Line #32 SmallReferencePools/VideoGames


1	* To most people, ''VideoGame/{{Pong}}'' was the first video game ever made. Never mind that the nebulous origins of video games [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_history_of_video_games date back even farther]], or that there was [[Platform/MagnavoxOdyssey a console]] before the Platform/Atari2600.
2	* ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'':
3	** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros1'', often merged with ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong''. It's wholly possible to meet people who think they're the same game. And good luck finding anyone who knows that there was a ''VideoGame/MarioBros'' arcade game before there was ''SUPER Mario Bros.'', or that ''Donkey Kong'' arcade had not one, but two sequels.
4	** ''VideoGame/MarioKart'' is the only kart-racing game. Non-gamers also tend to refer to the entire franchise as "Mario Kart" as if the series only consists of the ''Kart'' series, specifically ''VideoGame/MarioKartWii''.
5	** The ''VideoGame/MarioParty'' series are the only party games ever made.
6	* Any action-adventure game is almost automatically deemed a clone of ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' (usually ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Ocarina of Time]]'').
7	** Modern open-world fantasy game that features lush grasslands and lets you climb things? It's clearly a ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild Breath of the Wild]]'' clone.
8	* ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' is the only Xbox franchise. ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar'', ''VideoGame/{{Fable}}'', and ''VideoGame/ForzaMotorsport'' might get a mention.
9	** On the topic of ''Halo''; all weapons are from the [[VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved first game]], except for the Battle Rifle and Energy Sword (which are from [[VideoGame/{{Halo2}} the second game]]), and the Gravity Hammer (from the [[VideoGame/{{Halo3}} third game]]). Same thing goes for all the vehicles.
10	* {{Rhythm Game}}s:
11	** ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution'' and ''VideoGame/JustDance'' are the only dancing games.
12	** {{Mobile Phone\|Game}} {{Rhythm Game}}s? The only ones people ever play are gacha-based idol-themed ones like ''VideoGame/LoveLiveSchoolIdolFestival'', ''Anime/TheIdolmasterCinderellaGirls Starlight Stage'', and ''VideoGame/ProjectSekai''.
13	** Similarly, ''DDR'' is the only VideoGame/{{BEMANI}} game in the West, due to being the only BEMANI game to see more than a small handful of Western releases, unlike other games such as ''VideoGame/{{jubeat}}'' and ''VideoGame/SoundVoltex'' which are arcade success stories but have only seen very limited releases outside of Asia (an under-the-radar tablet version for the former, limited export runs to specific arcades in the case of the latter).
14	*** And there's those who see ''DDR'' as the only property Naoki has ever had a major hand in, ignoring ''VideoGame/DanceMasters'' and his departure from Konami to work on ''VideoGame/CrossBeats'' and later ''VideoGame/SEVENsCODE''. It gets worse on Facebook where he regularly posts about the latter game and people still demand BEMANI-related things to him in the comments anyway as if he's in any position to do so.
15	*** Pick any longtime BEMANI composer, particularly ones who left Konami at some point to make songs for other rhythm games such as SLAKE, NAOKI, or Tatsh. Only their BEMANI works will be referenced.
16	** Rhythm games with plots are usually not on the radar, however if they are referenced it's probably ''VideoGame/ParappaTheRapper'' considering how [[QuirkyWork it is]].
17	** Do not expect any Americans to be acquainted with any rhythm games that aren't ''BEMANI'', ''VideoGame/FridayNightFunkin'', a dance game, or a band game. Even if the game in question is not a victim of NoExportForYou.
18	** ''VideoGame/GuitarHero'' and ''VideoGame/RockBand'' were the only rhythm games that featured fake instruments to control the game.
19	* The only [[EasternRPG JRPGs]] to exist are ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' and ''Franchise/{{Persona}}, with ''VideoGame/Persona5'' specifically being as ubiquitous among non-JRPG fans as ''Breath of the Wild'' is among people who don't play open world games. In Japan, however, ''Franchise/DragonQuest'' is the undisputed kind of the genre. As for the rest of the genre, the likeliest franchises to be mentioned otherwise are ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'', ''Franchise/FireEmblem'', ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'', and ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles'', while specific games include ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'' and ''VideoGame/NierAutomata''.
