This is probably the best, most accurate list of the thread, but if we're just talking about top Nintendo mascots we should examine marketing outside of games to see which series and characters Nintendo typically positions as the most important.
In their self description included in corporate news releases Nintendo mention the following IP:
Nintendo's official website lists these five IP under the 'Characters' heading:
Elsewhere on the site, though, Nintendo has a
list of featured categories where Splatoon and Pokemon also get special spotlight.
The Nintendo Tokyo Store branding is focused on Mario, Zelda, Animal Crossing and Splatoon; with a tiny bit of Pikmin. The store carries Kirby merch (and there's a Pokemon Center store a few steps away anyway).
Super Nintendo World currently has the Mario Land completed in Japan, with Donkey Kong Land on the way. TPC have announced a partnership with Universal Studios for Pokemon content at the park, a Zelda Land is known to be in the cards for future expansion and Kirby was part of the initial pitch. The Mario segment of the park also has minor Pikmin cameos littered throughout.
Finally, Sanei are Nintendo's go-to plush manufacturer (
they have a Twitter account dedicated to their Nintendo products, cute profile banner below), so what characters and series are they currently working with? Mario, Donkey Kong, Zelda, Kirby, Animal Crossing, Splatoon, Pokemon, Pikmin and Fire Emblem.
That's five sources, five potential points for each IP. We'll say the minor roles Pikmin has at Super Nintendo World and Nintendo Store Tokyo only account for half a point each. What does the mascot of each series score?
- Mario - 5/5
- Link- 5/5
- Pikachu - 5/5
- Isabelle - 4/5
- Inkling - 4/5
- Kirby - 4/5
- Donkey Kong - 3/5
- Pikmin - 3/5
- (Current FE Lord) - 2/5
- Samus - 1/5
I think this is a fairly accurate representation of Nintendo's top mascots! If you've gotta limit it to the top 6 like the first Avengers film, then the first six listed there are the obvious picks; but Avengers teams can and have been far larger, so I say all ten deserve a spot at the top.