Moustachioed superstar, the hedgehog, the yellow dot and the space invader make an appearance on Irish stamps.

Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog,PAC-MAN and Space Invaders feature on the colourful four stamp set that looks likely to prove a huge hit with gamers of all ages.

‘The set marks the iconic status of the games and the transition of gaming from novelty to global industry.’ according to the Irish Postal service who issued them today.

The stamps were designed by Zinc Design Consultants, the Dublin-based, award-winning graphic design studio.

The stamps and a beautiful first day cover (FDC) are available online at www.irishstamps.ie. (not sure if they ship to the UK yet)

anpost.ie say:

‘The four, probably the most iconic images of popular culture since the 1970s and lie at the heart of a multibillion dollar global industry.’

‘In the early years, games were mostly aimed at children but very quickly became the stuff of everyday life for people of all ages and all walks of life. An Post’s new stamps will be eagerly sought by gamers past and present and by anyone with an interest in popular culture’