Guinness World Records today announces the Top 50 Video Game Villains of All Timeas voted for by over 5,000 of their readers.

The list, which is revealed in its entirety in the new Guinness World Records 2013 Gamer's Edition book, sees the iconic Bowser from Nintendo's long-running Mario franchise crowned king, with Portal's GLaDOS beaten into runner up spot.

Bowser, from one of the most iconic and best-selling video game franchises of all time, Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo, 1985) landed top spot with over 20% of the vote.

Mario's arch enemy is nothing if not persistent: few enemies would attempt to kidnap the same princess twice, let alone eight times during the past 28 years! It seems his malevolent persistence has paid off with the 'King of Koopas' becoming the king of the videogame villains.

The runner-up comes courtesy of the recent Portal series (Valve, 2007). Only a small share of the vote kept GLaDOS, the ominous, AI computer system off top spot.

Glados

The ever-present computer voice that follows players throughout the game, acts simultaneously as a guide, narrator, and final boss. The doyenne's sinister wit and monotone delivery keeps players constantly on edge.

Rounding out the top three is a giant in video games, comics,andfilm. The Joker's performance in Batman: Arkham Asylum (Rocksteady, 2009) was deemed suitably unhinged as he stalks Batman through the disgusting, titular sanatorium.

Kevin Lynch, writer for Guinness World Records 2013 Gamer's Edition said: "It was really interesting for us to put the vote out to our readers and see who their favourite villain was - Bowser's top place is no big shocker, but there certainly are surprises in there. I think what this list really reflects is that video game villains tend to be a lot cooler than the heroes they're pitted against."

The remainder of the Top 50 shows just how diverse video game villains can be. The Great King of Evil Ganon (The Legend of Zelda - Nintendo EAD, 1996), corporate experiment Sephiroth (Final Fantasy VII - Square, 1997), and lovable-yet-infuriating ghost Inky (PAC-MAN - Namco, 1980) all make the Top 10, and demonstrate that the creativity behind making an antagonist can be just as deep as concocting a hero. Other notables to make the list include Donkey Kong (#14), the Police in Grand Theft Auto (#24), and Mortal Kombat's Shao Kahn (#41).

Gamers -2013

A total of 5,699 total votes were cast on the Guinness World Records website. The full list is featured in the new Guinness World Records 2013 Gamer's Editionbook out now for £9.99. For more information about the book, click here.

The Full Top 50:

50. Hades

Kid Icarus

49. Atlas

BioShock

48. Jacqueline Natla

Tomb Raider

47. Shepherd

Call of Duty

46. Herobrine

Minecraft

45. Solidus Snake

Metal Gear Solid

44. Diablo

Diable

43. Dr Robotnik

Sonic the Hedgehog

42. Dr Neo Cortex

Crash Bandicoot

41. Shao Kahn

Mortal Kombat

40. Zoran Lazarevic

Uncharted

39. Tabuu

Super Mario Bros.

38. Kaos

Skylanders

37. Wheatley

Portal

36. Mother Brain

Metroid

35. Ghirahim

The Legend of Zelda

34. Dr Nefarious

Ratchet & Clank

33. Xehanort

Kingdom Hearts

32. Kessler

Infamous

31. The Flood

Halo

30. The Locust Hordes

Gears of War

29. Vanitas

Kindgom Hearts

28. Darth Vader

Star Wars

27. Dr Wily

Mega Man

26. Team Rocket

Pokemon

25. Kefka Palazzo

Final Fantasy

24. Police

Grand Theft Auto

23. Zombies

Call of Duty

22. Aliens

Space Invaders

21. The Readers

Mass Effect

20. N

Pokemon

19. Zeus

God of War

18. Alduin

Skyrim

17. M Bison

Street Fighter

16. The Covenant

Halo

15. Andrew Ryan

BioShock

14. Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong

13. Psycho Mantis

Metal Gear Solid

12. Albert Wesker

Resident Evil

11. Vladimir Makarov

Call of Duty

10. Creeper

Minecraft

9. Liquid Ocelot

Metal Gear Solid

8. Inky

PAC-Man

7. The Borgias

Assassin's Creed II

6. Sephiroth

Final Fantasy VII

5. Gary Oak

Pokemon Red/Blue

4. Ganon

The Legend of Zelda

3. The Joker

Batman: Arkham Asylum

2. GLaDOS

Portal

1. Bowser

Super Mario Bros.