Lots of characters whose popularity I don't buy: Samus Aran, Guybrush Threepwood, Sackboy, Eddie Riggs, Dante, Altair, Larry Laffer, etc... Unless there are some weird fanbases in the US or something. Donkey Kong and Ryu are certainly too low on the list. Donkey Kong is iconic and one of the defining characters of videogames, certainly bigger and relevant for longer than pacman; Ryu is featured in many games and stars or co-stars in several movies.
Many of the characters on the list have never been the most popular character at a given time in videogame history, Donkey Kong most certainly has been. Ryu perhaps has been too, if not then very close. Characters like Guybrush Threepwood, etc... have never been close.
I describe myself as a little dose of toxic masculinity.
