What would you say if I asked you to name the greatest reptile in videogame history? What about the greatest feline? The folks over at MTV Multiplayer have decided that tough questions like these need answering and, as a result, have decided to spend 2008 surveying game-makers, trend-setters, webbloggers and players alike. The ultimate goal? To crown one of the lucky critter “The Greatest Animal in Video Game History”.

So far, the competition has been fierce, with PaRappa the Rapper claiming “Greatest Video Game Canine” over Brown from Rule of Rose and the zombie dogs from Silent Hill — a ruling that I support wholeheartedly. User comments, however, errupted with boos and dissent (and rightfully so!) when the title of “Greatest Horse” went to Epona from the Legend of Zelda Series, with World of Warcraft mounts following hot on her heels. Now, don’t get me wrong, Epona’s great and all, but where’s the love for Agro? That’s right, Agro — the trusty steed, faithful friend, and equine BFF in The Shadow of the Colossus. In a game of both stark simplicity and rich complexity, Agro was more than just a means to kill the Colossi or transportation from point A to point B — he was the hero’s (and therefore, the player’s) sole companion in otherwise vast and empty world. He came when you called, he grazed on the grass, and ran like lightning at the feet of giants. What else could you need?

Well, with Agro-gate come and gone, Multiplayer has moved on to ask the age-old question: “What’s is the greatest aquatic animal in video games?” They are amassing an impressive list of nominees here, which already includes such notable entries such as Jabu-Jabu from Ocarina of Time and the Watcher in the Water from the Lord of the Rings franchise.

As for me, I’m rooting for Ecco the Dolphin.