History AlternativeCharacterInterpretation / Nintendo

** There's a common interpretation, especially amongst fans who think Peach enjoys being kidnapped, that Mario doesn't romantically like Peach. He is constantly rescuing her for the thrill of the chase and the adventure. Or that he he's mainly in it for the [[FoodAsBride cake]]. Others simply [[MistakenForRomance mistake]] them for a couple. This seems to be backed up by her simply giving him a "Thank you Mario" whenever he rescues her, and the occasional kiss on the end of his nose. No further affection is ever shown, not even a hug.

** There's a common interpretation, especially amongst fans who think Peach enjoys being kidnapped, that Mario doesn't romantically like Peach. He is constantly rescuing her for the thrill of the chase and the adventure. Others simply [[MistakenForRomance mistake]] them for a couple. This seems to be backed up by her simply giving him a "Thank you Mario" whenever he rescues her, and the occasional kiss on the end of his nose. No further affection is ever shown, not even a hug.

** Not helping matters is the manual for the original ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros''. It explains that Bowser had turned many of the citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom into bricks... presumably the same ones that are [[InferredHolocaust smashed by the Brothers throughout the course of the game]]. Or are they the individual bricks, in which case breaking them apart from each other would be helping them? Or does breaking the blocks actually free the captive citizen (which would explain why you get points for doing it even if the block is empty), and it's just that game doesn't show it for whatever reason?

** Saria's relationship with Link can be viewed in various ways. She is OlderThanTheyLook (possibly [[Really700YearsOld several hundred years old]]) and as a [[AdorablyPrecociousChild mature personality for her physical age]]. Their relationship can be LikeBrotherAndSister, Saria can be Link's ParentalSubstitute towards Link, or Saria can have romantic feelings for him.
** Link's personality in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' is left vague, which has caused multiple interpretations of it to pop up. The mental effects on time travel in particular cause this. Does adult Link come off as a KiddieKid[=/=]ManChild due to mentally being a preteen or does young Link come off as WiseBeyondTheirYears due to their experiences in the game? Fans of the latter often write Link as a ShellShockedVeteran post-''[=OOT=]''.

** Tom Nook is prone to this to near RonTheDeathEater levels. Is he an honest businessman or an evil, greedy creep who pretty much single handedly runs the towns economy and keeps the protagonist as an indentured servant? He is constantly upgrading your house without your permission and the first thing he does when you come to town is try to force you to buy a house without your permission or any knowledge of your budget. Some even go as far as to see him as {{yakuza}} or [[TheMafia mafia]] affiliated.

*** Colm can be seen as either a classic JerkWithAHeartOfGold, or an abuser who treats [[FragileFlower Neimi]] like dirt and so [[DieForOurShip needs to bugger off so she can be paired with someone nicer.]] As for the Colm/Neimi pairing itself, one could either see it as an ultimately sweet case of {{Victorious Childhood Friend}}s, or (if you don't want their paired ending) as a more sibling-like dynamic in which Neimi happens to have developed deeper feelings for her buddy.

[[caption-width-right:350:The TropeNamer kicks it while Mario [[{{Pun}} kicks it]].]]

** In the Japanese incarnation of ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon 2}}'', Marina is a soft-spoken and awkward character. The English translation made her into a more sarcastic character. Fans have created explanations for her personality. One interpretation is that she is InnocentlyInsensitive due to Octarian-Inkling cultural differences and doesn't realize she's being mean. Another is that she's actually quite shy and is [[JerkAssFacade pretending to be tougher than she is]], most likely to try and emulate how she believes inklings behave. The third most commonly spouted interpretation is that she uses a persona and her real personality is much more subdued.

*** What is the reason for Gerome's mask? Does he have one at all? Does he make it up on the spot when pressed? Does he have as many reasons as he has supports? Is the only true reason revealed in his S-Supports? If so, which of the S-Supports canon?

** A lot of the new cast of ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn Radiant Dawn]]'' wasn't well developed, and are frequently subject to this.

