Top 5 Iconic Incarnations of Characters in Games

It is this sentimental value of iconic characters that developers bank on when they create themed games. By bringing these legendary figures back to life, game developers make a killing because people can’t resist an opportunity to play with their once favourite characters.

So, what are some of the best incarnations of iconic characters in games? We have taken a look at old classics, listed the top five characters, and focused on the impact these characters had on the games. Read on!

Pikachu

Pikachu is one of the most recognizable characters globally and is loved by many generations. The cute little yellow creature with long ears, red cheeks, and a wide smile brings joy to many. Pikachu’s fame came from its role in the famous Pokémon series, which was a universal sensation. Pikachu’s ‘innocent’ demeanour and well-thought outlook appealed to many. This made it a personal favourite of millions in the world.

It is, therefore, not surprising that Pokémon Go, which is a remake of the classic Pokémon series, soared through the ranks and become one of the best role-playing games in the world. Pokémon Go is very popular today, and Pikachu has been a great contributing factor to the love the game has received.

Luigi

Shigeru Miyamoto could not even foresee the massive success of Super Mario (he is listed below), leave alone Luigi, his younger brother. Although Mario was inevitably more popular than Luigi, the latter has proved to be a favourite for many as well.

Loved for his heroic exploits whenever Mario was in need, Luigi is a physically distinct character and millions of people across different generations can recognize him. Luigi has prominently featured in new versions of games such as Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon and Luigi Bros. which are all top sellers in their categories. In these games, Luigi is reborn with all his physical attributes being the same and his heroics being amplified even more.

Pacman

Pacman with his insatiable appetite for coins has also made it to our list and it is really easy to see why. Pacman was very popular in the late 80s just when the arcade games were making their debut in the world of gaming. At a time when such games were a premium, Pacman broke records and still holds eight World Records in the arcade category. So successful was the character that there were a TV series, a song and millions of merchandise sold worldwide.

Almost four decades have passed, but Pacman is still very relevant in the gaming industry. In fact, modern Pacman games gross millions in sales upon release. This is enough evidence that Pacman is still a crucial character in the industry and his impact is not going to diminish any time soon.

Sonic

Wherever this hedgehog is right now, it is running. This lightning-quick hedgehog has been on the run since 1991. Although its latest appearance angered millions of players across the world, Sonic is still one of the most favourite characters of all time. So, what makes this blue hedgehog so iconic in the world of video games and related media?

Sonic first came into the limelight in 1991 in a 16 bit Sega game. Reliant on its speed to overtake enemies, Sonic became a favourite of millions in an instant as it changed the narrative as far as heroic game characters were concerned. At a time when the superpowers of game characters were overly centered around violence and weapons, Sonic flew past its closest rivals at neck-breaking speed and became a truly iconic character.

Today, Sonic is still a large part of the video game industry. Many console sequels are released over the years together with movies, comics, etc. Save for the 2019 hiccup over its physical appearance tweak, Sonic has always received lots of love online and will always be a crowd favourite for years to come.

Mario

Unless you were very reserved about video games and comics, you must have come across Mario a couple of times in your life. Mario is the most famous video game character ever, and he is not going to relinquish this spot any time soon. If the recent numbers from the latest Mario video game (Super Mario Maker 2) are anything to go by, then other games have a long way to go before they can topple Mario off the top of the pecking order.

Since his debut into the gaming scene in the early 80s, Mario has appealed to the players. There is something about this mustachioed short man that appeals to many. From his numerous superpowers to his subtle appearance to his adaptability, Mario manages to find his way to the hearts of video game enthusiasts with his charm.

Apart from appearing in all Mario Bros. games, he has featured in movies, books, TV series and all these have been top sellers. Mario’s face is also common for popular merchandise like t-shirts and caps. People of all ages can wear these without feeling out of place. Therefore, Mario truly deserves our number one spot.

There is our list, and we hope that you have found at least one of your favourite video game characters. We believe that the aforementioned characters are some of the most popular characters that have been reincarnated in games. We also hope that reading this list fills you with as much nostalgia as we had when compiling it.