20	* The only [=IPs=] Konami had going into TheNewTens were ''Franchise/SilentHill'' and ''VideoGame/MetalGear'', and now Konami has no games left. While justified in that a lot of their other modern, still-active [=IPs=] are [[NoExportForYou Asia-only]] UsefulNotes/{{arcade game}}s, it can still be jarring to be a fan of the aforementioned BEMANI series, ''Quiz Magical Academy'', or the like and hear your [[AmericansHateTingle American and PAL-region friends complain about how "Konami doesn't make games anymore"]]. Sometimes, even other big franchises that had a following in American/PAL regions like ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Contra}}'' are often less remembered than those two (even if the 2015/2016 controversies also affected them).
21	* [[PacManFever Any arcade game that was wildly popular in the 1980s.]] Specifically, the ones you see the most often are ''VideoGame/PacMan'', ''VideoGame/SpaceInvaders'' [[OlderThanTheyThink (which was actually introduced in 1976)]], and ''VideoGame/{{Frogger}}'', and maybe ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong'', but mainly because that's how Nintendo got its start (it actually began as a hanafuda card company in 1889, almost a ''century'' before they started making video games, and even then they made the Game & Watch system a year before ''Donkey Kong'').
22	* To most gamers, especially in the West, arcade gaming is seen as a subset of retro gaming; any arcade games after the 90's don't exist.
23	* If the subject is censorship, expect ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto'' and ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' to show up.
24	* ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'', known among non-gamers only for the classic Mega Drive/Genesis titles, and maybe the Dreamcast games, and chances are if a classic Sega game is brought up, you can always expect ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' to be mentioned, and a few other significant Sega classics like ''VideoGame/GoldenAxe'' or ''VideoGame/{{Columns}}'' if they're really, really on the ball.
25	** What video game series does Creator/{{Sega}} produce these days? A lot of people don't know besides ''Sonic''. Some people will answer ''VideoGame/LikeADragon'', ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyo'', ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'' or ''VideoGame/SuperMonkeyBall''. The rest is an enigma.
26	* ''VideoGame/SimCity'', ''VideoGame/TheSims'', and their spinoffs are the only simulation games. Occasionally ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing'' gets referenced.
27	* ''Franchise/TombRaider''. The only thing that non-gamers know about the game series is that it features a certain very busty heroine.
28	* The entire BeatEmUp genre consists of ''VideoGame/FinalFight'', ''VideoGame/StreetsOfRage'', ''VideoGame/DoubleDragon'', ''VideoGame/RiverCityRansom'', and a couple of Creator/{{Capcom}} games that all kind of blend together [[PublicMediumIgnorance because they pretty much all play the same]]. Do 3D Beat 'em Ups even exist? Oh yeah, ''VideoGame/GodHand''.
29	* ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}''; in fact, people used to call the FirstPersonShooter genre "Doom clones". Mostly because there was a short period after its release where almost every FPS ''was'' a ''Doom'' clone.[[note]]And this is despite the fact that VideoGame/Wolfenstein3D actually predated the original Doom.[[/note]]
30	* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'':
31	** Anything after Gen 1 will rarely be featured. Since [[Anime/PokemonTheSeries the anime's]] [[AdaptationDisplacement characters are better known than those from the games]], parodies are MUCH more likely to have Ash than Red (with his Pikachu by his side, of course), contain PokemonSpeak, and be blatantly MerchandiseDriven. If not to the anime or to some nonexistent hybrid of the anime and games (''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' says hi), then references will inevitably be to "[[TabletopGame/{{Pokemon}} Pokémon cards]]" or ''VideoGame/PokemonGo'', which brought the series back into the mainstream after several years of being a more low-profile subculture.
32	** Despite the vast majority of supporting characters in both the games and the anime, the only ones that are well-known among the general public are mostly just characters who first debuted in the games - such as Misty, Brock, Gary Oak, Red, Leaf, and Professor Oak. Past Gen 1, the only characters that seem to get any recognition outside of the fanbase are Serena, Lillie, Mallow, Lana, and Dawn. Despite first appearing in the games, their anime counterparts are usually ''far'' better known than their game counterparts.
