The Most Iconic Nintendo Characters

Ever since it transitioned from its initial business of making toys and playing cards into video games, Nintendo has firmly established itself as the top dog in the industry. Through their impeccable software and hardware production, Nintendo has also managed to give birth to some of the most iconic and legendary figures in video games.

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Whether it’s Mario’s mass-media appeal, which has seen the little plumber from Brooklyn escape into film and TV media, or the staggering importance that the character of Samus Aran has had on video games, these absolutely spectacular Nintendo characters are immortal. They have paved the way for others, breaking through barriers and establishing a cast of characters that have become some of the industry’s most recognizable of all time. These Nintendo characters have been ranked based on their importance, longevity, and the quality of their overall franchise.

9

Captain Olimar

The Adorable Little Astronaut Is One Of Nintendo’s Most Legendary Heroes

Real-Time Strategy

Puzzle

Systems

Released

October 26, 2001

ESRB

E

Spearheaded by Shigeru Miyamoto, the Pikmin franchise has become one of Nintendo’s most innovative and unique titles, as it concerns the story of Captain Olimar in his quest to escape the planet PNF-404 after his ship crash lands on the planet’s surface. Olimar is a tiny, cute alien from the planet Hocotate, and his adorable design mixed with his charming personality has made him one of Nintendo’s best characters for the past 20-plus years.

Captain Olimar was the star of the first two Pikmin games, which were some of the best titles available on the GameCube, but Nintendo has made him more of a support character in the franchise recently. Even so, he was a major part of the GameCube era for Nintendo, signaling a direction for the company that would see them further refine their design philosophies and commitment to unique experiences.

8

Ness

A Groundbreaking Protagonist On The SNES

Systems

Released

June 5, 1995

ESRB

T For Teen due to Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Suggestive Themes, Crude Humor

EarthBound broke new ground when it was released in 1995, as it replaced traditional fantasy kingdoms and swords with a down-to-earth, surreal vision of kids on a quest to stop the imminent invasion of the Universal Cosmic Destroyer, Giygas. Leading this effort is Ness, a young boy from Onett who travels with his friends on a long, arduous journey that takes them from quirky small towns all the way to the climactic finale against Giygas in the Cave of the Past.

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EarthBound was revolutionary for many reasons, and Ness was a major part of that. So many RPGs at the time featured heroic knights and wizards as their protagonists, but Ness was just a quiet boy from a small town tasked with saving the world. He has become one of Nintendo’s most recognizable and prominent characters and has been a part of the Super Smash Bros. roster since the original N64 version launched in 1999.

7

Pikachu

Pokemon’s Mascot Is One Of Nintendo’s Most Well-Known Characters

Systems

Released

September 28, 1998

ESRB

Everyone

Pokemon is a franchise filled with iconic characters, but there’s none more recognizable than Pikachu, the adorable mascot of the series who has gone on to become one of Nintendo’s most popular figures. The simple design is easy for kids to draw, and the ability for Pikachu to display a wide range of emotions is still impressive to this day.

Pikachu has become a huge part of Nintendo’s massive roster of characters, and he has managed to cross over from video games into other media flawlessly. Pikachu has been the star of multiple spin-offs, a regular combatant in Super Smash Bros., and was even the star of a major Hollywood blockbuster known as Detective Pikachu.

6

Yoshi

The Tiny Dinosaur Has Become One Of Nintendo’s Most Beloved Figures

Systems

Released

August 23, 1991

ESRB

E For Everyone

In his first three entries, Mario was restricted to running and jumping under his own power, but with the introduction of Yoshi in Super Mario World, the plumber’s range of motion increased as the adorable little dinosaur allowed him to leap higher and engage enemies in a much more bombastic way. Ever since then, Yoshi has escaped the confines of being Mario’s sidekick and has become one of Nintendo’s most popular and iconic characters.

His design is absolutely perfect and has lent itself to the spin-offs and solo titles he has led perfectly, as Yoshi has been the star of some of the most outstanding games in the industry. His most recent solo effort, Yoshi’s Crafted World, was a delightful game that was great for the early years of the Nintendo Switch. Yoshi also frequently appears in Super Smash Bros. and made a brief cameo in the Mario movie, proving the longevity of this cute little dinosaur.

