Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
UK EditionUK US EditionUS CA EditionCanada AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Total Film
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
Subscribe now
Don't miss these
Fallout 4 power armor in repair rig
Fallout The best Fallout games, ranked
Peak screenshot showing players climbing an icy cliff
Co-op Games The 25 best co-op games you can play right now
Best PC games: Screenshots of Baldur's Gate 3, Helldivers 2, Split Fiction and the Resident Evil 4 Remake
PC Gaming Best PC games: The 25 greatest PC games to play right now
A screenshot of Gustave in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, one of the best RPGs you can play in 2026
RPGs The 25 best RPGs worth playing in 2026
The 50 Most Iconic Video Game Characters
Games The 50 most iconic video game characters of all time
Myles MacKenzie in Metroid Prime 4
Metroid Metroid Prime 4 devs wanted to "make sure" MacKenzie "wasn't annoying"
Best single player games: Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Games The 25 best single-player games to play in 2026
A close-up of Wolverine in his iconic yellow and black X-Men costume, grimacing as he raises his claws close to this chest - cropped from the game's key art with the GamesRadar+ Big in 2026 frame
Action Games With Wolverine set to elevate superhero gaming in 2026, here's the four features I want the most, and four I'm desperate to avoid
Best Batman games: Batman getting ready to punch someone with Gotham in the background.
Action Games Ranking the best Batman games
Assassin's Creed Shadows cinematic screenshot
Assassin's Creed I loved Assassin's Creed Shadows but I wish I knew how overwhelmingly huge it was before starting
best Xbox One games
Games The best Xbox One games of all time
Henry Halfhead screenshot with GamesRadar+ Best of 2025 branding on upper right
Games From creepy folklore to a human with half a head, the best hidden gems of 2025 are worth your attention
Best simulator games: a screenshot of a plan at sunset in the game Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Simulation Games The 15 best simulator games to play right now
Arc Raiders blueprints
Third Person Shooters 10 Arc Raiders tips and tricks to help you survive the surface
God of War Ragnarok
Games Sony worries games have become "very complicated" in patent for AI-generated "ghost" that beats games for you
Trending
  • New Games for 2026
  • CES 2026
  • 2026 Preview
  • The Forge codes
  1. Games
  2. Action
  3. Assassin's Creed
  4. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

12 video game characters who would make great teachers

Features
By John Newby published 14 April 2014

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Get to class!

Get to class!

School is a trying time for teenagers; they have to deal with a changing body, anxiety over their changing body, anxiety over others changing bodies, and anxiety over what others think of their anxiety over their anxiety of others changing bodies. Even worse, they have to find sweet cars with which to pick up dates while maintaining decent scores on assignments. This is enough to make any student crazy, but teachers are supposed to expertly guide teenagers through this hellish time with relatively few student meltdowns.

Regular teachers are great, but they lack some key qualities like mutant genomes, shape shifting ability, and superhuman speed. Most teachers dont even know how to double jump. Lame. Spring holidays just ended, so Ive picked out 12 video game characters that could make school more interesting (and sexy).

Page 1 of 14
Page 1 of 14
Edward Kenway (Assassins Creed 4) would teach... Geography

Edward Kenway (Assassins Creed 4) would teach... Geography

Geography is extremely boring. Most of the students in my school used Geography class to write notes to girls or take naps. It's all long-shore drift and central place theory. Zzzzz... What Geography really needs is a passionate teacher who can tell personal stories about the seven seas, while using props to illustrate his (or her) points. Also, it helps if they have dual wristblades

Edward Kenway fits the bill because he spent his younger years sailing around and participating in legitimate business pursuits that didnt relate to pirating or murder in any way, shape, or form. Imagine how his storytelling and passion would bring the subject to life. Plus, the dashing Kenway is guaranteed to make the girls swoon when he describes his shirtless shark-hunting exploits.

Page 2 of 14
Page 2 of 14
Nathan Drake (Uncharted) and Lara Croft (Tomb Raider) would teach History

Nathan Drake (Uncharted) and Lara Croft (Tomb Raider) would teach History

If Indiana Jones has taught us one thing its that fedoras are cool. If it has taught us two things, its that the best way to learn about History is from a dashing archeologist who is directly involved with it on a daily basis. So, the obvious choice for a teacher would be Nathan Drake, right? Sure, hes got a sizeable artefact collection, and a winning smile, but is he as qualified as Lara Croft? Hmmm...

