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Top 20 Most Iconic Old-School Video Game Quotes

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Gaming - June 29th 2025, 11:00 GMT+2

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For this list, we decided to take a look at some of the most iconic video game quotes that have shaped today’s gaming community and culture. We’re keeping it old-school by excluding games from the last 10 years (though you’ll notice these quotes still hold up today).

Remember, narrowing it down to a top 20 is tough! We could easily make a list with hundreds of quotes, but if you think we missed a crucial one, why not drop it in the comments? | © Konami

Cropped Hey Listen zelda — "Hey! Listen!" | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Navi’s helpful advice in Ocarina of Time quickly became a love-it-or-hate-it feature. While some appreciated the guidance, others found her constant interruptions… well, a bit much. Still, this high-pitched reminder to pay attention has become one of the most iconic soundbites in gaming. | © Nintendo

Cropped Street Figther — "Hadouken!" | Street Fighter II

Nothing says "let’s fight" like a perfectly timed Hadouken. Whether you’re button-mashing or a pro at executing special moves, this fireball attack from Street Fighter II has left many opponents flat on their backs. It’s iconic, it’s powerful, and it’s always satisfying to shout while playing – or just in life. | © Capcom

Cropped Mortal Kombat — "Finish him!" | Mortal Kombat

Ah, the sweet sound of impending doom. Nothing says victory in Mortal Kombat quite like this ominous phrase, signaling that it's time to go from regular combat to absolutely brutal fatalities. If you weren’t already sweating, this is when things get serious. Or hilarious, depending on your finishing move of choice. | © Midway Games

Scorpion Mortal Kombat MSN — "Get over here!" | Mortal Kombat

Scorpion’s chain spear move in Mortal Kombat wouldn’t be the same without his signature phrase. One part command, one part threat, this line yanks your opponent – literally – back into the fight, where they’re about to have a very bad time. It’s brutal, it’s satisfying, and it’s one of the best taunts in gaming. | © Midway Games

Cropped Duke Nukem — "It’s time to kick a** and chew bubble gum… and I’m all outta gum." | Duke Nukem

Duke Nukem didn’t come to mess around, and this quote shows it. Tough, cocky, and ready to blow things up, Duke delivers this iconic line with the swagger of a '90s action hero. Whether he’s kicking alien butt or dropping one-liners, you know things are about to get intense. | © 3D Realms

Cropped Mario — "It's-a me, Mario!" | Super Mario

You know a game is legendary when just hearing the opening phrase makes you smile. Mario’s introduction in Super Mario 64 became the gaming world’s most cheerful greeting, signaling that a fun adventure was about to begin. It’s like being welcomed home, except home is full of Goombas and power-ups. | © Nintendo

Cropped Fallout — "War. War never changes." | Fallout

Dystopian futures? Check. Radiation everywhere? Check. A deep, gravelly voice telling us that, no matter what, war is still the same old brutal business? Absolutely. This line from Fallout became an anthem for those of us surviving the apocalypse, reminding us that some things never improve – except your Pip-Boy collection. That quote hits different these days. | © Interplay Productions

Cropped Star Fox — "Do a barrel roll!" | Star Fox 64

Whether you're flying an Arwing or just trying to dodge life's challenges, this quote from Star Fox 64 has become a timeless piece of advice. The key to survival is simple: just do a barrel roll! It’s not only fun but also unexpectedly helpful in dogfights and internet memes alike. | © Nintendo

Cropped Metal Gear Solid — "Snake? Snake?! Snaaaaake!" | Metal Gear Solid

The sound of failure has never been so dramatic. When you hear this panicked call from Metal Gear Solid, you know it’s game over. The good news? It’s so iconic, you almost want to mess up just to hear it again. The bad news? Snake didn’t make it. | © Konami

Cropped Starcraft — "You must construct additional pylons." | StarCraft

Every StarCraft player has heard this phrase at least a million times. Whether you’re crushing it or desperately trying to keep up, you’ll always need more pylons. It’s one of those resource-management lines that haunts you in your dreams, making you question why you didn’t plan better. | © Blizzard Entertainment

Cropped Bioshock 2 — "Would you kindly?" | BioShock

This polite little phrase turned the world of BioShock upside down. What seemed like simple requests were actually sinister commands. By the time you realize its true power, you’ve been manipulated all along – mind blown. It’s the gaming equivalent of realizing your best friend was pulling the strings the whole time. | © 2K Games