** Priscilla from ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade The Blazing Blade]]'' is either A) a quiet, melancholy princess troubled by her lingering childish feelings for her brother, B) a ClingyJealousGirl who hates Lucius and wants to ruin his and Raven's relationship, or C) a manipulative attention-starved slut who latches onto anything male.
** Eliwood is either an honorable, clean-cut, shining example of good morals and chivalry, a weeping pansy who flails at the very idea of fighting, or a secret self-cutter who just may be mentally ill.
** Eliwood's son Roy is subject to a lot of this thanks to the different canons he appears in. While FE 6 fic paints him as an upstanding hero with a strong spirit, ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' fic has him as Marth's [[CanonDefilement weepy uke]] (or just a pyromaniac moron).
** Likewise, if you pair Heath from ''The Blazing Blade'' with a girl, he will be a brave, noble, and sympathetic TragicHero. Pair him with a guy, and he'll be a neurotic and paranoid {{uke}}alicious bitch. Hooray for the DoubleStandard!
** Colm from ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheSacredStones'' can be seen as either a classic JerkWithAHeartOfGold, or an abuser who treats [[FragileFlower Neimi]] like dirt and so [[DieForOurShip needs to bugger off so she can be paired with someone nicer.]] As for the Colm/Neimi pairing itself, one could either see it as an ultimately sweet case of {{Victorious Childhood Friend}}s, or (if you don't want their paired ending) as a more sibling-like dynamic in which Neimi happens to have developed deeper feelings for her buddy.
** As the game would have it, Gheb is simply just some random GiantMook/Gonk to be killed by Ephraim. However, a certain FanFic series portrays him as a MemeticMolester "sex god", by having him kill people by stabbing them with his penis, and by having him invoke BlackComedyRape.
*** And apparently, he can blow off your head in an explosion of blood and semen when he orgasms while raping you. OutWithABang, indeed.
** This is ''canon'' for Marth. He's always been noble and brave to a degree but in the earlier games he was decidedly naive and a bit of a bleeding-heart, apparently so much that the OAV adaptation ''removed'' the brave and noble part and upped the softness. In ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros Melee'', he was something of a show-off. Finally, ''Shadow Dragon'' introduced a bolder, more serious version of the character. To a lesser extent Caeda went through this as well; the games portray her as a sweet, brave girl who supports and loves Marth 100% where the OAV portrays her as a snitty brat with a mean jealous streak. Considering her actions in ''Shadow Dragon'', Caeda would make a ''very'' convincing ManipulativeBastard if the story were told from the villains' point of view with Marth and co. as the antagonists. Lorenz even notes she tends to keep people wrapped around her finger.

** The BlackKnight/[[spoiler:General Zelgius]] in the final chapters of ''Radiant Dawn''. Despite leading [[spoiler: Ashera]]'s human forces in the final battle, we're never really told where he stands on that whole "End of all life" thing. Instead, he seems to side with her partially out of loyalty to [[spoiler: Sephiran]] and partially because doing so will give him a chance to fight [[TheHero Ike]] one last time. Had he, like [[spoiler: Sephiran]], crossed the DespairEventHorizon and believed that humanity didn't deserve to exist anymore? Was he secretly hoping for the heroes to win, but was unwilling to aid them for [[WorthyOpponent various]] [[MyMasterRightOrWrong reasons]]? Or did he just not care about the outcome of the battle at all and was only interested in testing his own strength?
** Julia from ''VideoGame/FireEmblemGenealogyOfTheHolyWar''. Kind girl whose initial crush on TheHero is fading away to merely friendship? Or a ClingyJealousGirl who's ready to MurderTheHypotenuse 'cause she can't get her way (with a little help from the resident ChessMaster, Manfroy?)
*** Course she'll still try to kill your units when she's BrainWashedAndCrazy. (The only way to avoid that is to [[VideoGameCrueltyPotential kill her or have her killed]], but [[VideoGameCaringPotential you won't do that will you]]?
** The same applies to her brother Julius, in regards to the extent of his DemonicPossession. Did Loptyr possess him completely and wipe away almost all of his original personality, with only his love for Ishtar surviving? Was it a slow corruption that resulted in him SlowlySlippingIntoEvil? Was he aware of the possession and just [[MoreThanMindControl went along with it for the power]]? (Julia's comments on the subject in ''VideoGame/FireEmblemHeroes'' refute this theory.) Was he FightingFromTheInside like Lyon, albeit unsuccessfully? This is the sort of thing that will probably never be resolved minus a remake.
** Some people see ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheSacredStones Ephraim]]'' as a bastard for killing [[WorthyOpponent Selena]], despite Selena wanting to stick by [[MyCountryRightOrWrong her country, right or wrong]] [[spoiler:or emperor killed and reanimated as a zombie doing the will of the SealedEvilInACan that constitutes the BigBad of this game]], who wouldn't stand down or defect when Ephraim offered the opportunity.
*** Then there's the interpretation that he's emotionally damaged. This makes more sense if you play through his route and watch his scenes with Lyon.
** Eirika gets this as well. Some fans see her as a hopelessly naive idiot for the mistakes she makes in canon, while others see her as having a spiritual side that makes her emotionally stronger than Ephraim.
** Even the PlayerCharacter from ''Awakening'' is starting to fall under this. [[spoiler: Was the Avatar in the original timeline really a power-hungry jerk who backstabbed Chrom and got possessed by Grima willingly, as Grima himself suggests? Or did being forced to kill Chrom push them over the DespairEventHorizon, and led them to give their body to Grima rather than face up to the Shepherds who would surely abandon them once they knew Chrom was dead by their hand? Since Grima attempts to mind-control Robin several times in the late game, this option makes sense, but Robin is also shown to be able to brush him off -- so he/she may still have been ''somewhat'' willing to give their body to Grima, or at very least have an underlying conflict underneath. Or was the Avatar always loyal to Chrom, and [[ILied Grima is just lying his fell dragon ass off?]] Who knows, though Future Past all but says Grima possessed Robin by force.]]
** That's not even getting into the many conflicting interpretations of the secondary characters. [[spoiler: Is Lucina's attachment to her father just that of a young girl who lost him and doesn't want him to die again, or does she have an ElectraComplex]]? Is Tharja really that cruel and wicked, or is she just '''terribly''' NotGoodWithPeople and that became even worse [[spoiler: in the BadFuture]]? Which of Henry's characterization is the most valid, his Japanese (where he doesn't always enjoy bloodshed as he says he does) or English one (where he actually ''does'', and only learns to think differently when with the Shepherds)?
** This is also parodied with Sumia, when she admits to Miriel that she fakes being clumsy so men will pay attention to her... [[spoiler: It turns out it was a fever dream of Miriel's after she passed out from the hot sun, and Sumia is seen tending to her while acting her normal self. She actually ''is'' as clumsy and soft-hearted as she seems.]] Or is she?
** What is the reason for Gerome's mask? Does he have one at all? Does he make it up on the spot when pressed? Does he have as many reasons as he has supports? Is the only true reason revealed in his S-Supports? If so, which of the S-Supports canon?
** Is Owain a childish vagrant who makes war a game and ends up with Blood Knight tendencies? Or are the admittedly dark stories he produces just his way of coping with all he went through? His supports do tend toward the latter, by making heavy use of OOCIsSeriousBusiness whenever he drops his persona, which is even [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] when he does so while trying to help Brady with his emotional issues.
** Does Morgan have an Electra/Oedipus complex? Does Female!Morgan derive pleasure at the expense of others?
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF97hm3SqjI As shown in this Youtube video]], quite a few fans pin Camilla as suffering from an AmbiguousDisorder such as seperation anxiety disorder or clinical depression rather than just being a {{yandere}} MsFanservice character.

* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'':
** Cyrus-- is he WellIntentionedExtremist? Even his die-hard fans will admit that his actions were evil and he had to be stopped, but was it as simple as defeating a megalomaniac? Or was there a good motive under that insanity? Giving him a CryForTheDevil backstory--which you don't discover until he's already gone from the plot--throws a wrench in the works, as does that some of his agents want to continue his organization even with the realization that Cyrus himself had gone too far.
** Part of the difference seems to come from his alternate characterization in ''Platinum'' version, especially the scene where he tells the player character that he's using the other Galactic agents and LAUGHS ABOUT IT. [[TheStoic Cyrus]] LAUGHING is jarring enough (and borders on completely out of character), but consider that that entire scene didn't exist in ''Diamond/Pearl''.
*** To say nothing of the differing theories as to what that he ''meant'' in that scene. The theory that he planned to be the only thing that existed doesn't seem to hold water, as he talks later about others being there, including people he wouldn't logically know about. Was he testing the player character's reaction, as he seemed to be doing with his bomb threat in Celestic and his later threat that capturing/defeating Giratina would cause everything to end (which is counterproductive to his goals as if everything ended ''that'' way, he couldn't create his new universe)? Was the "lie" refering to how he had no intention of letting his subordinants ''rule'' rather than exist at all? Or is he just being his usual inscrutable self and the true meaning of it is known only to him?
** It's worth noting that there is [[Manga/PokemonDiamondAndPearlAdventure a canon]] where Cyrus [[spoiler: realizes that what he had done was wrong]], although we're not told the specifics of his realization. It's also the only canon where someone [[spoiler: shows him forgiveness]], and it's implied that the two are related. However, ''DPA''-verse was for the most part written without ''Platinum'''s characterization.
** Similarly, there's a popular theory that Giovanni from Generation 1 could have been a good guy, in that he wanted to [[WellIntentionedExtremist obtain the Silph Scope and Master Ball to catch a powerful ghost and then stop Mewtwo from destroying the world]]. Admittedly, this runs into problems when one considers the criminal organization he runs that steals, kills, and mistreats Pokemon... but perhaps he was [[TheAtoner trying to make up for his crimes]]?
*** Whether or not he even ''knows Mewtwo exists'' is another issue. Team Rocket ''was'' involved with Mewtwo in the anime and ''Pokémon Adventures'', which could feed potential Atoner theories... However, it's unclear if this applies to game Giovanni was well.
** Kotone/Lyra (the girl trainer in ''HG/SS''). Both [[http://www.pokesho.com/img_4/4_hgss33.gif Japanese]] and [[http://toonness64.deviantart.com/art/Thats-MIND-BOGGELING-D-167739829 Western]] fandom love depicting her with a few screws loose, partially related to her ReplacementScrappy status. The Japanese version takes it up to eleven by making her NEVER change her expression. However, this is rarely used seriously.
** The nurses are caring medical practitioners who you only visit when your Pokemon are badly injured but they say they "hope to see you again soon". It comes off as malicious to some.
** The internet has minorly gone nuts over an interpretation that Blue's Raticate died and was buried in Pokemon Tower. Most commonly, this was as a result of his battle with Red aboard the S.S. Anne, causing him to blame Red for it and vow to become a Pokemon Master for his dead companion. Interestingly, these interpretations tend not to focus on avenging the Raticate's death by defeating Red, but rather channeling all his sorrow into becoming a better Pokemon trainer, which would make Blue one of the most mature eleven-ish-year-olds ever. It also makes for a [[TragicVillain tragic]] [[ComingOfAgeStory loss of innocence story]], especially when Red then takes his championship (and the love of his grandfather) mere minutes after attaining it.
** There is also the theory that Blue actually joined Team Rocket at some point, looking to the fact that he is often encountered in the same area as Team Rocket, and does nothing to help save Silph Co. even though he is right there in the building and certainly strong enough to defeat Giovanni.
