History Main / PacmanFever

* A 2022 "Consumers Protection Law" [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/img_4999.jpeg ad on Facebook]] advertised a possible class action settlement payout for parents of children who made in-app purchases on the open-world action-adventure game ''VideoGame/GenshinImpact''. The stock photo for the ad features a child with a headset and a UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 controller, and ''Genshin Impact'' is available on [=PS4=]...but the screen in the photo depicts a FightingGame.

* A 2022 "Consumers Protection Law" ad on Facebook advertised a possible class action settlement payout for parents of children who made in-app purchases on the open-world action-adventure game ''VideoGame/GenshinImpact''. The stock photo for the ad features a child with a headset and a UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 controller, and ''Genshin Impact'' is available on [=PS4=]...but the screen in the photo depicts a FightingGame.

* A 2022 "Consumers Protection Law" ad on Facebook advertised a possible class action settlement payout for parents of children who made in-app purchases on the open-world action-adventure game ''VideoGame/GenshinImpact''. The stock photo features a child with a headset and a UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 controller, and ''Genshin Impact'' is available on [=PS4=]...but the screen in the photo depicts a FightingGame.

* A 2022 "Consumers Protection Law" ad on Facebook advertised a possible class action settlement payout for parents of children who made in-app purchases on the open-world action-adventure game ''VideoGame/GenshinImpact''. The stock photo features a child with a headset and a UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 controller...and a screen showing a FightingGame.

* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehog'', Robotnik is shown fiddling with some machine controls while sounds from ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros'' are heard. Amusing considering the UsefulNotes/{{console war|s}} [[FridgeBrilliance of that time]].

* An episode of ''Series/NewTricks'' had Jack Halford speaking to some college guys about the murder of an old flatmate of theirs. Throughout the discussion, they're playing a generic ''VideoGame/PointBlank'' clone on a Wii using the Wii Zapper. All the sounds, movements, etc matched up, although oddly enough the pub at the end of the episode just happens to have an arcade cabinet with the exact same game on it.

This trope has several root causes. It was most prevalent in the early 2000s, and was a clear result of TwoDecadesBehind. Most screenwriters remembered video games as simplistic arcade games from TheEighties or from the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem NES]] such as VideoGame/PacMan or VideoGame/DonkeyKong, and so that's what they continued to write into TV shows and films, long after video games had since moved on to more sophisticated gameplay and storytelling. If not "beat the level"-type games, expect UltraSuperDeathGoreFestChainsawer3000 for those writers who remembered ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' or ''VideoGame/{{Mortal Kombat|1992}}'' (both again from the early '90s). As newer and newer writers enter the industry to replace the old guard, they're looking back either on (relatively) newer games from their own childhoods or present-day games that they play themselves as a hobby, putting this trope on track to becoming a DiscreditedTrope.

** To make the ''VideoGame/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' scene even funnier, ''Series/SiskelAndEbert'' admitted to not being big on the gaming scene then proceeded to point out flaws even they noticed. Ebert commented that he had in fact played ''TMNT'' and made it to level 2, thus making it very clear to him that despite claims of being on level 3, they were really still on level 1.

** It should be noted that Ron and Felix discuss a game called [[Franchise/ResidentEvil Zombie Mayhem]], arguing which is the best out of two or three, which fits as ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil4'' was still a way from being released. Funnily, the second game didn't have flamethrowers. ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil2'' did, ''VideoGame/{{Resident Evil 3|Nemesis}}'' didn't. When Kim plays the game it appears to be more a [[HackAndSlash hack'n'slash]] style than SurvivalHorror.

* Wonderfully averted in ''Film/ScottPilgrimVsTheWorld'', which is expected since the film contains many VideoGameTropes. In an early scene, one of the characters can be seen playing a UsefulNotes/NintendoDS, with music from the UsefulNotes/GameBoyAdvance version of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'' faintly audible. ''A Link to the Past'' DID have a GBA remake (it was originally on the UsefulNotes/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem) and the trivia track confirms that the actor was actually really playing the game during that scene, as opposed to just pretending to play it. Later on, we see a FictionalVideoGame titled ''Ninja Ninja Revolution'', which actually looks like a believable arcade game, and is played in a fairly realistic way.
* Similarly, in Creator/SimonPegg's ''Film/ShaunOfTheDead'', playing ''VideoGame/TimeSplitters2'' (appropriately a UK-developed shooter game) on a [=PS2=] is depicted accurately, aside from a "Player 2 has entered the game" voiceover narration added for the audience's benefit. Admittedly, Simon Pegg is a [[JustForFun/OneOfUs massive video game nerd]], as any typical episode of ''Series/{{Spaced}}'' will show you. Its also likely that the "Player 2" quote was probably added as a joke for an early scene:

