The video game industry is almost its own type of Hollywood. But who are the most easily recognisable characters in the modern video game industry?

The video game industry can be considered a type of Hollywood all of its own. There are celebrity characters, so well known that there is hardly a gamer on earth who does not know them. In fact, some will even argue that the video game industry is built on the backs of just a few well-known characters.

Of course, it isn’t as easy to be a recognised video game character as it is film star. This, perhaps, is simply because the video game industry is still young, at least when compared to the film industry. Let’s take a look at the most recognisable video game characters in the industry today.

Mario

Mario, otherwise known as Super Mario, is about as unlikely a hero as could be asked for. A short, pudgy Italian plumber isn’t exactly what one would call traditional hero material. But, show a person the face of Mario, and chances are good they will know who he is. What’s more bizarre is that Mario has almost no character. He doesn’t speak, barely emotes, and is practically nothing more than an emotionless cardboard cut out.

Either way, Mario is easily the most recognisable face in video games today. Oh, and his brother Luigi as well, of course.

Pac-Man

Although not technically a character, Pac-Man is a video game symbol that will likely live on for some time. Yes, he is nothing but a yellow circle with a mouth, but gamers love him regardless and he has even cropped up in online pokies! There have been other attempts to bring Pac Man into the modern gaming world, but all have failed for one reason or another. Still, Pac-Man remains recognisable, even if he is still just a chomping mouth.

Pac-Man has been around for decades, transcending video games right from the start.

Lara Croft

Originally gaining enormous popularity simply for being a busty babe in a video game, Lara Croft has become a well-loved industry legend. She has a great deal more character than Mario, at least, especially given her most recent transition. In the latest Tomb Raider games Lara has gone from being nothing more than a sex symbol to a strong female protagonist, offering gamers a much more likeable and relatable human image.

Doom Guy

The so-called Doom Guy doesn’t even have a name. He is simply the marine in Doom that kills a whole bunch of demons, and in alarmingly violent ways. But show a gamer his picture and the chances are good they will know who he is. If this list is proving anything, it’s that video game characters don’t have to be charismatic to be recognisable.

Zelda and Link

And, yet again, more characters that are hardly known for being talkative, at least in the case of Link. Easily spotted for his pointy ears and green clothing, Link has said not one word in the entire Zelda franchise. Zelda might be a bit more talkative, but is perhaps not as recognisable as the hero of the game. Either way, fans love them both to this very day, after decades.