While catchphrases in video games might not be as common as they are in old TV shows, there are still plenty of them. All sorts of major characters from Mario to Solid Snake have things they say regularly. Naturally, people grow fond of these lines because they become so associated with the characters who speak them.
That said, most of these catchphrases only work in context. They aren’t often powerful quotes that would be beloved in other situations. They work because a specific character says them in a particular game. If you said them in everyday life, they wouldn’t work as well. Yet, some would work better than others, as this ranking shows.
8"Ah, C***"
Nathan Drake (Uncharted Series)
Nathan Drake stars in several ofthe greatest action-adventure games ever, also known as the Uncharted series. During those games, he finds himself in a lot of difficult predicaments. When things begin to go wrong, he often throws out a “ah, c***” or “oh, c***.”
Either of them is understandable considering the life-threatening situations he finds himself in. Yet, he isn’t the only one who uses the phrase. After all, people in everyday life use this phrase, too, in response to all the nonsense they face in life. So, if you utter the quote IRL, people would find you more relatable than strange.
7"I Should Go."
Commander Shepard (Mass Effect Series)
Commander Shepard does a lot of talking in the Mass Effect series, primarily to their allies aboard the Normandy ship. This is a game with dialogue options, so you control what the hero asks. When you decide to end the convo, Shepard typically says, “I Should Go.” They’ve said it so much that it has basically become a catchphrase, even though Shepard doesn’t realize it.
If you used the term in real life as a replacement for “goodbye,” it wouldn’t create too much confusion. However, if you said it in the monotone and blunt way Shepard does, people may be a little offended.
6"You Forget A Thousand Things Every Day, Make Sure This Is One Of Them."
Michael (Grand Theft Auto 5)
Michael from Grand Theft Auto 5 is a career criminal. Despite his experience, though, he is sometimes caught by witnesses. Once that happens, he often responds by telling them that they “Forget A Thousand Things Every Day, ensure This Is One Of Them.”
It’s a cool phrase that could work in real life, too. Naturally, you need to wait for the right moment when it’s relevant. But once you throw that line out there, people will likely be impressed with its poetic nature.
5"What’re Ya Buyin'?"
The Merchant (Resident Evil 4)
The phrase “What’re Ya Buyin'” lives long in the memory of any Resident Evil 4 fan. This is because it’s uttered by the iconic Merchant almost every time you intend to buy something from his shop.
In specific circumstances, such as when you’re working in a shop or asking someone about the purchase they’re about to make, the catchphrase won’t seem that odd in real life. However, it wouldn’t really be the Merchant’s classic saying if you don’t deliver the line in his distinct, creepy voice. This could unsettle people in the real world.
4"Get Over Here!"
Scorpion (Mortal Kombat)
Scorpion has gone throughplenty of design changes over the years, but one constant has been his use of the phrase “Get Over Here!” He says it when he drags his opponent to him with the use of his signature Kunai weapon.
You could attempt to use this phrase in everyday life when you want someone to come to you. Yet, if you say it like Scorpion, you will seem very blunt and rude. After all, there isn’t a “please” in there, nor is it said in an inviting tone. It’s a direct order, which some may not appreciate.
3"Kept You Waiting, Huh?"
Solid Snake And Big Boss (Metal Gear Solid Series)
The main characters of the Metal Gear Solid series often use the phrase “Kept You Waiting, Huh?” It’s something that people have come to expect to hear in every Metal Gear game at least once. In real life, it would only make sense if you said it when you were late for something.
However, saying this phrase after arriving late would probably annoy some people. After all, you’re supposed to apologize for being late, not say “Kept You Waiting, Huh?” That comes off as arrogant.
2"Requiescant In Pace."
Ezio (Assassin’s Creed Series)
Ezio isa very talented Assassin, so he kills plenty of people throughout the Assassin’s Creed games. When he does, he almost always says the line “Requiescant In Pace,” which effectively means “rest in peace.” It’s a Latin phrase, so if you use it in real life, people will either find it odd or be impressed that you know Latin.
Because of the meaning behind the phrase, it’s best used when somebody has died. In this case, though, you hope people don’t know the reference because it probably wouldn’t be appropriate to make video game references at somebody’s funeral.
1"It’s-A Me, Mario!"
Mario (Super Mario Series)
Mario is not a character who speaks often. Throughout the entire series, he has only said a handful of phrases. The one he’s most known for is “It’s-A Me, Mario!” It serves as a unique declaration of his own name.
Unless your name is Mario, there doesn’t seem to be a situation in real life where saying this catchphrase won’t seem weird, especially if you do it in Mario’s voice. Even if people get the reference, they will likely be confused as to why you’re randomly saying it.
