Decades ago, certain video game characters were born. And yet, their popularity remains strong in the hearts of gamers around the world. From the unrivaled fame of Mario to the icons of a bygone era that are less visible today and the emblems of modern times, discover the 10 most popular characters on digital platforms.
In January 2026, Galaxsys studio released a report on video game characters, analyzing 25 icons from the industry. The study, which is based on several online platforms, tracked Instagram hashtags for fan content, TikTok posts for viral trends, YouTube videos and channels for creator activity, and monthly online searches for general interest. The characters were given an overall engagement score based on their combined popularity across these platforms.
Mario, the video game icon
Mario is undeniably the most popular video game character. After making a brief appearance in *Donkey Kong* (1981), Nintendo’s mascot had to wait until *Mario Bros.* in 1983—the first game in which he was the hero—to become a true pop culture icon. He generates 19 million Google searches per month. On Instagram, the mustachioed Italian plumber appears in 6.6 million posts, and on TikTok, users have shared 2.5 million videos about his adventures. YouTube is no exception: 1.6 million videos and 330,000 channels are dedicated to him. A true source of inspiration, Mario straddles the line between nostalgia and modern creativity and is loved by generation after generation. In 2026, he will be at the center of a second animated film—following Super Mario (2023), Super Mario Galaxy, which draws directly from the video game released in 2007.
While Mario dominates search trends, Pikachu also reigns supreme on social media platforms. The Pokémon mascot has 9.6 million hashtags on Instagram and 3.1 million on TikTok. The Pikachu phenomenon can be attributed to a long-term strategy: an accessible universe, endearing characters, and the ability to appeal to multiple generations. Even on YouTube, Pikachu is ubiquitous, with 1.1 million videos and 256,000 channels.
Sonic the Hedgehog comes in third place, with 13.4 million Google searches per month. The blue hedgehog has managed to maintain a constant presence thanks to his ability to reinvent himself. On Instagram, Sonic has 5.5 million hashtags, and on TikTok, 2.3 million videos are dedicated to him. YouTube, meanwhile, has 1.2 million videos and 314,000 channels devoted to the character.
“Pac-Man has remained iconic, but he hasn’t evolved in the same way.”
Pac-Man holds a special place in this ranking. Far from viral phenomena, this1980s character remains the most searched for on Google with 83.8 million monthly searches. A figure that underscores the game’s historical impact and its place in popular culture. On Instagram, Pac-Man appears in 1.7 million posts, but he has a smaller presence on TikTok (218,300 hashtags) and YouTube (147,000 videos).
“Younger readers may not recognize Pac-Man in this ranking, but he is one of the most beloved video game characters of all time. He was among the first games to reach the general public, not just gamers, and everyone loved his simplicity and fun factor. Mario followed a similar path later on, but Nintendo continued to develop its franchise for decades and turned it into something even bigger. Pac-Man has remained iconic, but he hasn’t evolved in the same way,” commented Hayk Sargsyan, CEO of Galaxsys.
In fifth place is Kratos, hero of the God of War saga. With 1.4 million searches per month, he doesn’t reach the numbers of retro icons, but he has a strong presence on social media platforms. The character is mentioned in 1 million Instagram posts, 764,700 TikTok hashtags, 671,000 YouTube videos, and 119,000 channels dedicated to his adventures.
Jinx, Arthur Morgan, Kirby…
Rounding out the ranking is Jinx, an iconic figure from League of Legends, who boasts 2.3 million Google searches per month and a strong social media presence with 1.3 million Instagram hashtags and 1.9 million on TikTok. Her popularity stems from a striking visual style and a highly active community on YouTube (211,000 videos, 63,000 channels).
Seventh, Arthur Morgan, the hero of Red Dead Redemption 2, embodies the rise of narrative gaming with 597,000 monthly searches and 796,300 TikTok hashtags, while he has 407,000 videos on YouTube.
Kirby, Nintendo’s pink mascot, appeals to all generations with 2.6 million searches and 1.7 million Instagram hashtags, as well as 202,000 YouTube videos.
In ninth place, Lara Croft, the iconic adventurer from the Tomb Raider series, remains highly sought after (10.8 million Google searches per month) and maintains a strong presence on Instagram (856,000 hashtags) and YouTube (172,000 videos). The upcoming release of a new TV series adaptation on Prime Video, starring British actress Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones, X-Men…) in the title role, may also have something to do with this. Filming is scheduled to begin this spring.
Finally, the barrel-throwing monkey Donkey Kong—who appeared in the previous animated film Super Mario—rounds out the top 10 with 5.7 million monthly searches and enduring popularity on social media (782,000 Instagram hashtags, 157,000 YouTube videos).
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Featured photo : Unsplash
