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Jun 5, 2025
Discover the most popular video game characters, why they're popular, and why venture capital firms like Konvoy are investing in gaming IPs.
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Most famous video games characters, like Mario, Lara Croft, and Master Chief, are more than just digital heroes; they are cultural icons worth billions of dollars.
These characters lead franchises, boost console sales, and often appear in movies, TV shows, and merchandise.
Their popularity also attracts investors.
If a game character is well-liked around the world, the franchise behind it can gain more revenue over time.
In this article, we will discuss the most famous video game characters and why even venture capital firms like Konvoy, which focus on gaming investments, are paying extra attention to them.
Not every video game character becomes famous.
Some are forgotten, while others, from AAA titles like Mario or Pikachu, define whole generations.
So, why some do better than others when it comes to being popular?
Well, characters with clear roles, memorable traits, and interesting backstories connect better with players. These characters feel real, engaging, and often quite cute.
However, we also need to acknowledge that many iconic characters emerged during key moments in gaming history:
Mario during the NES revival, Lara Croft during the 1990s’ 3D revolution, and Pikachu during the Pokémon craze.
While popular video games are important, expanding into TV, movies, and merchandise helps characters gain popularity beyond gaming.
Games that inspire fan art, memes, and streaming content also spread these characters further than their original platform.
Video game characters come from different genres and formats.
Characters from MOBAs, indie games, and even idle games can become equally popular.
Some characters, however, are already legendary. Let's get to know them.
Mario is Nintendo's famous plumber, first appearing in 1981 in Donkey Kong.
He represents gaming culture with simple gameplay, family-friendly fun, and broad recognition.
However, Nintendo controls hardware, games, and distribution, which helps Mario succeed.
With one successful movie out and another on the way, his popularity is secure.
Pikachu is the face of Pokémon, loved for its cute look and electric powers.
The Pokémon franchise includes games, an anime, and trading cards, keeping Pikachu in the spotlight.
This shows how Pikachu benefits from being present across different media.
Lara Croft is a bold archaeologist and one of the first female heroes in gaming.
Lara is similar to Indiana Jones. Her games blend action, puzzles, and storytelling, attracting a large fan base.
Franchises with successful film adaptations, like Lara Croft, are appealing to private investors because they adapt well to different media.
Sonic is Sega's fast blue hedgehog, created to compete with Mario.
His games focus on speed and fun music, and they have inspired movies.
But reviving classic characters for new audiences is a profitable trend, and Sony proved that.
Ever mix up Link with Princess Zelda since he's the main guy? You’re not the last one to do it.
Link is definitely the lovable hero of The Legend of Zelda and an iconic character.
Even though his name isn’t in the title, he’s usually the one saving Princess Zelda from Ganon.
Master Chief is the lead character in Xbox's top game series.
He helped shape first-person shooters on consoles and boosted Xbox sales and esports growth.
Kratos, known as the Ghost of Sparta, is famous for his intense combat and mythological settings.
His recent games blend action with deep, emotional storytelling.
Cloud Strife is the main character from Final Fantasy VII, a game that's part of the $18 billion Final Fantasy franchise.
He symbolizes the peak of JRPGs and continues to thrive with remakes.
Nostalgic remakes show how legacy characters can still earn significant revenue.
Solid Snake is a stealth operative fighting against conspiracies and war.
He is known for gameplay with a cinematic feel and Hideo Kojima’s storytelling, showing that video game characters can be as complex as movie heroes.
Steve is a customizable character in Minecraft.
He builds, mines, and survives in changing worlds, making the game accessible to all ages.
However, we need to highlight that Minecraft’s sandbox style has expanded into education, streaming, and virtual reality, which has made Steve even more popular.
Venture capital firms, especially those like Konvoy that focus on gaming, care about popular video game characters because they represent valuable brands worth billions.
Characters like Mario, Pikachu, and Sonic have generated tens of billions worldwide.
Strong characters can easily transition into TV shows, movies, comics, or streaming series.
For example, The Last of Us earned $1.3 billion from games and greatly increased in value after its adaptation by HBO.
VC firms view this as a reliable way to expand revenue sources.
Finally, iconic characters serve as powerful moats in gaming.
While a new studio can replicate game mechanics, they cannot replicate characters like Mario, Pikachu, or Lara Croft.
For more insights on how investors view IP and grow companies, check out Konvoy’s guide on how to secure venture capital funding and how to invest in gaming.
The most famous video games characters are not just digital figures; they are top brands that influence the future of entertainment.
Characters like Mario appeal to everyone, while Cloud Strife brings back memories for many.
For investors, the clear takeaway is that gaming intellectual properties, especially in horror, RPGs, and cross-media franchises, offer a great opportunity for profit.
Stay updated with Konvoy’s Newsletter for insights on gaming, investment, and more.
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