* Nicely attempted in ''Series/MrSunshine2011'', where they use the [[ProductPlacement Wii Wheel]] for ''VideoGame/MarioKartWii'', and argue that Yoshi is useless in Peach Beach, which has a grain of truth since it's full of straight-aways suitable for heavyweights, though the cart selection is probably more important. Pretty good for someone who in-universe doesn't play games much. Like with the ''Friends'' example above, this averted trope was probably helped by Creator/MatthewPerry being an avid gamer in real life.

* ''Videogame/SaintsRow2'' invert this in the same manner as ''Toy Story 2'' above: You can play a zombie shooting survival minigame from a NES-like console in your crib; the minigame has the same controls and graphics as the game, although it has a desaturated filter to make the game feel like a horror game.

* As opposed to most arcades in the USA that have 2nd to 6th generation cabinets, arcades in Latin America (primarily Mexico) tend to have more up to date machines that run on Xbox 360 and even Xbox One hardware. They are typically unoffical modded consoles that run Fighting such as The King of Fighters and sports games such as FIFA.

* In ''Literature/LifeTheUniverseAndEverything'', the entertainment systems on the ''Heart of Gold'', the galaxy's most advanced starship, comprise "little blobs ... rush[ing] around the screen eating each other", while Zaphod says "Pow! Freeeoooo!", apparently having to make the Pac-Man noises himself. (In the same book, for reference, an incredibly lifelike VR system is used to watch a historical documentary.)

** Different episodes show Reese and Dewey playing a Game Boy that clearly had no game cartridge in it. %%I forget what episode and who was playing it.

* In ''Film/{{Transformers}}'' (2007), Glen's cousin is playing ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution''; when Glen enters, he asks what level he's on, and the reply is "Six!" (Level 6 songs in ''DDR'' included ".59" and "Healing Vision" on Standard or "Max 300" on Light, prior to the expansion from 10 to 18 levels in ''DDR X''.) Then Glen pauses the game and asks his cousin to leave the room, and the reply is "Well, save my game!" (Unlike ''Amplitude'', ''VideoGame/GuitarHero'', and ''VideoGame/RockBand'', DDR doesn't have pause. It does, like those games, have auto-save.) Very likely he's actually playing ''VideoGame/StepMania'', a DDR-alike that has similar graphics.

* In an early scene of ''Film/TransformersRiseOfTheBeasts'', Noah's little brother Kris is shown playing with a UsefulNotes/GameBoy and complains that he can't defeat [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Bowser]], and the losing sound effect from ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros1'' can be heard coming from the Game Boy. ''Super Mario Bros.'' wasn't playable on the original Game Boy (a porting/remake, titled ''Super Mario Bros. Deluxe'', came out in 1999, but the movie is set in 1994), and no other ''Mario'' games on the first Game Boy had boss battles with Bowser.

* In an early scene of ''Film/TransformersRiseOfTheBeasts'', Noah's little brother Kris is shown playing with a UsefulNotes/GameBoy and complains that he can't defeat [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Bowser]], and the losing sound effect from ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros1'' can be heard coming from the Game Boy. ''Super Mario Bros.'' wasn't playable on the original Game Boy (a porting/remake, titled ''Super Mario Bros. Deluxe'', came out in 1999, but the movie is set in 1994).

** ''VideoGame/GodHand'' does the same thing, but to a significantly lesser extent.

This trope has several root causes. It was most prevalent in the early 2000s, and was a clear result of TwoDecadesBehind. Most screenwriters remembered video games as simplistic arcade games from TheEighties or from the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem NES]] such as VideoGame/PacMan or VideoGame/DonkeyKong, and so that's what they continued to write into TV shows and films, long after video games had since moved on to more sophisticated gameplay and storytelling. If not "beat the level"-type games, expect UltraSuperDeathGoreFestChainsawer3000 for those writers who remembered ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' or ''VideoGame/{{Mortal Kombat|1992}} (both again from the early '90s). As newer and newer writers enter the industry to replace the old guard, they're looking back either on (relatively) newer games from their own childhoods or present-day games that they play themselves as a hobby, putting this trope on track to becoming a DiscreditedTrope.

