1. "Super Mario Bros."
Release date: July 9, 1981
Platform: Every Nintendo console
He got his start as the ladder-climbing "Jumpman" in "Donkey Kong," but starting with "Super Mario Bros." in 1985, Mario quickly became the face and mascot of Nintendo — and an icon for the entire industry.
Mario is an absolute juggernaut, and the face of video games: Mario owns Guinness World Records for "Best Selling Video Game Series of All Time," "Most Prolific Video Game Character," and yes, even "First Movie Based On An Existing Video Game." Mario is also a pop culture icon: He has toys, commercials, candy, and of course, tons and tons of best-selling games. Mario has appeared in 116 distinct video game titles — including landmark games like "Super Mario 64" and "Super Mario Galaxy" — but that number doesn't even include all of the remakes and re-releases over the years. Mario, we salute you.
