) ladies, if a little childish. Remilia is usually portrayed as either extremely childish, arrogant and demanding or a Dracula-style EvilOverlord, while Flandre is either sweet or a CreepyChild with massive streaks of PersonOfMassDestruction, if not an outright AxCrazy murderous psychopath.

** While always being his trademark trait, Kirby's [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter cuteness]] started to take over after ''Kirby 64'' and the ''Anime/KirbyRightBackAtYa'', turning him into an innocent [[TastesLikeDiabetes baby-like child in means of personality and appearance.]] His past self used to be more of a [[http://www.kirbysrainbowresort.net/multimedia/pictures/adventure/ Japanese cartoon glutton ]] that also had partial bouts of snark and common sense according to the situations he found himself in - the most infamous of course being his [[SilentSnarker brief moment of snark]] in tutorial for ''VideoGame/KirbySuperStar''.

*** Reverse-Flanderization has happened to ''all'' of the cast as we go from the short flavor text in the manual to actually being able to act as real characters within the games themselves. Ganondorf goes from generically evil to quite sympathetic: he wants to take over Hyrule because his people lived in an arid desert, barely surviving the day's searing heat and the night's bone-chilling cold. (Mind you, this ''doesn't'' jibe with Ocarina of Time, where TheDarkWorld was ''a future where he'd taken over'' and not, well, [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast the Dark World]]. A paradise for the Gerudo is ''not'' what he created.) Zelda goes from "Kidnapped at the beginning, rescued at the end, has one or two lines" to a character who is wise, has psychic dreams, [[PrincessesRule sometimes is sole ruler despite the title]], and MinoredInAsskicking; the obligatory kidnapping is shorter every time. Tradition says Link will never get to speak, but we see more and more of each incarnation's life before the adventure. ''The Wind Waker'' even gives his dialogue options more length and flavor than simple yes-or-no answers, and came full circle in ''Skyward Sword'' where Link's dialogue choices and extremely expressive face give him a personality and life all his own. Each game also gives Link a chance to insert some snark in his replies and each proceeding game dials it up more and more. By the time of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'', there's one particular NPC[[note]]Link is disguised as a Gerudo and an NPC has the Sand and Snow Boots. Said NPC constantly flirts with Link and he only puts up with him just to get the boots and shuts him up the moment he gets said boots.[[/note]] where Link is straight up a dick towards him and you don't even get to choose to use a less harsh response because there isn't any.

** As ExecutiveMeddling forced the series to go beyond the creator's planned ending, ''X5'', some of the main characters had certain aspects of their personality stretched out to artificially create conflict for the next few games. While Zero always stayed friendly to X, he became rather gruffer and more stereotypically badass as the series went on, especially when [[ReplacementScrappy Axl]] was introduced. Sigma [[VillainDecay degenerated]] just as badly as Dr. Wily, if not worse, as he went from very nearly destroying the world and being a truly MagnificentBastard...to a shivering pile of zombie-animated debris ''in just one game'', and by the next game [[MotiveRant explained his final boss status]] as simply [[MotiveDecay "because I'll never stop until you're dead!"]] (It should be noted that it's been hinted that, as Sigma's bodies are destroyed, a little bit of him truly dies. This would be why, by ''X6'', [[CameBackWrong he's barely sane and can't think of anything besides killing X]]. This is why his form is that of some grim reaper zombie thing.) It was X that [[UnpleasableFanbase the fans complained about]] the most, though: while he had always been more pacifistic and less violence-inclined than Zero, this was expanded into ''the'' defining aspect of his personality, so that rather than being a reluctant cop, he was a stereotypically annoying whiner who kept advocating non-violence even when the situation had clearly gone south. This led to him [[TenMinuteRetirement abandoning active duty]] at the beginning of ''X7'', so we [[ArtifactTitle started off playing a Mega Man X game without playing as Mega Man X]]. [[HesBack He does return, though.]]