33	** Besides Ash Ketchum and The Team Rocket Trio (Jessie, James and Meowth), the only anime characters that are fairly well-known outside of the fanbase are Paul, Alain, Nurse Joy, Officer Jenny. Delia Ketchum ''might'' get mentioned if you're lucky, and a select few may remember Todd Snap, Cassidy, and Butch ([[AccidentalMisnaming or was his name Botch?]]), but the other original series characters - such as Ritchie, Tracey Sketchit, and Casey - are almost completely forgotten.
34	** Even though there are at least 150 basic Pokémon species, the great majority of non-game/anime fans have only heard of Pikachu, most likely because of its mascot status. Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Charmander, Charizard, Jigglypuff, or Eevee might also be mentioned. Pokémon introduced after Gen 1 mentioned would be the Pokémon that were in ''Super Smash Bros.'' like Lucario, Greninja, and Incineroar. It's also not widely known that Pokémon evolve and that Pikachu's "upgraded" form is Raichu, who is orange instead of yellow.
35	** Some people think that [[IAmNotShazam Pikachu is actually called "Pokémon"]].
36	** Some 'mons are based on mythical beasts that would be well-known to those in parts of Asia, but are totally unknown in, say, the United States. For example, Pokémon "God" Arceus is possibly based on a hoofed chimera called a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qilin Qilin]], but Westerners have [[{{MemeticMutation}} memetically]] compared it to a llama or a goat. Same with AnimateInanimateObject Pokémon; in Japan, their {{Yokai}} origins are well-known, but in the west they are believed to be a product of Game Freak running out of ideas.
37	* ''VideoGame/CallOfDuty'' and ''VideoGame/ModernWarfare''. Remember the aforementioned "Doom clones" example? If you're a first-person shooter, let alone a 'modern' or 'near future' shooter, expect to be called out as a ''Call of Duty'' clone.
38	** On the topic of ''Call of Duty'' itself, there weren't any installments before the fourth game.
39	* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' or a BrandX version thereof--Sometimes this is assumed to be the title of a video game, by people who have heard the name and have no idea that tabletop roleplaying games exist.
40	* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft''--The preceding RealTimeStrategy games do not exist.
41	** Real-time strategy games in general probably don't exist, but if one does, it is almost certain to be ''Warcraft'', especially since its MMO spinoff became such a huge success.
42	** Creator/BlizzardEntertainment has only created three franchises, ''Warcraft'', ''VideoGame/{{Starcraft}}'', and ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}}''. As of 2016, ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'' can join that list.
43	* ''VideoGame/{{Pitfall}}''. Few non-gamers might know the game's name, but the basic image of a stick figure-like man swinging on vines over lakes and pits seems to be rather familiar to people in general.
44	* If you're lucky enough to find a work that references a fighting game, it's ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' or ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}''. Otherwise it's a generic anime-styled combo-fest. ''Franchise/MortalKombat'', too, if people remember that it's a fighting game and not a gore simulator.
45	** As for ''Franchise/StreetFighter'', all characters from ''VideoGame/StreetFighterII''. Ryu, Ken, and Chun-li are practically HouseholdNames. Guile, and Zangief are well-known too, though not to the same extent. Blanka, Dhalsim, and E. Honda aren't so lucky. While all the original bosses are well-known, only Cammy of ''The New Challengers'' is widely recognized. And last but not least, ''Akuma'' of ''Turbo''. Of the ''Alpha'' sub-series, only Sakura and Dan are known by all.
46	** As for ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}'', it's a little better since ''Tekken 3'' is widely considered to be the best of the series and introduced a plethora of new characters including series protagonist Jin Kazama, so there's more characters that can be referenced. Also, the UpdatedRerelease of ''Tekken 5'' introduced Lili, who quickly became one of the most popular characters in the series. Other than that, expect possible references to Heihachi, Kazuya, Yoshimitsu, Nina, King, Paul, Law, Xiaoyu, and Hwoarang, but anything else however will go over most people's heads.
47	** Fighting games with {{fanservice}}? Obviously ''VideoGame/DeadOrAlive''. That is, assuming people remember that it is indeed a fighting game and not a JigglePhysics simulator. Also, there are no males characters in the series (except for Ryu Hayabusa, by virtue of being the star of the well-known ''VideoGame/NinjaGaiden'' series). The ''VideoGame/SoulSeries'' is also starting to head in this direction for its increasingly infamous fanservice. Other than that, it's best known for its many guest characters.
