Guinness World Records Announces Top 50 Video Game Characters

The people over at Guinness World Records has produced their list of the top 50 video game characters of all time for this year’s edition of their best selling gaming book the Guinness Book of World Records: Gaming Edition.

With over 13,000 readers (and, I assume, fellow gamers) voting and no doubt contending to put their favorites on top, it should come as no surprise that Mario, Link, and Master Chief himself has made it in the top five. Other notorious characters include Tomb Raider‘s Lara Croft, Sonic the Hedgehog, and good guy Ryu from Street Fighter. Even Ash Ketchum and Eddie Briggs from Brutal Legend managed to creep onto the list. Those notably absent are seem-to-be-no-brainers like BioShock‘s Big Daddies or any character from the Mortal Kombat franchise. How could anybody forget Scorpion and his famous “Get over here!” tag line?

In related news, Guinness World Records has created an application on their Facebook page to celebrate the release of their “Top 50 video game characters of all time” list. Utilizing a multiple choice type quiz, Guinness helps you determine which video game character you most resemble. You can visit their fan page here. You know, if that’s your cup of tea and such.

Personally, I’m a little disheartened with the absence of Commander Shepard. Perhaps it was felt that because he was a customizable character that he didn’t quite qualify. But with the likes of Shadow, Goku, and Augustus Cole making the top 50, I see this as no excuse. I mean, seriously. Shadow? Really??

Take a look below to see if your favorite found a spot in the top 50.
1.     Mario (Donkey Kong, Nintendo, 1981)
2.     Link (The Legend of Zelda, Nintendo, 1986)
3.     Master Chief (Halo: Combat Evolved, Microsoft, 2001)
4.     Solid Snake (Metal Gear, Konami, 1987)
5.     Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy VII, Square, 1997)
6.     PAC-Man (PAC-Man, Namco, 1980)
7.     Lara Croft (Tomb Raider, Eidos 1996)
8.     Gordon Freeman (Half-Life, Valve, 1998)
9.     Kratos (God of War, Sony, 2005)
10.  Sonic (Sonic the Hedgehog, Sega, 1990)
11.  Crash (Crash Bandicoot, Sony, 1996)
12.  “Soap” MacTavish (Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Activision, 2007)
13.  Nico Bellic (Grand Theft Auto IV, Rockstar, 2008)
14.  Samus Aran (Metroid, Nintendo 1986)
15.  Ratchet (Ratchet & Clank, Sony, 2002)
16.  Nathan Drake (Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, Sony, 2007)
17.  Captain Price (Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Activision, 2007)
18.  Kirby (Kirby’s Dream Land, Nintendo, 1992)
19.  Marcus Fenix (Gears of War, Microsoft, 2006)
20.  Pikachu (Pokemon Red/Green, Nintendo 1996)
21.  Yoshi (Super Mario World, Nintendo, 1990)
22.  “CJ” Johnson (Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Rockstar, 2004)
23.  Mega Man (Mega Man, Capcom, 1987)
24.  Sam Fisher (Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell, Ubisoft, 2002)
25.  Shadow (Sonic Adventure 2, Sega, 2001)
26.  Jak (Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, Sony, 2001)
27.  Duke Nukem (Duke Nukem, Apogee, 1991)
28.  Dante (Devil May Cry, Bandai, 2003)
29.  Naruto (Naruto: Konoha Ninpoch, Bandai, 2003)
30.  Altair (Assassin’s Creed, Ubisoft, 2007)
31.  Zelda (The Legend of Zelda, Nintendo, 1986)
32.  Sephiroth (Final Fantasy VII, Square, 1997)
33.  Donkey Kong (Donkey Kong, Nintendo, 1981)
34.  The Prince (Prince of Persia, Broderbund, 1989)
35.  Ezio (Assassin’s Creed II, Ubisoft, 2009)
36.  Leon S (Biohazard/ Resident Evil, Capcom, 1996)
37.  Ash Ketchum (Pokemon Red/Green, Nintendo, 1996)
38.  Guybrush Threepwood (The Secret of Monkey Island, LucasArts, 1990)
39.  Spyro (Spyro the Dragon, Universal, 1998)
40.  “Ghost” Riley (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Activision, 2009)
41.  Goku (Dragon Daihikyoe, Epoch, 1987)
42.  Max Payne (Max Payne, Rockstar, 2001)
43.  Jill Valentine (Biohazard/ Resident Evil, Capcom, 1996)
44.  Princess Peach (Super Mario Bros., Nintendo, 1985)
45.  Larry Laffer (Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards, Sierra, 1987)
46.  Augustus Cole (Gears of War, Microsoft, 2006)
47.  Bowser (Super Mario Bros., Nintendo, 1985)
48.  Eddie Riggs (Brutal Legend, EA, 2009)
49.  Ryu (Street Fighter, Capcom, 1987)
50.  Sackboy (LIttleBigPlanet, Sony, 2008)

About the Author

Cayci Phillips is a nerd at heart, pure and simple. Growing up I learned to love video games, but only recently has it transformed into a passion. When I'm not gaming, you can find me watching iCarly re-runs, drinking beers with my homies, or relaxing at home with my dog. The simple things in life truely are the best. Don't hesitate to leave a comment or ask a question. I love involving myself in this bad ass gaming community :)