History Main / TheMafia

** One story mentions Dominic "Junior" Forgione, an east side boss.
** And before their time, there was The Scarlet Snake, who allegedly ran half the crime in the city.

* In ''ComicBook/AstroCity'', the main crime syndicate is run by The Deacon. The "Dark Ages" story arc included a gang war between groups led by The Deuce, Bamboo, and Josef "The Platypus" Platapopulous.

* Many of Franchise/{{Batman}}'s non-Cape villains are mafiosi; Carmine "The Roman" Falcone, Salvatore "Boss" Maroni, [[ComicBook/RobinSeries Henry Aquista]], Rupert Thorne and Carl Grissom qualify. Also, the ComicBook/{{Huntress}}' main target when she was reintroduced ComicBook/PostCrisis is the Mafia. She was a MafiaPrincess growing up, until the Mafia had [[OrphansOrdeal her family]] [[YouKilledMyFather killed]] [[HarmfulToMinors in front of]] [[DistaffCounterpart her]] [[Franchise/{{Batman}} eyes]].

* ''Series/TheSopranos'' revolves around the lives and affairs of the fictional [=DiMeo=] crime family in New Jersey, led by [[VillainProtagonist Tony Soprano]]. Due to being set in the 2000s, the show finally put an end to the popular cliche of mobsters acting like 1940s era gangsters from ''Film/TheGodfather'', and took much more influence from ''{{Film/Goodfellas}}''. The [=DiMeo=] crime family are junior partners of the much larger Lupertazzis, a fictionalized version of one of the five New York families. Additionally, one episode features a Camorra clan led by Annalisa Zucca, a rare female example of TheDon.

* ''Series/TheSopranos'' revolves around the lives and affairs of the [=DiMeo=] crime family in New Jersey, led by [[VillainProtagonist Tony Soprano]]. Due to being set in the 2000s, the show finally put an end to the popular cliche of mobsters acting like 1940s era gangsters from ''Film/TheGodfather'', and took much more influence from ''{{Film/Goodfellas}}''. Additionally, one episode features a Camorra clan led by Annalisa Zucca, a rare female example of TheDon.

* The long-running Italian drama ''LaPiovra'' (''TheOctopus'') deals with organized crime in Italy. The title is a metaphor, comparing the Mafia to an octopus whose tentacles are in everything. Interestingly, the show gives equal time to the heroes affected by its dealings, including Detective Carrado Cattani [[spoiler:who is killed in a hail of gunfire at the end of Series Four]].

Hard-nosed, gun-toting, [[RambunctiousItalian take-no-prisoner Italians]] (and the ethno-linguistically separate UsefulNotes/{{Sicil|y}}ians, but it's rare for gangster-centric media to make such a distinction). Part tight-knit community, part protection racket, these ''paesani'' live by a code -- which just happens to include ''vendetta'' (killing anyone who wrongs ''La Famiglia'') and ''omertà'' (going to your [[TheDon Don]], rather than the cops, when you have trouble with a fellow Italian or Sicilian). Classically known as ''Cosa Nostra'' ("[[BuffySpeak our thing]]") for the Sicilians, and also called "wiseguys". Although the power of the Mafia (at least, the American Mafia) has diminished sharply since such heights as the Prohibition Era thanks to most of its bigger players either getting stuffed into prison or simply becoming too old to participate in the game, the mystique surrounding these organizations is so strong that they have almost replaced other established historical figures, such as knights or cowboys, as [[DamnItFeelsGoodToBeAGangster carriers of a romantic ideal]].

While the Italian Mafia has [[UsefulNotes/TheMafia an obvious basis in fact]], it has remained a staple of entertainment even as the [[{{Yakuza}} Japanese Yakuza]], former [[TheMafiya Soviet-bloc Bratvas]], [[TheTriadsAndTheTongs Hong Kong Triads]] and [[TheCartel Latin American drug cartels]] lapped it for sheer scare value in the real world (they may or may not share some of the Mafia's traditional features in fiction, such as the sharp suits or the loyalty to family). Note that this trope can also include similar Italian criminal organizations such as the Neapolitan Camorra or the Calabrian Ndrangheta which are also fairly prominent at home and overseas just like the Mafia. For the [[TheThemeParkVersion laughably inept, PG-rated version]], see TheFamilyForTheWholeFamily. If present as a global player, the Mafia may evolve into TheSyndicate. See also MafiaPrincess and TheDon. It is [[SarcasmMode obviously]] [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial not connected]] with the LegitimateBusinessmensSocialClub at all.

