Lara Croft ranked first in BAFTA’s 2024 public poll asking, “Who is the most iconic video game character of all time?” BAFTA says more than 4,000 players from around the world engaged with the poll. The result records that poll’s ranking—not a definitive or statistically representative verdict from all players.
What did BAFTA’s poll decide?
BAFTA published the results ahead of its 20th Games Awards, held on 11 April 2024. The organisation said its top 20 characters were ranked by votes received. Lara Croft took first place, followed by Mario, Agent 47 and Sonic the Hedgehog.
| Place | Character |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lara Croft |
| 2 | Mario |
| 3 | Agent 47 |
| 4 | Sonic the Hedgehog |
BAFTA did not publish vote totals or the margins separating these characters, so the order shows their placement in this poll but not how close the contest was. BAFTA’s poll results were posted on 8 April; its press release announcing Lara Croft’s win was dated 4 April 2024.
How much does the result tell us?
BAFTA describes more than 4,000 players from around the world as having engaged with the poll. It does not give an exact participant or vote count, explain detailed voting rules or eligibility, or publish demographic information. Without those details, the result is best understood as the outcome of BAFTA’s public poll rather than a representative measurement of what all video game players think.
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Why is Lara Croft an enduring video game figure?
BAFTA dates Lara Croft’s first appearance to Tomb Raider in 1996, specifying the Sega Saturn version in its poll article. It says she has appeared in over 15 games and three films, as well as novelisations, comic-book adaptations and a live immersive experience in London. Those are BAFTA’s counts and descriptions.
The character’s long presence across games and other media gives useful context for her place at the top of this poll, but the published results do not establish why individual participants chose her. Shelley Blond, whom BAFTA identifies as Lara’s performer and first voice actor, reflected: “Lara is very special to me purely because she means so much to the gamers.” Blond’s personal observation is not evidence about the poll’s representativeness.
Rank #2
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How can players revisit the early games?
BAFTA noted that Tomb Raider I–III Remastered was released across multiple platforms in 2024. The poll coverage does not establish present-day availability, physical-edition stock or compatibility for any particular platform, so check the current listing for the version you use.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What does the poll say about the other top-ranked characters?
Mario placed second, Agent 47 third and Sonic the Hedgehog fourth. BAFTA’s published ranking provides no vote totals or gaps, so it cannot support a claim that one trailed another by a particular amount or that any position reflects a decisive preference.
Rank #3
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BAFTA also said the characters and games represented in its top-20 list had collectively received 44 BAFTA Games Awards over the preceding two decades. That figure applies to the list collectively, not to Lara Croft alone.
Quick Recap
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Rank #4
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