There Are 100s of Nintendo Characters — We'll Be Impressed If You Can Name 40!

By: Beth Hendricks
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
There Are 100s of Nintendo Characters — We'll Be Impressed If You Can Name 40!
Image: NDcube / Nintendo

About This Quiz

Did you know that Nintendo has been around for 130 years? No, they haven't been producing video games that long, but when the company was founded in 1889, it started as a producer of Japanese playing cards called "hanafuda." It would be almost a hundred years later before the first video game console was created, and even a few years after that before Nintendo would start to achieve the commercial and financial success we associate with them today.

In 1985 with the introduction of the wildly-popular Nintendo Entertainment System, consumers also got their first real taste of the company's favorite Italian plumber — Mario. Though he was first seen in the "Donkey Kong" franchise, Mario came into his own in the mid-1980s, both on TV and on the Nintendo game console. Since then, Nintendo has managed to build a story around Mario which has helped carry its most famous character through more than 200 games and into the homes — and hearts — of gamers everywhere.

But it's not just Mario (though he's a big part). Nintendo has given birth to some other popular characters — hundreds of them, in fact, from grumpy gorillas to adventurers to damsels in distress. Check your character comprehension in this quiz highlighting just 40 of Nintendo's famous faces. "Lets-a go!"

Luigi
Bandi Namco Studios / Sora Ltd. / Nintendo
He's not green with envy, he's green like Shellcreepers. Who is he?
Luigi
Lionel
Rocco
Giovanni
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Luigi's color scheme was not arrived at by accident. Memory restrictions in the early games meant that Mario and Luigi had to look alike. Game designers opted to give Luigi the Shellcreepers' color scheme (green) since Mario had the Sidesteppers' color (red).

Bowser
Nintendo
This villain started out looking like an ox, but more resembles a turtle. Oops. What is his name?
Wario
Bowser
Pit
King Khan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When he was first created, designers wanted to model Bowser after a big, bruising ox. Further down the production line, designers determined Bowser looked more like a turtle than a bovine. Oh well.

Mega Man
Bandi Namco Studios / Sora Ltd. / Nintendo
Fighting evil robots deployed by a mad scientist? All in a day's work for which of these characters?
Mega Man
Simon Belcourt
Solid Snake
Ness
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The title character from the "Mega Man" series, Mega Man himself is actually a young boy-robot hybrid. He's tasked with fighting the mad scientist Dr. Wily and his robot army. It's robot-on-robot violence!

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Toad
Nintendo EAD Tokyo / Nintendo Software Technology / Nintendo
He means well, but as a "bodyguard" for Princess Peach, he fails miserably. Who is he?
Mistool
Zippy
Shroom
Toad
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You'd probably fail at fending off bad guys, too, if you were a "Toad" who was roughly three feet tall. Nevertheless, Toad makes a serious effort to help both Princess Peach and the Mario Bros. along the way.

DJ Octavio
Nintendo EPD / Nintendo
"Splatoon's" resident DJ is this eight-legged mollusk with a musical name. Who is he?
Music-Ally
Sing-Song
Tunez McGee
DJ Octavio
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Drop the beat, DJ Octavio! This octopus-turned-DJ is featured in the video game "Splatoon." Other than his recognizable DJ table, Octavio boasts a gold helmet and a glowing green scar.

Jigglypuff
Bandi Namco Studios / Sora Ltd. / Nintendo
We're ... getting ... very ... sleepy. Which of these characters is likely to blame?
Jigglypuff
Peptostar
Cottonball
Rounder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jigglypuff, from the "Pokémon" series, has a way with others — a sleepy way. Her song causes anyone who hears it to fall asleep, a fact that irritates Jigglypuff because she thinks she has bored everyone.

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Pikachu
Game Freak / The Pokemon Company / Nintendo
In the U.S. we have Mickey Mouse. In Japan, they have this guy. What's his name?
Pokémon
Pikachu
Cilan
Pachirisu
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pikachu may enjoy a good degree of success in the United States (hello, Pokémon!), but nothing like what he experiences in Japan. There, Pikachu has Mickey-Mouse-level celebrity status.

Inkling Girl Splatoon
Bandi Namco Studios / Sora Ltd. / Nintendo
From the "Splatoon" franchise, this character has no bones and can come back to life after being "splatted." Which character is it?
Jody Summer
Magical Starshine
Inkling Girl
Titania
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Inkling Girls and Boys, understandably, live in Inkopolis. These characters can be controlled by human players and repeatedly come back to life after being "splatted." That "no bones" thing probably helps.