* The Punchinellos are similar to the Mafia and play a somewhat major role in the first two ''VideoGame/MaxPayne'' games as {{Mooks}}. There's also the De Marcos, a New Jersey-based mob who appear as enemies in a few chapters in ''VideoGame/MaxPayne3'' and end up going to war with the Punchinellos some time after Max leaves for Brazil.

** There's also the [[{{Mons}} Mon]] Honchkrow, a crow that looks like it's dressed like a Mafia Don. Appropriately enough, Giovanni of Team Rocket uses one in his appearance in ''VideoGame/PokemonHeartGoldAndSoulSilver''.

* ''VideoGame/SkullGirls'' features the Medici family, who are a particularly nasty bunch. [[PerkyFemaleMinion Cerebella]] is the only playable character who are a part of the mafia but several characters have histories tied to them. Ms. Fortune and the band of thieves she was in were murdered by Medici assassins, but [[ImmortalityInducer she survived]]. Peacock and [[spoiler:Marie]] were captured by slavers funded by the Medici and Squigly was killed by the Medici when they attacked her family due to her mother obtaining the [[McGuffin Skull Heart]]. And finally, there is [[spoiler:Filia Medici, granddaughter of the current head of the family and the default protagonist of the game.]]
* One of the bonus levels in ''VideoGame/SyphonFilterTheOmegaStrain'' has you playing as Gary Stoneman to assassinate a Mafia boss in Pescara, Italy with a [[OneBulletLeft one-bullet]] [[SnipingMission sniper rifle]].

* In ''VideoGame/CoffeeTalk Episode 2: Hibiscus and Butterfly'', Hyde claims to know some dwarves whose grandkids are currently running the mafia like "some sort of start-up". He wishes to go back to being chased by them [[spoiler:once he permanently moves back to Seattle]], but [[UnreliableNarrator since he's just messing with Baileys and the Barista, it's unknown if the mafia is real.]]

* ''VideoGame/DeadConnection'' is an arcade game where your player character, a tough-as-nails private investigator, cleans the city of the Mafia, gunning down mooks in suits for the entirety of the gameplay.
* ''VideoGame/MafiaTheCityOfLostHeaven'' is all about La Cosa Nostra, with inspirations drawn from many works on this page. [[VideoGame/MafiaII The first in]] [[VideoGame/MafiaIII a trilogy]].
* ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto'':
** ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIII'' revolves around one Mafia family, the Leones, for the first portion of the game, and the group also shows up in important roles in the other parts of the series. In fact, ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoLibertyCityStories'' has you play as Toni Cipriani, a mobster who's of some importance in ''3''.
** ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoViceCity'': Tommy Vercetti himself is a former capo for one of the other Liberty City families, the Forellis. They ultimately become the main antagonists and final enemies of the game.
** ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoSanAndreas'' has the Leones, as well as the Sindaccos, as antagonists during the Las Venturas missions, and are the arch-rivals and competitors of TheTriadsAndTheTongs Carl is working with.
** In ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIV'', by contrast, the families don't really show up until the latter parts of the game and are comparatively [[BigBadWannabe weak and racked by infighting]], ultimately being played for fools by [[BigBad Dmitri]].
*** In ''[[VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIVTheBalladOfGayTony The Ballad of Gay Tony]]'', they are secondary antagonists who effectively fade into the background when Luis offs the [[TheMafiya main antagonist]] in spectacular fashion.
** They're surprisingly absent in ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoV''--the closest you get to encountering them is Enzo Bonelli, a mobster-turned-real estate tycoon who serves as the target of the final assassination mission. [[spoiler:Rocco Pelosi returns from ''The Ballad of Gay Tony'', but he's left the mob and now works in show business.]]
* ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor'' has the Pianta Syndicate, who rule over the western side of [[WretchedHive Rogueport]] and engage in frequent turf wars with the Robbo Gang in the east.

* Parodied in ''VideoGame/SamAndMaxFreelancePolice'' with the Toy Mafia, who all wear colorful grinning teddy bear heads and use a SuckECheeses-style restaurant as [[LegitimateBusinessmensSocialClub a thinly-disguised front]] for their operations.

