Lara Croft, the fearless adventurer from the Tomb Raider series, has been crowned the most iconic video game character of all time in a recent poll by BAFTA (British Academy Film Awards) Game Awards. Surprisingly, she beat out gaming legends like Mario, Sonic, and Pikachu to claim the top spot.
First introduced in 1996, Lara quickly became one of the most recognizable and beloved characters in gaming history. Her popularity soared with multiple movies, comics, and even novels, and this year, she made a triumphant return with remastered versions of the first three Tomb Raider games for the Switch.
While some may find it a bit puzzling that characters like Agent 47 from Hitman or newer faces like Shadowheart and Astarion made the list, there’s no denying Lara’s impact on gaming culture.
Voice actress Shelley Blond, who portrayed Lara in the original game, expressed her gratitude for the character’s enduring legacy, noting how players around the world have found strength and solace in Lara’s adventures.
Since her debut, Lara has continued to raid tombs and captivate audiences in various mediums, including three live-action films. With her latest accolade, it’s clear that Lara Croft’s legacy as a gaming icon is stronger than ever.
Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider: Lara Croft (2001 & 2003) – Paramount Pictures
Here is the full list of the most iconic video game characters of all time according to the BAFTA Game Awards:
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Lara Croft, Tomb Raider
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Mario, Super Mario
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Agent 47, Hitman
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Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic
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Sackboy, LittleBigPlanet
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Pac-Man, Pac-Man
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Link, The Legend of Zelda
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Master Chief, Halo
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Kratos, God of War
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Shadowheart, Baldur’s Gate 3
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Arthur Morgan, Red Dead Redemption 2
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Pikachu, Pokémon
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Steve, Minecraft
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Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid
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Crash Bandicoot, Crash Bandicoot
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Cloud Strife, Final Fantasy VII
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Astarion, Baldur’s Gate 3
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Kazuma Kiryu, Yakuza
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Ellie Williams, The Last of Us
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Nathan Drake, Uncharted
