Today, the 5th of July, marks the 70th birthday of the NHS. If you don’t know what the NHS is, it’s the UK’s health service which aims to be free at the point of delivery, funded through taxation. It’s a pillar of UK society and one that the public is overwhelmingly fond of, you can see this any time the word ‘privatisation’ is whispered in the corridors of Westminster.
But we’re not here to talk politics or real-life medical professionals, we’re here to talk videogames. So let’s look at the top medical professionals that the world of videogaming has given us.
Dr. Mario – Dr. Mario
You might think that Mario is simply a plumber, but did you know he also moonlights as a medical doctor. Also did you know that saving lives is as easy as playing Tetris with some pills? It’s true, that’s how Dr. Mario solves problems anyway.
Note: do not follow any advice from Dr. Mario.
The Nurse – Terraria
Lending you a helping hand in your beautiful house in the Terraria wilds, you can recruit this nameless Nurse to heal you up after your battles with floating eyeballs, zombies, and worse. Basically if you want to survive out there, you’re going to need this Nurse on your team otherwise it’s a heartless life for you. Literally.
Dr. Zed – Borderlands Series
There’s no real proof that all those corpses are the result of Dr. Zed’s ministrations, but then again there’s no proof that they aren’t his fault either. If you’re heading to see Dr. Zed in the Borderlands games then you’re pretty desperate. As one of the most successful doctors on Pandora, his cheery face will shine out at you from a million different vending machines. He’s the only doctor that seems to have successfully franchised himself, at least the only doctor to do so in space.
Nurse Joy – Pokemon
Is she Nurse Joy, or Nurses Joy, or Nurse Joys? Who knows, but one thing is known about Nurse Joy; she will care for your Pokemon like no-one else. Appearing in Pokecenters across the world, she waits for you to arrive with your battered and bruised Pokemon and she nurses them back to health in a matter of moments. Some might say it’s actually the machine behind her that does all the work and she’s just a glorified eggbox carrier, but we wouldn’t say that. Simply because there might be an army of her.
Dr. Karin Chakwas – Mass Effect Series
Dr. Charkwas is a stalwart fixture of the different Normandy’s throughout the Mass Effect series, always ready to heal you, look after the crew, and sometimes even share a bottle of brandy with you on the eve of battle. She’s got a biting sense of humour but a thoroughly human heart, think of her as the Dr. McCoy to your Kirk, the Simon to your Mal, the er, Chakwas to your Shepard.
Nurses – Silent Hill Series
Armed with a true healing touch, these medical professionals are here to help you shrug off your cares and also your life. Stalking the halls of many of the buildings in Silent Hill, they definitely don’t have any symbolism and aren’t a product of whatever is haunting the protagonist in each game. They’re a lovely lot, all ready to help you out of that pesky skin you’re wearing.
Honourable Mention – Ragnarok – Valkyria Chronicles 4
Look they’re a dog and a battlefield medic and that’s why they’re here.
That’s our list of all the best doctors, nurses, and medical professionals in games. If you want it in beautiful video format, check it out below:
Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments below.
