Who is a more memorable character: Link or Mario?

This might not be Zelda related but for me It had to of been Mario I knew him before I knew about like so for me its Mario.

That depends which of the games had a bigger impact to your life. Although Mario can be more recognized worldwide Link can have fans that don't rely even remember Mario that much. I think Nintendo made sure that even though Mario is their main character Link does not come far behind. For me Link has a more special meaning and I do think of him first when thinking about Nintendo.

nice. very neutral standpoint

I'd love to say Link, and even Samus over Mario, but Nintendo has done a good job of making Mario their icon and marketing him. Mario is everywhere, you can't forget him. Link is only memorable as a new Zelda game comes out or if you're a fan.

though, maybe I shouldn't count Link out - when I went up to Lowe's and showed them a picture of the shield I want to make for a Halloween costume, everyone commented, "oh! you're gonna be Link!" XD

Mario is an icon to whole generations, while Link is more of a niche character (not exactly niche character, but not as widespread as Mario)...

well i want to say link but im actually thinking mario

As just characters alone, I would say Mario. Link is made memorable by all the other elements of Zelda. I mean, that happens with Mario too, but even alone, Mario's persona is just more memorable. He is much more emotive and expressive.

Let's see here...

Link: A hero with an awesome sword and tons of other weapons who saves the world again and again.
Mario: A fat italian plumber who can jump really high and shoot fire balls.

I dunno, it's pretty close. In the end, though, I'd have to say Link.

I think Mario is more memorable only because he is known as Mr. Nintendo and was the franchise that gave Nintendo a good start.

Link. I have more fun with Zelda games than Mario.

Can I say both?
Because I grew up playing those games.

link. My uncle was ALWAYS playing OoT when I was a kid, so I get a lot of fond memories from that.

His name is.... Mario.

Definitely Mario. This doesn't mean I like Mario better, just that he sticks out, is very strange... (red hat, overalls, jumps on mushrooms, uses mushrooms as items, saves mushrooms, rides a dinosaur, has a giant nose and a huge mustache, has a ridiculous Italian accent, fights a giant turtle dragon that spits fire....) Come on... If you were flipping through a magazine, and came across the two characters, which would you remember more the next day? Whether because you liked him better or not, Mario would most likely leave a bigger impression...

And Link is not an ELF!! Jeez people, come ON! This is supposed to be a Zelda fan-site! Why call Link an elf? WHY?!?! (hahaha, kidding, but really, I hate when people call him an elf...)

At the risk of being castrated for this, I honestly think Mario is. Generally, if you go out on the street and ask people "What's the first thing to come to your mind when I say Nintendo?" they're most likely gonna say Mario or something revolving around him. Link is a close second I would bet though.

my vote goes to mario.

Mario

For most people Mario was a easy to pick up game that gets harder but the legend of Zelda (link) are games you cant just pick up and play at random.

Mario in my opinion. He is much more unique. I mean, there were zounds of games with heroes saving the princess, but the plumber saving the princess is new. And hilarious.

I chose mario only because link doesnt have much of a personality ]
I like link way better though, but what are you gonna do

I think... Mario. Yes, ´cause he is more popular, and even I love Link more than Mario, Mario is more complete, but their games are diferent ´cause Mario games are fun and ridiculous, in the sense of funny, but great at the same time.

Link games are serious, enthusiastics...

But they agree in one thing, the histories are charmers, because although they are different, with different, funny or nonfunny characters, they amuse and enchant the same, who plays them.

And in other hand, I found out, of a survey that different people did, asking to them that what character of videogames they knew more, and although Mario did not win XD (Sonic won), Mario was between most well-known.

But that doesn´t matter XP

Mario is more memorable, cause he is more nice and graceful.