The Top 7... Best Nolan North roles in gaming
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Nolan f'ing North
Between 2007 and 2011 Nolan North starred in nearly 500 different video games. No, that's not true, we made it up because we're too lazy to count the listings on his IMDB page, but it sure felt like that, didn't it? Nearly every AAA release included the voice actor's dulcet tones, breathing charming life into even the dullest of characters. While his omnipresence has waned slightly (in no small part due to Troy Baker's recent rise to gristle-voiced power), he's still a major part of the industry--and responsible for some of our favorite characters of the generation.
With Saints Row IV right around the corner--a game which literally has a "Nolan North" option when selecting a voice actor, seemingly punctuating this generation's obsession with the star--we decided it was time to shine a spotlight on Mr. North's career. We've sorted through his massive list of credits and picked out the voices that we think best exemplify why the actor has the ability whip anyone, man or woman, into a sexual fervor. So sit back, close your eyes, and let the beautiful, soothing sounds of Nolan North take you away.
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Soland South
Sure, Nolan North might not have invented the idea of a character speaking, but he definitely gave a voice to this generation (of white, male protagonists). Without him we might not be seeing the emphasis on motion capture performances that we see today, with developers doing everything they can to create likable, relatable characters instead of generic space marines.
And if you're looking for more, check out famous voice actors (and who they play) and characters you never knew shared the same voice actor.
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TheGooseinator - August 6, 2013 9:58 p.m.
Great SPACE article Cooper I SPACE forgot how accomplished SPACE Nolan North really SPACE was. Hopefully he SPACE has a long and SPACE distinguished SPACE career. Also SPAAACE. -
ObliqueZombie - August 6, 2013 10:13 a.m.
While I prefer the work of Troy Baker more, do enjoy many of Nolan's roles, especially the ones that don't sound like him. For instance, HE WAS DAVID?! -
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Swedish_Chef - August 5, 2013 6:08 p.m.
Coming soon the top 7 best Troy Baker roles in gaming because HOLY CRAP he's in a lot of games now. -
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Darkmessiah24 - August 5, 2013 4:09 p.m.
Prince of Persia (2008) may have been a really good game but Nolan as the prince was an absolute miscast imo. -
BottleBank - August 5, 2013 3:53 p.m.
i hated 2008 PoP sooo much! it was barely a game at all. -
WrathLord03 - August 5, 2013 3:47 p.m.
Spec Ops was a welcome change for North. He just put such conviction into the orders he yelled towards the end of the game, it was almost terrifying what was happening to him. I can agree that he was fantastic as N. Gin as well, and while Baker may be overtaking him now, he'll always have a place in my heart. Mainly because whenever I almost ran someone over in a game like Mafia II and heard his voice, it just completely took me out of the narrative. Freakin' Nolan. -
Sinsational - August 5, 2013 3:11 p.m.
Man... I really think 2008's Prince of Persia is greatly underappreciated. It was one of my favorite games of the year. They took the franchise in a new and refreshing path. I just hope they don't let it die, it's obvious they wanted to do more one they put out the Epilogue DLC. -
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Sinsational - August 5, 2013 3:37 p.m.
I actually enjoyed the ending, and the fact that bosses had a major role, not just in the game but story-wise as well. I enjoyed the fluid puzzle-platforming, and the collectibles weren't really forced on you. You never had to collect them. And to be honest, I loved the ending. I think that was a great way to end it. Much like other recent games have done, it painted the Prince in a more human light, making us feel conflicted about the ending. -
profile0000 - August 5, 2013 2:04 p.m.
Interesting Top 7. Never would have thought of Nolan North as a topic for an article, but it was a great read nonetheless. Yes, the man is very talented at his craft, so points to him. -
Satchurated - August 5, 2013 1:58 p.m.
When you mentioned that David was a sexual deviant, I really didn't think that until I saw that clip for the second time. It just sucks because it seemed like a likable dude until he showed his psychopathic nature. -
WrathLord03 - August 5, 2013 3:41 p.m.
By the end of his 'boss fight', just before Ellie deals with him, you can tell just from his eyes he's thinking all sorts of horrible things. David's nature stood out more than Bill's secret to me, but then again, the secret that he was voiced by North was an even bigger unknown. -
Flashinthepan - August 5, 2013 1:57 p.m.
Woot for the Malcolm Reynolds mention. Only two men can ever play Nathan Drake, unless Nolan North were to play the role on the big screen, in which case the number would be one. -
JarkayColt - August 5, 2013 1:30 p.m.
I remember playing the demo for Spec Ops and thinking "man, this guy sounds way too much like Nathan Drake". Derp. Oh, also, the new Crash Bandicoot games kinda sucked but I really liked Nolan North's portrayal of Dr N. Gin. He stayed relatively true to the original voice and also made him hilariously funny. "I hate them with CHEESE!" -
Cyberhero18 - August 6, 2013 3:35 a.m.
My jaw literally dropped when I read your comment. Every time i think Nolan North is done surprising me I find yet another role he played that sounds nothing like him. I also loved N. Gin from the newer games. "I hate you stupid bandicoots! You don't even look like bandicoots!!!" Ah, good times....
Earthbound_X - September 10, 2013 11:32 p.m.