Characters you never knew had the same voice actor

One is a pure, bubbly and pretty-as-pink princess who rarely reveals even the skin of her ankle. The other is a sassy, sexy and no-nonsense computer program who has spent her entire existence in the nude. Within the tightly linked and extraordinarily small world of videogame voice acting, however, these two women are the exact same person.

Such behind-the-screen crossovers are countless once you start searching for them. While a physical performer can be typecast or limited by looks, the vocalist is free to transform at will. Good guy or bad guy? Cartoon mascot or lethal assassin? Greek general or Jedi warrior? Human or lombax?

As these 21 strange and surprising matches prove, the best voices can do all of the above.

Common voice: Jen Taylor

The games: Halo, Halo 2, Halo 3, Super Princess Peach, Mario Kart, Mario Tennis, Mario Golf, Mario Party, Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, Paper Mario, Mario & Luigi

Also known as: Zoey (Left 4 Dead), Cate Archer (No One Lives Forever 2), Toad (Mario series), Princess Daisy (Mario series)

Common voice: Reuben Langdom

The games: Street Fighter IV, Devil May Cry 4, Devil May Cry 3

Common voice: James Arnold Taylor

The games: Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy X-2, Ratchet & Clank (every entry but the original)

Also known as: Obi Wan (Star Wars: Clone Wars), Spider-Man (Friend or Foe), Gabe Logan (Syphon Filter), Fezzik (The Princess Bride Game), Jack Sparrow and Timon (Kingdom Hearts II)

 
Common voice: Jon St. John

The games: Duke Nukem 3D, Duke Nukem Forever (ahem), Sonic Heroes, Sonic Adventure

Common voice: Armin Shimerman

The game: BioShock
The TV show: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Also known as: Toad (X-Men Legends), Dr. Nefarious (Ratchet & Clank), Raz’s Father (Psychonauts), The Emperor (Jade Empire)

 
Common voice: Carlos Alazraqui

The game: Spyro the Dragon (PS1 original)
The TV commercials: Taco Bell, obviously

Also known as: Deputy James Garcia (Reno 911), Rocko (Rocko’s Modern Life), Grim Reaper (Maximo: Ghost to Glory), Dr. No (GoldenEye: Rogue Agent)

Common voice: Fred Tatasciore

The games: Gears of War, Gears of War 2, Mass Effect

Also known as: Hulk (The Incredible Hulk), Beast  (Metal Gear Solid 4), Loz (Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children), Frost Tiger (Viewtiful Joe), Atlas and Poseidon (God of War)