** Blue is canonically your rival because you are of similar height, age, etc. Reasons for him going from friendly to a jerk differ, such as his parents recently dying or him being jealous of you.
** Red has various interpretations on both design and personality. His remake design is ''always'' shown scowling in official art and his ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' counterpart is a bit of a JerkAss (or at least is quite cocky) along with his ''Manga/PocketMonsters'' counterpart, though the games imply he's a nice {{Determinator}}. But his classic design is almost always shown happy, smiling, friendly, and HotBlooded in official art. Fans love to portray him as TheStoic. ''Sun and Moon'' seems to have [[AscendedFanon canonized]] the stoic version of Red.
*** Furthermore, with Red's appearance as the FinalBoss of ''Gold/Silver'' and the remakes, there's debate as to whether he's a BloodKnight always looking for the next battle (he's found at the end of TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon which has the strongest pokemon in the game), a RetiredBadAss that just wants to be left alone (as far from civilization as possible in game), a DeathSeeker in the sense that he wants someone who can finally defeat him (see previous reasons and add that he vanishes after he's beaten), or just a kid travelling around with his Pokémon.
** Colress in ''VideoGame/PokemonBlack2AndWhite2''. Is it clear that he was in league with Ghetsis and the rest of Team Plasma in wanting to take over Unova with Kyurem? Or was he working with Ghetsis by force and not by habit of wanting to do such a thing? He expresses that his desire is to bring out the entirety of Pokemon potential no matter what it takes, ''even if the entire world is destroyed as a result''. But he didn't agree with the old Team Plasma's approach of Pokemon liberation. In addition, when you approach Terrakion on Route 22, he doesn't seem concerned about the fact that you plan to confront them, and gives you the Colress Machine so you can wake up the Crustle in Seaside Cave that's blocking the path to the frigate. And after you beat him, he commends your relationship with your team and encourages you to put a stop to Ghetsis' plans. Then, after beating him in the post-game, he reveals that [[spoiler:he detested Ghetsis from the very start, hinting that he wasn't quite in league with said plans]]. So what he really was out for is your call.
*** Then there's the fact that Ghetsis himself [[spoiler: implies that Colress's goals conflicted with his]] when you meet him on the Frigate. While this seems to lean towards Colress not really being in the league with Ghetsis, what it really means is still somewhat open to interpretation.
** In fandom, the Nuzlocke Challenge. You can only catch the first Pokémon you encounter in an area, and anytime a Pokémon faints, it is "dead" and must be released. How would this look to the actual in-game world? A trainer claims to love his Pokémon, but any time one of them faints, he sends it away because [[YouHaveFailedMe it's dead to him]].
** The Pokemon Cubone wears a skull on its head from its dead mother. One popular interpretation is that it's a orphaned baby Kangaskhan that because of the skull evolves into Marowak instead of Kangaskhan, though how seriously this is believed depends on the person.
** Another theory is that the Ghost Pokemon Gengar is a dead Clefable because of their similar body shapes.
** Less morbid is the theory that the fossil Pokemon Kabutops is an evolutionary ancestor of Scyther because they both have blade arms.
** Darkrai is often depicted in canon media as dangerous and shady, and [[VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeonExplorers sometimes]] all the way up to utter monster. A common fandom alternative, though, is that it is not malevolent than any other given Legendary and suffers from BadPowersGoodPeople, requiring withdrawal from people to prevent causing pain and making itself genuinely hated.
** Team Rocket Executive Ariana looks quite a bit like the ''HGSS'' rival Silver and her English name is Welsh for "Silver". Could they be related, even mother and son? If so, what is their bond like? Does Silver even know?
** How bad of a parent is the BigBad [[spoiler:Lusamine]] from ''VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon''? Is her behavior due to [[spoiler:Nihilego's]] toxins or not? Fans differ from her being a perfectly good parent until she became BrainwashedAndCrazy, her being abusive on her own but spiraling even more out of control due to the toxins, or her being in control at all times.