** Steven himself owns a Gamecube (called a Dolphin in universe, the original codename for the system) and [[https://i.redditmedia.com/qs2TcaAvEMdjEC32Bv0pZbHwtUlSOWsMsarM4EnLszE.png?w=404&s=fd1e8467c60b6a449bc62d407428ec27 has some games based off real ones.]] This is an outdated console given the 2010s atmosphere of the series, but that's completely understandable given Steven's unique situation (being a gamer is not likely a part of his identity so he'd have no reason to upgrade hastily). The movie adds a Playstation 2 to his collection.
** Zig-zagged in the episode "Rose's Room" when Steven plays a 2-D, top-down RPG which heavily resembles [[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue the very first Pokemon games]][[note]]and contains elements based on several other assorted games as well[[/note]], albeit about mini golf instead of monster collecting, on what's clearly a Nintendo 64 (up until 2019, all main Pokemon games have been for handhelds). The same episode also ''very accurately'' depicts the real life experience of being in the middle of an un-pausable, plot-relevant cutscene, which you have never seen before, only for your family to walk in at the worst possible moment, talking loudly over the dialogue and (unwittingly) blocking the screen, all the while trying to talk to you. The latter helps set the episode's plot in motion, as the incident causes Steven to want to go somewhere private where he can play in peace.
** Sour Cream owns Game Boys, [[http://66.media.tumblr.com/2fb8817977d6e7899a31f3b1c166785d/tumblr_nvhspg4mFl1uwt9qlo1_1280.jpg including the Game Boy Advance]]. But in this case, he uses them as part of a DJ setup to play chiptune-style music. This is also TruthInTelevision: actual {{Chiptune}} artists very often use a bunch of retro consoles, including Game Boys, either hacked or equipped with independent softwares like LSDJ, when playing live sets in the same way Sour Cream does.

* The ''WesternAnimation/{{Muppet Babies|1984}}'' episode "It's Only Pretendo" has the babies playing lots of different video games, they are done in a DeepImmersionGaming style, but they are all clear references to real NES games like ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZelda'', ''VideoGame/{{Frogger}}'', Nintendo Track and Field, and an AdventureGame.

''For the 1982 novelty single and album by Buckner & Garcia, [[Music/PacManFever click here.]]''

If video game sounds are heard, it will be bleeping ArcadeSounds. Characters talking about video games will similarly seem out-of-touch. Characters will talk about "beating the level" or "getting the [[ScoringPoints high score]]," which are elements tied more to arcades than home consoles. If a storyline is mentioned, it will only be as deep as [[ExcusePlot "save the galaxy from aliens."]] It also seems that the only way to play these games is to [[ButtonMashing mash all the buttons as fast as possible]] while flailing wildly on the control stick, with the player barely managing to stay in their seat.

This trope has several root causes. It was most prevalent in the early 2000s, and was a clear result of TwoDecadesBehind. Most screenwriters remembered video games as simplistic arcade games from the '80s or from the NES such as VideoGame/PacMan or VideoGame/DonkeyKong, and so that's what they continued to write into TV shows and films, long after video games had since moved on to more sophisticated gameplay and storytelling. If not "beat the level"-type games, expect UltraSuperDeathGoreFestChainsawer3000 for those writers who remembered {{VideoGame/Doom}} or [[VideoGame/MortalKombat1992 Mortal Kombat]] (both again from the early '90s). As newer and newer writers enter the industry to replace the old guard, they're looking back either on (relatively) newer games from their own childhoods or present-day games that they play themselves as a hobby, putting this trope on track to becoming a DiscreditedTrope.

If you're too young to remember what ''Pac-Man'' was like on the Atari 2600, check [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL2p2ANFlQ4 this]] out. And [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juH2qHYX9aI this]] for good measure. And, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzI1RBdK2_g this]] is ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong'' on the same system. These two games probably account for the vast, vast majority of ArcadeSounds used on TV. Very rarely, though, you'll hear a ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' sound effect, or one from ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' every once in a blue moon.

