Mario

Just my thoughts, but Pikachu still has a TV Show whereas Mario no longer does. If Mario really were as popular as Pikachu, I'd think he'd still have a TV show.

Mario.

Mario is op top of everything together with Mickey Mouse. Everyone knows who those two characters are, even people in third world countries and probably also those on the moon. In the gaming-world Pac-Man is second, there's no other real contender (not even Pikachu) but still, not near the level of Mario.

It goes; Mario/Mickey Mouse >>>> Darth Vader >> everything else.

Thank you.

Birdo

probably every casual knows pac-man, pikachu and mario, maybe luigi to. And that's about it I think.

Pac-Man, followed by Mario and Lara Croft.
Mario is strong, but he can be confused with Ron Jeremy. And should the confusion persist, comparing the most important features of the two to dispel it, would easily give the victory to Ron, pants hands down.

Mario. Dude's more well known that Mickey Mouse.

pac-man

Mario is by far the winner here, but no, doesn't come close to Mickey Mouse.

Mickey has been around far longer and is much more identifiable to older generations.