*** In the original, Cloud Strife actually did very little brooding, preferring to focus on fighting Sephiroth and saving the planet from Shinra. The guy even cracked a few jokes at his friends and could take a jab back in return, and is very caring of his friends and claims he "trusts everyone". His archrival Sephiroth was a DarkMessiah who wanted to [[GodhoodSeeker become a god]] to reshape the planet into his own personal utopia, and he screwed with Cloud's head to do it in revenge for Cloud defeating him years prior. Ever since the original game, Cloud has been warped into a loner who brushes off his friends' attempts to help him while he broods and angsts over Sephiroth, and Sephiroth's only character traits now are his ability to manipulate Cloud's emotions and taunt Cloud with the fact he's so good at it. The FoeYay between them has also gotten increasingly heavy-handed, to the point Sephiroth almost seems more like a jealous stalker or a scorned ex than Cloud's hated enemy. A few modern spin-offs do manage to revert both of them back to their previous characterizations; for example, ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy2015'' brings back the cockiness and daring seen in Cloud's original portrayal.

** Despite the title character's [[CharacterExaggeration portrayal in]] [[DubPersonalityChange most western media]] as a TotallyRadical MascotWithAttitude and LargeHam, even to the point of being an IdiotHero, in the games his attitude and cockiness were comparatively downplayed, being just one facet of his personality among various, rather than [[TheThemeParkVersion an all-defining trait]]. There he had a more coolheaded demeanor and a laidback yet sharp-witted personality.[[note]]For instance, official profiles have remarked on his ability to keep his cool under pressure, and established that [[TheSmartGirl Rouge]] sees him as the one guy [[ManipulativeBitch she]] can't outsmart.[[/note]] He also had a caring side, [[CoolBigBro helping Tails overcome his insecurities]], as well as a playful side, [[TheGadfly enjoying teasing Knuckles]] and taunting [[BigBad Eggman]]. In the mid 2000s he started getting portrayed as more of a [[IdealHero generic good guy]], mainly in localizations.[[note]]Whereas Junichi Kanemaru consistently played Sonic in an energetic manner denoting of attitude, Jason Griffith would voice him in a much more deadpan or passive manner. Add to that the fact nuances like Sonic's propensity for GratuitousEnglish were LostInTranslation.[[/note]] Then from ''VideoGame/SonicColors'' onward, the games went in the opposite direction and started making him more of an [[LargeHam in-your-face snarker]], as well as [[IdiotHero more immature, excitable and boisterous]], closer to the aforementioned western portrayals.[[note]]Not particularly surprising, as ''Colors'' was when new western writers who by their own admittance were unfamiliar with the series took over writing duties.[[/note]]

* ''VideoGame/AoOni'' has this with Megumi/Mika. In Version 1.0, she was still [[TheNotLoveInterest in love with Takuro]] (and they were an OfficialCouple), but with streaks of CowardlyLion . In Version 6.23 (the latest version) all she does is berate Hiroshi for thinking she'd go around the mansion with the monster still running around, then mutters "Takuro..." under her breath every time she's spoken to afterwards. [[spoiler:Then she dies]].

** [[ThoseTwoBadGuys Larson and Pierre]] in the first game didn't have much of a personality. Larson was only slightly dimwitted with a hillbilly accent while Pierre wasn't known for anything other than being a French guy that would take potshots at Lara throughout several levels. In ''VideoGame/TombRaiderChronicles'', Larson's accent grew thicker and he also TookALevelInDumbass while Pierre turned into a wimp. The ''VideoGame/TombRaiderAnniversary'' remake completely removes the previous character traits by making Larson a more competent henchman that has some sexual tension with Lara while Pierre became more calculated and was always one step ahead of Lara.

** This was mainly because of the fans' negative response to Dante in ''Devil May Cry 2'', where he was nothing but serious and borderline anti-social. Creator/{{Capcom}} eventually explained this away by claiming DMC 2 takes place when Dante is much older and battle weary, putting it as the final game in the timeline.
** It can also be easily explained with how ''3'' is the first chronologically, so he's going to be at his goofiest (and he does get serious when fighting Vergil). ''4'' is basically just a normal day in his life, so he doesn't have any real reason to take it seriously (and again, he is serious when the situation calls for it; like his initial attack on Sanctus or when [[spoiler: Credo has just died]]); it's also set after the first game, when he's managed to surpass his father by killing Mundus, so he does have reason to be more full of himself and bring his old cocky personality closer to the forefront again.
** Ultimately, it was finally explained and his personality was reeled back closer to how it was in ''1'' in ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry5'' with the retcon placing ''2'' in between ''1'' and ''4'', explaining his personality in that game being the result of depression over having to kill his own brother Vergil, with his return to form in ''4'' being because seeing Nero made him feel a lot less alone.

