For as long as there have been video games, there have been video game mascots. Created through the extensive marketing of particular characters, mascots are used by companies to represent the qualities they want associated with their brand. It wasn't by chance that Sony ended-up using Helghast soldiers and Chimera in their marketing campaigns for the PS3, but rather a well-planned attempt to wash off the kiddie image with which they had been left by PS2 mascots Sly Cooper and Ratchet and Clank. Iconic mascots are those synonymous with a certain console generation or, in some cases, video games in general. But are all of these symbols of gaming deep, intricately designed characters with fascinating personalities? Of course not! This is a list of ten iconic video game mascots that are actually pretty rubbish when put under scrutiny, with our love for them being largely (and rather depressingly) built from extensive advertising campaigns rather than any real quality. So sit back and relax as we go through the Peter Andres and Snookis of the gaming world! We all know them... we're just not quite sure why.