Talking about this with Alex last night. My favorite video game protagonists are:

1. Zidane Tribal from Final Fantasy IX.
2. Link from The Legend of Zelda series.
3. Rudy Roughknight/Cecilia Adlehyde/Jack Van Burace from Wild ARMs Yeah, I know. They just worked so well together I consider them one unit.
4. James Sunderland from Silent Hill 2.
5. Jade Curtiss from Tales of the Abyss.
6. Yuri Lowell from Tales of Vesperia.
7. Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII.
8. Jude Mathis from Tales of Xillia.
9. Ayla from Chrono Trigger.
10. Big Boss from the Metal Gear Solid series.

Mmmm... subject to change. I can't help but feel this isn't right and I'm missing people. I also need more time for top ten video game villains.