10 Most Influential LGBT Characters In Video Games

Canonically, Birdo is transgender, making her Nintendo’s first trans character. Admittedly, this is only confirmed in the game’s guidebook, with no mention on screen, and it’s never been part of any character development or arc.

However, it was hugely ahead of its time to include something like this without mocking it. Also, once you take out stereotypical portrayals, random NPCs who’ll marry you in an RPG and LGBT fan theories, you’re not left with too many established characters. Overwatch features again later, and other game scores two entries too.

All that does though is underline how important Nintendo’s evolution of Birdo is. Initially, Birdo’s bio says ‘he is a boy who would rather be a girl’ and that she wants to be known as ‘Birdetta’. The use of male pronouns and the slightly silly queer coding of the once villainous Birdo isn’t great, but it does get better.

The Birdetta moniker is dropped as quickly as it arrives, with Birdo being referred to as female from Mario Tennis onwards. Once she becomes an ally rather than a villain, she’s described as Yoshi’s girlfriend too. She isn’t perfect, but she’s certainly an example of how a company’s understanding can grow over time.