Sonic
Why is he not up there? Ahaha jk sonic is kinda boring on his own, it's the other characters that make the game.
I like Link better than Mario, he survives long, his attacks being that he has more and just generallly better attacks do more for him, and Link has the courage to wear what he wants no matter what others think yet the decentcy to at least put on some pantyhose when his balls drop.
Na but link does look pretty good, Mario just looks like a regular spanish guy, in a work outfit.
Also links boots are better.
Also good to note pretty much anything Mario can do Link can do and more.
Fire Balls - Link has many different types but I specifically remember one in ALttP.
Tanuki Suit - Link got a feather that let him jump, deku leaf for gliding and loftwing for regular flight.
Drugs to grow big - Link had it in a mask, didn't lose it when he got hit, and no side effects.
Ground pound - Goron Pound
I'm sure there is more but Mario doesn't even get much better through out the games, the best he ever got was when he got FLUDD, he got a much wider arsenal there but still didn't compare to Links.