Having sold 222 million games worldwide in 28 years, new research by YouGov undertaken across reveals that Nintendo's very own is the continent's top video game character.

The iconic plumber topped the new survey ahead of names like Lara Croft, the Hedgehog, Pacman and The Master Chief from Halo.

The Mario soundtrack is also the most recognisable, according to YouGov, Koji Kondo's 1985 score as familiar as ever despite Mario's age.

Nintendo confirm Mario's world-beating status as New Super Mario Bros. continues to sell well, the new introducing fresh co-operative gameplay - proving one of the biggest Wii games of the season. More shortly.

By Luke Guttridge