There’s nothing better than riding a horse fast and free across a plain, but the next best thing is probably riding a horse in a video game. The speed, the power, the freedom to trip over small rocks and crash into trees with little to no consequences (depending on which game you’re playing). You can race NPCs, travel long distances, and carry more equipment on your horse than you usually could, all while having a loyal companion on your adventures.
We’ve compiled a list of the best video game horses for your main characters across a wide range of games. From Red Dead Redemption to The Legend of Zelda, from The Elder Scrolls to Elden Ring. These horses are loyal, hearty, and (most of the time) appear with no more than a whistle. Here’s the breakdown of the best video game horses, ranked.
10 Shimmer – The Last of Us: Part II
Shimmer lived in the Jackson, Wyoming community run by Maria and Tommy in The Last of Us: Part II, and she was assigned as Ellie’s personal horse. Shimmer is more of a narrative-based horse, being her own distinct character, rather than a unique animal companion that players can name and customize. But, that doesn’t mean she’s any less important.
Ellie rides Shimmer out on patrols and on scouting missions with Dina. The trio, along with Dina’s own horse, Japan, traveled to Eugene Linden’s former supply station in an old library, waiting out a storm there. They also traveled to Abby Anderson’s hideout together while Ellie searched for Joel and Tommy. Additionally, Shimmer takes Ellie all the way to Seattle, ferrying her around the city. Those who have played The Last of Us: Part II know how Shimmer’s story goes, but overall, she’s a great horse and an excellent companion.
9 Jin’s Horses – Ghost of Tsushima
Jin Sakai has a total of three horses in Ghost of Tsushima. The first one dies at the Battle of Komoda Beach, and then players are given the option to choose a second horse out of three at the stable while Jin and Yuna are escaping the Mongols. After choosing the black, white, or dapple horse, you then choose its name: Nobu (Trust), Sora (Sky), or Kage (Shadow).
The third horse is a choice between the two remaining horses from the beginning, but with a new name option: Kaze (Wind). Jin’s horse will come when he whistles, and Jin can engage in light combat while on horseback. It’s also the fastest way to get around Tsushima without fast traveling. Additionally, Jin’s permanent horse cannot be killed or injured.
8 Lord Of The Mountain – Breath Of The Wild
There are a lot of cool horses in Breath of the Wild, such as the Giant Horse or the Royal White Stallion, but there’s something about the Lord of the Mountain that outshines them all. And not just because he literally glows. He’s interesting because of his appearance (cloven hooves, frond-like antlers, and a face made of two owls smashed together), but also because of how hard he is to catch.
The Lord of the Mountain lives atop Satori Mountain and riding him can only be attempted when a green glow appears over the mountain peak. If Link approaches stealthily enough, he can mount the Lord of the Mountain and ride him like a normal horse. But, the Lord of the Mountain is quick and wary, and he gets away easily. Once caught, the downside is he can’t be registered at a stable and disappears shortly if Link dismounts. But, he has wildly superior stats compared to a normal horse.
7 All Horses – Red Dead Redemption 2
It may seem like cheating to list every horse in Red Dead Redemption 2, but they all deserve recognition in their own right. There’s a ton of variety in abilities based on breed, and in sheer types of horses in RDR2, which just reiterates how much care went into crafting the game. No wonder it won three different Game of the Year awards.
There are 19 unique breeds ranging from Tennessee Walkers and American Paints to Appaloosas, Mustangs, and even more in between. They each start with base stamina and health which increases at each level of bonding. There are also customizable options, from mane color to elaborate saddles. Additionally, there’s something unique about being able to name your horse that brings gamer and steed together. You grow an attachment to that companion, and when they die (as sometimes happens in RDR2 and other games), mourning for them feels very real.
6 Four Horses Of The Apocalypse – Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare
The Four Horses of the Apocalypse are mythical mounts that are available for John Marston to wrangle and break in the 2010 Red Dead Redemption expansion, Undead Nightmare. Similar to undead mounts, these horses are more resilient than regular horses, and can withstand more battle and hardship. They have unlimited stamina and extremely high health, but that doesn’t mean they’re invincible. They can still be killed by head trauma or high falls.
