ADVERTISEMENT

Blue shells, unblockable attacks, and lag are all little parts of the grand old experience of playing video games. Gamers, even if they just stick to single-player games, have all sorts of little things that they will immediately recognize in another, fellow gamer. And through the magic of the internet, they can share them with the world. 

This online community gathers memes that many gamers will find painfully relatable or hilarious in equal measure. So pause your game, get comfortable, and be sure to upvote your favorite memes, then share your own stories, thoughts, and experiences in the comments section. 

RELATED:

    While now we call them video games, a phrase that sort of doesn’t make sense when we sit down to think about it, the first gamers threw around a couple of alternative names, including "TV game" and "television game," but these were too close to reality TV, so ultimately, to this day, video games reigns supreme

    Of course, the hobby is so ubiquitous that nowadays, if someone was to say just “gaming,” it’s quite likely that the vast majority of listeners would just assume they are talking about video games. In the same sense, a gamer, unless another adjective is added, is thought to be a person who is a pretty intense fan of PC, console, or mobile games. 

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Still, if all these definitions are getting confusing, you wouldn’t be alone. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers from California had to rule that "at a bare minimum, video games appear to require some level of interactivity or involvement between the player and the medium." Simply put, if you passively consume a piece of media, like a book, music, or film, it’s simply not a game. How “choose your own adventure” books fit into this scheme is unclear. 

    #7

    A relatable gaming meme about boss fights, featuring a frustrated character holding a shield.

    Onebeyondall Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    PlatinumTheCat
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh my goodness I hate this so much, I have to just keep skipping through the dialogue and i just keep dying over and over again

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #8

    Meme expressing preference for friendly noob players over toxic skilled gamers, illustrating relatable gaming humor.

    FunplugGaming Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    PlatinumTheCat
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I actually prefer playing with worse players because it makes me seem really good and I feel better about myself

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    A man expressing frustration while gaming, illustrating a humorous and relatable gaming meme.

    Rubikx107 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Loverboy
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    2am? Nah baby I'm raging like this every time I die. Did an hour ago, in fact.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT

    However, “What is a video game” barely scratches the surface when it comes to terminology. Even the most casual gamer knows that discussing or reading about gaming means delving into an ocean of lingo that might border on unhinged for an outside observer. Genre names, “first-person shooter,” “RPG with tactical elements,” and “Metroidvania platformer” all attempt to sort the variety of experiences out there, with carrying success. 

    Of course, a true gamer somehow keeps track and can probably debate and define all of these concepts with some ability. With a somewhat pejorative meaning, some linguists believe that the origin of the term “gamer” comes from “gambler”, and can be traced back to the 15th century, when the town of Walsall, England, passed laws against "any dice-player, carder, tennis player, or other unlawful gamer".

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    Gaming meme depicting a figure labeled "Satan," mocking fake X buttons on mobile game ads.

    CheesusGesus Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Zephyr
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hand them some tinder and lighter let them make their own hell

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #15

    Funny gaming meme comparing media view on video games to building a family home in Skyrim.

    FarPlanetGames Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    PlatinumTheCat
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait I have a better one, me building a peaceful house and farm in Stardew Valley

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    In the modern era, the term was used interchangeably with fans of board games, wargames, and even the granddaddy of role-playing, the original Dungeons and Dragons. These days, it is an exclusive term for fans of video games, and to describe the others one will have to add a descriptive adjective and a noun, i.e. a board-game fan, instead of a board-gamer. 

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    Cute kitten holding a gaming controller, looking sad, next to a meme about accidentally choosing rude dialogue in games.

    ILikeBurger1 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    PattonPawter
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    me looking up all the dialogue choice results in Deltarune so I don’t accidentally pick the mean ones

    View more commentsArrow down menu

    In the United States, the majority of gamers are under 50, although within this group the demographics are quite well distributed. So it’s just as likely that a 7-year-old considers themselves a gamer as a 27-year-old. In general, at least half of US adults have played a video game at some point in their lives. And despite old-fashioned stereotypes, the gender ratio in gaming is about equal as well, however, men are more likely to self-identify as gamers. 

    #19

    Relatable gaming meme showing a game character warning another near a bridge, highlighting video games' positive messages.

    oska77rs Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    SCP Mariah Carey
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is real and it made me cry the first time around. I was messing around and went to jump in by standing on the bridge ledge and the guy guarding the bridge stopped me thinking I was going to jump. BOTW holds a special place in my heart for little things like this!

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #20

    Dad's reaction meme comparing video game screaming to football excitement, featuring a giant sea creature.

    secic3835 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Sooploosh MacSchnibble
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We see this drawing all the time but I want people to know its by Jeff Chang and called "The Leviathan, Revisited".

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Unlike fans of other mediums, gamers sometimes set themselves apart due to the fact that their hobby involves “accomplishing” or “finishing” a piece of media. A particularly hard game could take months to master and beat, while multiplayer is an ongoing arts race of mastery and strategy. Yes, long films might be a tough nut to crack for a novice cinephile, but gamers can measure their “accomplishments” in days and weeks, not hours. 

