I’ve been riding digital horses for decades now, and I still get weirdly attached to them. Is there any companion more loyal than a horse that never complains when you sprint off a cliff, or more heartbreaking than one that sacrifices itself so you can finish a quest? Even in 2026, when open worlds are bigger and more beautiful than ever, the best video game horses still matter because they turn empty miles into memories. So let’s saddle up and look back at the most memorable horses I’ve met in games. 🐎
Why Video Game Horses Still Matter in 2026
I think horses endure because they are more than fast travel with legs. They are trust, vulnerability, and sometimes comedy. You can upgrade a car, but you bond with a horse. You can fast travel in most modern RPGs, but you still remember the steed that carried you through a sandstorm, a zombie apocalypse, or a doomed bridge. That emotional math has not changed in 2026. If anything, it matters more as worlds get vaster and lonelier.
| Horse | Game | Why I Remember Them |
|---|---|---|
| Shadowmere | The Elder Scrolls | Invincible, ominous, and stylishly goth. |
| Hero’s Horse | Dragon Quest 11 | Summoned by bells and ready for a race. |
| Papi | Animal Crossing | A lazy horse just living his best life. |
| Your Horse | Kingdom Come: Deliverance | Realistic, armored, and deeply personal. |
| Agro | Shadow of the Colossus | The most heartbreaking bridge moment in games. |
| Four Horses of the Apocalypse | Undead Nightmare | Death, War, Pestilence, and Famine as mounts. |
| Jin’s Horse | Ghost of Tsushima | Nobu, Sora, or Kage — and a tragic goodbye. |
| Roach | The Witcher 3 | Loyal, quirky, and terrible at following orders. |
| Shimmer | The Last Of Us Part 2 | A quiet hero in a frozen nightmare. |
| Torrent | Elden Ring | A spirit steed that can double jump. |
12. Shadowmere — The Elder Scrolls
Oh look, it’s Skyrim again. Of course it is. This colossus of a game shows up in every discussion, and here it is again. But I’m not talking about those clunky, war-hungry steeds that seem desperate to fight a dragon. I’m talking about Shadowmere. A dark and mystic horse, Shadowmere first appeared in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion before returning in Skyrim. In both games, the horse is a reward from the Dark Brotherhood questlines, and features a silhouette-like coat and glowing red eyes. Also, Shadowmere is invincible. So go fight all the dragons you want — there will be no horse funerals today. That invincibility is ridiculous, but it is also exactly why I love this creepy, immortal companion.
11. The Hero’s Horse — Dragon Quest 11
As with any grand adventure, you expect to travel across the land and explore every environment, high and low. In Dragon Quest 11, you journey across the world as you gather party members and save the world from assured doom. But while you gather those party members, you always have your horse. As soon as you are free to go on your adventure, you can summon your horse from various bells dotted around the world. This creature never lets you down, and you even get to compete in a horse race later on. What’s not to love? It is simple, dependable, and a perfect reminder that not every great horse needs a tragic backstory.
10. Papi — Animal Crossing
In a game with hundreds of animal villagers, there are horses. Horses with many different personalities. We could have included Julian the unicorn instead, but that’s just a fake horse with a horn. Also, everyone knows Julian the galaxy unicorn, but where’s the love for Papi? Papi is a lazy villager from Animal Crossing, and he doesn’t stand out that much. He’s a horse, he has a jumper, and he lives in a dirt house. But you know what? Papi is happy. He has a home, some nice neighbors, and he doesn’t get ridden around by a human. Sure, he’s in a little debt to a raccoon, but aren’t we all? Sometimes the most memorable horse is the one who simply refuses to be your mount.
9. The Horse of Your Choice — Kingdom Come: Deliverance
In the gritty medieval setting of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, a friendly and trustworthy companion can go a long way. When bandits lurk on the roads, judgment is passed within the streets, and you struggle to make your way through the world, the horse you choose is there alongside you. Having a first-person perspective of a realistic world of knights and castles means you see your horse up close for plenty of your journey. That makes them even more fascinating because the details are astounding. Don them with armor to keep them safe, too — or, you know, to make them look stylish as heck. This is the horse that makes you feel like a medieval traveler rather than a superhero.
