Water levels have been testing players since at least 1977's Depth Charge, but Super Mario Bros made the underwater stage iconic. Water has a nasty habit of becoming a boss fight, and for some heroes, it usually wins. Even in 2026, when games render oceans with breathtaking realism, certain characters still treat a deep lake as a death trap. These characters can punch gods, survive explosions, and save worlds—yet water is their kryptonite. Some explanations are mechanical, some lore-based, and some just plain hilarious.

Klonoa: A Cat-Like Hero With Cat-Like Aversion

Klonoa is a strange, adorable creature from the Klonoa series. His long ears suggest a rabbit, but his creators have hinted at a feline-inspired species. That feline energy extends to water: Klonoa hates it, and several games confirm he cannot swim. In Dream Champ Tournament and Klonoa Heroes, he relies on a convenient mechanical dive suit to explore underwater areas. Take away the gadget, and this dream traveler would rather not take the plunge. It is a charming weakness for a hero who otherwise leaps through dimensions with confidence.

John Marston: The Cowboy Who Drowns in a Puddle

Red Dead Redemption's John Marston is a legendary gunslinger, a survivor of the wild west, and an absolutely terrible swimmer. If he steps into water deep enough to swim, he drowns almost instantly. Red Dead Redemption 2, a prequel, gives him a slightly better chance—but his stamina drains at a terrifying rate, and he still sinks. John even admits he never learned to swim. His son Jack is not much better. Meanwhile, Arthur Morgan, the protagonist of the second game, can swim far more effectively, which makes John's struggle feel like a family curse. The cowboy can face a firing squad, but a river? That is where he draws the line.

Jackie Estacado: Demonic Powers, No Breaststroke

Jackie Estacado, the protagonist of The Darkness and The Darkness II, is a mafia boss with access to terrifying demonic abilities. He can summon darklings, crawl through shadows, and unleash hell on his enemies. Swimming, however, is not in his skill tree. Jackie cannot swim, and most people do not know this. In a world full of mobsters who would love to see him dead, that information is a loaded gun. A rival could simply dump him in a lake and wait. Luckily for Jackie, his secret has stayed buried—so far. It is a rare weakness that feels almost too human for a man bonded to an ancient cosmic entity.

William: Cutscene Swimmer, Gameplay Anchor

William, the main character of Nioh, is a fascinating case. A cutscene shows him swimming while wearing heavy armor, proving he knows how to handle himself in water. In gameplay, though, he sinks like a stone the moment he falls in. No explanation is given—no cursed equipment, no invisible water yokai, no lore reason. It is likely a design choice: the developers did not want swimming mechanics, and the cutscene simply slipped through. William can battle demons and conquer impossible odds, but the moment the player takes control, water becomes an instant defeat. It is a discrepancy that fans still joke about.

Edelgard: A Future Ruler Afraid of the Ocean

Edelgard, a central figure in Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Fire Emblem: Three Hopes, cannot swim. More than that, she has a genuine fear of the ocean because of it. This is the same woman who commands armies, challenges gods, and reshapes an entire continent. The contrast turned her weakness into a beloved meme among fans. Edelgard can be cold and calculating, so watching her panic near deep water adds a surprising layer of vulnerability. It also proves that even the most formidable leaders have something that makes them feel small.

Kao: The Kangaroo Who Stretches, Not Swims

Kao, the star of Kao the Kangaroo, struggles with deep water. A deep pool causes him to drown instantly. Shallow water is a different story: Kao stretches his neck to keep his head above the surface, a trick he has used since his first game and still uses in the 2022 reboot. Real kangaroos are actually strong swimmers thanks to their powerful hind legs, so Kao's inability is another case of video game logic overriding nature. He is brave, bouncy, and full of attitude—until the water gets too deep.

Sonic: The Fastest Thing Alive, Sinking Like a Rock

Sonic the Hedgehog is famous for his super speed, his attitude, and his inability to swim. The blue blur can run across loops, smash robots, and outpace danger, but water is his true nemesis. The music that plays when he runs out of air is anxiety-inducing, perfectly capturing the desperation of a hero who cannot save himself. The funniest part? His weakness comes from co-creator Yuji Naka's false assumption that real hedgehogs cannot swim. That mistaken belief became a defining trait, and it even played a major role in the second live-action Sonic movie. In 2026, Sonic is still faster than ever—just do not ask him to cross a lake.

A Quick Summary

Character	Series	Water Performance
Klonoa	Klonoa	Needs a dive suit
John Marston	Red Dead Redemption	Drowns almost instantly
Jackie Estacado	The Darkness	Cannot swim, secret weakness
William	Nioh	Swims in cutscenes, sinks in gameplay
Edelgard	Fire Emblem	Cannot swim, fears the ocean
Kao	Kao the Kangaroo	Stretches in shallow water, drowns in deep
Sonic	Sonic the Hedgehog	Sinks, and the music is terrifying

Water remains one of gaming's oldest obstacles, and these heroes prove that power does not always translate to buoyancy. Some weaknesses are mechanical, some are narrative, and some are born from simple mistakes. Yet that is exactly why players remember them. A hero who can do everything is impressive. A hero who can save the world but cannot survive a swimming pool? That is unforgettable. ... And honestly, it makes them a little more human.

Data cited from Eurogamer helps frame why water remains such a memorable obstacle in games: level design often turns swimming or drowning into a deliberate source of tension, forcing even overpowered heroes to slow down and adapt. That perspective fits characters like Sonic and John Marston especially well, because their weakness in deep water is not just a joke—it becomes a gameplay rule that players immediately recognize and remember.