A new report from Lingo Kids on Kids Interactive Entertainment character preferences shows Sonic the Hedgehog edging out Mario among boys, while Marvel’s Spider-Man claims the top spot overall.
The findings add a data-driven snapshot to long-running fan debates between Sega’s blue mascot and Nintendo’s flagship plumber.
According to the Lingo Kids report, Sonic entered the boys’ rankings at No. 2, with Mario appearing at No. 7.
Spider-Man topped the boys’ list and also placed highly among girls, demonstrating broad cross-gender appeal for the Marvel character.
In journalistic terms: Lingo Kids’ data indicates Sonic is currently the more popular choice than Mario for boys, but Spider-Man remains the most popular character overall in the dataset.
Why it matters for Nintendo and Sega
Sonic and Mario are among the most recognizable franchises in gaming and popular culture.
Mario, created and maintained by Nintendo, has been the company’s cornerstone for decades across platforms including the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo eShop offerings.
Sonic the Hedgehog, developed by Sega, continues to maintain a strong presence through games, media adaptations, and merchandising.
The report provides a consumer-facing look at character affinity that may influence licensing, marketing, and cross-media strategies for both companies and partners.
Reported rankings
The Lingo Kids report lists the top characters separately for boys and girls.
The boys’ top characters are:
- Spider-Man
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- SpongeBob SquarePants
- Superman
- Bluey
- Batman
- Mario (Super Mario)
- Mickey Mouse
- Chase (Paw Patrol)
- Iron Man
The girls’ top characters are:
- Barbie
- Bluey
- Elsa (Frozen)
- Moana
- SpongeBob SquarePants
- Hello Kitty
- Peppa Pig
- Spider-Man
- Cinderella
- Mickey Mouse
Source and attribution
Lingo Kids published the rankings as part of its Kids Interactive Entertainment research.
The news tip was credited to SonicGalaxy27.
No sales figures or platform-specific metrics were included in the published ranking data.
For Nintendo followers, developers, and marketers watching character popularity ahead of events like Nintendo Direct or eShop promotions, the report offers a timely look at how legacy IPs perform in general popularity polls.
Sega, Nintendo, and Marvel continue to leverage these characters across games, streaming, and merchandise as part of their broader strategies.
The findings add a data-driven snapshot to long-running fan debates between Sega’s blue mascot and Nintendo’s flagship plumber.
According to the Lingo Kids report, Sonic entered the boys’ rankings at No. 2, with Mario appearing at No. 7.
Spider-Man topped the boys’ list and also placed highly among girls, demonstrating broad cross-gender appeal for the Marvel character.
In journalistic terms: Lingo Kids’ data indicates Sonic is currently the more popular choice than Mario for boys, but Spider-Man remains the most popular character overall in the dataset.
Why it matters for Nintendo and Sega
Sonic and Mario are among the most recognizable franchises in gaming and popular culture.
Mario, created and maintained by Nintendo, has been the company’s cornerstone for decades across platforms including the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo eShop offerings.
Sonic the Hedgehog, developed by Sega, continues to maintain a strong presence through games, media adaptations, and merchandising.
The report provides a consumer-facing look at character affinity that may influence licensing, marketing, and cross-media strategies for both companies and partners.
Reported rankings
The Lingo Kids report lists the top characters separately for boys and girls.
The boys’ top characters are:
- Spider-Man
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- SpongeBob SquarePants
- Superman
- Bluey
- Batman
- Mario (Super Mario)
- Mickey Mouse
- Chase (Paw Patrol)
- Iron Man
The girls’ top characters are:
- Barbie
- Bluey
- Elsa (Frozen)
- Moana
- SpongeBob SquarePants
- Hello Kitty
- Peppa Pig
- Spider-Man
- Cinderella
- Mickey Mouse
Source and attribution
Lingo Kids published the rankings as part of its Kids Interactive Entertainment research.
The news tip was credited to SonicGalaxy27.
No sales figures or platform-specific metrics were included in the published ranking data.
For Nintendo followers, developers, and marketers watching character popularity ahead of events like Nintendo Direct or eShop promotions, the report offers a timely look at how legacy IPs perform in general popularity polls.
Sega, Nintendo, and Marvel continue to leverage these characters across games, streaming, and merchandise as part of their broader strategies.
