Sonic crowned UK's favourite video game character

Poll held to launch London Games Festival

21 October 2008 13:56 GMT / By Verity Burns

The bright blue, spiky-haired, lightening-fast hedgehog that was once Sega's mascot back in its glory days of the Master System and the Mega Drive, has been crowned the UK's favourite video game character.

Beating Nintendo's emblematic Super Mario to the top spot, Sonic received 24% of the vote in the poll, which was held to mark the launch of the London Games Festival.

Mario had to make do with second place with 21%, while cyber-babe Lara Croft came in at third with 16%. We wonder why...

Over 500 gamers voted in the poll, but over 100,000 are expected in the capital this week to enjoy the events being held as part of the London Games Festival

The full list of the UK’s top ten most popular video games characters are:

1. Sonic the Hedgehog (24%)
2. Super Mario (21%)
3. Lara Croft (Tomb Raider) (16%)
4. Donkey Kong (11%)
5. Pac Man (10%)
6. Link (The Legend of Zelda) (5%)
7. Max Payne (4%)
8. Pikachu (Pokemon) (3%)
9. Niko Belic (Grand Theft Auto series) (2%)
10. Blanka (Street Fighter) (1%)

Check out the pictures to see Sonic celebrating by enjoying the best sites of London...