** Shiki Eiki, the [[{{Psychopomps}} judge of the underworld]], has the power to distinguish right from wrong without failure, allowing her to make flawless judgments. Despite being a little overbearing, she is also a compassionate person whose moralizing lectures are genuinely motivated by a desire to save souls from suffering in Hell. Some fanworks, such as IOSYS's famous [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arP18TqPZnc Convictor Yamaxanadu]], like to completely derail her personality into a spiteful HangingJudge, usually because it's [[RuleOfFunny funnier]].

** Remilia and– yes– Flandre are intelligent, young (by vampire standards) ladies, if a little childish. Remilia is usually portrayed as extremely childish, arrogant and demanding, while Flandre is either sweet or a CreepyChild with massive streaks of PersonOfMassDestruction. Sakuya is a mysterious maid, LadyOfWar style and keeps her cool in any situation, but often portrayed as obsessed with her mistress and with hidden streaks of blood-thirsty killer. Meiling is a strong and dutiful gate guardian (who takes a brief afternoon nap daily), yet in fan works is always sleeping on the job. Remilia and Flandre are often turned into evil overlords (''especially Flandre''), Sakuya either becomes solely obsessed with breast size or a serial killer (her cards have a serial killer theme, with one named after Jack the Ripper, and she suggests Chen be put down), and Meiling is a ButtMonkey.

** Cirno actually is the most powerful fairy by WordOfGod, but despite all fairies being TheDitz by default, she suffers the treatment of beating [[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons Ralph Wiggum]] in most works. Some fan works have rectified this by making her an IdiotHero but very likable and compassionate, which is ALSO different from her initial canon appearance, where she is a CreepyChild at best and outright malicious at worst. Later works [[CompositeCharacter merged all of these traits together]]: as of the latest games and manga, Cirno is [[{{Tsundere}} capable of being of compassionate and understanding when respected, but is malicious towards any slights toward her ego]], and also does some really stupid things like confusing mud for food while still being intelligent enough to lead other fairies.
*** It's the same for Utsuho, except how she is a GeniusDitz because she knows absolutely everything about nuclear fusion and assorted technology.

* ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'':
** Most characters in the series started suffered this during the 2000s.
** Despite the title character's [[CharacterExaggeration portrayal in]] [[DubPersonalityChange most western media]] as a TotallyRadical MascotWithAttitude and LargeHam, even to the point of becoming an IdiotHero, in the games his attitude and cockiness were just one facet of his personality among various, rather than an all-defining trait. There he had a more coolheaded demeanor and a laidback yet sharp-witted personality.[[note]]For instance, official profiles have remarked on his ability to keep his cool under pressure, and established that [[TheSmartGirl Rouge]] sees him as the one guy [[ManipulativeBitch she]] can't outsmart.[[/note]] He also had a caring side, [[CoolBigBro helping Tails overcome his insecurities]], as well as a playful side, [[TheGadfly enjoying teasing Knuckles]] and taunting [[BigBad Eggman]]. In the mid 2000s he started getting portrayed as more of a [[IdealHero generic good guy]], mainly in localizations.[[note]]Whereas Junichi Kanemaru consistently played Sonic in an energetic manner denoting of attitude, Jason Griffith would voice him in a much more deadpan or passive manner. Add to that the fact nuances like Sonic's propensity for GratuitousEnglish were LostInTranslation.[[/note]] Then from ''VideoGame/SonicColors'' onward, the games went in the opposite direction and started making him more of an [[LargeHam in-your-face snarker]], as well as [[IdiotHero more immature, excitable and boisterous]], closer to the aforementioned western portrayals.[[note]]Not particularly surprising, as ''Colors'' was when new western writers who by their own admittance were unfamiliar with the series took over writing duties.[[/note]]

** Despite the title character's [[CharacterExaggeration portrayal in]] [[DubPersonalityChange most western media]] as a TotallyRadical MascotWithAttitude and LargeHam, even to the point of making him an IdiotHero, his attitude and cockiness were less of an all-defining trait of his in the games and more of a subdued facet of his personality, among others. There he had a more coolheaded demeanor and a laidback yet sharp-witted personality.[[note]]For instance, official profiles have remarked on his ability to keep his cool under pressure, and established that [[TheSmartGirl Rouge]] sees him as the one guy [[ManipulativeBitch she]] can't outsmart.[[/note]] He also had a caring side, [[CoolBigBro helping Tails overcome his insecurities]], as well as a playful side, [[TheGadfly enjoying teasing Knuckles]] and taunting [[BigBad Eggman]]. In the middle 2000s he started getting portrayed as more of a [[IdealHero generic good guy]], mainly in localizations.[[note]]Whereas Junichi Kanemaru consistently played Sonic in an energetic manner denoting of attitude, Jason Griffith would voice him in a much more deadpan or passive manner. Add to that the fact nuances like Sonic's propensity for GratuitousEnglish were LostInTranslation.[[/note]] Then from ''VideoGame/SonicColors'' oward, the games went in the opposite direction and started making him more of an [[LargeHam in-your-face snarker]], as well as [[IdiotHero more immature, excitable and boisterous]], closer to the aforementioned western portrayals.[[note]]Not particularly surprising, ''Colors'' was when new western writers who admitted to be unfamiliar with the series took over writing duties.[[/note]]

** Most characters in the series have suffered this at some point not long after the release of ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'' and ''Anime/SonicX''.
** Despite [[MascotWithAttitude what he has always been advertised]] in western territories, Sonic's overall personality in the games could be described as a laid-back, sassy adventurer [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold with a heart of gold]]. However, through most games past the classic games and the Adventure series either feature Sonic as a mixture between the [[IdealHero generic good guy]] and/or [[LargeHam a more in-your-face snarker]]. The amount he gets flanderized (and which side it leans more on out of those two) usually [[DependingOnTheWriter depends on the game and its writing quality/style]]. For instance in ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'' he's captured by GUN and is jailed for a few hours, if that, and affected deeply by it. He's pacing around, tapping his shoes, doesn't have a clear head, irritated, short and terse with Amy, stewing in his thoughts of getting back at Shadow and has undergone plenty of stress from being held against his will (with freedom being a core element to what he values). Then in ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' he's put in the same situation by Eggman and is FunPersonified the moment he's seen again, making him come off as a FlatCharacter.

* In the ''VideoGame/{{Rayman}}'' series, Globox had one Flanderization. In ''VideoGame/Rayman2TheGreatEscape'', he's not a bright spark and was a bit clumsy, but he's still rather rational and helpful to Rayman. Since ''VideoGame/Rayman3HoodlumHavoc'', his clumsiness and his stupidity grew out of proportion.
** More recently in games like VideoGame/RaymanOrigins, Rayman himself has been flanderized quite a bit too. Rayman 2, Rayman 3 and Rayman Raving Rabbids portrayed him as the straight man that's constantly thrown into [[WeirdnessMagnet bizarre situations]] in a [[{{Wackyland}} wacky world]], although in the third game, he becomes quite cocky and snarky, with his first line being a comment about his best friend Globox being a scaredy-cat that sounds insensitive, especially since in the second game, he told him that he shouldn't be ashamed of admitting his fears. In Raving Rabbids 2, Rayman attempts to blend in with the Rabbids by acting as insane as they do, which results in him acting a lot wackier than usual, but there's a given explanation behind it,as he's investigating on their plans. Rayman Origins on the other hand portrays him as completely crazy all the time, he's always got a big goofy grin on his face and the DerangedAnimation just adds to his strangeness. His new personality actually fits pretty well though, as a limbless man with helicopter hair was already pretty strange to begin with.

