Top 10 Most Iconic Video Game Characters

This iconic plumber was created by renowned video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto in 1981 as the main character of the Super Mario Bros. game. Mario is known for his red hat, blue overalls, and mustache, which have become synonymous with Nintendo and gaming culture worldwide. According to Nintendo, Mario has appeared in over 200 games across more than 100 platforms, making him one of the most recognizable characters in gaming history. The original Super Mario Bros. game sold over 40 million copies, cementing Mario's status as a gaming icon.

As the protagonist of Nintendo's legendary Zelda series, Link has been battling evil forces for nearly three decades. This brave warrior is often clad in green or brown clothing, carrying a trusty sword and shield. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, released in 1998, is widely regarded as one of the greatest video games of all time, with many considering it the quintessential Link adventure. According to Nintendo's financial reports, The Legend of Zelda series has sold over 100 million copies worldwide.

This elite Spartan super-soldier was first introduced in 2001's Halo: Combat Evolved, a game that revolutionized the first-person shooter genre. Wearing advanced MJOLNIR armor, Master Chief is equipped with an assault rifle and other state-of-the-art combat gear. The original Halo game sold over 5 million copies on Xbox, marking a major milestone for Microsoft's console division. With over 70 games and numerous spin-offs, the Halo series has become one of the most successful video game franchises in history.

This beloved arcade icon was created by Toru Iwatani in 1980, with its name inspired by pizza (paca-man). As a yellow ghost-eating pellet-muncher, Pac-Man is instantly recognizable worldwide. According to Namco's financial reports, Pac-Man has generated over $12 billion in revenue since its debut, making it one of the highest-grossing arcade games of all time. The character has been featured on countless merchandise and spin-offs.

This intrepid adventurer was introduced in 1996's Tomb Raider, a game that helped establish the action-adventure genre as a staple of gaming culture. Wearing iconic shorts and tank tops, Lara is often accompanied by a bow and quiver of guns. According to Crystal Dynamics' financial reports, Tomb Raider has sold over 70 million copies worldwide, solidifying Lara's status as an gaming icon.

This blue blur was created by Yuji Naka and Naoto Ohshima in 1991 for Sega's Genesis console. As a high-speed running mascot, Sonic is revered for his speed and attitude. According to Sega's financial reports, Sonic has generated over $13 billion in revenue since his debut, cementing him as one of the most successful video game characters.

This marsupial hero was created by Naughty Dog in 1996 for PlayStation. With his goofy grin and cartoonish animations, Crash is an instantly recognizable character. According to Activision's financial reports, Crash Bandicoot has sold over 50 million copies worldwide, making him one of the best-selling platformers of all time.

This edgy hero was created by Tetsuya Nomura in 1997 for Square Enix's Final Fantasy VII. Wearing a iconic Buster Sword and sporting spiky hair, Cloud is an emblem of the PS1 era. According to Square Enix's financial reports, Final Fantasy VII has sold over 11 million copies worldwide, marking one of the best-selling games of all time.

This giant ape was created by Shigeru Miyamoto in 1981 for arcade release, initially as a nemesis to Mario. With his imposing stature and red tie, Donkey Kong is an iconic character with over four decades of gaming history. According to Nintendo's financial reports, the original Donkey Kong game generated over $8 million at arcades alone.

This fearless adventurer was created by Hidemaro Fujibayashi and Eiji Aonuma for Nintendo's Switch release in 2017. As a Hylian warrior, Link is equipped with the Master Sword and various magical abilities. According to Nintendo's financial reports, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has sold over 24 million copies worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling games of all time in both sales and critical acclaim.