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International Business Times UK

Jonas Sunico

2026's Gaming Hall of Fame: The 10 Characters Who Ruled the Year

Nintendo TikTok Pikachu Google Instagram Kratos Tim Cain Video Game

Mario ranks as the most popular video game character in a recent study. (Credit: Nintendo)

Video game characters are no longer confined to consoles and controllers. In 2026, they live across social media feeds, YouTube channels, memes, livestreams and search engines, shaping online culture far beyond gaming itself.

From nostalgic arcade legends to modern open-world heroes, these characters have become global entertainment icons, followed and discussed by millions every day.

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Top stories on inkl right now

Federal judge halts ICE detention centre construction at California site over environmental review

Federal judge halts ICE detention centre construction at California site over environmental review

A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction halting construction of an ICE facility near Gilroy, California. The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Santa Clara County. They argued that construction began without an adequate environmental assessment or consultations with local…

The Times of India

Brazil's Lula accuses social media giant Meta of election interference amid tight run-off campaign

Brazil's Lula accuses social media giant Meta of election interference amid tight run-off campaign

Social media platform Meta has 48 hours to respond to claims by Brazil's leftwing candidate and incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's campaign accusing the tech platform of blocking content on the company's platforms. Brazil's Superior Electoral Court on Saturday gave the social media giant 48 hours to clarify…

Some in Florida and Alabama without power as Isaias moves north to Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic

Some in Florida and Alabama without power as Isaias moves north to Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic

Hurricane Isaias has left nearly 396,000 customers without power across the Florida Panhandle and southern Alabama

The Independent UK

Woman finds an off-duty ICE agent asleep on her lawn at 3 AM. He allegedly attacks her 72-year-old father, who fires one shot and won’t be charged

Woman finds an off-duty ICE agent asleep on her lawn at 3 AM. He allegedly attacks her 72-year-old father, who fires one shot and won’t be charged

Questions arose about ICE's legal limits.

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Families of 9/11 victims await key ruling in New York as truther conference is held nearby

Families of 9/11 victims await key ruling in New York as truther conference is held nearby

Families say Saudi Arabia provided aid to hijackers while conspiracist conference casts doubt on official narrative

The Guardian - US

Panama Earthquake: State of Emergency Declared After 7.7 Quake, With More Than 100 Recorded Aftershocks

Panama Earthquake: State of Emergency Declared After 7.7 Quake, With More Than 100 Recorded Aftershocks

Panama declared a state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes struck within a day, injuring 27 people, damaging infrastructure and isolating communities with landslides and blocked roads

International Business Times UK

Related Stories

Top stories on inkl right now

Federal judge halts ICE detention centre construction at California site over environmental review

Federal judge halts ICE detention centre construction at California site over environmental review

A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction halting construction of an ICE facility near Gilroy, California. The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Santa Clara County. They argued that construction began without an adequate environmental assessment or consultations with local…

The Times of India

Brazil's Lula accuses social media giant Meta of election interference amid tight run-off campaign

Brazil's Lula accuses social media giant Meta of election interference amid tight run-off campaign

Social media platform Meta has 48 hours to respond to claims by Brazil's leftwing candidate and incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's campaign accusing the tech platform of blocking content on the company's platforms. Brazil's Superior Electoral Court on Saturday gave the social media giant 48 hours to clarify…

Some in Florida and Alabama without power as Isaias moves north to Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic

Some in Florida and Alabama without power as Isaias moves north to Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic

Hurricane Isaias has left nearly 396,000 customers without power across the Florida Panhandle and southern Alabama

The Independent UK

Woman finds an off-duty ICE agent asleep on her lawn at 3 AM. He allegedly attacks her 72-year-old father, who fires one shot and won’t be charged

Woman finds an off-duty ICE agent asleep on her lawn at 3 AM. He allegedly attacks her 72-year-old father, who fires one shot and won’t be charged

Questions arose about ICE's legal limits.

We Got This Covered

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

Families of 9/11 victims await key ruling in New York as truther conference is held nearby

Families of 9/11 victims await key ruling in New York as truther conference is held nearby

Families say Saudi Arabia provided aid to hijackers while conspiracist conference casts doubt on official narrative

The Guardian - US

Panama Earthquake: State of Emergency Declared After 7.7 Quake, With More Than 100 Recorded Aftershocks

Panama Earthquake: State of Emergency Declared After 7.7 Quake, With More Than 100 Recorded Aftershocks

Panama declared a state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes struck within a day, injuring 27 people, damaging infrastructure and isolating communities with landslides and blocked roads

International Business Times UK

Our Picks

Woman says a man offered to buy her and her friends drinks at a bar. He shut it down after hearing what they wanted: ‘Never mind’

Their pick had him reverse course

We Got This Covered

What Is Jaleel White Worth Decades After Playing Steve Urkel?

For millions of television viewers, Jaleel White will always be Steve Urkel, the suspender-wearing neighbor who became a cultural phenomenon on “Family Matters.” But nearly three decades after the sitcom ended, White has built a career extending far beyond his unforgettable character.

Budget and the Bees

Physicians’ group calls for ban on raw milk – as it’s becoming increasingly popular in the US

As raw milk industry experiences record growth, experts say it might contain pathogens that can sicken people

The Guardian - US

San Francisco Church Criticised for Letting Adult Star Preach About 'Bodily Autonomy' in Kink-Leather

Metropolitan Community Church San Francisco has faced criticism after drag performer Honey Davenport delivered a sermon during Folsom Street Fair weekend.

International Business Times UK

Dakota Johnson Says She Grew Pubic Hair for 'Fifty Shades' Even Though the Film Added It Digitally

Dakota Johnson has discussed growing her pubic hair for her role in 'Fifty Shades of Grey', prompting renewed attention to grooming expectations and medical guidance on pubic hair.

International Business Times UK

As companies pour billions into Earth-based AI infrastructure, Google taking the data center race off-planet

Google will conduct experiments with its satellite in space for a year.

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