The Most Iconic Video Game Quotes In Gaming History

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The Most Iconic Video Game Quotes In Gaming History
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Beyond the battles and puzzles, the challenges and quests, video games exist, like most forms of entertainment, to do one thing: to tell a story. It may not be a particularly complex tale, and sometimes the storyline is mostly a footnote, but it will be there – and much of the time, these stories are driven by the words of the protagonists, antagonists and other non-player characters who bring the game to life. Subsequently, many of their observations and catchphrases have become a part of modern culture, thanks to their innovation, poignancy – or because they’re just plain funny. From the Duke to Tanya, we offer 12 of the most memorable quotes from video game history.

By Graeme Mason

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“It’s dangerous to go alone, take this.” – Old Hermit of The Legend of Zelda (Nintendo, 1986)

In the very first cave of 1986’s The Legend of Zelda resides a white-bearded old man who somehow possesses one of the most legendary items in gaming history: Link’s first sword. Seemingly driven by magnanimity alone, the hermit’s concern for Link’s perilous adventure is such that he’s willing to give away apparently his sole means of defence. What a nice man. The simple phrase would become one of the most iconic utterances in video game history.

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“Hmm, that’s one doomed space marine.” – Duke Nukem of Duke Nukem 3D (3D Realms, 1996)

Released the same year as Quake, id Software’s spiritual follow-up to Doom, both Duke Nukem 3D and Quake were first-person shooter games, but differed wildly in tone and content – and it was Duke Nukem’s renowned sense of humour that gave its developers licence to infuse their game with multiple references to cinema, TV and other video games. During Duke Nukem’s first episode, “L.A. Meltdown”, the Duke finds himself trapped inside a hellish Death Row. Situated behind the prison’s chapel is a secret area – locate it, and there’s a gory image of a defeated Doomguy, ready for Duke Nukem to dispense his pithy farewell.

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“War. War never changes.” – The Narrator of Fallout (Bethesda, 1997)

It’s a portentous phrase that has been repeated in every Fallout game since the original first introduced the post-apocalyptic series back in 1997. Narrated by actor Ron Perlman – whose dark tones perfectly suit the nature of the words – the term is often uttered over a succession of solemn black-and-white images that depressingly portray humankind’s ability to inflict pointless destruction upon itself. These are the powerful words that, more than any other, signify the radiation-infused, horrific destruction of Fallout.

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“Go for the eyes, Boo, GO FOR THE EYES! RrraaaAAGHGHH!” – Minsc of Baldur’s Gate II (Black Isle/Interplay, 2000)

Time for some levity now with Minsc, the maddest and baddest warrior of the Forgotten Realms. Convinced his regular pet is a space hamster, bestowed with magical powers, Minsc is a constant source of amusement throughout BioWare’s famous Baldur’s Gate series. With much of the game’s content still in written form, it’s up to combat commands such as this to provide audio thrills. Charging ahead with his faithful hamster by his side, this is one of Minsc’s more memorable quotes, frequently exclaimed by the barbarian as he plunges fearlessly into battle. Squeak!

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“Finish him/her!” – Announcer of Mortal Kombat (Midway, 1992)

While the controversy surrounding the original Mortal Kombat game may have dissipated, its most famous quote, spoken by the announcer towards the end of a bout, has entered gaming folklore. Reduced to a punch-drunk state of reduced energy, the soon-to-be-loser stands reeling, ready to be dispatched using one of Mortal Kombat’s infamous finishing moves. With the two words echoing from the speakers and appearing on screen, it’s time to execute one of a range of graphic moves, from Sub-Zero’s spine rip to Johnny Cage’s dramatic decapitation punch. Ouch.

