To say that Mickey Mouse is a cultural icon would be a gross understatement. There are few characters in the realm of fiction as iconic and recognizable as the master mouse himself, and he's had an illustrious career for well over 90 years. So what on earth is his secret?

RELATED: 10 Video Games Inspired By Disney (But Not Made By Them)

Granted, Mickey checks a lot of boxes that make any cartoon character famous and iconic. But what magic formula did Walt perform to make him a hit right from the very start? Behind the rounded ears and charming chuckle, there's something more complex at work in Mickey's masterful makeup.

He Was An Overnight Sensation

Mickey Mouse with his Steam Boat Willie Counterpart

Right from the very beginning of his career, Mickey has been an icon since 1928. Steamboat Willie marked not only a first for Walt Disney as an animation legend, but it set the elements that made Mickey the character he was in motion.

The cartoon as a whole demonstrated not only what animation could do as an art form, but what animated characters were capable of. For something out of the late 1920s, that alone is worth some serious applause.

He Was A Trendsetter

Steamboat Willie

Steamboat Willie marked not only the first Mickey Mouse cartoon but also the first cartoon to utilize sound and music. Although commonplace today, cartoons before Mickey's debut were either silent or essentially comic strips in motion.

RELATED: Disney’s Mickey Mouse: 10 Best Mickey Mouse Productions (Ranked According To IMDb)

Compared to cartoons of the time like Felix the Cat, Mickey was more than a little ahead of the game. After Walt's use of sound in his cartoon, more started applying the same practice and, as they say, the rest is history.

His Distinct Identity

Mickey framed in the introduction of a Mouseworks cartoon

If someone were to put three circles together, what character instantly comes to mind? That's how identifiable Mickey has become over his incredible career. Because of his distinct looks and persona, he's become a permanent fixture in the minds of millions.

What's helped him stay iconic is his stability and unchanging nature. True, Mickey has worn many hats and designs in his time, but he's still retained his character, core, and unchanging nature.

The Good Guy Archetype

King Mickey holds a Keyblade in Kingdom Hearts

If there's one thing that continues to remain true in the wonderful world of Disney, it's that the good guys always win. Mickey, whether by his wits, vocation, or situation, has always come out on top as the optimistic hero who saves the day. That might sound a tad cliche, but if it works it works.

RELATED: Kingdom Hearts 3: 10 Secrets And Easter Eggs You Totally Missed

Audiences everywhere are always going to root for Mickey, whether he's rescuing Minnie from the clutches of Pete or getting Donald and Goofy out of their shenanigans. At the end of the day, he always comes out on top.

His Comedic Chops

Mickey rides a cheese wheel in Cheese Wranglers

Most cartoon characters rely on some dosage of humor to be truly successful. And while Goofy might have Mickey licked in the slapstick department, Mickey is quick enough on his feet to dish it out as well as take it.

Mickey's comedic skills have only gotten better with age, and even more adult audiences have gotten a good laugh out of some of his more modern stuff. Need proof? Check out Runaway Brain.

His Versatility

Sorcerer Mickey leading a broomstick carrying water in Fantasia.

He's been a steamboat captain, a bandleader, a brave little tailor, and even a sorcerer over the years, and the list still keeps growing. Mickey's acting fluidity into several roles has helped him keep up with the times and still stay relevant.

RELATED: Disney: 10 Most Psychedelic Sequences

Mickey can assume any role, any vocation, any situation, or any form of existence and still make it his own. No matter what it is, it's always a genuine performance he blends into seamlessly.

His Adaptability

Mickey Mouse in the 30s compared to his modern design

Along with a variety of roles and jobs, Mickey has also come a long way in terms of design, style, and presentation. Although his black-and-white look will always be classic, Mickey has had quite an impressive evolution thanks to artists like Ub Iwerks, Fred Moore, and Paul Rudish.

His multitude of styles and flexible adaptability has allowed him to grow and change seamlessly with each new era. Maintaining a 90+ years-long career takes work.

His Marketability

Michael Eisner seen with Mickey Mouse

There's no getting around this one, but one of the biggest reasons Mickey has maintained his popularity is due to the fact he's not only Disney's most recognizable character but their most marketable as well. All magic comes at a price, and Disney magic has to be funded somehow.

RELATED: 10 Iconic Disney Characters & Their Star Wars Alignment

How much merchandise is there with Mickey's loveable mug on it? Think about how iconic a Mickey watch became, and the countless amount of plush Mickeys millions probably owned at some point. Who wouldn't want to bring a piece of him home?

His Timelessness

Mickey's cartoons positioned together

Mickey will always be a constant fixture in the world's collective consciousness. Other contenders will come, go, and fade away, but Mickey will remain. Why? Because he knows how to stick around, roll with the punches, and keep up with the times.

Animation is a medium that will constantly and continuously evolve as new mediums, techniques, and technologies become available. In the end, Mickey will always be a part of it.

His Lovability

mickey mouse with his arms outstretched

There are certain cartoon characters that people tolerate, ones they can't stand, and ones they find impossible to hate. Of course, Mickey is one of the latter. How could he not be?

His charming smile, wide-eyed innocence, can-do attitude, and positive attitude make him optimism incarnate. He's one of the biggest reasons the Disney name has the warm and friendly message it strives for, and people simply can't get enough of it.

NEXT: Disney Parks: 10 Character Meet & Greets That Got Major Makeovers