48	* If you're lucky enough to spot a [=JRPG=] reference, it's going to be either ''VideoGame/DragonQuest''[[note]]in the east[[/note]] or ''Franchise/FinalFantasy''[[note]]in the west[[/note]]. Any reference to the latter will almost invariably be to [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII the seventh game]]. ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' pops up on both sides but more rarely [[AdaptationDisplacement because many remember the anime first]].
49	* In the West, if you're lucky, you might find people who can name ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' games that aren't ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'', ''[[VideoGame/{{Persona4}} 4]]'', or especially ''[[VideoGame/{{Persona5}} 5]]'' after Joker joined ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'', or their spinoff works.
50	* Creator/SquareEnix has only ever produced Role-Playing Games. ''VideoGame/{{Einhander}}''? ''VideoGame/TheBouncer''? ''VideoGame/{{Ehrgeiz}}''? Never heard of 'em.
51	* {{Hero Shooter}}s? It's gotta be ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}''. Then there's the [[FollowTheLeader bunch of games that tried to copy it]] and failed (probably). ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' might count even though it was made before the term was widely used, but both of them fill the reference pools for "non-realistic and gritty FPS games".
52	* For landmark puzzle video games, ''VideoGame/{{Tetris}}'' will always be the go-to reference point, and sometimes ''VideoGame/DrMario'' or ''VideoGame/PuzzleLeague'' will be mentioned, plus ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyo'' in Japan.
53	* Within the ''VideoGame/{{Tetris}}'' series, only the Game Boy version or current versions will be known.
54	* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' series has become ''the'' go-to reference for {{Western RPG}}s by non-gamers. In increasing order of reference pool size:
55	** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind Morrowind]]'' was the first MultiPlatform ([=XBox=] and PC) release in the series, and at the time, was one of the very few Western [=RPGs=] to receive a console release in many years. It introduced a massive NewbieBoom to the series in addition to being the BreakthroughHit for the series.
56	** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]'' built onto ''Morrowind''[='s=] success, being one of the first major RPG titles of the the 7th generation of consoles, making full use of the Xbox 360's and Playstation 3's technical capabilities.
57	** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]''[='s=] massive popularity brought the series into a place among video game royalty, just behind legendary series including Mario and The Legend of Zelda. ''Skyrim'' also arguably put ''the rest of its own'' series into this category, especially among younger audiences. It's not uncommon for someone to have heard of ''Skyrim'' without having heard of any other game in the series.
58	* To the majority of people, Creator/{{Bethesda}} has [[TwoHitWonder two franchises]]: ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' and ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}''. Even fewer realize that ''Fallout'' didn't originate with Bethesda.
59	* As aforementioned, the common connotation of video games is that of eight-bit Atari/NES games or gory M-rated shooters.
60	* When you ask a random gamer to name one of the worst games ever made, people will usually think about ''E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial'' for the Atari 2600, ''Custer's Revenge'', ''VideoGame/{{Superman 64}}'', ''VideoGame/BigRigsOverTheRoadRacing'', the Nintendo-licensed CD-i games, the two infamous ''Sonic'' disasters (''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006 '06]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/SonicBoom Rise of Lyric]]'') and occasionally ''Pac-Man'' for the Atari 2600, but do not expect them to know about any other terrible video game ever made... unless, of course, they're a fan of WebVideo/TheAngryVideoGameNerd. (''VisualNovel/PlumbersDontWearTies'', anyone?)
61	* When ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIII'' launched and became a success, any non-GTA open-world game released afterwards was instantly labeled a "GTA Clone" until about the late 2000s.
62	* The only two video game glitches are [[GlitchEntity Missingno]] and [[MinusWorld The Minus World]].
63	* ''VideoGame/{{Civilization}}'' is the definition of a FourX game. The rest are just ''Civilization'' clones.
64	* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'':
65	** While it did kickstart the genre, as far as most people are concerned, ''Smash'' is the only PlatformFighter series ever made. And even if they acknowledge other Platform Fighters such as ''VideoGame/DreamMixTVWorldFighters'', ''VideoGame/RivalsOfAether'', ''VideoGame/{{Brawlout}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Brawlhalla}}'', ''VideoGame/PlayStationAllStarsBattleRoyale'', ''VideoGame/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesSmashUp'' and the like, they will inevitably be compared to ''Smash''.
