Lara Croft Tomb Raider scoops ‘most iconic video game character of all time’ in BAFTA vote

A Derby studio’s video game creation has been voted the ‘most iconic character of all time’ in a groundbreaking poll by BAFTA.

Tomb Raider was originally created and developed at Core Design in Derby.

The company that built the blockbuster game may now be defunct however their legacy lives on and is a beloved part of the video game industry.

BAFTA carried out a landmark players’ poll to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its BAFTA Games Awards.

Over 4,000 people voted from across the world.

The top 20 list features characters in all shapes and sizes, from gun-toting spies to anthropomorphic animals.

The listing comprises some of the world’s most popular characters over the years.

Scooping the top spot is Lara Croft, star of the Tomb Raider franchise.

Lara Croft’s first appearance was in 1996.

Since then her video game character has undergone evolution for the different mediums of film and television.

Just this year alone, Tomb Raider I–III Remastered was released across multiple platforms.

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The hotly anticipated Netflix TV show Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft is also slated for release later in the year.

In the poll, Mario came second and Agent 47 from the Hitman series came third.

Here is the full list of Most Iconic Video Games Characters of All Time, ranked in order of votes received.

Top 20 video game characters of all time

1. Lara Croft, Tomb Raider

First introduced to the world in 1996 in Tomb Raider for the Sega Saturn, Lara Croft has appeared in over 15 games, three films, multiple novelisations and comic book adaptations, and an upcoming Netflix animated series.

2. Mario, Super Mario

One of the most senior characters on this list, Mario was created in 1981 – not as the star of his own series, but as a player character in the first instalment in the Donkey Kong series. From humble beginnings, he has appeared in over 200 video games, two films, and numerous other multimedia adaptations.

3. Agent 47, Hitman

A genetically-enhanced clone with a penchant for murder, Agent 47 made his video game debut in 2000’s Hitman: Codename 47. Since then, he’s killed his way across screens both big and small, appearing in over ten games, two novelisations, and two live-action film adaptations.

4. Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic

Sonic the Hedgehog sprinted his way into the hearts and minds of fans worldwide in 1991 as the star of Sonic the Hedgehog for the Sega Genesis. He has appeared in over 100 video games as both a main character and supporting cast, as well as starring in several TV shows and two films, with a third slated for release in late 2024.

5. Sackboy, LittleBigPlanet

One of the most customisable characters on this list, Sackboy made his video game debut in 2008 as the star of Sony’s LittleBigPlanet to instant critical acclaim. He’s since starred in all six LittleBigPlanet mainline games, as well as making an appearance in numerous other game franchises as everything from a playable character to an adorable Easter egg.

6. Pac-Man, Pac-Man

This little yellow hockey puck has appeared in over 50 games and has made appearances in innumerable other trans-media properties.

7. Link, The Legend of Zelda

The silent protagonist of the Legend of Zelda franchise, Link has appeared in 20 games in the series, as well as starring in his own animated series and multiple comic book and manga adaptations.

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8. Master Chief, HALO

Full name Master Chief Petty Officer John-117, this Spartan super-soldier appears in six games in the HALO franchise. He appears as the main character in three of the 19 HALO novels, as well as in the 2012 film Halo 4: Forward Until Dawn and the 2022 HALO television series.

9. Kratos, God of War

From murder-hungry Spartan warrior to protective parent, Kratos has appeared in eight games in the God of War franchise. He’s also made appearances in two comic series, three novels, and in several games outside the God of War franchise.

10. Shadowheart, Baldur’s Gate 3

One of the youngest characters on this list in terms of release date, Shadowheart charmed her way into the hearts of players worldwide with the release of 2023’s Baldur’s Gate 3.

11. Arthur Morgan, Red Dead Redemption 2

The protagonist of 2018’s Red Dead Redemption 2, Arthur Morgan is one of the few characters on this list to only appear in a single game.

12. Pikachu, Pokémon

The only Pokémon to appear on this list, Pikachu has appeared in over 100 properties across screens both big and small, as well as making appearances in multiple comic books and manga.

13. Steve, Minecraft

The iconic player character from 2011’s Minecraft (the best-selling video game of all time as of 2024), Steve has also made appearances in four other games including the Minecraft spinoff Minecraft Dungeons.

14. Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid

Debuting in 1987’s Metal Gear, Solid Snake (real name David) is a stealthy super-spy who’s appeared in over ten games in the Metal Gear franchise, as well as in multiple novelisations of the game series.

15. Crash Bandicoot, Crash Bandicoot

Introduced to the world in 1996’s Crash Bandicoot, this genetically enhanced marsupial has appeared in over 20 video games throughout his lifespan.

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16. Cloud Strife, Final Fantasy VII

A mercenary and man of few words, Cloud Strife has made 30 plus appearances in both video games and wider media properties since his video game debut as the protagonist of 1997’s Final Fantasy VII.

17. Astarion, Baldur’s Gate 3

Much like his fellow party member Shadowheart, Astarion’s rogueish charms have made him a fan favourite since his appearance in 2023’s Baldur’s Gate 3.

18. Kazuma Kiryu, Yakuza

A gruff former Yakuza mobster, Kazuma Kiryu has appeared in ten games in the Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise, as well as starring in multiple film adaptations and a stage play of the franchise.

19. Ellie Williams, The Last of Us

Best-known as the star of 2013’s The Last of Us, Ellie Williams actually did not make her first appearance in the game. The world’s first introduction to the bad-mouthed teenager was in The Last of Us: American Dreams, a four-issue comic book series that served as a prequel to the game. She’s since starred in sequels and DLC for the The Last of Us franchise, as well as the 2023 TV adaptation of the game.

20. Nathan Drake, Uncharted

The gentleman explorer with a penchant for violence, Nathan Drake stars in six games in the Uncharted franchise, as well as multiple comic book series and a live-action film adaptation.