there are so many ways this conversation could go.... mario, ash ketchum, link, samus, master chief... the list goes on and on. one might be the most widely recognized, the most popular. one might be the oldest. one might be the toughest, the best fighter. the fastest. the strongest. the worst.
just put all of your opinions here and keep the discussion going.
oh "ironblade41" link is a good character. hes really popular from the zelda games and being in super smash bro games and all. super smash bros highlights some of the most prolific video game characters of all times. my favorite character to use in super smash bros was fox.
i dont like his games so much, but i use him the most on super smash bros. the kirby games are all classics, kirby is one of the most widely known video game characters.
i think sonic, link and mario are all amongst the most well known characters of all time. also, i feel like most people have played the mario games at some point so many of the mario characters are very well known.
donkey kong, bowser, yoshi, princess peach, luigi. they are all right behing mario as far as being known goes i would say.
For me, Meta Knight just doesn't do enough damage and doesn't have any useful moves so I don't use him. I mainly use Ike, Toon Link, Link, Sheik (because she has useful moves), starfox people, and sometimes Captain Falcon.