Let’s face it: Although video game heroines are purely fictional, we have always wished for them to be more accessible. Not only do these virtual babes kick butt for a living, but they possess certain assets and attributes that are simply hard for our eyes to miss.

From archeologist Lara Croft to librarian-witch Bayonetta, we have compiled a short, but sweet list of babes that have helped shape video games as we know it.

The 7 Hottest Video Game Babes

7. Tifa Lockhart

Via Wikia.com

Considered one of the best female characters in gaming, Tifa Lockhart is a strong, independent fighter and “good terrorist” (we mean that in the nicest way possible). Her innocent, yet badass personality has made her one of the hottest video game babes since her original appearance in Final Fantasy VII. Tifa has consistently amazed us in various video games and media such as Kingdom Hearts and LittleBigPlanet 2. We can only hope she makes another major entrance sooner rather than later. Pretty please, Square-Enix?

6. Samus Aran

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Don’t let the mildly odd name fool you: Samus Aran officially incorporated sexiness into video games before many of us were even born. Originally developed in the 1986 video game Metroid for the NES, Samus Aran is portrayed as a smart and sexy bounty hunter whose job is to kick butt all over the universe. Whether she’s hiding inside her Varia Suit or her oh-so-sexy Zero Suit, there is no denying that she has played a major role model for many hot video game characters. After all, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with space babes, right? We’re positive Duke Nukem wholeheartedly agrees with us.

5. Kasumi

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This compassionate, yet deadly former Shinobi first appeared in the 1996 video game Dead or Alive. Her gorgeous assets have made countless appearances within the franchise as well as popular entries like Ninja Gaiden. Since we’re positive that most hardcore gamers have stared at her attributes a little too long here and there, Kasumi has earned a spot in our beloved naughty-video-game-girl list. Whether her developers deny it or not, Kasumi was clearly designed as a sexy video game character ready to impress everyone who came to know her. But hey, we’re not complaining.

4. B. Orchid

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What can we say about Black Orchid – How about deadly beauty, for starters? But let’s keep our focus on her sexiness for a moment. This outrageously beautiful spy is generally ranked among the most popular characters in the Killer Instinct series, having made a name for herself as the only female lead in the 1994 original. Her looks and fighting style has since hypnotized gamers of all ages as she is continuously developed both figuratively and literally.

3. Cortana

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Okay, bear with us for a moment: Cortana is not the typical flesh-and-blood babe we’re generally used to, but there are plenty of reasons for her to be acknowledged as one of the sexiest Goddesses in video gaming today. For starters, we couldn’t possibly enjoy the Halo series without her, providing tactical information with a voice that is simply too provocative to ignore. Did we also mention that recent Microsoft operating systems have adapted a virtual assistant in her name? With that type of influence, Cortana undoubtedly deserves to be in our list of the hottest video game babes ever.

2. Bayonetta

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Bayonetta is the very definition of sex symbol in video games. This naughty-but-nice witch was officially introduced to raging fans all over the world in 2009 and has been the subject of both praise and criticism. While her sexuality occasionally causes parents to feel upset, there is no denying that this enigmatic heroine portrays every positive attribute in females today. Who said sexy and brains could never fit into the same sentence?

1. Lara Croft

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What did you expect our number one pick to be, princess Peach? Lara Croft is the clear winner thanks to the many standards she has helped set in popular culture. Since 1996, this skilled and seductive archeologist has starred in countless games, animated shorts, multiple theatrical films and more. All in all, Lara Croft represents the very best in women ranging from beauty, athleticism, a sense of adventure and independence. Who would have ever thought that raiding old, crumbling tombs could be so darn sexy?

Video game babes have had a tremendous influence in gaming. But generally speaking, how will video game characters be perceived in the future?

The Video Game Character of the Future