* ''VideoGame/KingdomOfLoathing'' has the Penguin Mafia. The reason they're penguins is probably partly the resemblance between penguins and men in fine black suits, and partly that penguins are inherently funny.
* The Punchinellos are similar to the Mafia and play a somewhat major role in the first two ''VideoGame/MaxPayne'' games as {{Mooks}}. There's also the De Marcos, a New Jersey-based mob who appear as enemies in a few chapters in ''VideoGame/MaxPayne3'' and end up going to war with the Punchinellos some time after Max leaves for Brazil.
* In ''VideoGame/ConkersBadFurDay'', Don Weaso and his men.
* The Revache & Co from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsFromZero''
* One of the bonus levels in ''VideoGame/SyphonFilterTheOmegaStrain'' has you playing as Gary Stoneman to assassinate a Mafia boss in Pescara, Italy with a [[OneBulletLeft one-bullet]] [[SnipingMission sniper rifle]].
* ''VideoGame/TheDarkness'' and its sequel, based on the [[ComicBook/TheDarkness comic series of the same name]], stars Jackie Estacado, a mafia hitman who inherits an ancient evil and uses it to help him fend off his crazy Uncle Paulie… who happens to be the Don.
* ''VideoGame/AHatInTime'' has the Mafia of Cooks, a [[TheFamilyForTheWholeFamily rather goofy example]]. They still rob people and punch seagulls who eat their fish, though.
* ''VideoGame/GangstersOrganizedCrime'' Player leads his own gang that [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial isn't any way Mafia]] in Prohibition Era
* ''VideoGame/OmertaCityOfGangsters'', like above, places player in a role of a mob boss in Prohibition era.
* ''VideoGame/{{Gangland}}'' player character comes after is three brothers, all leaders of their own families. While doing so, player establishes his own gang
* For the first time in... '''ever''', the main cast of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV'' are all citizens of the Lucis kingdom ruled and defended by the Caelum Mafia family. The main character, Noctis Lucis Caelum, is effectively (and literally) a [[MafiaPrincess Mafia Prince]].
* ''VideoGame/SkullGirls'' features the Medici family, who are a particularly nasty bunch. [[PerkyFemaleMinion Cerebella]] is the only playable character who are a part of the mafia but several characters have histories tied to them. Ms. Fortune and the band of thieves she was in were murdered by Medici assassins, but [[ImmortalityInducer she survived]]. Peacock and [[spoiler:Marie]] were captured by slavers funded by the Medici and Squigly was killed by the Medici when they attacked her family due to her mother obtaining the [[McGuffin Skull Heart]]. And finally, there is [[spoiler:Filia Medici, granddaughter of the current head of the family and the default protagonist of the game.]]
* ''VideoGame/TownOfSalem'', a flash based web browser game, has Mafia as one of the random alignments to play as. There are three members in Classic Mode (the Godfather, the Mafioso, and the Framer), Custom, Rapid and All Any mode can have up to five members (role selection being the previous three, Blackmailer, Janitor, Consigliere, Consort, Disguiser, and Forger) and Rainbow Mode can have a max of three (the Godfather, the Mafioso, and possibly a third random role if it's the 'Any' role). Amnesiacs can also remember that they were in the mafia and join in.
* They're one of your questgivers in ''[=OmniBus=]'', [[VerbalTic see?]] They ask you to demolish the town bank so they can get the loot, see? [[spoiler:And when the heat from that heist gets too bad on Earth, they help you escape to the moon, see?]] It's a weird kinda' game... see?
* In one chapter of ''VideoGame/Uncharted4AThiefsEnd'', Nate and Sam infiltrate the Rossi Estate, a mansion in Italy that hosts an annual {{black market}} auction where stolen artifacts are traded. The place seems to be owned by a local crime family, as the premises are patrolled by mob enforcers serving as armed security.
* In ''VideoGame/EndlessSpace2'', the Lumeris faction is what happens when you combine the Mafia with FishPeople and ProudMerchantRace. The Lumeris evolved on a tropical ocean planet and have long organised their society into families, clans and dynasties; they have long since grown past aristocracies, but still the real power brokers behind their civilisation are the so-called Four Families who control the agricultural, construction, shipbuilding and politics sectors. Though unfortunate infighting and backstabbing still happen from time to time, the Lumeris recognise the galaxy as both a grave threat and a great prize, so they have all sworn off stealing the fish from each other's plates, if only for the time being.
* The "Gotham Memoirs" book of ''VideoGame/DressUpTimePrincess'' involves an IntrepidReporter taking on crime and corruption in New York City in the early '30s. No matter what direction her investigation takes, the Mafia turn out to be deeply involved - in one branch of the story she teams up with Vittorio Puzo, a particularly principled mob boss, to take down a rival mafioso who's responsible for human trafficking and quite a bit of other nastiness.
* ''VideoGame/DoubleSwitch'': Mobsters serve as one of the main antagonists of the game. A group consisting of four gangsters are trespassing into the apartment complex to find and kill Brutus, a former associate who failed to pay back his loan from them. You must use traps to keep them from killing Brutus and keep them out so they don't hurt the other tennants.