Princess Zelda
Nintendo EPD / Nintendo
This royal video game figure's name was inspired by the wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of "The Great Gatsby." Who is she?
Princess Zelda
Princess Link
Princess Peach
Princess Plum
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Princess Zelda earned her name in honor of F. Scott Fitzgerald's wife, Zelda. But, that's not the end of the inspiration. It's said that late funnyman Robin Williams named his daughter after the video game character.

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Princess Peach
Ubisoft Milan / Ubisoft Paris / Ubisoft
Which of these ladies has appeared in the more video games than any other female in history?
Princess Plum
Princess Kiwi
Princess Peach
Princess Pamploma
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Formerly known as Princess Toadstool, we think "Princess Peach" has a much nicer ring to it. She rules the Mushroom Kingdom and, apparently, video games, with the most appearances by a female in gaming history.

Samus
Bandi Namco Studios / Sora Ltd. / Nintendo
Gamers who played "Metroid" were probably surprised to find out that this character was a woman, not a man. What was her name?
Nabbit
Invictus
Samus
Everett
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Gamers who played the role of Samus in "Metroid" were led to believe, throughout the game, that the character was a man. After all, aren't most video game characters male? At the end, gamers find out that Samus is actually a woman. Gotcha!

Kirby
Bandi Namco Studios / Sora Ltd. / Nintendo
You'd never guess this bubblegum-pink character is named after an attorney. What is his name?
Rox
Pom
Bubbles
Kirby
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you thought "Kirby" just fit this plump little ball of bubblegum-pink fun, guess again. His name is derived from John Kirby, an attorney who represented Nintendo in a large, potentially damaging case.

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Isabelle Animal Crossing
Bandi Namco Studios / Sora Ltd. / Nintendo
When this character was first created she was known as "Secretary." By the time "Animal Crossing" came out, she's graduated to which of these names?
Rosalina
Morana
Reyna
Isabelle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Isabelle is a yellow Shih Tzu dog breed in the Nintendo series "Animal Crossing." When designers first created her, they dubbed her "Secretary," later giving her an actual name, Isabelle.

Duck Hunt Dog
Bandi Namco Studios / Sora Ltd. / Nintendo
His laugh would haunt you in your dreams. Who is this iconic Nintendo pup?
Pup McDougall
Beethoven
Duck Hunt Dog
Mister Whiskers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Known simply as "Duck Hunt Dog," there was nothing worse than being laughed at by a pooch for failing to make some achievement in the addictive "Duck Hunt" game. The first "Duck Hunt" was released in 1984.

King Dedede
Bandi Namco Studios / Sora Ltd. / Nintendo
Are you still royalty if you stole the title? You might ask which of these "kings" of Dreamland?
King Dedede
King Lalala
King Koko
King Rayray
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

King Dedede has announced himself as king, but it's a title he actually stole from Dreamland's rightful rulers, the Cappy Clan. Dedede is a bit childish, playing pranks on his subjects and even stealing their food. Rude.

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Little Mac
Bandi Namco Studios / Sora Ltd. / Nintendo
Five feet tall and 100 pounds? Yep, this video game character's name definitely fits. Who is he?
Little Mac
Little Rocky
Little Zee
Little Bittle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Little Mac is a character — a boxer, in fact — from the "Punch-Out!!" game, which first debuted in 1987. Despite his small stature, Little Mac had a goal to become a heavyweight champion. It never hurts to dream.

Donkey Kong
Retro Studios / Nintendo
This character's name is a combo of another popular gorilla "celebrity" and a word that means, well, "dumb." Who are we talking about?
Diddy Kong
Monster Kong
Donkey Kong
King Kong
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

He's a "Kong" — that's from the "King Kong" family line, don't you know — but he's not very bright. Designers of the "Donkey Kong" video game hunted for a first name for the gorilla that spoke to him being not very smart.

Mario
Nintendo EPD / Nintendo
Which of these guys boasts the titles of plumber, archeologist, doctor and carpenter on his resume?
Mario
Luigi
Ralph
Yoshi
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the years since Mario was first introduced, he has played a number of roles in a variety of video game titles including plumber, carpenter, doctor and archaeologist. To date, everyone's favorite Italian video game character has shown up in more than 200 games.