* In the ''VideoGame/{{Rayman}}'' series, Globox had a huge Flanderization. In ''VideoGame/Rayman2TheGreatEscape'', he's not a bright spark but he's still rather rational and helpful to Rayman. Sometimes, he acted clumsy. Since ''VideoGame/Rayman3HoodlumHavoc'', his clumsiness and his stupidity grew out of proportion and he became a millstone round Rayman's neck.
** More recently in games like VideoGame/RaymanOrigins, Rayman himself has been flanderized quite a bit too. Rayman 2, Rayman 3 and Rayman Raving Rabbids portrayed him as the straight man that's constantly thrown into [[WeirdnessMagnet bizarre situations]] in a [[{{Wackyland}} wacky world]]. In Raving Rabbids 2, Rayman attempts to blend in with the rabbids by acting as insane as they do, which results in him acting a lot wackier than usual, but there's a given explanation behind it. Rayman Origins on the other hand portrays him as completely insane all the time, he's always got a big goofy grin on his face and the DerangedAnimation just adds to his strangeness. His new personality actually fits pretty well though, as a limbless man with helicopter hair was already pretty strange to begin with.

** Part of Samus' origin story includes the traumatic death of her family and the destruction of her home colony at the hands of Ridley. ''Other M'' decides that this means that, despite facing her fears and killing Ridley on numerous occasions, she's unable to react with anything apart from shock in the scene with Ridley just at the sight of him. In here, she was actually horrified that her nemesis had returned, as he was supposed to be dead in ''VideoGame/SuperMetroid'', and normally, it's fine, as the creature she met earlier was an immature stage of the Ridley line, but during the scene, she eventualle becomes her younger self for a few seconds. It's supposed to to be a visual metaphore for one of the game's themes and Samus's character arc about her embracing her inner child after confronting her past with the Galactic Federation Army, but this wasn't properly explained, it only ended up causing confusion and misunderstandings, causing everyone to mistake this for PTSD.

** Part of Samus' origin story includes the traumatic death of her family and the destruction of her home colony at the hands of Ridley. ''Other M'' decides that this means that, despite facing her fears and killing Ridley on numerous occasions, she's ''still'' cripplingly terrified of him to the point of having a PTSD episode just at the sight of him.

** Despite [[MascotWithAttitude what he has always been advertised]] in western territories, Sonic's overall personality in the games could be described as a laid-back, sassy adventurer [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold with a heart of gold]]. However, through most games past the classic games and the Adventure series either feature Sonic as a mixture between the [[IdealHero generic good guy]] and/or [[LargeHam a more in-your-face snarker]]. The amount he gets flanderized (and which side it leans more on out of those two) usually [[DependingOnTheWriter depends on the game and its writing quality/style]].

** By ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarOnline'', Numans were renamed to Newmans and made into a full race of genetically engineered beings rather than one-off experiments. ''PSO'' made them more like a WitchSpecies, as they were considerably better with [[MagicByAnyOtherName Techniques]] than Androids or Humans of the same class.

* In ''VideoGame/MarvelAvengersAlliance'', the portrayal of ComicBook/IronMan is a flat-out Flanderization of one of the most notable traits of his [[Film/IronMan movie counterpart]], the {{snark}}. Even though in the movies and comics Tony Stark tends to be sarcastic, in this game he takes nothing serious, and constantly makes fun of the current situation and even of other characters who are supposed to be his friends, like Captain America, Thor or Hawkeye.

** In ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros Brawl'', Snake is first revealed at E3 by getting out of a box. He is first revealed in the adventure mode by getting out of a box, and after his first playable segment, he teams up with [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Lucario]] and [[Franchise/{{Kirby}} Meta Knight]] after they discover him hiding in a box. Every character has three different taunts. Snake's up taunt is getting into a box. His side taunt is getting into a box. His down taunt is getting into a box. It's not just developer laziness, either, since all three have him pull the box over himself differently.

