Revealed: The most iconic video game characters of all time - and Mario isn't in top place!

With his blue overalls, red cap, and trademark moustache, Mario is a character that's instantly recognisable around the world. 

But despite his fame, it turns out Mario is not the most iconic video game character of all time. 

Instead, that's a title that goes to Lara Croft, according to a poll by BAFTA. 

In celebration of the 20th BAFTA Games Awards, BAFTA asked over 4,000 players from around the world who they thought was the most iconic character. 

So, is your favourite character on the list? 

In celebration of the 20th BAFTA Games Awards, BAFTA asked over 4,000 players from around the world who they thought was the most iconic character

With his blue overalls, red cap, and trademark moustache, Mario is a character that's instantly recognisable around the world. But despite his fame, it turns out Mario is not the most iconic video game character of all time

'Video games have produced some of the most memorable characters of any medium,' BAFTA explained. 

'So, in celebration of the 20th BAFTA Games Awards on Thursday 11 April 2024, we asked for the public's help to settle the question, and over 4,000 players from around the world engaged with the official BAFTA poll.'

Lara Croft takes the number one spot, having first appeared in Tomb Raider for the Sega Saturn in 1996. 

Since then, the character has appeared across an incredible range of mediums, including TV, film, video games, and even her own live immersive experience in London. 

'Lara Croft has appeared in over 15 games, three films, multiple novelisations and comic book adaptations, and an upcoming Netflix animated series,' BAFTA said. 

Mario is next on the list, having been the face of Nintendo for over 40 years. 

Created by Shigeru Miyamoto back in 1981, Mario was not originally the star of his own series, and instead was simply a player character in the Donkey Kong series. 

'From humble beginnings, Mario has gone on to featured in over 200 video games, two films, and numerous other multimedia adaptations, including this year's BAFTA-nominated game, Super Mario Bros. Wonder,' BAFTA said. 

Agent 47 from Hitman is third on the list, followed by Sonic the Hedgehog, and Sackboy from LittleBitPlanet. 

And what list would be complete without Pac-Man?  

Lara Croft takes the number one spot, having first appeared in Tomb Raider for the Sega Saturn in 1996

What list would be complete without Pac-Man? 'This little yellow hockey puck has appeared in over 50 games and has made appearances in innumerable other trans-media properties,' BAFTA said

Ellie Williams from The Last of Us comes in at 19th place, having recently featured in a TV adaptation of the game

'This little yellow hockey puck has appeared in over 50 games and has made appearances in innumerable other trans-media properties,' BAFTA said. 

Other legendary characters to feature in the list are Pickahu and Crash Bandicoot, as well as Steve from the Minecraft franchise. 

Meanwhile, Ellie Williams from The Last of Us comes in at 19th place, having recently featured in a TV adaptation of the game. 

'The world's first introduction to the bad-mouthed teenager was in The Last of Us: American Dreams, a four-issue comic book series that served as a prequel to the game,' BAFTA added. 

'She's since starred in sequels and DLC for the The Last of Us franchise, as well as the 2023 TV adaptation of the game.'