66	** Because of the female ''VideoGame/WiiFit'' trainer's [[UnexpectedCharacter memorable reveal]] for ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros for 3DS and Wii U'', many people forget that the game also had a male trainer. Despite the fact that he was an alternate costume for her in the series, it has still yet to fully reverse these perceptions.
67	* Video games with female protagonists? ''Franchise/TombRaider'', ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'' or ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}''.
68	** [[StrawFeminist But they're not progressive because]] [[AllMenArePerverts they're too sexualized]]. Now if you want a ''real'' Strong Female Protagonist, you can't go wrong with Ellie from ''VideoGame/TheLastOfUsPart2''. Add [[VideoGame/HellbladeSenuasSacrifice Senua]] to the list if you're real savvy.
69	* Simulation racers? ''VideoGame/GranTurismo''. ''VideoGame/ForzaMotorsport'' might get a mention, due to being on the rival platform.
70	* When it comes to RealTimeStrategy games, ''VideoGame/{{Warcraft}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Starcraft}}'', and the ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpires'' series are the most remembered, plus ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquer'' for the older fans. After the genre went on a decline in the mid-2000s, many people are not aware of any new RTS games that have come out after those series' latest entries. The only "modern" RTS game most people know is ''VideoGame/Starcraft2''.
71	* Creator/{{Nintendo}}'s only franchises as far as most gamers are concerned are ''Franchise/{{Mario}}'', ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'', ''Franchise/{{Kirby}}'', ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing'', and ''Franchise/{{Splatoon}}''. Any other franchise is just padding for the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' roster, though this has gotten better as of the Platform/NintendoSwitch era, where ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'', ''Franchise/FireEmblem'', ''VideoGame/{{Pikmin}}'', and ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles'' have all gradually become more recognizable among the public.
72	** When pointing out [=IPs=] of theirs that haven't gotten games in years, it'll usually be focused on ones that nonetheless still have major representation in ''Smash Bros.'' as a player fighter, such as ''VideoGame/FZero'', ''VideoGame/KidIcarus'', and ''VideoGame/PunchOut'' and not any of their other [=IPs=] that don't have such representation in that series like ''VideoGame/RhythmHeaven'', ''VideoGame/TheLegendaryStarfy'', ''VideoGame/EndlessOcean'', ''VisualNovel/FamicomDetectiveClub'', ''VideoGame/CustomRobo'', ''VideoGame/SinAndPunishment'', ''VideoGame/StarTropics''...
73	** Mainstream fan works seem to be tailor-made for kids who grew up in TheNineties, often treating dead franchises who didn't even make it halfway through the 2000s as if they're still relevant while excluding new franchises made after the '90s regardless of how big they are. For instance, ''F-Zero'' and ''VideoGame/EarthBound1994'' are front and center while ''Splatoon'' is nowhere to be found. ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing'' is the sole exception.
74	** To non-gamers, the only Nintendo games that exist are ''VideoGame/WiiSports'', ''VideoGame/WiiFit'', ''VideoGame/MarioKartWii'', and the ''VideoGame/JustDance'' (which isn't owned by Nintendo) series. ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossingNewHorizons'' has become mainstream, mostly because it was used as a way to bust boredom during the UsefulNotes/Covid19Pandemic as it released around the time lockdown began.
75	** To non-gamers growing up in TheEighties, the Platform/NintendoEntertainmentSystem is the only Nintendo console and the only games for it are ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros1'', ''VideoGame/DuckHunt'', and ''VideoGame/PunchOut'', specifically the Creator/MikeTyson release despite his contract with Nintendo ending and the game being rereleased with a recolored HeadSwap. Maybe ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong'', but the arcade version is much more remembered than the [=NES=] version.
76	* Similarly, Creator/{{Sony}}'s only franchises are ''VideoGame/GranTurismo'', ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank'', ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'', ''VideoGame/{{Uncharted}}'', and ''VideoGame/TheLastOfUs''. Strangely, ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot'' and ''Franchise/SpyroTheDragon'' will often get a mention, despite being third-party and having long abandoned exclusivity.