Her experience is a little broader, and--quite frankly--she has the lovely, clipped English-rose voice that students (yeah, and me) can listen to for hours. In an ideal world, Drake and Croft would make the perfect team of History teachers because they come from different backgrounds--Nate was an orphan who taught himself about the world, and Lara spent her childhood on expeditions with her parents before she started murdering deer. Crucially, theyre both so charming that no student would want to skip the lessons.

Page 3 of 14
Page 3 of 14
Chell (Portal) would teach... Physics

Chell (Portal) would teach... Physics

Mostly, physics is used to figure out how hard an object will collide with another object at varying speeds. Some Physics classes have even figured out the gravitational pull of the Death Star, which probably isnt a complete waste of time, right? Can you imagine what a qualified teacher with top-secret devices could teach the average student?

Thats why Chell would be a fantastic Physics teacher; she has experience with matter and energy (specifically kinetic) and she possesses the most technologically advanced tool in the world. Chell could take a boring Physics problem like 'find the kinetic energy of a falling anvil', and make it more entertaining by putting that anvil into an infinite portal loop. Plus, who wouldnt want to open a portal to the moon to see what happens when you throw a paper plane in low gravity?

Page 4 of 14
Page 4 of 14
Johnson (Shadows of the Damned) would teach... English Literature

Johnson (Shadows of the Damned) would teach... English Literature

William Shakespeare, The Scarlet Letter, and book report are phrases that normally frighten every student within earshot because books are only interesting to .07% of teenagers (according to a survey I made up). Don't worry kids, books get better as you get older. Anyway, the only viable way to make students pay attention is to hire a shapeshifting motorcycle to teach the class. Obvious, really.

Johnsons shapeshifting ability would add a visual element to every book the class reads, and his rather sarcastic voice could make any story interesting. Look, if Johnson can make some of the most disturbing books from Hell palatable, surely can he make The Scarlet Letter bearable? He could help the students visualise the consequences of adultery by taking on the shape of ok, bad idea. Maybe he could just turn into the 'A'.

Page 5 of 14
Page 5 of 14
Dr. Zed (Borderlands) would teach... Biology

Dr. Zed (Borderlands) would teach... Biology

Slicing open frogs and other assorted animals is a little grim, and only really appeals to certain people. But what happens when a qualified doctor teaches Biology? Well, who knows? See, Dr. Zed doesnt technically qualify as an biology teacher in the classic sense, but the man does have experience with slicing up 100s of bodies.

Dr. Zed would probably end up teaching because well, surely someone would eventually find out he isnt a real doctor. Either that, or hed want to avoid the stress of being constantly surrounded by bullet-ridden bandits. Plus, if Dr. Zed ever wants to be a legitimate surgeon again, he can always move to a different country. And assume a false name. And grow a moustache.

Page 6 of 14
Page 6 of 14
Monkey (Enslaved) would teach... Physical Education

Monkey (Enslaved) would teach... Physical Education

Physical Education is hardly the most accurate term for the class involving small, white shorts, and wheezing. How to avoid injury while wearing humiliating clothes would be a better description. Does running around the school twice really teach you how to gain shoulder mobility, deadlift 300 pounds, or ride an awesome hoverboard? No, so whats the point?

You need a proper teacher to make P.E. actually about education within physical activity, which is why Monkey would be perfect. Hes fantastic with kids (obviously), and he knows about unique exercise styles. Monkey could teach students how to climb a wall with one arm, do cool flips, and get rock hard abs without trying. No one, not even Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, could do that.

Page 7 of 14
Page 7 of 14
Brucie Kibbutz (Grand Theft Auto 4) would teach... Economics

Brucie Kibbutz (Grand Theft Auto 4) would teach... Economics

Initially, I thought Brucie Kibbutz would be a great Physical Education teacher because of his bodybuilding acumen. Sadly, though, his fascination with injecting Bull Shark Testosterone might be considered a negative lesson for the students. Brucie does know how to make money (LIKE A BOSS), though, so I reckon hed be a fantastic Economics teacher instead.

See, Brucie actually lives the celebrity lifestyle that so many students crave after watching MTV Cribs and other tawdry reality shows. Brucie is one of the few men on the planet who can make money selling high-end vehicles with pointless upgrades, and his totally legal Exotic Exports business shows off his diversity. Why wouldnt Brucie be the best role model for these young minds? Oh right.

Page 8 of 14
Page 8 of 14
Augustus Cole (Gears of War) would coach... Sports

Augustus Cole (Gears of War) would coach... Sports

No school is complete without a large, intimidating person that gets paid to teach young children about proper tackling techniques and pouring energy drinks into cups. This individual also teaches the students how to mature, while avoiding criminal records and terrible grades. Most importantly, the coach needs to successfully make those skintight shorts look good while he screams at students for slacking off on the wing. Or something.