Cropped The Legend of Zelda — "It's dangerous to go alone! Take this." | The Legend of Zelda

Ah, the phrase that started it all. Armed with nothing but wooden swords and the wisdom of an old man, players braved the dangers of Hyrule. This iconic quote reminds us that sometimes life is tough, but at least we’re not doing it completely alone – unless you didn’t take the sword. Then, good luck! | © Nintendo

Cropped Age of Empries — "Wololo!" | Age of Empires II

When a monk in Age of Empires II chants “Wololo,” you know things are about to change – literally. This simple sound marks the conversion of enemy units to your side, and it’s become a hilarious rallying cry for players ever since. It’s the battle chant you never knew you needed. | © Ensemble Studios

Cropped Dialbo 2 — "Stay awhile and listen." | Diablo II

Wise old Deckard Cain was the grandpa we all wanted in Diablo II – offering advice and identifying all our loot for free. His signature line, “Stay awhile and listen,” made you feel like you were about to learn something profound. Or maybe just chat about ancient scrolls. Either way, we miss you, Cain. | © Blizzard Entertainment

Cropped Bioshock man choses — "A man chooses, a slave obeys." | BioShock

One of gaming’s most philosophical moments, this quote from BioShock makes you rethink free will and power dynamics. Delivered in a chilling scene, it’s the kind of line that sticks with you long after you’ve finished the game. Deep, unsettling, and a perfect example of BioShock’s storytelling prowess. | © 2K Games

Cropped Portal 2 — "The cake is a lie." | Portal

Who knew a simple promise of cake could turn into one of the biggest deceptions in gaming? In Portal, players quickly realize that GLaDOS has no intention of rewarding them with dessert. Now, this phrase has become shorthand for false promises everywhere. Sorry, but you’re on your own when it comes to cake. | © Valve Corporation

Cropped Skyrim — "I used to be an adventurer like you, then I took an arrow in the knee." | The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a new recruit in Skyrim, this line from a weary guard became one of gaming’s most memorable memes. Arrows and knees apparently have a tragic history, and this quote somehow echoes through time, capturing both the glory and the… unfortunate hazards of adventuring. | © Bethesda Game Studios

Cropped Illidan — "You are not prepared!" | World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade

Illidan Stormrage’s warning became an iconic battle cry in World of Warcraft. The moment you hear this, you know you're in for an epic showdown with one of the game’s greatest villains. And let’s be honest, no matter how much you thought you were ready, you weren’t. | © Blizzard Entertainment

AC MSN — "Nothing is true, everything is permitted." | Assassin's Creed

This line from Assassin’s Creed gives you a whole new perspective on the world of assassins, where freedom and perception blur the lines between right and wrong. It’s a creed for those who live in the shadows and bend reality to their will – cool, mysterious, and slightly unsettling. | © Ubisoft

Cropped Fus roh dah — "Fus Ro Dah!" | The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Ah, the shout that sends everything flying. Whether you’re knocking enemies off cliffs or just clearing some space around you, Fus Ro Dah is Skyrim’s ultimate power move. Nothing is quite as satisfying as sending someone (or something) flying with the power of your voice. | © Bethesda Game Studios

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The golden age of gaming gave us more than just groundbreaking titles – it gave us unforgettable quotes that still resonate today. Whether you were battling pixelated foes in arcades or exploring the 8-bit landscapes of early consoles, these classic lines have stood the test of time. From the heroic to the humorous, these quotes capture the essence of old-school gaming and continue to echo through the halls of gaming history.

In this article, we’ll take a nostalgic journey through the top 20 most iconic old-school video game quotes, reminding us of the simple joys and epic moments that defined an era. Ready to press start on a trip down memory lane? Let's dive in!

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The golden age of gaming gave us more than just groundbreaking titles – it gave us unforgettable quotes that still resonate today. Whether you were battling pixelated foes in arcades or exploring the 8-bit landscapes of early consoles, these classic lines have stood the test of time. From the heroic to the humorous, these quotes capture the essence of old-school gaming and continue to echo through the halls of gaming history.

In this article, we’ll take a nostalgic journey through the top 20 most iconic old-school video game quotes, reminding us of the simple joys and epic moments that defined an era. Ready to press start on a trip down memory lane? Let's dive in!