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Most Recognizable Video Game Characters (according to Casino.org survey of 593 millennials)

Unknownlight

Unknownlight

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I thought this was fun. There are definitely some amusing results in here, especially when looking at the results that compare video game characters to famous celebrities/politicians/athletes. Mario is slightly more recognizable than Adolf Hitler, whereas PAC-MAN just barely loses to Vladimir Putin.

The fact that the Ice Climbers are apparently the 27th most recognizable video game character tells me there's something really fishy in their methodology, but maybe I underestimate just how omnipresent Smash Bros. is.

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ILikeFeet

ILikeFeet

DF Deet Master
Banned
Oct 25, 2017
61,987
Nintendo is the Disney of video games, confirmed. they should really leverage that more
 
Arklite

Arklite

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Oct 27, 2017
3,639
I'd bet money people are thinking of the twin pistols and shorts Lara, but spot well deserved regardless.
 

Deleted member 33190

Banned
Nov 15, 2017
394
Top 20 list is basically dominated by Smash's roster dwl.
Mr video games wins again, not too surprised there. Granted that this survey was truly non-biased, the major takeaway is that Nintendo kills it with brand/character recognition.
 
Nanashrew

Nanashrew

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
6,328
I love how Ice Climbers of all things made it into the list. The only thing people would even know them for in this day and age is from Smash Bros. Also this list has a very strong "everyone is here!" Smash Bros. energy.
 
Catalyst

Catalyst

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Oct 6, 2020
1,440
No Minecraft Steve? Maybe because some people don't know his name is Steve and not just "the Minecraft guy"?
 
Quad Lasers

Quad Lasers

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Oct 26, 2017
3,542
I feel euphoric knowing the next generation will not be cursed having to occupy space in their brain for fucking Duke Nukem.
 
Welfare

Welfare

Prophet of Truth - You’re my Numberwall
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Oct 26, 2017
5,912
Mario and Sonic are basically the Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny of today.

Mario to Mickey because he's the face of global entertainment empire.

And Sonic to Bugs because he's a gag. /s
 
OP
OP
Unknownlight

Unknownlight

One Winged Slayer
Member
Nov 2, 2017
10,559
Catalyst said:
No Minecraft Steve? Maybe because some people don't know his name is Steve and not just "the Minecraft guy"?
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That would actually explain how the Ice Climbers made it into the list.

"Uh... that's the Minecraft guy."

Sorry, wrong answer.

"Oh, uh, those guys are... the Ice Climbers."

Correct!
 
Curler

Curler

Member
Oct 26, 2017
15,599
Remember those "2nd and 3rd most popular Pokemon topics?" I guess those are the answers.
 
Tyaren

Tyaren

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Verified
Oct 25, 2017
24,722
Shiba said:
I had no idea Lara was that popular. I would assume Master Chief would be in the top 10.
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Not surprised that she still makes the top 10. I find it interesting though that she seemed to have dropped so far in popularity over the last 25 years, even though there have been plenty new games and even movies. She once was a real video game icon, now not so much anymore.
Visually she does stick out in that top ten list too, lol. She looks so generic and boring between all the other highly recognizable characters.
 
RedSwirl

RedSwirl

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Oct 25, 2017
10,052
Shiba said:
I had no idea Lara was that popular. I would assume Master Chief would be in the top 10.
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Catalyst said:
No Minecraft Steve? Maybe because some people don't know his name is Steve and not just "the Minecraft guy"?
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Well the list did specifically poll millennials, which going by Pew Research is people born in the 80s and early 90s. In other words it's mainly people who grew up playing console games from the 8-bit era to around the PS2.

The fact that Duke Nukem made the top 25 despite not really having a relevant game since the 90s proves it.
 
Kid Heart

Kid Heart

Member
Oct 25, 2017
1,087
Looks at list and sees number 26.



Aye millennials are all right! Cutting edge even I'd say!
 
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psynergyadept

psynergyadept

Member
Oct 26, 2017
15,594
My mom used to watch Pokémon with me every now and then so she recognizes Pikachu, so much so that if she catches me watching anything anime with some small creature she says "oh is that pikachu!?"

Really surprised Laura is up that high, must be much more popular than I thought.
 
Chopchop

Chopchop

Member
Oct 25, 2017
14,171
The list seems kind of weird. I wouldn't be able to recognize a few of the ones near the bottom.

The list of people seems extremely weird. Why say "president" trump but not put that title on anyone else? And where's Obama on that list?
 