So, Augustus Cole from Gears of War is pretty much a perfect fit. He was a top Thrashball player before Emergence Day, but Coles time in the COG army has taken away his athletic prime, leaving him suitable for only two jobs: a tight-end for the Denver Broncos, or a high-school football coach. Given his irrational (possibly rational) hatred for Peyton Manning, it seems likely hed opt for the latter

Page 9 of 14
Page 9 of 14
Mordin Solus (Mass Effect) would teach... Music

Mordin Solus (Mass Effect) would teach... Music

Is there a class more wonderful than Music? Probably not. You learn to carry a note, read music, and make a bow tie fashionable. Mordin Solus would be the ultimate Choir teacher. Not necessarily because of the bow tie thing, although he would look awesome in a tux. No, he knows enough about the human body that he could find ways to get the most talent out of the worst singers.

Im also positive that Mordin would have some sort of special grip that could make the bass section sing soprano. And when he needs to, Mordin could lead by example, using his beautiful singing voice to belt out sweet numbers from Gilbert and Sullivan musicals.

Page 10 of 14
Page 10 of 14
John Tanner (Driver) would teach... Driving

John Tanner (Driver) would teach... Driving

The main problem with teenage drivers is that they tend to get in terrible accidents caused by texting, mooning, or other shenanigans. What these students need is a drivers education course that focuses on defensive driving. What they need is the best driver in San Francisco.

John Tanner would be the perfect driving teacher because he focuses on the important things like drifting, hitting sweet jumps, and not killing pedestrians. Dead pedestrians usually result in suspensions, jail time, and low grades. Tanners best skill as a teacher is likely showing that you dont need a 'cool' car to drift or race like a pro. He makes a Chevy Volt look cool.

Page 11 of 14
Page 11 of 14
Phoenix Wright (Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney) would teach... Debate

Phoenix Wright (Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney) would teach... Debate

Phoenix Wright would make the perfect Debate teacher because he has more experience with arguing (well, he does shout Objection, a lot) than all other video game characters combined. Phoenix Wright spends the majority of his time investigating and winning legal cases, so showing teenagers how to bicker constructively is a simple task.

Wright also has his experience as an undefeated poker player to combine with his years of cross examining witnesses, so none of the students would be able to trick him during class. The only drawback is that hed probably object to his own appointment in the job. Damn it, Wright, just be quiet for once.

Page 12 of 14
Page 12 of 14
Martin Walker (Spec Ops: The Line) would teach... Psychology

Martin Walker (Spec Ops: The Line) would teach... Psychology

Walker is totally qualified to teach Psychology. Yes, he may have accidentally murdered dozens of innocent bystanders with white phosphorous mortars, but that probably doesnt haunt him at all. No need to worry about the voices in his head; they wouldnt distract him for a second. In fact, I think that those extra voices would help him relate to the students. Walker is completely stable. I swear.

Whats that? Hes talking to an empty classroom about how they Dont know because they werent there, man? Um, hes probably just warming up his voice.

Page 13 of 14
Page 13 of 14
B- Could do better

B- Could do better

The most important part about being a teacher is learning to properly shape the minds of our children while creating a positive effect on the world. Actually, the most important part is avoiding alcohol poisoning from stress-related drinking, but I digress. I cant think of any characters that would be better qualified than these. But do you disagree? Are there any characters that you would want teaching maths or Spanish? Make your case in the comments.

Want more features do you, boy? Very well... your homework this week is reading our Best Co-op Games Everfeature followed by a viewing of our latest Sega Saturdays video. Clear? Good.

Page 14 of 14
Page 14 of 14
CATEGORIES
Android iPad iPhone PC Gaming Wii-u Nintendo PlayStation PS4 Xbox Xbox One Platforms Mobile Gaming
John  Newby
John Newby
Social Links Navigation
Everyone should play The Saboteur. The game is dumb, but I cannot get enough of it. I love video games that remind me of stupid action flicks. I am happiest when I can play a game and somehow relate it to Bad Boys, Operation Condor, or Gone in 60 Seconds. I really love Lego games and cooperative shooters. Borderlands is fantastic.
Share by:
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Whatsapp
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Read more
The 50 Most Iconic Video Game Characters
The 50 most iconic video game characters of all time
 
 
Fallout season 2 poster
I've played every Fallout game, and these are the best Fallout NPCs I want to see in the Amazon show
 
 
The Outer Worlds
Fallout co-creator Tim Cain explains the biggest RPG sins, including annoying NPCs, bad exposition, and those terrible escort missions: "'This escort quest will be fun.' They'd be wrong."
 