*** Dr. Eggman began life in the 16-bit era as a [[LaughablyEvil goofy-looking]] MadScientist wanting to conquer the world by mechanizing everything from small plants and animals to entire environments (with ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogCD'' showing that [[BadFuture the end result]] isn't pretty), but in ''VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles'' especially it was inferred that he had conniving traits via tricking Knuckles into helping him, along with being a ruthless {{determinator}} spending the entire game constantly trying to beat Sonic with tricks and traps, and refusing to give up even at the end of the line. ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'' expanded on this by making him an [[ItsAllAboutMe egomaniacal]] LargeHam with a sinister edge to him, [[MacGuffinDeliveryService using Sonic and friends]] to get the Chaos Emeralds needed to further his plans of destroying Station Square to build his own city to rule on top of it using an ancient monster or a giant missile. ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'' tones down Eggman's hamminess and makes him an openly threatening villain with no qualms obliterating entire cities if his demands aren't met. Similarly to Sonic himself, the media following these have [[DependingOnTheWriter fluctuated between emphasizing his more comedic or villainous traits]], with some such as ''VideoGame/SonicLostWorld'' and the [[Film/SonicTheHedgehog2020 2020 movie]] even mixing both to make him a full-on BewareTheSillyOnes character with both an AffablyEvil persona and a diabolical edge, while slipping back and forth into EvilIsHammy territory when needed.

** Isabela in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' is an in-universe example, actually, she's a rather complex character with [[HiddenDepths a buried]] [[HiddenHeartOfGold honorable side]] under the greedy pirate, but all everyone besides [[PlayerCharacter Hawke]] can focus on is [[AnythingThatMoves how many people she's had sex with]]. According to her she does this on purpose, and the number of partners is somewhat inflated in rumor.
*** For reference, that number is at least 3, since your character can engage with her in a foursome in the first game.

*** Though on that note, it's worth mentioning that Guo Jia was at the time basically writing a propaganda piece to counter Yuan Shao's own against Cao Cao (Guo's boss), so taking it with a pinch of salt might be called for. Besides, ''Romance'' itself had a bit of a tendency to flanderize the historical characters it was borrowing, for the sake of telling an entertaining, cohesive narrative.

* ''VideoGame/MegaManX'': As ExecutiveMeddling forced the series to go beyond the creator's planned ending, ''X5'', some of the main characters had certain aspects of their personality stretched out to artificially create conflict for the next few games. While Zero always stayed friendly to X, he became rather gruffer and more stereotypically badass as the series went on, especially when [[ReplacementScrappy Axl]] was introduced. Sigma [[VillainDecay degenerated]] just as badly as Dr. Wily, if not worse, as he went from very nearly destroying the world and being a truly MagnificentBastard...to a shivering pile of zombie-animated debris ''in just one game'', and by the next game [[MotiveRant explained his]] [[HijackedByGanon final boss status]] as simply [[MotiveDecay "because I'll never stop until you're dead!"]] (It should be noted that it's been hinted that, as Sigma's bodies are destroyed, a little bit of him truly dies. This would be why, by ''X6'', [[CameBackWrong he's barely sane and can't think of anything besides killing X]]. This is why his form is that of some grim reaper zombie thing.) It was X that [[UnpleasableFanbase the fans complained about]] the most, though: while he had always been more pacifistic and less violence-inclined than Zero, this was expanded into ''the'' defining aspect of his personality, so that rather than being a reluctant cop, he was a stereotypically annoying whiner who kept advocating non-violence even when the situation had clearly gone south. This led to him [[TenMinuteRetirement abandoning active duty]] at the beginning of ''X7'', so we [[ArtifactTitle started off playing a Mega Man X game without playing as Mega Man X.]] [[HesBack He does return, though.]]

** Despite [[MascotWithAttitude what he has always been advertised]] [[AdaptationDecay in western territories]], Sonic's overall personality in the games could be described as a laid-back, [[DeadpanSnarker sassy]] [[BoldExplorer adventurer]] [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold with a heart of gold]]. However, through most games past the classic games and the Adventure series either feature Sonic as a mixture between the [[IdealHero generic good guy]] and/or [[LargeHam a more in-your-face snarker]]. The amount he gets flanderized (and which side it leans more on out of those two) usually [[DependingOnTheWriter depends on the game and its writing quality/style]].

