Sonic beats Mario to most popular video game character crown
I feel another poll coming on. Sonic The Hedgehog has been crowned the most popular video game character of all time by UK gamers, beating Mario and Lara Croft in the process. So, what is the appeal of this blue, trainer wearing mammal?
The London Games Festival is kicking off this week, and to celebrate its launch, the organizers launched a poll to find the most popular video game character of all time, at least amongst British gamers. In what must be seen as a shock victory, Sega’s long-time mascot Sonic beat Super Mario, as well as other fan favorites such as Donkey Kong and Link from the Zelda games.
The Top 10 most popular video game characters (The Telegraph):-
1 – Sonic the Hedgehog (24%)
2 – Super Mario (21%)
3 – Lara Croft (Tomb Raider) (16%)
4 – Donkey Kong (11%)
5 – Pac Man (10%)
6 – Link (The Legend of Zelda) (5%)
7 – Max Payne (4%)
8 – Pikachu (Pokemon) (3%)
9 – Niko Belic (Grand Theft Auto series) (2%)
10 – Blanka (Street Fighter) (1%)
Sonic and Mario were always going to be numbers 1 and 2, purely because they’re mascots for their respective companies and have a pedigree of games unmatched both in quality and history. Although I’m quite surprised at some of the other placings.
Lara Croft is a fine character, but is the Tomb Raider really third most popular? I personally wouldn’t have thought so. It must be down to those breasts of hers which were probably quite a few boys first experience of playing with a well-endowed woman.
Then there’s Pac Man, which is nothing more than a pizza with eyes, a pizza which someone has already a slice of. And as for Max Payne, I know the film is garnering good reviews (first decent game to movie translation anyone?) but favourite character ever? I really don’t think so.
So what’s the appeal of Sonic The Hedgehog? I have fond memories of Sonic, finding the speed and ease of the original game on the Mega Drive/Genesis a breath of fresh air compared to Mario. Sonic was probably one of the main reasons why I became a fan of Sega, a fandom that continues to this day.
But, I have to say, some of the more recent games have been a bit shoddier than those early-1990s efforts. There’s also the fact that Sonic is absolutely everywhere these days, with this list showing he has graced every single console known to man over the past few years.
So, what’s your favorite video game character of all time? Do you agree or disagree with Sonic topping the list? Your comments could help shape next month’s GAMER poll, but remember, Chuck Norris has never been in a game, nor has his mom.
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22 Responses to “Sonic beats Mario to most popular video game character crown”
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October 21st, 2008
Setting all logic aside, I would say that if there was a chain fast food joint called Mario he would have won. It’s really an unfair poll when Sonic gets all the extra publicity with the restaraunt chain of the same name.
October 21st, 2008
You know, I have never eaten at a Sonic?…. At any rate, I would choose Mario over Sonic. Mario’s games have been consistently amazing and innovative. Sonic on the other hand, not so much.
It’s important to note that this poll was taken at the UK. While Lara’s breasts are amazing, she is also English. I’m stumped on Pac-man and Max Pain though. I would have to guess nostalgia and the current movie would have something to do with it.
October 21st, 2008
The damn British, i say burn them all….especially Dave Parrack….and possibly Bourne…
October 21st, 2008
There is a sonic restaraunt? LOL
Mario all the way. Sonic is popular because he has a saturday morning cartoon.
sonic games are to simplistic.
October 21st, 2008
lol I live in the states, but my girlfriend is from England.
October 21st, 2008
How the hell does that work Jonesy. Long distance r/ship?? Over the internet or long distance phonecalls or something?
October 21st, 2008
Sonic is US only isn’t it? I see the ads on tv here (Canada).
I don’t remember there being one when I was in the UK anywhoos
Still, its odd that he came first and all.
October 21st, 2008
They must have given only 10 options.
Bowser would rank over Blanka, I’m sure, as would Robotnik/Eggman, and quite a few pokemon!
If I had to pick a favorite character, I would actually say Yoshi. What’s not to like about a dinosaur with a long tongue that comes in a variety of colors?
October 21st, 2008
To clarify, she was originally from the UK. She lives here now.
October 21st, 2008
Ah right. All clear
October 21st, 2008
I don’t know if anyone here watches Entourage, but I was picturing Barnabee as Johnny Drama having to go on the computer everynight to talk to his girl in France. Damn that was funny. If you haven’t seen it, watch it, it’s an awesome show.
October 21st, 2008
DAVE PARRACK,
I was under the impression that only people who didn’t play video games referred to the character as “Super Mario.” Mayhap you have something to confess to all of us?
-Arvis
October 21st, 2008
Arvis,
Not to speak for Dave but I bet that it was listed as Super Mario in the poll. Dave does write simply Mario through out the article.
October 21st, 2008
Interesting, no Master Chief or Snake, but Max Payne????? Something tells me that there was a degree of voting iregularity
October 21st, 2008
Wylie,
2nd Paragraph: “In what must be seen as a shock victory, Sega’s long-time mascot Sonic beat Super Mario, as well as other fan favourites…”
I’m telling you, I’ve discovered DAVE PARRACK’s deep, dark secret…
-Arvis
October 21st, 2008
Arvis, I’m afraid you haven’t uncovered my deep, dark secret… not that I have any you understand
As Wylie said, the poll listed it as Super Mario, so I followed suit once to help with SEO. Otherwise, the same as every sane gamer on this planet, I just call the little git Mario. He’s not super anyway.
October 21st, 2008
I always thought Luigie didn’t get the respect he deserved. What makes Mario so much better than the little green plumber.
October 21st, 2008
HARRY!!
I couldnt find your profile… make another one… DAMMMIT MAN!!!
How bout… to show our support… we all make profiles in singlemulsim.com
The pictures will be of Niko Bellic…
Its not anti-islam… its just funny…
and on the topic… Ill take shrooms over rings any day… plus princess peach is cute… ohh no… not again…
October 21st, 2008
Arvis/DWH,
I have just made another one, and have toned it down considerably in the hope that I get through this time! The pic and description is pending. The pic is of some really ugly dude who can’t spell….
http://www.singlemuslim.com/ivan_psp
October 22nd, 2008
lol Hairy you know your going to get shot at when they find out you’re taking the piss.
October 22nd, 2008
Yeah I know, but they’ll be looking for the guy in the pic (Ivan), not me! hahah
October 22nd, 2008
LOL stealing identity again are we? Ahh well. I live in the City where most live in the UK, infact there was a terrorist raid here yesterday.