5

Fox McCloud

The Heroic Leader Of Team Star Fox

Systems

Although the Star Fox franchise has been quiet recently, with its last major appearance being via DLC for Starlink: Battle For Atlas, the crew of anthropomorphic animals are still some of the most legendary and beloved group of characters in Nintendo’s history. Leading them is Fox McCloud, a brash, cocky Arwing pilot who has led the series since the beginning and continues to be one of Nintendo’s most iconic characters over thirty years later.

His charming personality, stylish design, and heroic demeanor are absolutely stellar, as this brave leader of Team Star Fox has anchored the series for three decades. He even starred in a solo spin-off game known as Star Fox Adventures, where he showed how capable he was as a hero, and he has also been a frequent member of the Super Smash Bros. roster. Fox McCloud has not seen the spotlight since 2016, so he is long overdue for a return, as this iconic pilot is still one of Nintendo’s most outstanding heroes.

4

Samus Aran

The Iconic Lead Of Metroid Has Become A Feminist Icon

Systems

Released

August 6, 1986

ESRB

E for Everyone: Mild Fantasy Violence

When she first debuted in the original Metroid in 1986, Samus Aran entered a market dominated by male leads, but the game’s ending revealed that she was a woman. It was a landmark moment, as Samus broke new ground and was one of the first female protagonists in gaming, becoming a feminist icon and the star of an absolutely spectacular science fiction franchise.

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Her quiet, stoic demeanor and bravery have solidified her as one of Nintendo’s greatest heroes. She has gone on countless adventures over the years, handling them all with a sense of heroism and grace that is admirable, as this fearless mercenary has become one of the most recognizable and influential video game characters of all time. She is set to return in 2025 with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.

3

Princess Zelda

The Namesake Of One Of Nintendo’s Greatest Franchises

Systems

Released

February 21, 1986

ESRB

E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence

Princess Zelda is the namesake of one of Nintendo’s most legendary franchises, as this brave woman has been a major part of the video game industry for the past 35-plus years. The Legend of Zelda franchise could not exist without her, as she is one of the most heroic, iconic female video game characters of all time, and each version of her has shown how malleable this princess is.

Zelda has been a warrior, a peacekeeper, and everything in between, as the long-running franchise has seen her evolve into one of gaming’s most legendary heroines. In addition to her appearance in every mainline game, Princess Zelda has starred in multiple spin-offs, and in 2024, she was finally given a solo game with Echoes of Wisdom.

2

Link

The Brave, Noble Hero Of The Legend Of Zelda Series

Systems

Released

April 13, 1992

ESRB

E For Everyone Due To Mild Violence

Influenced by Shigeru Miyamoto’s childhood spent exploring the forests and lakes in Kyoto, The Legend of Zelda has become one of the industry’s most celebrated franchises, and it’s safe to say that Link, the lead of the series since its debut in 1987, is also one of gaming’s most iconic and popular heroes. He has starred in some of the most incredible games of all time, as titles like, A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, and Breath of the Wild have gone on to change the course of the industry.

Link’s recognizable design and deep, rich mythology have helped elevate him into one of gaming’s most legendary heroes, as he has persevered through countless generations. Series producer Eiji Aonuma has continued to position Link as one of the bravest, most heroic figures in gaming, and this commitment has allowed him to stay relevant in an ever-shifting landscape. Link is also a frequent representative for the Zelda franchise in spin-offs, appearing in Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart, and Hyrule Warriors, as well as countless others.

1

Mario

The Most Iconic Video Game Character Of All Time

Mario Bros.

Systems

Released

July 20, 1983

ESRB

e

Often referred to as “The Mickey Mouse of video games,” Mario has been the flagship character for Nintendo since his debut in 1985, when he contributed to saving the industry after the crash. After dominating the 80s and 90s, the Super Mario franchise would catapult its iconic star into the stratosphere, where he would be at the center of Nintendo’s catalog and give birth to a massive media franchise.

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Mario’s rapid ascent from home consoles into every form of media imaginable has solidified him as not just Nintendo’s mascot, but the most iconic video game character of all time. Known worldwide, the franchise has had a massive influence on the industry that is still being felt to this day, starring in racing games, party games, and leading a major motion picture in 2023, with Chris Pratt lending his voice to Mario. He is still the most iconic figure in gaming. Mario is a figurehead for the entire industry, one who represents video games in the most incredible way possible.

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