** In games ''VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles'' and ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'', Knuckles the Echidna was tricked by Eggman into antagonizing Sonic, each time for different reasons. However come [[Videogame/SonicBattle the handheld]] [[Videogame/SonicAdvance games]], SEGA decided to make Knuckles even more thick-headed and/or muscle-bound when pitted with Sonic and friends. This case with Knuckles has actually been pretty bad, leading Knuckles to no longer acknowledge his own responsibilities on his island nor what his purpose was in the series to begin with, rather just being the [[ButtMonkey meat-headed joke character]] that hangs around Sonic and pals.

*** While his plans back in the [[VideoGame/SonicAdventure Dreamcast]] [[VideoGame/SonicAdventure2 games]] involved releasing a SealedEvilInACan that would [[TheStarscream steal]] the role of BigBad from him at the end, Eggman was still an active and hands-on character frequently using manipulation and cunning to ensure his schemes would succeed, and [[VillainousValor kept fighting]] even when Chaos defied his terms or the ARK was about to destroy the world. Starting from ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'', however, Eggman would become more prone to outright stupidity as he [[AesopAmnesia continually forgot]] that EvilIsNotAToy, eventually [[VillainDecay being reduced to a glorified plot device]] to get the story to the point where he'd be forced to EnemyMine with the heroes against the MonsterOfTheWeek, and typically stayed on the sidelines while the others dealt with these villains head-on. Starting from ''VideoGame/SonicColors'', however, Eggman was able to keep the role of FinalBoss even when having a new threat at his employ, with his usurpation by the Deadly Six early into ''VideoGame/SonicLostWorld'' only happening because Sonic [[NiceJobBreakingItHero broke]] their RestrainingBolt, followed by the doctor [[spoiler:using Sonic to get rid of them while he [[HijackedByGanon secretly climbed his way back to the top]]]]. ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' also has him ''[[TheBadGuyWins succeed]]'' in conquering the world and remaining the BigBad with [[CrazyPrepared numerous contingency plans]] from start to finish.

** Princess Peach has been largely known for her over-the-top stereotypical ditzy personality, but she wasn't always like that. The series started off with her having the power to undo Bowser's evil spell, which is why Bowser kidnaps her ([[AllThereInTheManual at least, according to]] [[VideoGame/SuperMarioBros1 the first game]]'s [[AllThereInTheManual instruction manual]]). Still, in ''VideoGame/SuperMario64'', she was portrayed as a dignified, intelligent-sounding monarch. Come ''VideoGame/SuperMarioSunshine'', her ditziness took over full force, leading to the Peach we know today. Some games, however, like ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario'', subvert this completely.

** Luigi started out as a recolor of Mario but [[DivergentCharacterEvolution started to grow in character]]. In ''VideoGame/{{Paper Mario|64}}'' he keeps asking to join Mario on his adventure, even if he’s scared of ghosts. However, when he got [[VideoGame/LuigisMansion his own game]] in which he was shown as TheSoCalledCoward, he faced his fear of ghosts head on. Since then, though, being a coward has been his main character trait. [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools Not that this]] [[EnsembleDarkhorse is a bad thing.]]

** Another character who got flanderized is Toadsworth. In his debut game, ''VideoGame/SuperMarioSunshine'', he was understandably worried about Peach, but remained somewhat level-headed about it. By ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiPartnersInTime'' kicked in, he became overly paranoid, to the point of assuming [[TimeTravel his past self]] [[FountainOfYouth transformed Peach into an infant]] and kidnapped her the second he saw him with Baby Peach. However, in this case it turned out for the better, since he didn't have that much of a personality in ''Sunshine''.

--->'''Engineer''': ...WHAT.

* Peggy Jean and Lila lost a huge chunk of their former tomboyish traits in ''[[Franchise/{{Peanuts}} Snoopy's Town Tale]]''. Peggy Jean takes this UpToEleven, going from a {{Tomboy}} to a GirlyGirl, losing her sweater and trousers, and getting a dress. She is an accidental example, though; the creators of the game apparently forgot about her as a tomboy.

