While many video game characters are beloved all over the world, it’s always interesting to see which ones become local favorites in different regions and cultures. Today we’ll take a look at what we’ve determined are the most popular video game characters in each state of the US.
Alabama: Yoshi
Most residents of Alabama think that dinosaurs were made up by the liberal media, so the sheltered children of Alabama lose their minds over Yoshi. They’ve never seen anything like it.
Alaska: Sub-Zero (Mortal Kombat)
The man is a national treasure in Alaska, due to his mastery of the cold. They have statues, parks, streets, all kinds of things dedicated to him. They elected a guy dressed as Sub-Zero mayor of Anchorage one time until it turned out he was a huge weirdo.
Arizona: Mario
Arizona is just straight up one of the fire levels from a Mario game, so it makes sense that the most iconic video game character of all time would hold a little more appeal there. We’ll probably see the same thing when the first few states go underwater.
Arkansas: Sonic the Hedgehog
What? You thought I would do some redneck joke or something? Sorry pal, this is a serious list, and they just have good damn taste in Arkansas. And yes, a minor preoccupation with seeing Sonic experience pregnancy.
California: Lara Croft (Tomb Raider)
While everyone in the flyover was putting pictures of Lara Croft’s boobs up on their locker, everyone in California just thought it was really cool to just see an average ol’ person be the star of a series of action games.
Colorado: PaRappa the Rappa
What can I say? They’re nuts about this dog’s positive vibes and bulletproof rapping ability up there in Weed Country.
Connecticut: Link (The Legend of Zelda)
The quiet people of Connecticut insist that it is better to be seen and not heard. For this reason, they kneel at the altar of Link, perhaps the greatest silent protagonist of all time. Going through Connecticut, you may hear the occasional “hiya!” or “heh!” but you will rarely hear a single word uttered.
Delaware: Unaltered Default Mii (Nintendo Wii)
Oh, Delaware. Everything is just too exciting for you. I hope you find what you’re looking for one day.
Florida: Tommy Vercetti (Grand Theft Auto: Vice City)
You’ve heard of The American Dream? Well, the drug-and-murder fueled saga of Tommy Vercetti is note-for-note what they call ‘The Florida Dream.’
Georgia: Bayonetta
I, uh… look. These are very fun games. They must really like playing the Bayonetta games in Georgia. Don’t you think that’s what’s going on here?
Hawaii: Crash Bandicoot
A longstanding and surprisingly convincing urban legend has convinced many residents of Hawaii that the mainland United States actually does contain bandicoots that wear jeans, thus explaining Hawaii’s Crash Bandicoot fascination.
Idaho: Lewis (Stardew Valley)
This Stardew Valley mayor is Elvis, Michael Jordan, and Leonardo DiCaprio all rolled into one to the fine people of Idaho. You’ll find all kinds of tributes to Lewis when you’re in Idaho, from murals to tattoos to month-long festivals.
Illinois: Michael Jordan (Michael Jordan: Chaos in the Windy City)
Okay, this is bizarre. They don’t like that game, they just like Michael Jordan, right? They put him in basketball games and stuff too ya know? You guys could’ve voted for NBA2K23 or something instead of this. Weird as hell.
Indiana: Indiana Jones (LEGO Indiana Jones)
That’s just his first name, you absolute dorks. Indiana Jones would fly his red-line ass over Indiana before he ever set foot in it.
Iowa: Edgeworth (Phoenix Wright)
My buddy Parker lives in Iowa and he said Edgeworth, so if you have a problem with this, you really need to take it up with Parker. I don’t know what else to tell you.
Kansas: Doom Guy (Doom)
The state of Kansas was born from the conflict known as Bleeding Kansas, and since those days, Doom Guy has always been a sort of icon for its people. Because who is John Brown if not the Doom Guy of his time? And no, they don’t say “Doom Slayer.”
Kentucky: Kirby
Not what I would have chosen, but what can I say? Kentucky sucks.
Louisiana: Ecco the Dolphin
This former SEGA mascot has proven so popular in the urban lore of The Bayou that the locals make a pretty penny on tourists by way of their ‘Ecco tours.’ That’s not Ecco the Dolphin that guy shined a flashlight on over there. That’s just a really big catfish.
Maine: Duke Nukem
You won’t believe me, but they’re still really into Duke Nukem in Maine. It’s the weirdest thing. They think he’s so funny. What’s going on, Maine?
Maryland: Gordon Freeman (Half-Life)
The Half-Life games are masterpieces through and through, but we suspect the reason Gordon pulls ahead of the pack in Maryland is the escapism evident in the most plain, normal looking guy you’ve ever seen given some interruptions to his boring life. Keep dreaming, Maryland.
