10 of the Most Iconic Video Game Characters

We all know Mario, Sonic and the like, and while they're certainly iconic, they're also the products of marketing boards who wanted them to be iconic. This article is more about the characters who became loved accidentally, the video game characters who, if they played rock music, would have been inaugurated into the Hall of Fame a long time ago. In their day, like the Beatles, these guys were bigger than Jesus.

I think the safest thing we can do is go for a top ten list, and see where it leads us.

#10 The Galaxian Mothership:

You remember these guys. Actually, I'm hoping you do, otherwise I'm showing my age a little. They sat at the top of the screen, watching you destroy their minions, but only deigning to attack you with an escort if at all possible.

Reason they're an iconic video game character: They were, as far as I'm aware, the first example of a crossover into another videogame. Remember the bonus fruits in Pac-man? If you were astonishingly good at memorizing how to complete levels, the mothership appeared for your delectation. Not that many people generally got that far, but I've seen screenshots, it happened. No, really.

#9 The Pong Paddle:

Had to be included, really. This cheeky chap and his counterpart were so popular, machines reputedly were out of order on a regular basis because they were overstuffed with quarters.

Reason they're an iconic video game character: Simply the design. Look at it, so sleek, so simplistic, almost minimalist. In an age of snazzy 3D rendered graphics, there's something to be said for something so elegant. It's almost minimalist, in a secretly ironic way. #8 Sinistar:

Alright, more people are going to remember this one than Galaxians. Barring the odd early attempt like Gorf, this was the first arcade game to speak back to you. Well, boom across the arcade at you, to be exact. "I LIVE!", Sinistar would cry, and "RAWR!", or "RUN, COWARD!". And the first time you heard it, you were very tempted to.

Reason they're an iconic video game character: C'mon, how many videogames actually insult you in public?

#7 Miner Willy: