Most widely recognized gaming symbol

[Merkavar]

id go with pac man or a mario mushroom or turtle sheel as the most recognisable

 

[mParadox]

The Assassins Creed symbol, Half Life's Lambda symbol, L4D's hand and Quake's symbol jump to mind.

 

[Jesus Phish]

Nintendos logo, the Pacman image and a Space Invader. They're known globally and more importantly, outside of the gaming industry.

If you went and plastered up a Gears cog or the Halo difficulty icons, most non-gamers, wouldn't know what they are.

 

[Robert632]

This might not count as a symbol or not, but I think Pikachu, the mascot of the Pokemon franchise, is most certainly one of, if not the most recognized symbols in all of gaming. Of course, part of that popularity may come from the fact that
pokemon is a multi-media franchise.

 

[Julianking93]

I'd say that.

 

[AcacianLeaves]

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. If they've never heard of Pac-Man, Nintendo, or Mario, they know exactly what this is used for:

 

[Estoki]

I would like to say Half-life's lambda symbol, but every time you think half-life, you think crowbar.

 

[Mr. Omega]

My top 3:

Most Iconic:
The Mushroom from Mario.

 

[shadyh8er]

I'd say that.

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

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

 

[Julianking93]

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

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

 

[shadyh8er]

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

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

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

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

I would say a picture of Mario, or possibly Pac-Man.

But probably Mario, as much as he looks like Stalin.

 

[Ekit]

I think most people recognize a first aid kit.

 

[Julianking93]

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

 

[metal eslaved]

http://hendricks266.duke4.net/d3dxbla/DukeUI/ButtonImages/NUKE.jpg

the simbol of the biggest game related internet meme

 

[Yagharek]

What about Mudkip, meme wise?

On that note, Pikachu has to be pretty widely recognised. Or even the pokeball.