10 Most Popular Video Game Characters of all Time

Who would have thought that after starting from mere vacuum tubes and pseudo-images created via electronic beams, video games would escalate to a level where in-depth storylines and full character profiles would become a norm? Throughout the relatively recent years, video game characters have continued to captivate players with graphic charm and fictional brilliance. Of course, the popularity of a video game character concept primarily relies on the attractiveness of the game itself.

Following is a list of some of the most popular video game characters of all time.

Snake

Video Game Characters

Solid Snake is the main protagonist of Konami’s Metal Gear series and according to a Famitsu poll for character rankings, the number one video game character of all time. Snake’s popularity can be gauged by the fact that he has made several appearances in other games as well.

Ryu

Video Game Characters

Everyone knows Ryu. Even those who haven’t played much of the Street Fighter series are well aware of his immensely popular hadoken. Ryu is the lead character in Capcom’s Street Fighter game, anime and Manga (comic book) series. 

Link

Video Game Characters

The brave hero of Nintendo’s famous Legend of Zelda series, Link fights through hordes of enemies to save pretty Princess Zelda. He is also the star of the American animated series by the same name. Link was one of the first game characters to be honored in the Walk of Game.

Sonic

Video Game Characters

This loveable, snazzy blue hedgehog is the central character of the Sonic series and “the fastest thing alive” according to the quite famous animated TV show. The Sonic video game series was Sega’s response to Nintendo’s Mario and he did not disappoint, making it to the spotlight along with Mario.

Mario

Video Game Characters

When one thinks of the greatest game characters ever created, central character of the best-selling video game series of all time, Mario is indubitably one of the most popular characters in the history of video games. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that he is sort of a trademark for the industry as a whole.

Master Chief

Video Game Characters

Over the years, Halo’s Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 has grown greatly in popularity. He was ranked as the eighth most popular game character in history by Electronic Gaming Monthly. The cybernetically enhanced Spartan never takes off his helmet and barely talks, yet has a fan following vast enough to rival that of game characters the likes of Snake and Lara Croft.

Cloud

Video Game Characters

Cloud Strife first appeared in Final Fantasy VII as the primary protagonist in the storyline. The genetically enhanced mercenary and his Buster Sword are equally popular in gaming circles and among FF series fans. Cloud was ranked seventh by Electronic Gaming Monthly in their list of top ten videogame characters.

Kratos

Video Game Characters

This fierce looking, pale-skinned Spartan Demigod is probably one of the closest video game character definitions of the word “Bad-ass”. Kratos’ ferocity and God of War’s innovative gameplay have made way for the Ghost of Sparta, as he is often called, to become a widely popular character throughout the gameverse. 

Lara Croft

Video Game Characters

Holding Guinness World Records for the “most official real life stand-ins” and the “most recognized female video game character”, Lara Croft of Square Enix’s Tomb Raider series most definitely deserves to be on this list. In the game, she is a bold and beautiful British archaeologist who roams the world in search of ancient artifacts of value.

Mega Man

Video Game Characters

This blue and cyan android is yet another example of Capcom’s tendency to consistently produce good character concepts. Mega Man has appeared in over a hundred titles in several different forms over the years. The one with the blue armor being the most popular and is considered one of the most beloved characters in gaming history.