Games characters that non-gamers could recognise and name

[DeathAdder]

By non-gamers, I mean people who never play games and have no interest in them at all.

I think my mother would know Lara Croft and Pacman. Possibly Pikachu as well, although she would probably call it Pokemon, rather than Pikachu. I doubt she would know Mario.

Those are the most likely ones I can think of at the moment.

Which other characters have really gone beyond the gaming medium and become famous among those who know absolutely nothing about gaming, in your opinion? Especially interested in recent ones.

[dataDave]

Mario, Sonic, and Lara Croft. That's about it.

[parkinho]

Bubsy the Bobcat. Iconic

[briareos_kerensky]

Bubsy the Bobcat. Iconic

He's a no one compared to Aero the Acrobat or Gex. Or the Cheetahmen.

[RobRoy]

Donkey Kong!

[nonny]

Master Chief.

[Shozuki]

certainly wouldn't call my Mum a gamer - but she recognises Ryu, Sonic, Mario, Scorpion and Sub-Zero. Probably due to my game tastes mind, but still!

[DeathAdder]

Donkey Kong. Of course.

Don't think any non-gamers I know of would recognise Sonic or Master Chief.

[J0e Musashi]

Pac-Man. I win right?

[gordon]

The left paddle from Pong.

[dataDave]

Don't think any non-gamers I know of would recognise Sonic or Master Chief.

Seriously?

[MisterBubbles]

I'd say none.

[Brad]

What about that guy. You know. The one from that game. They'd recognise him I reckon.

[DeathAdder]

Seriously?

Yes. Maybe because I have never been into the games that much myself, I can't imagine my mother knowing who he is.

[djtickle]

My missus is a great for this

Any FPS = Are you playing a new Call of Duty?
Any RPG = Are you playing a new Final Fantasy?

Not really character related but type of game.