Most widely recognized gaming symbol

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

Whether it be the humble Star or Mushroom from Mario, or the Triforce from Zelda, games are full of symbols that any gamer can tell you about. So forum, whats your favorite symbol in gaming and why?

My personal favorite would have to be the TF2 Logo (The little crosshair thing), it's simple and perfectly symbolizes the game.

What I think most people recognize would have to be the humble Triforce, I mean cmon, who hasn't played a Zelda game in your life, even if you didn't like it

There are quite a few things wrong with your question.

First, you ask for "widely recognised", and then you interject what your personal favourite is. Two different things. Next, you judge renown by the number of people who have played a game (one exclusive to one console manufacturer, at that), when gamers themselves are a small minority of the general public. By that logic, the Mercedes-Benz logo isn't widely known, because not everybody has driven a Benz.

So, what are you asking?

The most famous symbol of gaming among the general public, gaming's equivalent of the Nike Swoosh or the McDonald's arches?

One's favourite logo/symbol in gaming?

Or the most iconic logo/symbol among gamers?

Because I can guarantee you that measured by gamers, let alone people in general, VERY few people have played a Zelda game. Most gamers know about the triforce, sure, but most widely recognised? Not a fucking chance.

Also, it's either Pac-Man or the Nintendo logo.

while i get what your saying, i would say the triforce is 10x more recognizable than half the symbols that have been stated in this topic, as there are quite a few non gamer people i know who know what the triforce is.


OT: the most well known symbol... it would definitely have to be pac man probably.

 

[toastmastah_extravaganzah]

I think most people recognize a first aid kit.

This, but I assume it doesn't count because it is simultaneously a real-life symbol.

Most well-known? I'd say that the generic arrow shapes are more well-known than even pac-man.

My favourite, however, is undoubtedly the Shenmue mirrors.

 

[Space Spoons]

The universal symbol for "Power-Up".

 

[Wintermoot]

not realy a symbol but: UP.UP,DOWN,DOWN,RIGHT,LEFT,RIGHT,LEFT,B,A,SELECT,START enjoy your 30 lives

 

[knuckles2812]

I'd say that.

Uhhh...what is that...exactly?

OT: The cover for Portal comes to mind. Shows just how much simplicity can accomplish.

You lose your gamer card... give it to me... come on, hand it over. If you can't tell what this is, you officially forfeit your status as a gamer. Give me your badge and light gun, you'll get them back pending a full investigation.

 

[gigastrike]

Easily the Nintendo symbol. Even the grandmas who go around calling Xbox 360s "Nintendos" know what Nintendo is.

 

[toastmastah_extravaganzah]

Another possibility for the most famous one: How about spinning coins? They are so incredibly stylized that they don't compare to many real world currencies, but they were used all over the place in the eighties and early nineties. Beats the Triforce, that's for sure. Less sure about whether they beat pac-man.

How about the words "1 up"? Most people understand what that means.

 

[R4ptur3]

I would have to say either pac-man or the nintendo logo.

My favourite though would probably have to be the starman from Mario as it reminds me of when I always played mario games when I was a kid.

 

[Sonicron]

I would say the image of a controller or a joystick. They are universal and are not brand names, if you show someone a controller they'll immediately know what its associated with no matter where they are from.

I absolutely agree. Franchise-related symbols are too specific, and (with the possible exception of the Nintendo logo) so are company names. A symbol representing what games and gaming systems have in common at the core - that's what people will recognize anywhere.

Leaving aside the brand affiliation, go ahead and tell me that's not instantly recognizable.

 

[shadyh8er]

Uhhh...what is that...exactly?

You're joking, right? ...right?

Actually no. I genuinely don't know what that is.

I... uh...

Sorry, I don't mean to sound like an dick, but that amazes me.

Seriously... this [http://www.seeklogo.com/images/T/The_Legend_of_Zelda_Triforce_-logo-78F80B469E-seeklogo.com.gif] doesn't ring a bell?

It's the triforce... you know... from Zelda

Never played any Zelda games so, no, no bells. Should I be activating a flame shield?

 

[Marowit]

I lol'd at the red-ring-of-death picture.

I'd say that Mario (from the original couple of games) is the most recognized 'symbol'. Sure it's a character, but he's a Mascot too - and mascots are symbols in my opinion.

 

[Cheesepower5]

The Nintendo Logo is the most well known symbol. Everyone knows about Nintendo, everyone knows a game, character, or franchise by Nintendo, and everyone knows a Nintendo system. Nintendo is iconic with gaming as a whole...sure, Playstation and all that might be well known too, but Nintendo has been going at it the longest and is dominating the market, which is why you will always see old people calling consoles "Nintendos". So ya...that my choice.

Old people call games "Nintendos" for two reasons. One, they're old; and Two, Wheeee! Bowling!

Truthfully, it probably is Mario or something Nintendo related that most people recognize. Which is sad because Nintendo really holds back the industry by staunchly refusing to evolve it's model and it's technological approach; and by pressuring other companies to follow suit.

My response to this would ordinarily be "lolwut", but for fear of moderator wrath let's meat it out a bit.

Just how is Nintendo refusing to evolve its model by attracting new audiences with simpler games while keeping their core franchises alive and well to keep Nintendo fans coming? Not to mention that they brought motion controls into the scene and Sony and MS copied them.

Hell, with proper third party support Wii could've been great. Unfortunately everyone's too hung up on samey FPSes with HD graphics to care.

 

[Scars Unseen]

I'm going to go with this as the most recognizable gaming symbol:

 

[Cheesepower5]

*snip*

Well if this is the case, then I suppose you're pretty well right. Though one can't really be blamed for assuming you were talking about the most recent thing.

 

[Deleted]

Pacman's face, mario's hat, a pokeball.

 

[Vanguard_Ex]

http://www.tetrisonline.co.uk/images/left-block-tetris-online.jpg

Come on, tell me I'm wrong.

 

[Urgh76]

I'd say that.

Uhhh...what is that...exactly?

SLAP
SLAP
SLAP

OT: I would say the picture above