* ''VideoGame/{{Xenoblade}}'': A case could be made for quite a few characters, but [[spoiler:Dickson]] most springs to mind. As one of the oldest creatures in the universe, is he simply a [[spoiler:remorseless, backstabbing BloodKnight who desires only to fight for his master, Zanza]], or has he [[spoiler:long since given up on trying to forge his own future, resigned to serving a God he has no hope of defying]]?

* ''VideoGame/{{Xenoblade}}'': A case could be made for quite a few characters, but [[spoiler:Dickson]] most springs to mind. As one of the oldest creatures in the universe, is he simply a [[spoiler:remorseless, backstabbing BloodKnight who desires only to fight for his master, Zanza]], or has he [[spoiler:long since given up on trying to forge his own future, resigned to serving a God he has no hope of defying]]?

** Views on Inklings as a whole differ due to the Octarians backstory. [[spoiler:Octarians were forced under ground after losing a war. Their living situations are becoming increasingly poor.]] Many feel sympathetic for Octarians and view Inklings as genocidal jerks.

** Bowser Jr.: In his canon appearances, his action is to take Peach hostage and preventing Mario to take her back. But does he do that to follow his father's steps to threat Mario, or does he believe that Peach is the closest being he has for a "mama", and wants to get his "family" together? Perhaps his way to do that reflects what he learns from his father, that is to take things by brute force - but neither of them seem to want to really hurt Peach.

** Mario and Yoshi's relationship, the games always imply that they are friends, but some claim that Mario is abusive to Yoshi. Whenever Yoshi releases his tongue, Mario seems to punch his head, but others claim he is just pointing his finger, but the main argument for Mario being a jerk to Yoshi, is the trick of jumping and leaving Yoshi for an extra jump, that often results in Yoshi falling to his doom, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGuBTlJDki8 many]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9x4o1gAzTc fan]] [[http://new2.fjcdn.com/pictures/Yoshi+yoshi+go+down+the+hole_8390bc_3677301.jpg works]] parody this to the point of becoming cliche, but some say that Yoshi is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EscOE4sSYOo actually saving Mario]].

* ''VideoGame/{{Xenoblade}}'': A case could be made for quite a few characters, but [[spoiler:Dickson]] most springs to mind. As one of the oldest creatures in the universe, is he simply a [[spoiler:remorseless, backstabbing BloodKnight who desires only to fight for his master, Zanza]], or has he [[spoiler:long since given up on trying to forge his own future, resigned to serving a God he has no hope of defying]]?
* Wilhelm from ''VideoGame/{{Xenosaga}}'' get a fair bit of alternate interpretations. Is he a WellIntentionedExtremist who is underestimating humanity or a somewhat cold man who is nonetheless working for the greater good? Depends largely on if you believe Eternal Recurance was a means or an end. It could be both, considering his main goal was to prevent the collapse of the lower domain (our universe). And when the alternatives are our universe getting destroyed and the upper one staying around or BOTH getting destroyed. Considering both ways end up with the lower domain still around either by resetting everything or the collective unconscious evolving enough to prevent or reverse the dispersion that would have lead to said destruction. And since doing something like THAT is by no means easy, he really skirts the line between WellIntentionedExtremist and NecessarilyEvil.
** Wilhelm may have been trying to become God (or really was him, thus making it a case of GodIsEvil) himself. Not only does he have some subtle AGodAmI like moments, he also can [[spoiler:make people immortal, see the consciousness of anyone he likes, and is able to keep the time-loop he had going. Also, he can do whatever he wants, whether it's transporting gigantic robots with the snap of a finger or force choking someone. He also acts more like God than what the official explanation is. He claims U-DO is God and that the two Abels are it's observation vessels, but knowing Wilhelm, it wouldn't surprise me to find out that he had something to do with that too. This is the guy who was behind the U.M.N. Another thing is that we never really saw what happened to him and Kevin. It's assumed that he dies along with Kevin, but they never show them actually disappearing (like they did with Caanan and Voyager) nor do they mention it after the last boss fight. This leaves me to believe he just went to a different dimension (most likely the Upper one) during the Zarathustra battle. I mean, I find it hard to believe that he'd give a Testament the power to kill him, let alone create just one key to activate Zarathustra.]] He probably just went elsewhere to plan. Not that we'd ever find out anyway, thanks to the series being canceled.