77	* The Platform/SegaDreamcast is widely seen as one of the greatest consoles of all time, despite having failed and ultimately [[CreatorKiller killed]] Sega as a console manufacturer. Despite this, the only games people are likely to name are ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'' (and its sequel) and ''VideoGame/{{Shenmue}}''. ''VideoGame/CrazyTaxi'', ''VideoGame/JetSetRadio'', ''VideoGame/SpaceChannel5'' and ''VideoGame/SoulCalibur'' might get a mention if the person in question is trying to be different.
78	* Games with [[SceneryPorn extreme graphics]]? ''VideoGame/{{Crysis}}''.
79	* Licensed games that are ''[[SugarWiki/NoProblemWithLicensedGames good]]''? ''VideoGame/GoldenEye1997'', numerous ''Franchise/StarWars'' games, the ''VideoGame/LegoAdaptationGame'' series, or the ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamSeries''. Maybe you'll get ''VideoGame/TheSimpsonsHitAndRun'', ''VideoGame/SpongeBobSquarePantsBattleForBikiniBottom'', ''VideoGame/McDonaldsTreasureLandAdventure'' or one of the ''many'' Creator/{{Disney}} games. ''VideoGame/MicroMachines'' may get a rare mention as well.
80	* There weren't any ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto'' games before ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIII''.
81	* ''Franchise/AceAttorney''. Phoenix Wright is the only protagonist of the series, in fact they're often called the "[[IconicCharacterForgottenTitle Phoenix Wright games]]". Also, don't expect a non-fan to be able to tell you anything else about the series besides the '''''Objection!''''' {{meme}}. If another character will be referenced, it'll be Edgeworth and nobody else.
82	* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' and ''VideoGame/{{RuneScape}}'' are seemingly the only [=MMORPG=]s in existence, although ''VideoGame/GuildWars'' and ''VideoGame/EverQuest'' are referenced on occasion.
83	* ''VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}}''. The only thing people can remember about that game is the Morrigan Aensland, the MsFanservice [[SuccubiAndIncubi succubus]] who has appeared in more ''VideoGame/CapcomVs'' games than her own. The only other characters people might remember are Lilith (by virtue of being Morrigan's {{moe}} sister) and Felicia (who is a near-naked [[CuteMonsterGirl cute monster cat girl]]). Good luck finding a non-fan who can name another character, or can remember that the actual protagonist of the series is Demitri Maximoff. As you can tell, ''Darkstalkers'' is BestKnownForTheFanservice, and almost nothing else.
84	* "All video games are violent/inappropriate and are therefore a bad influence. Therefore, they must be subject to more regulation than movies/TV/music/books/the internet." And remember kids, if [[MoralSubstitute a game promotes religion]] it should get an immediate E-rating. Violent video games promoting Judaism/Christianity/Islam/Buddhism... don't exist.
85	* The one {{Roguelike}} everyone knows is ''VideoGame/{{Rogue}}'' since it's in the name of the genre... Not that they've played it...
86	** All modern roguelikes have wacky synergy interactions like ''VideoGame/TheBindingOfIsaac'' or have a grindy {{Macrogame}} like ''VideoGame/RogueLegacy''. Also, all [[DeckbuildingGame Deckbuilding Games]] play like ''VideoGame/SlayTheSpire''.
87	* ''VideoGame/SpaceInvaders'', ''VideoGame/{{Galaga}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Raiden}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Ikaruga}}'', and ''{{Franchise/Touhou\|Project}}'' are the only {{Vertical Scrolling Shooter}}s. ''VideoGame/{{Gradius}}'' and ''VideoGame/RType'' are the only {{Horizontal Scrolling Shooter}}s. ''Touhou'' is additionally the only BulletHell game series (and for many within the fandom, the only shoot-em-up ''period'') and even then it's described as "''Space Invaders'' (or ''Raiden'') on steroids." If you're lucky, you might find someone who knows Creator/{{CAVE}}, most likely because they played the mobile versions of their games or saw it in some "Top 10 Hardest Bosses Ever" video. In fact, due to the popularity and visual appeal of bullet hell games, the term "bullet hell" is much more popular than "shmup" and variants thereof. Even if you want to talk about a non-''danmaku'' shmup (such as most Creator/{{Toaplan}} games), you may need to incorrectly refer to them as "bullet hell" to get the attention of most gamers under 30 years old.