8. Agro — Shadow of the Colossus
Agro — aggravating comes to mind. This open-world PS2 game controls like a PS2 game, and it can be a little less than perfect, but it is great nonetheless. In Shadow of the Colossus, you fight the camera as much as you fight Colossi, and sometimes Agro just doesn’t want to go where you do. Probably for the best, but you have things to do. That said, as much as this love-hate relationship blooms throughout your murderous journey through the forbidden lands, it always remains heartbreaking when Agro gives it her all to get you across that bridge — the bridge that she falls with, in the end. Luckily, she does survive and can be seen in the post-credits, but it doesn’t take away that pain in the moment. You did good, Agro. You did good.
7. Four Horses of the Apocalypse — Undead Nightmare
Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare puts you in the shoes of John Marston in a drastic alternate reality — there are zombies everywhere. After setting out on a quest to figure out what’s going on, you can come across some strange and interesting creatures throughout the world. These creatures include the Four Horses of the Apocalypse: Death, War, Pestilence, and Famine. Each horse is uniquely designed and can be taken on as a mount for Marston, offering their own benefits over any ordinary horse. They are memorable and a little terrifying, but we love them nonetheless. Whether you want a skeletal horse or one that’s only slightly aflame, they’ve got your back.
6. Jin’s Horse — Ghost of Tsushima
In Ghost of Tsushima, you’ll spend a lot of time traveling around with your horse. Near the start of the game, Jin is provided with a steed and can pick which one he wants, as well as the name. The options for the name are Nobu (Trust), Sora (Sky), and Kage (Shadow). After picking your perfect horse, it sticks by your side through thick and thin. However, as a cinematic and emotional story-driven game, tragedy strikes. In a truly heartbreaking series of events, your arrow-riddled horse uses every last bit of its life to get Jin out of danger. Eventually, it collapses, leaving Jin broken and ever more angry to take vengeance on those who have wronged his people. I still flinch when I remember that scene.
5. Roach — The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Geralt of Rivia spends most of his time out in the wilds, with no one else around but Roach, his trustworthy friend. Whether it’s to travel a long distance, carry that severed Griffin head, or just to talk to, Roach never fails to be there for this not-so-hardened Witcher. That said, Roach can be a little frustrating to actually control in-game and will often do as she likes. She’ll even get spooked by all of the horrors you’ll come across, and you’ll need to use Axii to calm her often. Quirks aside, Roach is a loyal steed and one that you’ll appreciate your time with. Honestly, her stubbornness makes her feel more real, not less.
4. Shimmer — The Last Of Us Part 2
Horses will stick by your side through thick and thin and endure conditions no one should have to. In a world where cars are long since decayed and threats are ever-increasing, having a horse makes everything that bit easier. That’s why Shimmer stands out in The Last Of Us Part 2. This horse goes through so much with you, from infected threats to snowstorms, and will do anything to get you out of danger. Unfortunately, Shimmer’s last act is getting you to safety, and you will have to say a heartbreaking goodbye. In a game full of brutal losses, Shimmer’s death still lands like a quiet punch to the chest.
3. Torrent — Elden Ring
As you traverse The Lands Between of Elden Ring, your sturdy Spirit Steed named Torrent will always be at the ready to carry you into battle — or away from a battle, usually. The mystically horned horse cannot be summoned while indoors, while invaded, or in certain boss fights, but you will nevertheless come to rely on Torrent for many situations. Able to materialize and charge at high speeds, Torrent is vital to your journey to become Elden Lord — or to burn the world, if that’s more your thing. Plus, this horse can double jump. Can a normal horse double jump? Didn’t think so. Even in 2026, Torrent remains one of the most useful and beloved mounts in any open-world game.
Which Video Game Horse Would You Choose?
So there you have it — my personal roll call of unforgettable video game horses. Some are invincible, some are tragic, some are lazy villagers with a raccoon landlord, and one can double jump. What more could you ask for? If I had to pick one to ride into 2026 and beyond, I might choose Agro for the emotional damage, Roach for the comedy, or Torrent for the sheer convenience. But maybe you have a different favorite. After all, isn’t the best horse the one that made you feel less alone in a huge, dangerous world? 🐴