And the greatest video game horse is ...

by Justin McElroy on Jan 30th 2008 11:00AM

MTV Multiplayer has been on a quest recently to find the very best video game animal, and they've begun with man's best ... non-mechanical mode of transportation, the horse. Now a panel of experts, that included 2K Boston's Ken Levine and Penny Arcade's Mike "Gabe" Krahulik, are back with their decision: Epona, Link's trusty steed in several Legend of Zelda games.

But controversy is a-brewin' dear reader. For while the esteemed panel chose Epona, the readers have selected Agro of Shadow of the Colossus fame. Which one will go on to do battle with the other members of the animal kingdom? We're sure the competitors wait with baited, oat-scented breath to learn.

Source

Tags: horses, ken-levine, penny-arcade, zelda

Reader Comments (108)

epona has been in more game overall and has had a greater impact on heroism

actually, Agro has a greater impact, Agro reacts much more realistically...

He gets hit, runs away, you can fall from his back, he is afraid...there are more reactions to him, but those are the ones from the top of my head....

Noshino

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYe_k7X1O9g

People don't have the same emotions with Agro...

As much as I love SoTC I wouldn't be upset if Agro died... I would probably be pretty depressed if Epona died...

Yes Agro acted more horse like... But simply because a character acts more realistic you prefer it?

This is more about who you could be friends with...

What is Agro?

Where is the love for the Oblivion horses.

They haz teh horse armor!!!!

Intentless,

This is about who is the greatest one, not the one you could be friends with, hence the title of

"The Greatest Horse in Game History"

and also, one could feel MUCH more connected to Agro, ugh, Epona to me just looked like it was taken straight out of My Little Ponny...

Fernando,

You have NO IDEA...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG-NqNAjB44

When someone uses "Making Love" by Air Supply..well...you know that there is something between them....

Noshino

But... can Agro FLY??? I think not!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faS7X8MGkWc

=)

hey Fernando,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQotsgtM4T4

:]

Greatest horse would be Epona... may not have all the technology behind her like agro but come on Zelda 64 was the first that incorporated a horse like that.

Not to mention the story behind Epona with the little girl and then playing the song "years later" and epona remembers it and comes to help you....

Epona was there for you much more than Agro. SoTC was a two week jaunt at most.

A single Zelda game is a full fledged quest that would take months if not years in "real" life.

Agro was simply a tool, Epona was a friend.

Older gamers would more often pick Epona... memories...

Younger gamers would more often pick Agro... Because loyalties and friend ships don't mean what they used to.

Noshino

Epona can walk through walls and breath underwater =)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeWGIqJA_6U

Intentless,

"Zelda 64 was the first that incorporated a horse like that."

It wasn't about who was teh first, heck, you can compare Epona from Twilight Princess to Agro, and Agro still beats it.

"Epona was there for you much more than Agro. SoTC was a two week jaunt at most."

How do you want Agro to be there for you longer if the game is short as it is?....and again, how many Zelda games with Agro have there been? exactly...

"Older gamers would more often pick Epona... memories..."

I don't know about that, I'm 20 and have played many Zelda games, and I still prefer Agro.

"Because loyalties and friend ships don't mean what they used to."

I'm starting to think you haven't played SotC, Agro sacrifices his life (well, not really, but you don't find out til the end, so yah) for you...you are telling me, that Epona has done something a la par with that for Link?....

How do you want Agro to be there for you longer if the game is short as it is?....and again, how many Zelda games with EPONA have there been? exactly...

Joystiq nids da edit botom!

And Fernando, I think there are is a glitch of that kind (walking through walls) for SotC also, but Im late for classes...

Epona is in three installments: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998), The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (2000), and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006). In Twilight Princess you can change her name, but Epona is standard.

And yes I was shocked and a little sad when the incident happened with Agro but my first response will always be Epona.

Shadowmere for FTW!

Agro an Epona are pussies that can't handle a little fight, but Shadowmere kicks ass right along side you. Plus if you knock him out he's a moving treasure chest.

Shadowmere for Prez. 08!!!

As much as I like Epona, Agro has much more character. I vote Agro.

who cares which one you play more with.

AGRO IS A BETTER HORSE.

Agro is your only companion on a quest much more serious, much more artistic, and much more emotional than a Zelda game. Not to mention, Agro actually runs, reacts, and is guided like a real horse.