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“Another visitor! Stay awhile… stay forever!” – Professor Elvin Atombender of Impossible Mission (Epyx, 1984)

Synthesised speech was in its infancy back in the early ‘80s, yet the Commodore 64 home computer managed to handle vocals with aplomb thanks to its superior audio abilities. In Impossible Mission, the player is introduced into the lair of Professor Elvin Atombender, an evil scientist determined to plunge the world into a nuclear war. Commanding a legion of deadly robots, Atombender verbally taunts the agent as soon as they enter his underground complex – and it’s a threat that, given the dangerous mission ahead of them, is highly likely to come true…

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“You were almost a Jill sandwich!” – Barry Burton of Resident Evil (Capcom, 1996)

The Resident Evil series – particularly the first game – has become notorious over the years for some of its bizarre speech, often a result of East-West cultural differences. Among the range of examples, this one has become the most celebrated: having found herself trapped in a small room as the ceiling slowly descends, S.T.A.R.S. member Jill Valentine is rescued by her colleague, Barry Burton. Always ready with a quip, the situation is tailor-made for the bearded soldier, who kicks the door down before delivering his coup de grâce. Oh Barry!

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“You have died of dysentery.” – Game Narration of The Oregon Trail (MECC, 1985)

The Oregon Trail computer game harked back to the early ‘70s before MECC’s 1985 Apple II game put the series on the map, introducing colourful graphics and inspiring spin-offs like The Yukon Trail. But let’s be honest, it’s the gruesome deaths that everyone remembers. The Oregon Trail is a hazardous journey, and all manner of demise awaits players; from painful snakebites to typhoid and ‘mere’ exhaustion, there’s plenty to worry about on this particular pathfinding adventure. Most memorable, however, is the messy death from dysentery, mercifully unrepresented graphically and succinctly relayed by the game’s text narration.

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“Rise and shine, Mr. Freeman, rise and… shine.” – G-Man of Half-Life 2 (Valve, 2004)

The tone of dystopian sequel Half-Life 2 is firmly established from the outset with this weaselly and malevolent greeting from the game’s mysterious character, G-Man. Awoken from a 20-year stasis slumber by the wiry agent, Gordon Freeman is soon battling the dreaded Combine, an alien menace attracted to the earth thanks to the Black Mesa incident of the first game. As gaming intros go, it’s gloriously understated – and all the more terrifying for it, as Gordon Freeman once more finds himself as the right man in the wrong place.

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“Ghostbusters! Hahahahahaha…” – Game Intro of Ghostbusters (Activision, 1984)

Ghostbusters was a trailblazing release for the Commodore 64 in particular, popularising the use of speech and music throughout its spooky gameplay. One of the first big, successful movie licences, the game kicks off proceedings with the Ghostbusters logo, the classic Ray Parker Jr tune and, of course, that amazing synthesised speech, semi-culled from the movie’s theme song. Even computers not known for their audio capabilities, such as the ZX Spectrum, included the speech, and it helped make the Activision game one of the biggest-selling 8-bit titles of all time.

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“Let’s Rock!” – Tanya of Command & Conquer: Red Alert (Westwood, 1996)

As a vital part of several Allies campaign levels in Command & Conquer: Red Alert, Tanya has much to say during the game. Able to instantly assassinate soldiers and demolish enemy structures, she’s a valuable asset if guarded carefully. And while her incessant proclamations might become irritating over time – despite her having the best cackle in ‘90s gaming – it’s this Vasquez-esque call to arms that most remember, usually bellowed just before some obscene on-screen death and destruction.

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“A man chooses… A slave obeys.” – Andrew Ryan of BioShock (2K Games, 2007)

The BioShock games are a remarkable example of how to construct an evocative and compelling storyline in a video game, with central narrative tenets running throughout the impressively atmospheric visuals. True choice is a concept that often eludes video games, and while the player’s actions and choices in BioShock may be illusory, the moral options are there, at least superficially. This theme is summed up in the game’s conclusion, as Andrew Ryan demonstrates with cold effectiveness the conundrum facing the player. Is Jack choosing or obeying?

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The Most Iconic Video Game Quotes In Gaming History

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