War, Famine, Pestilence, and Death can be found within the world, and they each have a unique ability. War will set enemies on fire upon contact, Famine is the fastest horse of the four, Pestilence will stun the undead upon contact and additionally is the hardest to kill, and Death causes the undead’s heads to explode upon contact. To be able to create a Blood Pact with these horses, so they come when called, John must complete Rank 5 of the Four Horses of the Apocalypse Challenge.
Shadowmere comes to the main character of Skyrim by way of Astrid for the quest The Cure for Madness. After you complete the quest, Astrid gives Shadowmere to the Dragonborn as a reward. Right off the bat, everything about Shadowmere is different from a regular horse. This shadowy steed spawns dramatically from a pool outside Falkreath Sanctuary, is made of black water and smoke, and has glowing red eyes.
Additionally, he also has much higher health and stamina than regular horses, and is much harder to kill. He’s great in battle as well. If Shadowmere senses enemies nearby, he will attack. While he deals very little damage and isn’t likely to take anyone down on his own, he provides a great distraction during combat, allowing you to strategically take out enemies.
4 Agro – Shadow of the Colossus
2005’s Shadow of the Colossus featured Agro, Wander’s devoted steed. She often aids Wander in defeating the colossi, such as protecting him from harm or helping him catch up with a fast-moving enemy. After Wander defeats a colossus and wakes up in the central Shrine, Agro always gallops in to greet him and continue the adventure.
Agro can be injured by certain colossi, but after limping for a moment, she returns to normal with seemingly no lasting damage. Additionally, petting Agro will allow Wander’s health and stamina to regenerate quicker for a short period of time.Avoiding too many spoilers for an 18-year-old game, Agro does get into some trouble near the end. But, things eventually turn out all right for the noble steed.
3 Torrent – Elden Ring
Torrent the Spirit Steed is part horse, part goat, but all charisma. He can be unlocked by speaking to Melina, located at the Gatefront Ruins Site of Grace. If you successfully get her to agree to act as your maiden, she’ll gift you with the Spectral Steed Whistle. This will call Torrent to you almost anywhere. He’s great for getting around the Between Lands, but also for mounted combat, though there are some drawbacks to fighting enemies while on Torrent.
While his speed and maneuverability make it easy to attack and evade foes, that same skill-set makes it harder to engage in combat in smaller spaces. He also has a Stance bar, which fills as he’s attacked. If filled, this will knock you off his back and leave you vulnerable to attack while you get up. Good news if Torrent dies, though: he can be summoned again after death. It will cost a charge from the Flask of Crimson Tears, but isn’t that worth it to have your adventuring buddy back?
2 Roach – The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Roach is a favorite of The Witcher fans not because she does anything really spectacular, but because of the implication that Geralt of Rivia has a soft spot for his horse. In Polish, Roach’s name is Płotka (pronounced like Pwotka), which is a diminutive. Thus, Roach’s name directly translates to the much cuter Roachy.
In terms of mechanics, Roach is incredibly useful as a companion. She (Roach is a male in Wild Hunt, but for the most part Geralt prefers mares) can carry extra loot as well as trophies which grant you additional abilities and bonuses. Horse equipment such as saddles, bags, and blinders also increase things like carrying capacity, speed, and fear tolerance.
Roach is more of a narrative character in Wild Hunt than she is purely a companion, as she has lore and background which can be learned through journal entries. Additionally, in the Equine Phantoms quest from the Blood and Wine expansion, Geralt has the opportunity to talk to Roach, where players can learn even more about the loyal yet headstrong horse.
1 Epona – The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
What other video game horse do you know of that has its own song? Epona is a staple of The Legend of Zelda games, showing up time after time in many iterations. She debuted in Ocarina of Time, where players meet her as a young pony in the past. Fast-forward seven years, and she’s a grown horse, ready to be Link’s constant companion.
Epona also appears as a companion in Majora’s Mask, Twilight Princess, and Breath of the Wild. A 2009 review of Ocarina of Time by Honest Gamers stated that the world of the game seemed to have been designed around Epona, instead of the other way around. She’s crucial when traveling Hyrule, and her popularity is cinched by the sheer number of times she’s shown up in a Zelda game. In short, people love Epona: not only is she incredibly useful, but she’s also a healthy dose of nostalgia for Legend of Zelda fans everywhere.
