Top 10 Memes From Video Games

Top 10 Memes From Video Games

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Another Top 10 Memes From Video Games

All your memes are belong to us. Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the top 10 Memes From Video Games. For this list, we take a look at the funniest, cleverest and most enduring memes that have emerged from the video game world.

#10: It’s Dangerous to Go Alone! Take This

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“The Legend of Zelda” (1986) The offering of a wooden sword to Link at the beginning of the first Legend of Zelda game is a vital addition to your armory for the impending adventure through Hyrule. The meme that it spawned however presents you with rather more useless items. It may be a super cute kitten, a glass of beer or even a lightsaber that takes the place of the wooden sword. Okay, that last one is pretty awesome but you get the idea: as cute as the kitty is, he isn’t going to be much help on a grand quest.

#9: Press X to…

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Beginning with “Press X to Not Die”, as coined by Yatzee on Zero Punction, this set of memes poked fun at the worst examples of QTEs. Gamers were more than happy to take the mick out of prompts like “Press X to pay respects” from COD: Advanced Warfare, as it feels like a cheap game mechanic to award you with some illusion of control. Fun fact, if you’ve ever called yourself a member of the glorious PC master race, you have Yatzee to thank for that as well.

“Mario is Missing!” (DOS Version) (1992) Poor old Luigi, we’re sure he doesn’t mean to come across as a creep but he just seems to have a face that makes everyone uncomfortable. It’s not like his awkward stance and disturbing look is the only time he’s been a bit weird either: the death stare from Mario Kart makes you think there is something dark behind those big, pale eyes of his. Perhaps his creepiness from the kid’s educational game was a hint at his underlying evil, we can’t be sure. There are so many unanswered questions but one thing we know: Weegee will always be staring at you.

“Sonic the Hedgehog” Series (1991-) Not only are these brilliantly messed up drawings of the blue hedgehog hilarious, they are an apt metaphor for the decline that the character has seen in recent years. Typically accompanied by a caption of “cumon step it up!” or “gotta go fast!” this crude drawing has become wildly popular with Youtubers and gamers alike. Given how terrible the games featuring the Sega mascot have become, it might be possible that soon Sanic will eclipse the real Sonic in the popularity stakes. We hope so anyway, how amazing would a major Sanic game be? (Shows SANIC FAN GAME) Oh God! I regret everything!!!!

“Half-Life” series (1998-2007) This series of sci-fi first-person shooters left so many lingering questions for fans that the desperation to finally get the third installment has spiraled out of control. Any image of a ‘3’ or innocuous picture of Gabe Newell is comically analyzed as ‘evidence’ of the game’s impending release. A small sweat mark on Newell’s shirt made pretty compelling evidence for one theory but there are still so many layers of the conspiracy to uncover. Be careful though, the illuminati may be involved.

“Genji: Days of the Blade” (2006) During a disastrous E3 conference back in 2006, Sony managed to repeatedly make a fool of themselves as they showed off their new hack and slash game. Their claim that the game was based upon real battles from Japan’s ancient history was proven immediately false as the aforementioned giant crab stormed onto screen. If this wasn’t enough for the internet to get stuck into, then the cringe worthy comments that came just after gave them even more ammunition. Just as heavily ridiculed was the painfully obvious “You attack it’s weak point for massive damage”, adding the cherry to a horribly awkward demonstration.

#4: Do a Barrel Roll

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“Star Fox 64” (1997) Peppy Hare’s kind of annoying catchphrase from the classic scrolling-shooter became so popular in gaming circles thatmeme creators were inevitably going to get hold of it sooner or later. The phrase compliments anything that is falling over or flipping, whether that is two colliding dogs, a capsized boat or even a helicopter pulling some sort of death-defying maneuver. Google apparently loved it so much that every time you search those four words, your screen will perform a 360-degree spin. Go on; try it now if you don’t believe us.

“The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” (2011) Although Foost Ro Dah has spawned its fair share of memetic content, this stock phrase from the action-RPG title has become the meme the most associated with the immensely successful RPG. Memes simply alter the “I used to be an adventurer like you” part of the quote for an easy gag that anyone can have a go at. There are some smarter variations from the norm but is now more a parody of itself, as the internet mocks it’s over-usage. This became so prolific it was even nodded to on game of thrones.

“World of Warcraft” (2004) If you ever need to charge head first into a dangerous situation then be sure to channel the spirit of Leeroy Jenkins before you do. Even when facing a 32.33% - repeating of course - chance of surviving your attack, with Leeroy’s sheer brashness inspiring you anything is possible. The original video is now over ten years old but it is still popular enough to maintain a steady flow of brilliant images and, believe it or not, a short film to honor Jenkin’s heroic actions. Before we reveal our top pick, let’s take a look at some honorable mentions. Zerg Rush “StarCraft” (1998) Falcon Punch “Super Smash Bros” (1999-2014) The Cake is a Lie “Portal” (2007) Another Settlement Needs Our Help “Fallout 4” (2015) Ramirez, Do Everything! “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” (2009)

#1: All Your Base Are Belong to Us

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“Zero Wing” (1989) An awfully translated cut scene from this classic shoot em up game has been the source of internet lampoon since around 1998. It was meant to be an intimidating threat from an evil overlord but instead gave us the subject matter for possibly the first ever video game meme. The reaction this mistranslation stimulated is doubly astonishing as back in the late 90s it wasn’t easy for anything to go viral, let alone a small section of dialogue from a relatively obscure video game. Do you agree with our list? Which video game memes have tickled your funny bone? There are so many variations on each and every joke that we are bound to have missed one or two. For more meme-filled top 10s be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.