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Link
Bandi Namco Studios / Sora Ltd. / Nintendo
The main protagonist in "The Legend of Zelda" was fashioned after a popular Disney character. Who is this video game hero?
Sphinx
Link
Zelda
Tingle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto has said in prior interviews that the main character in "The Legend of Zelda," Link, was inspired by none other than Peter Pan. Just check out that green outfit!

Captain Falcon
Bandi Namco Studios / Sora Ltd. / Nintendo
He's no Sonic the Hedgehog, but he's pretty fast. Who starred as the racer in the game "F-Zero?"
Captain Ax
Captain Starlord
Captain Hawk
Captain Falcon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There's been much debate about who's faster in the video game world, Sonic or Captain Falcon. Alas, since they come from different companies (Nintendo vs. Sega), we'll likely never know.

Mr Game & Watch
Bandi Namco Studios / Sora Ltd. / Nintendo
He bears the distinction of being the oldest Nintendo character. Who is he?
Mr. Mister
Mr. Outline
Mr. Game & Watch
Mr. Yelling Stuff
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mr. Game & Watch is a pretty bland, two-dimensional character who was the main character of the "Game & Watch" series. Mr. Game & Watch was never even named until "Super Smash Bros. Melee."

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Yoshi
Bandi Namco Studios / Sora Ltd. / Nintendo
This member of the "Mario" franchise has the last name "Munchakoopas." What do gamers know him as?
Zoshi
Koshi
Yoshi
Moshi
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

He answers to "Yoshi," but his full name is T. Yoshisaur Munchakoopas. (That's too much to put on a business card, huh?) Yoshi is Mario's dinosaur pal in the beloved "Mario" franchise.

Pit Kid Icarus
Bandi Namco Studios / Sora Ltd. / Nintendo
NBD: This character is just asked to defeat Medusa in "Kid Icarus." Who was it?
Pit
Piers
Sheba
Reyn
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One good turn deserves another, we suppose. After Lady Palutena helps free Pit from the Underworld, he's tasked with the job of defeating a game villain, Medusa. Pit is given a bow and arrow to assist with the job.

Shulk
Bandi Namco Studios / Sora Ltd. / Nintendo
In "Xenoblade Chronicles," this character was the holder of the Monado, a special sword. What was his name?
Scorch
Skunk
Shank
Shulk
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Shulk ... sounds sort of like Hulk, doesn't it? A main character in "Xenoblade Chronicles," Shulk is orphaned as a child and later comes to possess the sword only a few can wield. Now that sounds like Thor!

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Petey Piranha
Camelot Software Planning / Nintendo
This character spits goop and attacks with his vines. What is his name?
Stinging Sammy
Venus Flytrap
Petey Piranha
Toadworth
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Petey Piranha makes good use of his, ahem, natural abilities, using his vines to wrap up his enemies. Petey debuted in the Nintendo game "Super Mario Sunshine," but don't get it twisted: He's a bad dude.

Ridley Metroid
Bandi Namco Studios / Sora Ltd. / Nintendo
A "Metroid" villain, this guy is responsible for the K-2L massacre. What is his name?
Ganon The Terrible
Ridley
Boo Radley
Anorak
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Like all good video game villains, Ridley has done some pretty despicable things. He regularly clashes with "Metroid's" protagonist, Samus, typically coming up on the short end of the stick.

Midna Zelda
Nintendo EAD / Nintendo
Revealed! She is the princess of the Twilight Realm in "The Legend of Zelda." What is she called?
Midna
Scoff
Cheepskipper
Tingle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It isn't revealed until well into the "Zelda" series, but Midna is the true princess of the Twilight Realm. She and Link join forces during the game to battle villains that neither can handle alone.

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Olimar
Bandi Namco Studios / Sora Ltd. / Nintendo
The protagonist in "Pikmin" used animals that sprouted like plants to help him navigate a new planet. What is the protagonist known as?
Ralphie
Radar
Oliver
Olimar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Olimar, or Captain Olimar since he was guiding a vessel that crashed on a mysterious planet, found Pikmin (also the title of the game) growing out of the ground. The Pikmin were animals who came to Olimar's aid.

Fox McCloud
Nintendo EPD / PlatinumGames / Nintendo
A Japanese religion and its shrine statues are to thank for this character's appearance. Who is he?
Falco Lombardi
Rocket
Sniffer the Fox
Fox McCloud
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Fox McCloud of "Star Fox 64" fame became a fox when designers were reminded of a nearby Shinto shrine and its fox statues on display. Elements of the game were said to be reminiscent of the shrine's arches.

