Does Final Fantasy Tactics Have Two Characters Named After Beowulf?
How the etymology of Ramza Beoulve’s last name underscores one of the game’s main themes.
How a 1991 JRPG Foreshadowed 2026’s New Weird Tiktok Trend
For veterans of Final Fantasy, the new online awareness of Agartha just might ring a bell.
Is There a Sex Joke Hidden in Plain Sight in Zelda II?
An investigation into those women who ask Link to “come inside.”
Why Does Donkey Kong Throw Barrels?
Not all paths lead to Popeye, despite what you may be thinking.
In Defense of Final Fantasy VI Calling Terra’s Mom ‘Madonna’
Pop star associations aside, there’s a reason it’s actually better than ‘Madeline.’
How Did Final Fantasy Turn Shiva Into a Literal Ice Queen?
Why Hindu gods in video games might read differently than Greek, Norse or Egyptian ones.
You Will Be Visited by Three Ghosts… of Super Mario RPG 2
Three Kazuyuki Kurashima sketches show off weird sequels that never came to be.
Esper, Eidolon, Eikon, Aeon: The Evolution of Final Fantasy’s Summoned Monsters
The reason why we keep renaming them may be bigger than video games.
Maybe We Don’t Need to Call Birdo ‘Birdetta’
Since Super Mario Bros. 2, Birdo has come to own her original name.
There’s Super Mario DNA in Doki Doki Panic
And becoming Super Mario Bros. 2 was just a return to its roots.
How Kolchak: The Night Stalker Influenced Final Fantasy
The cult TV series lives on in many ways, including a certain monster character.
Wait, Super Mario Galaxy’s Lubba Is Female?
And if she is, this “change” may not actually be Nintendo retconning itself.
How Nonexistence Connects Chrono Trigger to Super Mario Bros. 2
Belthasar was off by one letter; all life actually begins with mu and and ends with mu!
The Secret Origin of the Darkstalkers
Designer Alex Jimenez explains how the Universal monsters live on in Capcom’s ghoulish fighter.
The Origin of Mario’s Trademark Death Animation
Super Mario Bros. taught side-scrolling heroes how to kick the bucket… even if Mario stole those moves.
Why Is the Big Bad of Bubble Bobble Named ‘Super Drunk’?
Unpacking the rather surreal ending to the ‘pop-n-bop’ platformer classic.
How Chrono Trigger Taught Me the Word ‘Epoch’
Sill Bird? Sylbird? The mystery of the time machine’s Japanese name continues…
Is Final Fantasy IV’s Barbariccia Named After… a Certain Organ?
There may be a deeper meaning to the Elemental Fiends’ Dante connection.
The Strange Urban Legend About Golden Axe and Death Row Inmates
And the 80s movie scavenger hunt to find the real sources of the game’s grunts and groans.
How I Perpetuated an Internet Rumor About the Duck Hunt Dog
No, despite what you may read online, his name is not actually Mr. Peepers.