"So the idea was simple: stop anyone who would slow down long enough to ask them two questions. The first was if they played video games or not. If they answered yes, we thanked them for their time and moved on. If they answered “no” or “Not really” we asked them the second question. We asked them to name as many video game characters as they could in one minute."

Warning: The snippet of text that accompanies Sonic's entry will make you cringe.

http://lists.cheatcc.com/225?page=2&utm_campaign=zergnet_255328&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=zergnet.com

10. Pac-Man
9. Mega Man
8. Lara Croft
7. Sonic
6. Donkey Kong
5. Master Chief
4. Luigi
3. Pikachu
2. Link
1. Mario

I expected Yoshi, now I'm sad...

Two bits from this really show a bit of a gap gamers struggle with main stream.

-------------------

Even though most non-gamers that were asked referred to him as “the Halo dude,” it was still very obvious that they knew exactly who they were talking about.

“That Zelda guy,” was the second most widely given answer

---------------

I think the lesson here may be to plaster the characters name on everything otherwise people have vague idea that this is the character from the game.

Mega Man's inclusion makes me very happy!

I don't think non gamers know who Master Chief is, they know about Halo, but Master Chief isn't widely known.  

I'd say Mario, Pac-man, Pikachu, DK, Sonic off the top of my head.

Pikachu is definitely above Link in recognition. No if, ands, or buts about it

Honestly, Pac Man is way more well known than Link. I'd even say he's bigger than Pikachu.

RealGamingExpert said: I expected Yoshi, now I'm sad...

He is probably number 11!

Link, but as Zelda. A lot of people confuse Link as Zelda.

Luigi? I call bullshit. Anyway, did it say anywhere how many people were surveyed?

I think Pikachu is number one or will be number one eventually.