* In ''Skeleton Key'', the third book in the ''Literature/AlexRider'' series, Alex is given a UsefulNotes/GameBoy and a copy of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening'' while traveling to Cuba, and he's relieved to get to "the fifth level" [[ItMakesSenseInContext without the Game Boy exploding in his hands]]. None of the ''Legend of Zelda'' games are divided into levels; they're all [[{{Metroidvania}} open-world games that require the player to accomplish tasks, gradually unlocking more of the world as the game progresses]]. That said, ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening'' (possibly what the book meant) does explicitly refer to its dungeons as "levels" upon entry, so the writer could have been referring to the fifth ''dungeon''.

* In ''Skeleton Key'', the third book in the ''Literature/AlexRider'' series, Alex is given a Game Boy and a copy of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZelda'' while traveling to Cuba, and he's relieved to get to "the fifth level" [[ItMakesSenseInContext without the Game Boy exploding in his hands]]. None of the ''Legend of Zelda'' games are divided into levels; they're all [[{{Metroidvania}} open-world games that require the player to accomplish tasks, gradually unlocking more of the world as the game progresses]]. That said, ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening'' (possibly what the book meant) does explicitly refer to its dungeons as "levels" upon entry, so the writer could have been referring to the fifth ''dungeon''.

This trope has several root causes. It was most prevalent in the early 2000s, and was a clear result of TwoDecadesBehind. Most screenwriters remembered video games as simplistic arcade games from the '80s or from the NES such as VideoGame/PacMan or VideoGame/DonkeyKong, and so that's what they continued to write into TV shows and films, long after video games had since moved on to more sophisticated gameplay and storytelling. If not "beat the level"-type games, expect UltraSuperDeathGoreFestChainsawer3000 for those writers who remembered {{VideoGame/Doom}} or [[VideoGame/MortalKombat1 Mortal Kombat]] (both again from the early '90s). As newer and newer writers enter the industry to replace the old guard, they're looking back either on (relatively) newer games from their own childhoods or present-day games that they play themselves as a hobby, putting this trope on track to becoming a DiscreditedTrope.

* PlayedForLaughs in one ''ComicBook/SinisterDexter'' one shot story. In an arcade littered with a huge variety of virtual reality games where players plug into customisable worlds, [[FightingIrish Sinister]] spends the day playing ''VideoGame/{{Pong}}''. Justified in that it's apparently the only non-VR game in the place and he's doing it to kill time and blend in while waiting for his target (the arcade's owner, no less) to come in.

* ''Series/MalcolmInTheMiddle''. ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' is discussed, and is played on an actual console that had a version of ''MK'' on it. Although there aren't really levels in versus fighter games, just opponents that use harder AI later in a game. Also, Sub-Zero has never been a final boss, except momentarily as one of Shang Tsung's morphs in the first game. There's also a scene where Reese is playing an original Game Boy ''without a cartridge.''

** This could mean "no one has ever gotten past Sub-Zero to get to the final level/fight", though. In all likelihood, seeing Hal's role as TheDitz, he probably actually believes Sub-Zero is the end boss.

** One episode had the boys playing a Game Boy that clearly had no game cartridge in it. %%I forget what episode and who was playing it.

* ''Magazine/{{Mad}}'''s "The Lighter Side Of" often features kids who are playing video games on consoles that vaguely resemble actual ones. However, one strip shows a girl eagerly grasping the controller while the disk door is open.

* ''Anime/NananasBuriedTreasure'' has the titular character play ''VideoGame/{{Terraria}}'' with a wide screen TV, seemingly averting this trope... until it is shown that the controller is a 1st-generation Famicom controller.

* ''LightNovel/NananasBuriedTreasure'' has the titular character play ''VideoGame/{{Terraria}}'' with a wide screen TV, seemingly averting this trope... until it is shown that the controller is a 1st-generation Famicom controller.

* ''LightNovel/{{Kurenai}}'' has [[TokenMiniMoe Murasaki]] playing on (and breaking) a DS, and the game is shown to be ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaPhantomHourglass Phantom Hourglass]]''.

* Major arcade Chains such as Dave and Busters and Round 1 tend to have much newer games than most independently run or side venue arcades. They tend to have 4D ride games that are from the 7th and 8th generation of video games as opposed to the older cabinets from the 2nd to 6th generation of video games that are common in most American arcades. Sometimes they even have exclusive games such as Dance Dance Revolution A and VR machines.