88	** ''VideoGame/{{Darius}} Twin'' is the only ''Darius'' game in existence. Though with the worldwide MultiPlatform release of ''Dariusburst Chronicle Saviours'', this might get a little bit better.
89	** There are only four ''Gradius'' games in existence: ''Gradius'' (NES), ''Life Force'' (SNES), ''Gradius III'' (SNES), and ''Gradius V'' ([=PS2=]). Note that [[AdaptationDisplacement the first three examples are ports of arcade games]].
90	** Outside of the shmup community, ''Space Invaders'' is the only game Creator/{{Taito}} has ever made. ''VideoGame/TheNewZealandStory'' may get a mention if you were part of the home computer gaming scene in the UK in the late-80s/early-90s.
91	* ''Franchise/TouhouProject'':
92	** The only ''Touhou'' characters are Reimu, Marisa, Cirno, Flandre and Remilia Scarlet, and Sakyua. Most people know their theme songs more than the actual characters attributed to them, ''especially'' Flandre's theme ("UN Owen was Her?") because of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q16KpquGsIc a certain meme]] of [[UsefulNotes/McDonalds a certain clown]].
93	** If a character from the PC-98 games is ever acknowledged, it will invariably be Mima.
94	** On the topic of ''Touhou'' arranges, the only arranges that exist are Music/{{IOSYS}} arranges, "Music/BadApple feat. nomico", and "Night of Knights". This is particularly evident on arcade music games, where any time a game gets ''Touhou'' arranges for the first time it will almost always be those songs that appear before any other arranges.
95	* Shooters that don't scroll: ''Defender''.
96	* The only reputable PC game distribution platform is Platform/{{Steam}}. [=DLsite=]? Playism? Platform/GOGDotCom? What are those? If a PC game has been released, but it's not on Steam (yet), as far as the general public is concerned it doesn't have a release at all. Or worse, it's an Platform/EpicGamesStore exclusive.
97	* ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'' was the only game Mojang ever made.
98	** If you want a SurvivalSandbox game, it's either ''Minecraft'', ''VideoGame/{{Rust}}'', or ''VideoGame/{{Terraria}}''. If you want a creative sandbox mode too, then it's just ''Minecraft''.
99	* The ''VideoGame/PlantsVsZombies'' series is the only thing Creator/PopCapGames has ever done, unless you're an early 2000s kid, in which case you might know about ''VideoGame/{{Bejeweled}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Zuma}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Peggle}}'', and a few other games.
100	* Looking for a modern NintendoHard game? ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' is the go-to example, as well as the SoulslikeRPG genre as a whole, to the point where many players will call other challenging games "The ''Dark Souls'' of ''<series or genre>''".
101	* Any time ''VideoGame/HarvestMoon'' gets referenced it'll always be a ''VideoGame/HarvestMoonFriendsOfMineralTown'' or ''VideoGame/HarvestMoonAWonderfulLife'' reference. The protagonist is always male and is always Pete.
102	* Newgrounds is the only website that hosts online flash games. If not then it's Y8 games, which is more well known is Asia. You also might have heard of Kongregate from all the ads running at [=GameStop=].
103	* 3D platformers rarely get referenced compared to 2D sidescrollers (and even then most references are of the original ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros1'' or Green Hill Zone from ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog1''). When they do it's almost always ''VideoGame/SuperMario64''. ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot1996'' or ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie'' might get referenced if you're lucky.
104	* [=jRPGs=] with ridiculously high stats and [[AbsurdlyHighLevelCap level caps]]? The only thing that will likely come to mind is ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}''.
105	* VideoGame/MegaMan is only ever portrayed as the 8-bit incarnation, most notably in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'', where he's in-line with his 8-bit proportions, but every other character from the franchise (Including Protoman and Bass from the Classic series) is shown with standard proportions.
106	** In a strange twist, the mid-2000s had fan works mostly use Mega Man X as "Mega Man" despite them being separate characters.
107	* While ''Franchise/{{Kirby}}'' has gained relative popularity and cult status in the West during the late 2010s after the release of ''VideoGame/KirbyStarAllies'' and "WebAnimation/SomethingAbout ''VideoGame/KirbySuperStar''", this was not the case in the past, when the series nor character were not as popular in the West as they are now. Most references to the Kirby series in Western fan works prior to 2018 were limited to whatever is represented in ''Super Smash Bros.'' or maybe ''Kirby Super Star''. Recently, as the generation who grew up on it got older, references to ''Anime/KirbyRightBackAtYa'', most notably Kirby's "poyo" language, has been referenced more.
