The Best Games Inspired By Memes

When something becomes funny enough on the internet, a new meme is born. This can be through the repetition of a certain phrase, the duplication of an image to fit into any context, or a well-timed photo that goes viral. Internet memes are always coming and going, but there are times when they inspire video games to keep the spirit of the joke alive.

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A brief history of meme-kind from the world of video games.

From absurdist humor to funny-looking animals, there are plenty of games that are inspired by memes. Some directly adapt the memes while others use the internet culture of the time period as inspiration for their characters.

10

Fight Of Animals

Meme Animals Prepare To Fight

The internet is where animals go to become memes. It doesn’t matter if the animal in question is a cat, dog, crow, or even a baby seal. If you take a picture at just the right time, any animal can go viral. Fight of Animals brings together some of the biggest meme animals of the era for a fighting tournament.

This includes One Punch Shiba Inu, Egg Dog, and Crowrilla, all of which originated from well-timed viral photos. This fighting game feels like a time capsule of popular internet animals that must duke it out to figure out who is the strongest.

9

MultiVersus

When Worlds Collide

Systems

Released

August 15, 2022

Developer(s)

Player First Games

Warner Bros owns plenty of properties to the point where it warrants its own streaming service. MultiVersus naturally brings these franchises together from DC’s heroes and villains, to cartoon legends such as Steven Universe and Rick Sanchez.

Of course, Multiversus makes references to many memes, but one of the most iconic is Shaggy’s power level. If Shaggy can unleash his true power and beat every biker in a bar, then Shaggy can take on the likes of Superman himself.

8

Pupperazzi

Picture Perfect Dogs

There’s nothing cozier than watching cute puppies on the internet. Sometimes they are so cute new words need to be invented to describe them, such as boofer or pupper. Pupperazzi lets you be the one behind the camera as you search for new puppers to take pictures of.

Puppers can be found anywhere from parks to benches, though sometimes you’ll need some creativity to set the perfect stage. Dress up the dogs, start a dance party, or even watch them skateboard just like some of the legendary online meme dogs.

7

Hiveswap Friendsim

Modern Day Homestuck

Between the years of 2009 and 2016, the Homestuck webcomic took the internet by storm. This tale of a world-ending adventure already used plenty of internet lingo and personality types to fuel its characters. Friendsim includes many more Trolls inspired by more contemporary online personalities.

These personalities include the internet streamer, the starving artist, and the fan favorite Juggalo. Your job is to befriend these Trolls through a dating sim experience, selecting dialogue options, and hoping that a wrong answer won’t result in your untimely demise. If you got a sharp eye, you will even notice that some of the Troll’s dialogue will reference their version of Earth memes.

6

The Game Of Sisyphus

A Classic Tale Turned Meme

The tale of Sisyphus is one of the oldest stories and is constantly used online to describe an uphill battle. So, of course. It became a highly adopted meme among anyone that has ever felt the same level of struggle.

This is where The Game Of Sisyphus comes into play, giving gamers a chance to experience the story in a modern way. This is a slow-paced game that will test your patience as you continuously roll your boulder up the hill. Just be sure to dodge obstacles carefully, or you might find yourself losing control of the boulder.

5

This Is Fine: The Game

Putting Out The Fires

There is a funny yellow dog on the internet surrounded by flames as he speaks his iconic line. However, everything is not fine and in this mobile game, you can help him finally do something about his house burning down around him.

This is Fine: The Game is directly inspired by the iconic comic that is so often used to express the state of the world or a bad situation in general. You can use the dog’s cup of coffee to douse the flames. Not enough? Go fetch more before the flames continue to spread. This is not fine, but you can make it better.

4

Pools

Liminal Space Memes Take Shape

Pools

Simulation

Horror

Exploration

Systems

Released

April 26, 2024

Developer(s)

Tensori

Publisher(s)

Tensori, UNIKAT Label

Liminal Spaces are a massive trend in the horror genre. The idea that there exists a space that is so familiar yet intimidating to walk through can cause shivers to run down anyone’s spine. Pools takes this concept introduced by images of lonely pools and gives it life.

As with any liminal space meme, it’s the idea of getting lost within the space that gets you. The architecture and layout make it difficult to navigate through each area giving you a sense that you aren’t alone. However, it is only you here. There are no monsters or jump scares needed.

3

SCP: Secret Laboratory

Bringing Horror Icons To Life

The SCP Foundation is full of short stories based around entities that are both unexplained and supernatural. While some pose no real threat to humanity, others are dangerous and must be kept in containment. This is where SCP: Secret Laboratory finds its premise.

You either play as the D Class, which are human test subjects trying to escape the facility, or the Foundation itself, which tries to capture and contain them. You can also play as the iconic SCP from the stories, such as statues that can only move when they aren’t being looked at or entities that can reanimate the dead.

2

Paradise Killer

Reheating Old Memes Into A Fresh Meal

Sometimes memes will be inspired by video games. Then, those same memes get put in a blender to inspire a game of their own. Paradise Killer is a colorful detective game that takes reference from other entries such as Danganronpa and Ace Attorney.

Having someone be executed at the end of a trial? Check. Gathering evidence and shoving it in different people’s faces? Check. Mix it in with plenty of other vaporwave twists and Paradise Killer becomes its own thing despite being inspired by so many sources.

1

Slender: The Arrival

From Creepypasta To Horror Game

While Slenderman is iconic as a horror character, it is also one spawned from creepypasta stories on the internet. Slenderman has been spread as a meme through creepy edited images and short stories before leaping into the realm of video games.

Slender: The Arrival has you searching the woods for hidden notes. By doing so, you might just be able to figure out the mystery behind Slenderman and escape in one piece. However, the entity will be after you through abandoned factories and mines as it causes your camera to become filled with static.

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