Doesn't matter, anyway. Nintendo fanboys will blindly vote en masse for the icon that they can most associate themselves with. Just remember, they didn't play Zelda in Reign over Me for a reason: it doesn't elicit the same emotions as SotC.

Up until this article, I had never heard of this Agro. Up until a few comments ago, I had no idea what animal Agro is. I'll vote for the horse that is more widely recognizable.

I vote Shadowmare from Oblivion!

To be fair, Agro DID totally run headlong, fearlessly into battle with giant monsters made of stone. Meanwhile, Epona has trouble crossing puddles of water. I love the Zelda series, but Agro is way more badass.

On a tangent, how do you pronounce Epona? I've heard it (1)E-pown-a, (2)e-POWN-a, (3)EH-pown-a, (4)eh-POWN-a. Personally, I used to say it like 1, but after hearing it sung on a Zelda cd, I pronounce it like 3.

Phi ^_^

i would have picked epona because i am a whore for zelda games. but i recognize that agro is an awesome horse, and much more horse-like.

I to would have first chosen Epona, However after giving it some thought My final choice would definitely be Agro

I vote for the unnamed horses in Assassin's Creed! If only because the game needs more awards.

those were also good horses, from a great game.

Agro comes when you whistle! And the actual life-like horse control makes him my choice.

Yeah, plus the fact that he fell off a cliff and survived with only an injured hoof. BAD ASS!

Agro is too easily impressed. Epona make you play a whole fucking song before she gives a damn.

Chocobos are better.

Lol. No kidding. I love the Chocobo Theme song so much too.

But as far as horses. I love Epona, but Agro was a way better horse in my opinion.

Damn tags took out my last comment...

doo doo de doo de doooooo *bawk*

Here you go Boco, have some ghysil greens

Chocobo Knights FTW! You gotta love a Chocobo in armor. Damn sexy beasts that can walk on water AND find treasure.

lamest..article..ever...

Don't be a hater...

^ lamest reply ever...

^ Lamest reply reply ever...

^ as he masturbates about virtual horses...

+1 for spelling "masturbates" correctly on teh intrawebs.

I wouldn't have been able to think of any other horses, aside from the random horses from Gun... but I've gotten so many of those horses killed, i couldn't be bothered with naming them.

And yes Epona is a badass...how many horses can stare down Ganondorf year after year after year and not run away scared like a lil bitch?

The girls got spunk.

The horse from Assassin's Creed gets Spot #2 for having to put up with Atair running her ass across country nonstop for hours on end.

Opona, easily...

I still remember Opono from Ocarina of Time... the first time Link ride Opona, it was amazing... it felt very realistic at his time.

*By the way... How much credibility has Surfer Girl? I saw today a rumour about Retro Studios making a Zelda spin off

No idea bout them...

However have you heard anything regarding the next Legend of Zelda title?

By the way... Fatal Frame for the Wii... screenshots included.

http://www.wiiz.fr/article.php?a=16214

Why I kept saying Opona??? =(

E-pona... damn.

Surfer Girl has been right on quite a few things, actually. I trust most of what she says.

Although I think she throws some BS in there just for the Hell of it.

Like what, Samfish?

No hating, I'm just curious about her track record, and thus: credibility.

So far she's been right about Ghostbusters, Resistance 2 leaks, that upcoming Prince of Persia game, Sonic RPG's full title, Duke Nukem Forever (apparently) nearing completion, The World Ends With You coming to the US, Suda's older games being localized on the DS, Street Fighter 4's art style, EA's Ninja Party game...
...I know there are a few more, I just can't think of them.

"AGRO!"

No love for Petz Horsez 2?

Best Video Game horses
#5 Young Epona (OOT)
#4 ???
#3 ???
#2 Adult Epona (OOT/LoZ)
#1 Agro

I'm at a loss for #4 and #3, since other than Epona and Agro, i can't think of any other horses in a game that were acctually integral to the story...

anyone want to fill me in on a named horse?

honestly? I hated agro. Maybe the AI was a bit more realistic, but controlling like ass is no sacrifice for realism.

Epona controlled great, moved at a good speed at all times, and didn't slow the game down to 12 fps.

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And the greatest video game horse is ...

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