* ''VideoGame//FireEmblem'' fandom is ''full of'' these, mostly found in FanFic:

** In the Japanese incarnation of ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon 2}}'', Marina is a soft-spoken and awkward character. The English translation made her into a more sarcastic character. Fans have created explanations for her personality. One interpretation is that she is InnocentlyInsensitive due to Octarian-Inkling cultural differences and doesn't realize she's being mean. Another is that she's actually quite shy and is [[JerkAssFacade pretending to be tougher than she is]]. The third most commonly spouted interpretation is that she uses a persona and her real personality is much more subdued.

* ''Franchise/FireEmblem'' fandom is ''full of'' these, mostly found in FanFic:

** Part of the difference seems to come from his alternate characterization in Platinum version, especially the scene where he tells the player character that he's using the other Galactic agents and LAUGHS ABOUT IT. [[TheStoic Cyrus]] LAUGHING is jarring enough (and borders on completely out of character), but consider that that entire scene didn't exist in Diamond/Pearl.

** It's worth noting that there is [[Manga/PokemonDiamondAndPearlAdventure a canon]] where Cyrus [[spoiler: realizes that what he had done was wrong]], although we're not told the specifics of his realization. It's also the only canon where someone [[spoiler: shows him forgiveness]], and it's implied that the two are related. However, DPA-verse was for the most part written without Platinum's characterization.

** Kotone/Lyra (the girl trainer in HG/SS). Both [[http://www.pokesho.com/img_4/4_hgss33.gif Japanese]] and [[http://toonness64.deviantart.com/art/Thats-MIND-BOGGELING-D-167739829 Western]] fandom love depicting her with a few screws loose, partially related to her ReplacementScrappy status. The Japanese version takes it up to eleven by making her NEVER change her expression. This is rarely used seriously though.

** The Internet has minorly gone nuts over an interpretation that Blue's Raticate died and was buried in Pokemon Tower. Most commonly, this was as a result of his battle with Red aboard the S.S. Anne, causing him to blame Red for it and vow to become a Pokemon Master for his dead companion. Interestingly, these interpretations tend not to focus on avenging the Raticate's death by defeating Red, but rather channeling all his sorrow into becoming a better Pokemon trainer, which would make Blue one of the most mature eleven-ish-year-olds ever. It also makes for a [[TragicVillain tragic]] [[ComingOfAgeStory loss of innocence story]], especially when Red then takes his championship (and the love of his grandfather) mere minutes after attaining it.

*** Furthermore, with Red's appearance as the FinalBoss of Silver/Gold and the remakes, there's debate as to whether he's a BloodKnight always looking for the next battle (he's found at the end of TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon which has the strongest pokemon in the game), a RetiredBadAss that just wants to be left alone (as far from civilization as possible in game), a DeathSeeker in the sense that he wants someone who can finally defeat him (see previous reasons and add that he vanishes after he's beaten), or just a kid travelling around with his Pokemon.

** Team Rocket Executive Ariana looks quite a bit like the ''HGSS'' rival Silver and her English name is Welsh for "Silver". Could they be related, even mother and son? If so, what is their bond? Does Silver even know?

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF97hm3SqjI As shown in this Youtube video]], quite a few fans pin Camilla as suffering from an AmbiguousDisorder such as seperation anxiety disorder or clinical depression rather than being just a {{yandere}} MsFanservice character.

** Saria's relationship with Link can be viewed in various ways. She is OlderThanTheyLook (possibly [[Really700YearsOld several hundred years old]]), has a [[AdorablyPrecociousChild mature personality for her physical age]], and has watched over Link since infancy. Their relationship can be LikeBrotherAndSister, Saria can be Link's ParentalSubstitute towards Link, or Saria can have romantic feelings for him.

** How bad of a parent is [[spoiler:Lusamine]] from ''VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon''? Is her behavior due to neotoxins or not? Fans differ from her being a completely good parent until she essentially became addicted to the toxins, her being abusive on her own but spiraling even more out of control due to it, or her being in control at all times.