While the Italian Mafia has [[UsefulNotes/TheMafia an obvious basis in fact]], it has remained a staple of entertainment even as the [[{{Yakuza}} Japanese Yakuza]], former [[TheMafiya Soviet-bloc Bratvas]], [[TheTriadsAndTheTongs Chinese Triads]] and [[TheCartel Latin American drug cartels]] lapped it for sheer scare value in the real world (they may or may not share some of the Mafia's traditional features in fiction, such as the sharp suits or the loyalty to family). Note that this trope can also include similar Italian criminal organizations such as the Neapolitan Camorra or the Calabrian Ndrangheta which are also fairly prominent at home and overseas just like the Mafia. For the [[TheThemeParkVersion laughably inept, PG-rated version]], see TheFamilyForTheWholeFamily. If present as a global player, the Mafia may evolve into TheSyndicate. See also MafiaPrincess and TheDon. It is [[SarcasmMode obviously]] [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial not connected]] with the LegitimateBusinessmensSocialClub at all.

While the Italian Mafia has [[UsefulNotes/TheMafia an obvious basis in fact]], it has remained a staple of entertainment even as the [[{{Yakuza}} Japanese Yakuza]], former [[TheMafiya Soviet-bloc Bratvas]] and [[TheCartel Latin American drug cartels]] lapped it for sheer scare value in the real world (they may or may not share some of the Mafia's traditional features in fiction, such as the sharp suits or the loyalty to family). Note that this trope can also include similar Italian criminal organizations such as the Neapolitan Camorra or the Calabrian Ndrangheta which are also fairly prominent at home and overseas just like the Mafia. For the [[TheThemeParkVersion laughably inept, PG-rated version]], see TheFamilyForTheWholeFamily. If present as a global player, the Mafia may evolve into TheSyndicate. See also MafiaPrincess and TheDon. It is [[SarcasmMode obviously]] [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial not connected]] with the LegitimateBusinessmensSocialClub at all.

* ''Film/KingOfNewYork'' -- The Mafia is one of the organizations Frank White must take on to achieve his dream of becoming the "royalty" of the title.

* ''LightNovel/{{Baccano}}'' takes place during the American Prohibition era. It prominently featured a Camorra organization known as the Martillo Family. In RealLife, by that time all the Camorra groups in the United States had merged with the Mafia. Of course, real life Camorra groups didn't have an immortal working for them. [[spoiler:Or an EldritchAbomination. And later on, a whole bunch of immortals, including the head of the Martillo family and all three (official) Gandor brothers.]]

* ''VideoGame/KingdomOfLoathing'' has the Penguin Mafia. The reason they're penguins is probably partly the resemblance between penguins and men in fine black suits, and partly that [[EverythingsBetterWithPenguins penguins are inherently funny]].

* ''Film/TheGodfather'' trilogy is the TropeCodifier. The genesis of the modern media portrayal, though the actual word 'mafia' was [[NotUsingTheZWord notably absent]] from the first film. (Ironically, it would go on to influence real-life Mafia culture, particularly the [[DamnItFeelsGoodToBeAGangster glamorous self-image]] that would be aspired to, and the word "godfather" itself.) The producers of ''The Godfather'' worked with the Italian-American Civil Rights League (which was known to have Mafia connections) to ensure that the movie was acceptable to the Mafia; they gave their blessing, with some conditions, notably that the script not use the terms "Mafia" (only used twice in the original script) or "La Cosa Nostra" (not used in the original script, although the novel credits the fictional Don Corleone with coining the term). The ''Godfather'' franchise made the Mafia an UnbuiltTrope, as it depicts the inherent weakness of the Mafia, leading up to its downfall. It also unbuilds some mafia-related tropes, such as NothingPersonal and ShameIfSomethingHappened.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheCupheadShow'' has Ribby and Croaks, two frogs who claim to be "former pro boxers" but are implied to actually be former mobsters with their sharp suits, their accents, their penchants for violence, and their ''constant'' insistances that they're "respectable types now".

* ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'': Although not obvious at first glance, Team Rocket, especially in the games (see below), may be based on the Mafia with {{Yakuza}} elements. It's masked by the fact that the [[GoldfishPoopGang three]] you see in the anime so often are the bottom rung of the team and none of the higher-ups really give a damn about them (in fact, in one episode another member tells them their memberships have all expired), though this is not applicable in the ''Best Wishes'' series. In the games, you break into their bases and disrupt or (more commonly) shut down several major operations, among them two hostage situations and a (quite popular) casino, scenarios that are more or less recreated in [[Manga/PokemonAdventures the manga]] at a grander scale. Even in the anime, the protagonists occasionally stumble across a full-scale operation. Also, you know, Giovanni (although this name was deliberately given to him in the English version).