Pauline Mario
Nintendo EPD / Nintendo
Were there two women fighting over Mario? Which of these ladies was his first on-screen love interest?
Caroline
Maureen
Pauline
Jessica
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mario's leading lady was none other than a female named Pauline (not Princess Peach, as many people believe) in the "Donkey Kong" franchise. Pauline is kidnapped by the gorilla, and Mario must win her back.

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Paultena Kid Icarus
Bandi Namco Studios / Sora Ltd. / Nintendo
She is known as the "Goddess of Light" in the video game franchise "Kid Icarus." What is her name?
Palutena
Menorca
Mallorca
Lucina
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Palutena in "Kid Icarus" is goodness and light, perched on the opposite side of the villain, Medusa. Also known as "Lady Palutena," this ruler of Angel Land first appeared on-screen in December 1986.

Navi Zelda
Nintendo EAD / Nintendo
Just like Peter Pan had Tinkerbell, Link had this fairy to help in "The Legend of Zelda." What was her name?
Navi
GeePee
N. Star
Ocarina
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Navi" seems appropriate given what we know about navigational systems in today's modern vehicles. Navi helped Link as he navigated the world in the "Zelda" series of video games.

Tetra Zelda
Omega Force / Team Ninja / Koei Tecmo / Nintendo
This character in "The Legend of Zelda" is the heir apparent to a ruthless gang of pirates. Who is she?
Yellow
Midna
Tetra
Poppy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tetra, a pirate girl from "The Legend of Zelda," is a mystery. She is, at once, both seemingly ruthless and surprisingly kind. Tetra appears in several "Zelda" titles in addition to several "Super Smash Bros." games.

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Maxwell Scribblenauts
Shiver Entertainment / Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
This "Scribblenauts" character has the ultimate poker face. What is his name?
Mortimer
Isaac
Maxwell
Lucas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Since Maxwell is a drawing, his expression never changes, so don't go challenging him to a game of poker. "Scribblenauts" was a puzzle-type game released for the Nintendo DS in 2009.

Tom Nook
Nintendo EPD / Nintendo
This character manages the town shop in "Animal Crossing." What is this raccoon's name?
Alph
K.K. Slider
Tom Nook
Mr. Jingles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tom Nook plays a vital role in "Animal Crossing," operating the town's shop where players can find their first jobs upon starting the game. Don't get mad when Tom lays you off later on, though!

Kraid
Bandi Namco Studios / Sora Ltd. / Nintendo
If having three belly buttons is wrong, this character from "Metroid" doesn't want to be right. Who is he?
Flux
Staid
Gronk
Kraid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hey, don't judge him for his three belly buttons! Kraid, a monster from the "Metroid" franchise, not only has three belly buttons, but also three red eyes, both of which accompany his green body.

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Krystal Star Fox
Rare / Nintendo
She plays Fox McCloud's love interest in "Star Fox 64." Who is she?
Lissa
Fiora
Dolly
Krystal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Krystal joined the Star Fox crew after McCloud saved the planet, Sauria. (Isn't that how we all fall in love?) She has telepathic abilities and is the main character McCloud's love interest.

Glass Joe
Next Level Games / Nintendo
Characterized as a weakling and a coward, this video game opponent drew criticism for advancing stereotypes. Who was he?
Steel Solomon
Paper Ron
Glass Joe
Plastic Todd
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Glass Joe was a French boxer in "Punch-Out!!", an opponent for characters like Little Mac. Some people voiced criticism over stereotypes of the French people portrayed in Glass Joe's character.

Ninten
Bandi Namco Studios / Sora Ltd. / Nintendo
Slingshots, boomerangs and baseball bats: Which of these characters from "EarthBound Beginnings" found weapons in everyday objects?
Giygas
Ninten
Kumatora
Porky Minch
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ninten from "EarthBound Beginnings" used everyday objects as weapons, which makes sense since he's just a boy from a small town called Podunk. "EarthBound Beginnings" was first released in 1989.

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Tin Star Blue Robot
Software Creations / Nintendo
A blue robot sheriff, this guy abides by "The Code of Good Guy Rules." What is his name?
Tails
Robo-Man
Tin Star
Roy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The title character from the video game "Tin Star," Tin Star is the robot sheriff of Ol' West. Tin Star was published for the Super NES system in late 1994. Tin Star has a horse named Aluminum because of course, he does.

You Got:
/40
NDcube / Nintendo