Top 5 Greatest Video Game Characters
Published:From Pac-Man to Master Chief, there have been countless iconic video game characters over the years! In our Top 5 Greatest Video Game Characters list, we examine five of the most recognizable and memorable characters of all-time!
1) Mario
- Depicted as a short, pudgy, Italian plumber who resides in the Mushroom Kingdom
- Has appeared in over 200 video games since his creation
- His younger brother Luigi is also one of the greatest characters ever
- Branched into several mediums, including television shows, film, comics and a line of licensed merchandise
- The Mario franchise is the best-selling video game franchise of all-time
2) Link
- Depicted as a child, teenager, or adult of the Hylian race, originating from the fictional land of Hyrule
- Travels through Hyrule, defeating evil, while attempting to save Princess Zelda
- Has appeared in 16 Legend of Zelda games (as of 2015)
- In the Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition, Link was voted the second best video game character of all-time
- Has been featured in other media from Nintendo, including its merchandising, comic books, and a cartoon serie
3) Sonic the Hedgehog
- Protagonist of the Sonic the Hedgehog series released by Sega, as well as many spin-off comics and five animated shows
- Blue hedgehog who has the ability to run at supersonic speeds and the ability to curl into a ball, primarily to attack enemies
- In 1993, Sonic became the first video game character to have a balloon in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
- In 2005, Sonic was one of the first game character inductees into the Walk of Game, alongside Mario and Link
- Sonic’s game series has sold more than 80 million copies
4) Pac-Man
- Pac-Man is considered one of the classics of the medium and an icon of 1980s popular culture
- Pac-Man succeeded by creating a new video game genre and appealing to both genders
- Among the most famous arcade games of all-time
- One of the highest-grossing video games of all time, having generated more than $2.5 billion in quarters by the 1990s
- Has appeared in more than 30 officially licensed game spin-offs
5) Kirby
- Famous for his ability to inhale objects and creatures to obtain their attributes, as well as his ability to float with puffed cheeks
- Has starred in over 20 games, ranging from action platformers to puzzle, racing, and even pinball
- Ranked second on GameDaily's Top 10 Super Smash Bros. characters list
- GameSpot chose him as one of the characters to compete in their poll for the title of "All Time Greatest Game Hero"
- Consistently ranked as one of the most iconic video game characters
