Five of the Coolest Methods of Video Game Transportation

A vital component of most video games--especially open world games--is some sort of method of transportation. While most games have some sort of mount or vehicle, some games go a step above and give you a really awesome form of transportation. Here is a list of five of the most excellent forms of transportation in video games. These made me squeal with excitement, or feel like a total badass while moving around my video game world. The only rule here is that the method of transportation had to be beyond ordinary.

Actually, that's a lie. There is another rule. For the method of transportation to count on this list, it needs to be directly steered, controlled, or piloted by the gamer. 

1) Four Horses of the Apocalypse (Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare)

While Epona is my favorite horse in ANY video game, I have to say that the downright coolest equine modes of transportation are the Four Horses of the Apocalypse in this DLC for Red Dead Redemption. I’m particularly enthusiastic about these mounts due to the fact that I’ve always been interested in all types of mythology. The task of collecting the horses, combined with their really awesome designs, put them on my list. And how can you not think it’s completely badass to ride around on Death, who causes zombie heads to explode as you speed past?

2) Loftwing (The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword)

Though the Loftwing is not Epona, the Loftwing is pretty excellent (I promise, this is going to be my last Epona reference today). In Skyward Sword, Link flies the special Crimson Loftwing—he’s your primary mode of transportation around Skyloft and the rest of the world. The Loftwings are shown to have personalities—something that is rare for mounts in video games--and are representative of their riders (even down to unfortunate haircuts). While the mechanics of this birdsportation is similar to many other mounts, the gorgeous environment surrounding your flight elevates travel by Loftwing into excellent status.

3) Mako (Mass Effect Series)

The Mako is my favorite “traditional” vehicle in video games, probably because I drive like a maniac (don’t worry, I don’t IRL). It handles pretty much any damage you can do to it, and will right itself whenever it’s flipped over. It’s pretty much the perfect all-terrain vehicle, which means that I can drive it through almost anything and still end up where I want to go. Conceivably, as long as you don’t drive off a chasm, or into lava, the Mako will get you to your destination (this is a guess, as I have yet to destroy the Mako). It means that there’s nothing stopping me from getting from Point A to Point B—at least, nothing that the mass accelerator cannon can’t handle. Finally, I will leave you with two words that will solidify—beyond a doubt—the fact that the Mako belongs on this list: propulsion jets.

4) DaVinci’s Flying Machine (Assassin’s Creed Series)

I found the transportation choices in the original Assassin’s Creed game to be underwhelming. Everything took forever, and my horse would often disappear, requiring me to make people very cross when I stole theirs (and, sadly. being shot and stabbed at can slow you down quite a bit). It seemed like they were trying to make amends when they introduced the Flying Machine in Assassin’s Creed II. Unfortunately, the machine has to go through a few iterations before it can be a truly reliable method of transportation. For example, you learn early on that it’s susceptible to flames—despite needing heat to maintain altitude. Eventually (in Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood), Ezio also takes it upon himself to destroy all of the more effective Bomber flying machines, ensuring that the Borgia will not be able to use the Bombers against him (or anyone else they’re being jerks to). Still, the Flying Machine is a fun ride in all iterations (except, perhaps, the tragic first attempt), and awesome to use while you have the chance.

5) Portal Gun (Portal)

What do you mean, the portal gun isn’t a form of transportation? Of course it is! If I had a portal gun I could get from my bedroom to the kitchen in two seconds flat. Heck, if I had a portal gun, I could conceivably get from anywhere to anywhere in no time at all (assuming the walls were portal gun compatible, and I didn’t accidentally shoot the orange portal twice). The portal gun is a truly revolutionary form of transportation, and one that needs to be invented for realsies. I would save so much on gas money.

Well, that was my Top Five list! And I know I am missing a heck of a lot of excellent methods of transportation. What do you think should be on this list?