** In games ''VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles'' and ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'', Knuckles the Echidna was tricked by Eggman into antagonizing Sonic, each time for different reasons. However come [[Videogame/SonicBattle the handheld]] [[Videogame/SonicAdvance games]], SEGA decided to make Knuckles even more thick-headed and/or muscle-bound when pitted with Sonic and friends. This case with Knuckles has actually been pretty bad, leading Knuckles to no longer acknowledge his own responsibilities on his island nor what his purpose was in the series to begin with, rather just being the [[ButtMonkey meat-headed joke character]] that hangs around Sonic and pals. It shouldn't come as much of a surprise when he's introduced in the spin-off ''WesternAnimation/SonicBoom'' series (which is an AlternateContinuity), his new design pretty much spells out he's the DumbMuscle of the group, with absolutely no mention to the Master Emerald at all.

** In ''VideoGame/KnucklesChaotix'', Espio the Chameleon was a detective and had the ability to walk on walls and ceilings. In ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'', he was given more personality and also had some ninja elements to them due to his previous abilities, plus the fact that he should have {{invisibility}}, due to being a chameleon and all. It seemed more like a hobby than anything major. In ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations'', Espio's ninja qualities have been enhanced to an obvious degree, with more ninja mannerisms, a heavier focus on his invisibility and shuriken, and his deeper voice sounding like it was ripped straight from the animes.
** Shadow the Hedgehog:
*** In ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'', he ''did'' partake in some minor brooding, but that wasn't a primary character trait. Much like Cloud Strife in his original appearance, he could make a joke, take a joke, and he didn't care about his hazy past; all he cared about was accomplishing his current goals [[AntiHero by any means necessary]]. However, [[VideoGame/ShadowTheHedgehog in his self-titled game]], Shadow turned into a ByronicHero who would ''never stop'' brooding and pondering about his past. However, once he learns about his past, [[CharacterDevelopment that apparently satisfied his ponderings]] and relaxed into a characterization close to his original just in time for [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006 the next game]], being a stoic PragmaticHero who used both his skills ''and'' cunning to solve problems.

** In games ''VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles'' and ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'', Knuckles the Echidna was tricked by Eggman into antagonizing Sonic, each time for different reasons. However come [[Anime/SonicX the anime]], SEGA decided to make Knuckles even more thick-headed and/or muscle-bound when pitted with Sonic and friends. This is seen especially in ''VideoGame/SonicRiders'' and even ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations''. This case with Knuckles has actually been pretty bad, leading Knuckles to no longer acknowledge his own responsibilities on his island nor what his purpose was in the series to begin with, rather just being the [[ButtMonkey meat-headed joke character]] that hangs around Sonic and pals. It shouldn't come as much of a surprise when he's introduced in the spin-off ''WesternAnimation/SonicBoom'' series (which is an AlternateContinuity), his new design pretty much spells out he's the DumbMuscle of the group, with absolutely no mention to the Master Emerald at all.

*** In the 2010s, Shadow has since undergone a second flanderization [[NeverLiveItDown due to his]] [[MemeticPersonalityChange popular perception]] of being an [[DarkerAndEdgier angsty, edgy and pride-obsessed loner]] akin to [[Anime/DragonBallZ Vegeta]] (who himself was similarly flanderized into such between the Namek and Android arcs), to the point that in media past ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations'' (particularly in western media like ''WesternAnimation/SonicBoom'' and the [[Blog/SonicTheHedgehogTwitter Sonic Twitter Takeovers]], and even being [[AdaptationalVillainy an outright antagonist]] in the former), he's been portrayed as an icy loner who despises friendship and whose only emotional trait is that of being brooding, overly serious and arrogant. ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' codified this new persona in canon by having him be [[UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom the catalyst]] for Infinite's StartOfDarkness (although it's still indicated he cares somewhat for his teammates), and [[ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogIDW the IDW comics]] had him frequently be misanthropic and arrogant towards everyone to the point that [[NiceJobBreakingItHero him showing up typically makes the crisis worse]]. It remains to be seen if his simply anti-heroic characterization from between ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'' to ''VideoGame/SonicChroniclesTheDarkBrotherhood'' will return.