The sheer impact some video games have on meme culture can't be stated enough. These titles transcend all realms of popularity and bleed into pop culture with memes that are hilarious and absurd in equal measure. Going back decades, memorable moments or gameplay aspects of certain titles have become inside jokes among players, to the point that they have spread even beyond the gaming fanbase.
The cultural impact these video games have contributes to their overall success, making them more recognizable and ingraining them in pop culture. To this day, seeing some of the memes surrounding these games still makes fans chuckle.
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Among Us
The Impact This Game Had On Meme Culture Is Unmatched
Among Us
- Released
- June 5, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Mild Blood, Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Party Game
Among Us was released long before COVID hit the world, but the forced isolation of the pandemic led to this social detective game reaching greater heights. Players were desperate for any form of social interaction at that point, and this game provided it in spades. Friends joined each other online for this social deduction game that they could play remotely.
Trying to uncover alien impostors that are killing the crewmates makes for a great time. The younger player base also meant that Among Us memes became viral in no time, with everything from the term "sus" to the bizarre "Amogus" trend taking over in no time.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
So Popular, The Memes Were Inevitable
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol
Skyrim is one of the most popular video games ever made, making it clear why it became a stalwart part of meme culture in no time. The "arrow in the knee" jokes became legendary and dominated the internet back when this game came out, not to mention the "bucket over the head" meme.
Eventually, Skyrim became a source of many memes, with Bethesda's constant re-releases turning Skyrim into a hub of hilarious content. From modding Thomas the Tank Engine into the game to the giants that launch the Dragonborn to the skies, Skyrim's memes have never stopped.
Crysis
Whether A System Can Run Crysis Or Not Became A Popular Question
Crysis
- Released
- November 13, 2007
- ESRB
- M
- Genre(s)
- Action, Shooter
The fact that modern systems with state-of-the-art hardware struggled to run Crysis made it clear how ahead of its time CryEngine was. While Crysis' gameplay was engaging in its own right, it's the game's incredible (and taxing) technical performance that made waves.
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It became an internet trend, with players posing the question "Can it run Crysis?", either ironically or otherwise. At one point, everything from potato PCs to high-tech computers was bombarded with this question, making Crysis one of the best internet memes of that time.
Grand Theft Auto 5
From Crashing Into Mission Cutscenes To The Famous Lamar Rant
Grand Theft Auto 5
- Released
- September 17, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
It's easy to see why Grand Theft Auto 5 has taken over meme culture. It's the highest-selling entry in the popular GTA series, with its online mode becoming ridiculously popular, courtesy of the sheer amount of content it has.
The famous Lamar rant became the subject of several hilarious memes with model swaps and creative dubbing. Sending Michael crashing into the building where he meets Dave Norton is also hilarious and proves that in-engine cutscenes will always be goated.
Minecraft
Popular Among Kids Who Love Making Minecraft Memes
Minecraft
- Released
- November 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
Ever since Notch released a game he was using to learn Java, Minecraft became a global sensation. To this day, fans hopping around intricate Minecraft levels is used in various TikToks and the like to keep viewers interested in the stories these videos have to tell. The Creeper foe and Herobrine were the subject of early Minecraft memes, while the over-the-top reaction to the Chicken Jockey scene in the Minecraft movie continues to show just how much of a hold this game has on pop culture.
Resident Evil Village
Lady Dimitrescu's Reveal Broke The Internet
Resident Evil Village
- Released
- May 7, 2021
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Resident Evil Village aimed to ride the wave of success that its predecessor had generated. During the marketing for this game, many fans were instantly enamored by the trappings of Lady Dimitrescu, a nine-foot-tall vampire introduced as one of the story's antagonists.
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Exaggerated requests from people wanting this huge vampire to step on them became popular in no time. While Dimitrescu is only present for a short while in the game, she made a major pop-culture impact and quickly became one of the most iconic Resident Evil antagonists.
Mafia City
The Personification Of Stupid Mobile Ads
Mafia City
- Released
- March 30, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
Over-the-top mobile ads have become commonplace in modern times, but there are times when some advertisements are so ludicrous that they become memes. Such is the case with Mafia City, where the exaggerated importance of levels in cheaply-made ads became popular in no time.
Seeing how the Mafia works in these stupid ads makes for a hilarious time, and is arguably brainrot in its original form. People may not play this game, but they're more than familiar with its many memeable ads.
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
From The Game's Music To Its Presidential Antagonist
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
- Released
- February 19, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Action
Kojima's work on Revengeance makes it one of the oddest and most captivating Metal Gear spin-offs players can enjoy. PlatinumGames' excellent gameplay ensures that this cyborg ninja is a blast to control.
Aside from the game's amazing rock-fuelled soundtrack, it's the over-the-top performance of the final villain that makes Revengeance so hilarious. Hearing the President of the United States yell "Nanomachines, son!" Before pummelling the player never ceases to be hilarious, and that is a huge part of what makes Revengeance so special.
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