** Do Super Mushrooms restore people to normal size or grow them? The difference means that either Mario is rescuing an unusually tall woman, or Mario is rescuing a 12-foot-tall giant.
*** Interestingly enough, if you finish the All Stars version of ''Super Mario Brothers'' as small Mario, you will receive a Super Mushroom and grow to Super Mario. Whether that means that Mario was always supposed to be at Princess Peach's height or was given it so he could grow to her size is less clear, though, although this would suggest the former.
** Not helping matters is the manual for the original ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros''. It explains that Bowser had turned many of the citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom into bricks... presumably the same ones that are [[InferredHolocaust smashed by the Brothers throughout the course of the game]].
*** Or are they the individual bricks, in which case breaking them apart from each other would be helping them?
*** Or does breaking the blocks actually free the captive citizen (which would explain why you get points for doing it even if the block is empty), and it's just that game doesn't show it for whatever reason?

** There's a common interpretation, especially amongst fans who think Peach enjoys being kidnapped, that Mario doesn't romantically like Peach. He is constantly rescuing her for the thrill of the chase and the adventure. Others simply [[MistakenForRomance mistake]] them for a couple.
*** This seems to be backed up by her simply giving him a "Thank you Mario" whenever he rescues her, and the occasional kiss on the end of his nose. No further affection is ever shown, not even a hug.

* Based on a few bits from the games, Kraden from ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'' may be the real villain. The villains from the first game called him "Cunning beyond measure." Methinks there be some hidden layers to that old coot... [[MadScientist Not all scholars are good.]] Most of the events seem to have stemmed from the fact that Kraden insisted on going on into the temple at Mt. Aleph, and it's implied that the villains couldn't have gotten through without that. Then he insisted on taking the Stars from there, seemingly knowing there was a powerful guardian waiting (he recognized it almost instantly as such).

** Saria's relationship with Link can be viewed in various ways. She is OlderThanTheyLook (possibly [[Really700YearsOld several hundred years old]]), has a mature personality for her physical age, and has watched over Link since infancy. Their relationship can be LikeBrotherAndSister, Saria being a ParentalSubstitute towards Link, or romantic.
** Link's personality in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' is left vague, which has caused multiple interpretations of it to pop up. The mental effects on time travel in particular cause this. Does adult Link come off as a KiddieKid due to mentally being a preteen or does young Link come off as WiseBeyondTheirYears due to their experiences in the game? Fans of the latter often write Link as a ShellShockedVeteran post-[=OOT=].

** Red has various interpretations on both design and personality. His remake design ''always'' shows him scowling and his ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' counterpart is a bit of a JerkAss (or at least quite cocky) along with his ''Manga/PocketMonsters'' counterpart, though the games imply he's a nice {{Determinator}}. But his classic design is almost always shown happy, smiling, friendly, and HotBlooded. Fans love to portray him as TheStoic.

** The theories on the Mario-Bowser-Princess Peach relationship are manifold, and reflect the opinee's view of life better than any Rorschach blot could. Interpretations from the myth of St. George to a S&M game are available. And that's not even getting into the [[{{moviebob}} God-vs-Satan]] interpretations...

** Porky Minch: {{Jerkass}} through and through and determined to turn the universe into his own personal toy box, or abused {{woobie}}? There's certainly evidence for the latter; His parents were abusive and various people in his hometown mock him, though he still shows that odd big-brother sort of caring for Picky and is friends with Ness. When Giygas begins to control him, he gets a taste of a much, much better life and does everything to keep it, including lie, steal, and alienate his only friend. In ''VideoGame/{{Mother 3}}'', he surrounds himself with his own personal utopia: A place filled with self-praise and reminders of his old life and friends, and his grand plan is to destroy the world, therefore destroying everyone who won't like him.

*** Furthermore, Woobifying Pokey in Mother 3 is pointless when you remember another Woobie in your Party that had it worse: Duster. He was legitimately abused by his father (even if it did cause him to be an awesome Wall-Stapler) to the point of having a life-long limp, was not very social (Dialogue implies the he rarely gets to go to Tazmily villaige), and he's still very heroic.

*** Also, Porky's family, particularly Picky and Lardna: [[spoiler: Just another notch in the abusive belt or actually caring for Porky? They seem genuinely worried for him when he and his father leave for Fourside; They know they left, they just don't know why. Lardna seems to deny that the abuse is taking place for both children, according to some theories. If this is true, it would better explain the Lardna-waitress bots in New Pork City, and maybe the older Picky... Ah, Bateau.]]

** Dr. Andonuts: kindly, absent-minded scientist who's [[spoiler: forced to work for the Pigmask army]], or [[spoiler: mad scientist who'll work for anyone who'll fund him? He apparently doesn't stand up for himself in the slightest until Lucas comes through--or, to be even less charitable, until the very end of the game, when he already knows what side his bread's buttered on anyway. He seems to spend most of Mother 3 in an apathetic haze, making cool toys (he makes monstrous chimeras ''in his spare time, for fun''). Think Nazi-turned-Allied scientist Wernher Von Braun, but in a trash can, and with more child neglect than you can shake a stick at.]]

* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' :

*** Interestingly enough, if you finish the All Stars version of Super Mario Brothers while small Mario, you will receive a Super Mushroom and grow to Super Mario. Whether that means that Mario was always supposed to be at Princess Peach's height or was given it so he could grow to her size is less clear, though, although this would suggest the former.

** Babi is also frequently portrayed as an EvilOverlord in fan works. He does do a lot of things in canon that could be interpreted as evil (Kidnapping Sheba and using her as blackmail to get Lalivero to build his lighthouse, stealing a lifespan-extending draught and a magical ship from the Lemurians, etc.) but despite this the game itself doesn't portray him as a villain and the heroes never seem to question his motives or deny his requests.

** Priscilla from ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemElibe Blazing Blade]]'' is either A) a quiet, melancholy princess troubled by her lingering childish feelings for her brother, B) a ClingyJealousGirl who hates Lucius and wants to ruin his and Raven's relationship, or C) a manipulative attention-starved slut who latches onto anything male.

** Likewise, if you pair Heath from FE 7 with a girl, he will be a brave, noble, and sympathetic TragicHero. Pair him with a guy, and he'll be a neurotic and paranoid {{uke}}alicious bitch. Hooray for the DoubleStandard!

** This is ''canon'' for Marth. He's always been noble and brave to a degree but in the earlier games he was decidedly naive and a bit of a bleeding-heart, apparently so much that the OAV adaptation ''removed'' the brave and noble part and upped the softness. In ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee'', he was something of a show-off. Finally, ''Shadow Dragon'' introduced a bolder, more serious version of the character. To a lesser extent Caeda went through this as well; the games portray her as a sweet, brave girl who supports and loves Marth 100% where the OAV portrays her as a snitty brat with a mean jealous streak. Considering her actions in Shadow Dragon, Caeda would make a ''very'' convincing ManipulativeBastard if the story were told from the villains' point of view with Marth and co. as the antagonists. Lorenz even notes she tends to keep people wrapped around her finger.

** A lot of the new cast of ''Radiant Dawn'' wasn't well developed, and are frequently subject to this.
** The BlackKnight/[[spoiler: General Zelgius]] in the final chapters of ''Radiant Dawn''. Despite leading [[spoiler: Ashera]]'s human forces in the final battle, we're never really told where he stands on that whole "End of all life" thing. Instead, he seems to side with her partially out of loyalty to [[spoiler: Sephiran]] and partially because doing so will give him a chance to fight [[TheHero Ike]] one last time. Had he, like [[spoiler: Sephiran]], crossed the DespairEventHorizon and believed that humanity didn't deserve to exist anymore? Was he secretly hoping for the heroes to win, but was unwilling to aid them for [[WorthyOpponent various]] [[MyMasterRightOrWrong reasons]]? Or did he just not care about the outcome of the battle at all and was only interested in testing his own strength?
** Julia from FE 4. Kind girl whose intial crush on TheHero is fading away to merely friendship? Or a ClingyJealousGirl who's ready to MurderTheHypotenuse 'cause she can't get her way (with a little help from the resident ChessMaster, Manfroy?)

** The same applies to her brother Julius, in regards to the extent of his DemonicPossession. Did Loptyr possess him completely and wipe away almost all of his original personality, with only his love for Ishtar surviving? Was it a slow corruption that resulted in him SlowlySlippingIntoEvil? Was he aware of the possession and just [[MoreThanMindControl went along with it for the power]]? Was he FightingFromTheInside like Lyon, albeit unsuccessfully? This is the sort of thing that will probably never be resolved minus a remake.

** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'' adds another layer to the interpretations of Zelda and Ganon's role in Hyrule's well being: [[spoiler: It is revealed that the game's Zelda, and perhaps the other Zeldas yet to come are an incarnation of the Goddess Hylia in a mortal form, and Ganon/dorf is an incarnation of Demise (The Demon King)'s, hatred. Zelda hypothesized that The Triforce was created by the ancient goddesses for mortals to give them hope. Hylia then assumed a mortal form so that the Triforce's divine power won't fall into the hands of evil. She might have also been using Link, and his relationship with Zelda as a way to protect the Triforce from other forces, such as Demise. This could make Hylia seem no better then Demise in a sense. It also makes Ganondorf no less of a pawn then Link and Zelda.]]

** Darkrai is often depicted in canon media as dangerous and shady, and [[VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeonExplorers sometimes]] all the way up to CompleteMonster. A common fandom alternative, though, is that it is not malevolent than any other given Legendary and suffers from BadPowersGoodPeople, requiring withdrawal from people to prevent causing pain and making itself genuinely hated.