108	** "Gourmet Race" from ''Super Star'' is the only well-known song in the series. "Green Greens" from the first game may appear too.
109	** The only ''Kirby'' characters are the ones who appear in ''Super Smash Bros.'' and possibly Bandanna Waddle Dee since he's a popular fighter request. All others, especially the characters from games that Sakurai didn't direct, are rarely mentioned outside ''Kirby'' fan communities.
110	** Speaking of which, Creator/MasahiroSakurai is the only ''Kirby'' director, and still thought of as such despite the fact he hasn't been involved with the series since 2004.
111	* When it comes to {{speedrun}}ning, the first ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros1'' and ''VideoGame/SuperMario64'' are the games most people outside of the community associate with it, with ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' at a close second, and possibly ''VideoGame/SuperMetroid'' at a third. Other games from those series, and more importantly non-Creator/{{Nintendo}} games in general (Creator/{{Sony}} and Creator/{{Microsoft}} [=IPs=], PC games, {{indie\| game}}s, and everything in between), don't come up nearly as much.
112	* The ImmersiveSim genre is a somewhat loosely defined term for a certain type of game. Most people don't know what qualifies a game as an immersive sim besides it being first-person (doesn't necessarily have to be) and they emphasize stealth. As for immersive sims games, they can name ''VideoGame/SystemShock'', ''VideoGame/DeusEx'', and... that's about it.
113	* {{Indie Game}}s? ''VideoGame/{{Shantae}}'', ''VideoGame/ShovelKnight'', ''VideoGame/AHatInTime'', ''VideoGame/{{Hades}}'', ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys'', and ''VideoGame/{{Cuphead}}''. ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'' also used to count prior to its purchase by Creator/{{Microsoft}}.
114	** A common joke on Website/{{Twitter}} is that most indies are ''VideoGame/EarthBound1994''-inspired [=RPG=]s about depression, specifically ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Omori}}''.
115	* ''VideoGame/{{Skylanders}}'' and games compatible with Toys/{{Amiibo}} are the only "toys-to-life" gameplay style. What do you mean [[VideoGame/DisneyInfinity Disney invested in it?]] As did [[VideoGame/LegoDimensions LEGO]]?
116	* If you wanna play a CardBattleGame online against other people, your options are limited to ''VideoGame/{{Hearthstone}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Shadowverse}}'', and more recently, ''VideoGame/YuGiOhMasterDuel'' and ''VideoGame/MarvelSnap''.
117	* ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'' is the only ''VideoGame/TalesSeries'' game. Some people may remember its sequel, though that isn't common.
118	* "All Mobile Games are just lootbox, microtransaction, pay-to-win driven gambling machine in disguise, with blatantly false advertising", usually the battle cry of those who dislikes modern mobile games. While it's true to certain games, it paints the false picture that all mobile games are just the likes of ''Videogame/RaidShadowLegends'', ''VideoGame/{{Gardenscapes}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Mafia City}}'' or things that often gets a VeryFalseAdvertising, or highly controversial ones like ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}} Immortal''. High-profile mobile games such as ''VideoGame/GenshinImpact'', ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'' or ''VideoGame/FireEmblemHeroes'' have no such features to promote themselves, and even when some of their in-game features encourage meta-building and thus more gacha (PVP for ''VideoGame/FireEmblemHeroes'' or hard challenge quests for ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder''), the games have been designed in such way that even 'Free-To-Play' players with less concern of collecting things can go through their main story without any problems as long as they have patience, therefore shedding the expectation that you absolutely need to spend money to even finish the game at all. There are more within mobile gamings beyond what's given in the VeryFalseAdvertising shown in the likes of Youtube.
119	* Early video game consoles? The Platform/Atari2600, Platform/MagnavoxOdyssey, Platform/{{Intellivision}} and Platform/{{ColecoVision}}. The Platform/Odyssey2 may get a mention as well, along with far rarer mentions of the Fairchild Channel F or Platform/Atari5200.

Context SmallReferencePools / VideoGames