 
Best of 2025: Assassin's Creed Shadows
"We are hard to beat": 9 months since Assassin's Creed Shadows, its associate director looks back on what makes this RPG the best in series history
 
 
God of War Ragnarok
Sony worries games have become "very complicated" in patent for AI-generated "ghost" that beats games for you
 
 
Bully
"Bully was chaotic from the day I started": Inside the making of Rockstar's 'GTA in boarding school'
 
 
Latest in Assassin's Creed
Assassin's Creed Black Flag
Still refusing to announce Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag remake, Ubisoft uploads 18 songs from the game to YouTube
 
 
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag artwork showing Kenway with a group of pirates
Assassin's Creed: Black Flag remake remains unannounced, but a recent website domain matches a seemingly leaked name
 
 
Assassin's Creed Shadows
Like Skull and Bones, Assassin's Creed Shadows and Mirage are "AAAA" games, Ubisoft producer claims
 
 
A player flying down a zipline to kill some enemy guards during Assassin's Creed Revelations.
Former Assassin's Creed director believes constraints are the "secret behind any good art" in game dev
 
 
Best Assassin's Creed protagonists: close-up of Arno Dorian during Assassin's Creed Unity.
Former Assassin's Creed director says AAA studios "mistakenly" throw people at development problems
 
 
Assassin's Creed games in order: All of the current Assassin's Creed protagonists on a misty white background.
As Ubisoft shuts down a freshly-unionized studio, worker's union says it will "pursue every legal recourse"
 
 
Latest in Features
Lara Croft coming out of a jungle and smiling in Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis wants to make Lara Croft's iconic T-rex fight feel like the first time all over again
 
 
Elektra, Lin Lie, and Karnak joining forces against a demonic army
Marvel Rivals writer brings the comic story of the game's Iron Fist Lin Lie to its "climax" in Deadly Hands of K'un-Lun
 
 
Primal season 3 image featuring zombie Spear fighting a lion
After 4 years, Primal picks up where it left off without losing any of its grim violence or emotional core
 
 
Resident Evil Requiem protagonist Leon sitting in the driver's seat of a dark car
Resident Evil Requiem's dual protagonists aim to marry "the most terrifying horror and the most thrilling action"
 
 
A press image of an islander smiling during Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Deleting my Animal Crossing island has changed the way I play, and it feels like I've returned to 2005's Wild World
 
 
Arc Raiders Cold Snap event
PvP is the reason Arc Raiders works – love it or hate it, even Embark's design lead says it "adds the spice"
 
 
  1. Origin Story box and cards laid out on a wooden surface
    1
    Looking for a good 2-player board game? This superhero adventure is worth suiting up for
  2. 2
    Trails Beyond the Horizon review: "This JRPG's thrilling real-time and turn-based combat evolves Metaphor ReFantazio's hybrid battles, making up for a poorly paced adventure"
  3. 3
    This alt-history board game is still a gold standard for modern strategy
  4. 4
    Skate Story review: "A beautiful and unique skateboarding game with great, stylized visuals set in a grungy underworld"
  5. 5
    Octopath Traveler 0 review: "The strongest entry in this retro-styled JRPG series yet, I love the greater focus on tactical battles"
  1. Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Kelson in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
    1
    28 Years Later: The Bone Temple review: "The wildest and weirdest entry into the franchise yet"
  2. 2
    Avatar: Fire and Ash review: "Still a technical marvel, with some of the year's best action filmmaking"
  3. 3
    Five Nights at Freddy's 2 review: "We have waited two years for a Five Nights at Freddy's 1.5"
  4. 4
    Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review: "Brings Knives Out back to its roots for a sequel that's almost on a par with the original"
  5. 5
    Wicked: For Good review: "Builds to an incredibly cathartic conclusion, but isn't quite as captivating as Part 1"
  1. Sandro Rosta as Caleb Mir in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.
    1
    Starfleet Academy review: "It may feel a little different to what we're used to, but this is Star Trek through and through"
  2. 2
    A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms review: "This Game of Thrones spin-off is a heartfelt and fun return to Westeros"
  3. 3
    Stranger Things season 5 finale review: “Shows off both the best and the worst of Hawkins”
  4. 4
    Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2 review: “All set up for a finale that has so much to deliver”
  5. 5
    Fallout season 2 review: "A hell of a lot of fun despite being overcrowded and convoluted"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...