Don't give up yet Gballzack. Any here are my choices.
Women.
5pts. Samus Aran (Metroid)
4pts. Chun-Li (Street Fighter)
3pts. Alis Landale (Phantasy Star 1) Main character of the original Phantasy Star. The game was released in 1987 and like Samus, she was strong female character.
2pts. Isabelle "Ivy" Valentine (Soul Calibur) She has has sword that turns into a bladed whip. Nuff said.
1pt. Junon (Dragon Force) The Black Knight of Masked Death, like Samus, she is presented as a male character and later revealed to be a woman.
Men
5pts. Akuma/Gouki (Street Fighter) He killed his master. Killed brother Gouken. He killed Bison with one attack. Definition of bad ass.
4pts. Solid Snake (Metal Gear Solid)
3pts. Ryu Hayabusa (Ninja Gaiden)
2pts. Simon Belmont (Castlevania)
1pt. Ramirez (Skies of Arcadia) He is kind of like Sephiroth, except has a good back story to explain his dark turn.
EDIT: I flpped my list. Gballzack. I had my order reversed. Sorry 