Roliq

Roliq

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Sep 23, 2018
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Congratulations to Kirby for being in the Top 10 and beating Lebron James
 
Razgriz-Specter

Razgriz-Specter

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Oct 25, 2017
29,446
Tyaren said:
Not surprised that she still makes the top 10. I find it interesting though that she seemed to have dropped so far in popularity over the last 25 years, even though there have been plenty new games and even movies. She once was a real video game icon, now not so much anymore.
Visually she does stick out in that top ten list too, lol. She looks so generic and boring between all the other highly recognizable characters.
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They are using the Reboot image overall but classic Lara is pretty iconic and even still do parody.
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Foffy

Foffy

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Oct 25, 2017
16,378
Probably the only time you can say "Mario>Hitler" and it has any not-genocidal thing about it.
 
Chindogg

Chindogg

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Oct 25, 2017
7,228
East Lansing, MI
Guys, first of all it's most recognizable not most popular. Secondly, it's millennials who on average are older than Minecraft or even the Battle Network audience.

Relax. It's an interesting list that makes sense to people that are around 35-40.
 
PlayBee

PlayBee

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Nov 8, 2017
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To compile the data shown above, we showed 593 millennials a series of images and asked the question: Who is the person or video game character? The directives prompted respondents to enter the name of the person or character – first or last names only were acceptable. To qualify for this recognition task, respondents were required to pass screener questions that confirmed each respondent:

  • Played video games at least four hours a week
  • Watched TV at least four hours a week
  • Established their political affiliation
  • Were a part of a sports fandom
  • Listened to music
When it came to spelling mistakes and obvious indications of recognition, we erred on the side of generosity in accepting respondents' answers. To ensure data integrity, we identified and omitted submissions that only accurately identified a couple of figures presented. In some cases, nicknames or "creative" answers were submitted; in all of these instances, an earnest effort was made to ultimately determine if respondents recognized the figures. This content was created for entertainment purposes.
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Stabi

Stabi

Member
Oct 25, 2017
1,604
France / san francisco
I made a game with my 33 to wife.

She knew Mario and Pikachu and peach

She never saw pacman or luigi and Sonic ringed a bell

Donkey kong was king Kong and Yoshi was yoji

Lara Croft was "tomb raider"
Kirby was Jigglypuff

So. Some level of recognition but she was able to correctly name only 3 out of the top 10

But we're starting to have questionable characters in the 30s. Like Trevor Philips or the guys for gear of war? The StarCraft woman I've already forgotten her name?
 
trashbandit

trashbandit

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Dec 19, 2019
3,910
There is no way the fucking Ice Climbers are more widely recognized than Steve. The sheer amount of brand deals and merchandising of Minecraft has to put Steve up there.
 
Pyro

Pyro

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Jul 30, 2018
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Not surprising given the target demographic, curious how high Minecraft's Steve would be if it was presented to the next generation.
 
Shadoken

Shadoken

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Oct 25, 2017
4,206
How is Shadow the Hedgehog higher than Tails and Knuckles. That just seems impossible ? Theres noway you'd know who Shadow is and not know who Tails and Knuckles are but vice versa would be true.

Also super surprised at the lack of Ryu,Chun Li, Scorpion or Subzero. These are household names especially among the millennial age group. Were they just absent from the poll ?

Edit : nvm seems like a fixed list of characters.

Also legit surprised Mario and Luigi arent the same number. There are actually people who know Mario but not Luigi ?
 
Babu93

Babu93

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Feb 9, 2021
2,367
Banjo-Kazooie above Marcus Fenix and Sephiroth, yet MS still sitting on the damn IP.
 
Xterrian

Xterrian

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Apr 20, 2018
2,794
Bowser more popular than McConnell.

Congrats Nintendo for having the world's most popular Turtle.
 
Cyberclops

Cyberclops

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Mar 15, 2019
1,439
People do realise this list isn't exhaustive, right? Or do some of you genuinely think they showed almost 600 people every single video game character in existence?
 
The Albatross

The Albatross

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Oct 25, 2017
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Fake ad news websites, feel free to use these headlines for your articles:

"Mario more notorious than Hitler, Millennials say"

"Millennials say Trump is more recognizable than Hitler. #2 will shock you !! Hint: It's not who you think"

Otherwise I'm surprised how much they march my expectations. John Marston was a pleasant surprise breaking the top 30.
 
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