    #22

    Anime character with a swirling orange mask symbolizes relatable gaming memes about waiting for game price drops.

    _lemon_suplex_ Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Nupraptor
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Benefits of waiting to buy a game: #1) All of the bugs have (hopefully) been patched out. #2) Can usually get all of the DLC included in a GOTY or "Gold" edition #3) Catch the Gold Edition on sale for $20 or less #4) Mods; Advantages of buying a game on Day 1: #1) You can play online with screechy 12yos who shout racist epithets at you; Advantages of pre-purchasing: #1) You can curse yourself when the game is a disappointing, buggy mess.

    View more commentsArrow down menu

    While this might sound a bit silly to an outsider, top gamers, according to one 2020 study, have been shown to have equal mental fortitude to Olympic athletes. This means the ability to focus and concentrate for a long period of time on a task without letting outside distractions interfere. Gamers also have very refined hand-eye coordination, pattern recognition skills, and the ability to identify problems quickly. 

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #32

    Gamer facing a challenging boss, with a character repeatedly trying again, illustrating relatable gaming moments.

    Gaming Moments Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Tam StaR
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've done nothing different to my equipment or armor, but THIS time will be different!

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #36

    Cartoon characters at a ribbon-cutting ceremony with text "Early access games be like" illustrating relatable gaming memes.

    Jameztheprez Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Loverboy
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Take your time and finish the game, there's no rush. I wish they would've taken the time to polish Cyberpunk, could've been one of the greatest games ever.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #37

    Man expressing regret with text overlay: "What have I done?" Relatable gaming meme about accidentally hitting a dog in Minecraft.

    PointAdventure Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    PlatinumTheCat
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It’s worse in terraria if you have a pet bunny, which is why I have the guide to critter companionship

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #38

    Animated banana character plotting in gaming meme with humorous text.

    FarPlanetGames Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Tam StaR
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Whoever has that blue shell, I hope you always hit your funnybone whenever you walk through your front door.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #39

    "House with RGB lights and gaming chairs, a funny gaming meme about being a PC gamer."

    pofewitgty Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Lakota Wolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Chroma is fun shít until you try to go to sleep in the room where both your and your boyfriend's computers are, glowing with rainbows XD

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #40

    Anime meme with a character labeled "Mom" pointing to a butterfly labeled "Multiplayer games," asking, "Can we pause this?"

    IdumpedMincraft Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    BM Khalid Hasan
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Guys, one of our Tv channels made news on online multiplayer gaming addiction, and they showed a girl in an office saying, "When the boss comes, I just pause the game, and start playing after he is gone!"

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #41

    SpongeBob looking frustrated in a diner, capturing a relatable gaming meme moment about being a healer.

    reddit.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    MadOrca99
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    World of Warcraft right? If so I can relate to that so hard except I'm a ranged dmg dealer who watches this happen

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #47

    Two characters humorously comparing gaming PC temperatures, showcasing relatable gaming meme humor.

    No_Carpenter_1115 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Fennecfoxcat
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ah, on fire. Should be fine in a min tho, once it's done it's little temper tantrum

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
    Unlimited content
    Ad-free browsing
    Dark mode
    #52

    Funny-Relatable-Gaming-Memes

    reddit.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #53

    Funny-Relatable-Gaming-Memes

    predatorevil Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Doctor Strange
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If I had a girlfriend, she would not have to drag me away from games. Spending a night with my arms around the woman I love versus a video game I can play any time? No contest.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #56

    Funny-Relatable-Gaming-Memes

    lopogad120 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Cathy Mitchell
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cleaning windows, said Fk'it game time. (Only reason you'd open this kind of window like that)

    #57

    Funny-Relatable-Gaming-Memes

    yinsdere Report

    #58

    Funny-Relatable-Gaming-Memes

    MaazAr Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    David Henry
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The only thing worse is realizing it's telling you something you didn't know but it loaded too fast to read all of it.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #61

    Funny-Relatable-Gaming-Memes

    rib007700 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Val!
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's when I go and give my router a good slap (it sadly never worked)

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #68

    Funny-Relatable-Gaming-Memes

    Russvs Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #69

    Funny-Relatable-Gaming-Memes

    Thanos69urmom Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Abby Palmer
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Then you end up playing for 12 hours straight and then they finally log on when you log off.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #70

    Funny-Relatable-Gaming-Memes

    Far_Cryptographer638 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Abby Palmer
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Then you take the headphones off because you don't know if the sound came from real life or in the game.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #76

    Funny-Relatable-Gaming-Memes

    MarvelousAnatomy86 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    VonBlade
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Two things. 1) 2K for a gaming PC is midrange at best. 2) 99% of the time you don't meet the requirements it's because you've not turned on Secure Boot.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #80

    Funny-Relatable-Gaming-Memes

    NoCoolSenpai Report

    Add photo comments
    POST