Maybe at one point it would have been Pac man, but it's definitely Mario now

Pac Man's reign ended within a decade. Pikachu is recognizable, but many people not in the know often just refer to him as "Pokemon". Angry Birds is way too new. Sonic is very recognizable but still not the biggest, Donkey Kong just looks like some animated gorilla to many, and they could make three more Tomb Raider movies and it wouldn't change a thing.

Whether you like him or not, Mario butt-stomps them all.

This is really unlikely. What would a picture of Lara Croft look like? The character itself has always changed in video games.

Pac Man

I'm just wondering for those who aren't saying Mario... do you guys know someone who doesn't know who Mario is?

The Amish?

Tribesmen?

Sheltered children?

I got nothing else.....

Hmm... but these people wouldn't know any video game character?

True that, but you asked I answered!

There really is no contest. Mario is the Mickey Mouse of the modern generation. Even to people who don't ever play video games, they are still going to recognize Mario.

I was honestly asking if they knew them like actually met them.  Not people they hear about, lol.  I don't think most people here have met people on that list.