For the longest time, we gamers have heard great or shoddy lyrics associated with a game replacing lyrics you’d find in songs we are generally familiar with (in most cases), whether modern or classic.
Below you’ll find eight video game parodies of songs most of us are familiar of. If you aren’t familiar, you may just be behind the times… or living under a rock. One or the other.
Dumb Ways to Die – “Dumb Ways to Die (In Video Games)”
A video game song parody based on an Australian public service announcement campaign gone viral? You bet!
And you probably thought it was based off the video game “Dumb Ways to Die,” which was released for the iOS and Android a while ago (did you know there was a Happy Tree Friends version because of course there would be?).
Dumb Ways to Die was a campaign back in 2012 held to promote rail safety, which went viral. It’s pretty funny for a PSA, and while cute, absurdly dark. Like Happy Tree Friends dark. So it’s undoubted that a video game parody song based on the same nature would emerge.
The singer, Claudia Tyzo nailed it for similarity in tune, but the lyrics hit home. There are so many dumb ways to die in video games.
Also, “That one fucking level in Battletoads” is priceless. The cherry on top? This video is a PSA for “throwing your controllers awareness.”
Destiny – Eris Morn (Parody of “Stacy’s Mom” by Fountains of Wayne)
Stacey’s Mom has always been a very fun(ny) song, but to sing it about Eris Morn, complete with choreography and nifty video editing, just tops the ice cream mountain.
Even if interest is lost in the actual game, this parody is always fun to dance to.
Final Fantasy XIV – Wipe Song (Parody of “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten)
Yes, I’m a Final Fantasy XIV nerd, I can’t help this statement. I just can’t. Anyway, this song is a really good and funny parody, that not only raiders of Final Fantasy XIV would understand, but any raiders of an MMORPG featuring difficult raids. Seriously, this is an anthem for raiders who understand the words “deaaaath” and “wipe.” It’s great for a laugh, and it’s so dead on the original that the only way to summarize it is, “Catchy and spectacular.”
“This is my wipe song!
‘Got no MP’ song!
‘I’m dead again’ song!'”
Yup, sounds about right.
Minecraft – Minin’ (Parody of “Happy” by Pharrell Williams)
Happy has always been a fun song to clap to… after all, this is evident by the clapping in the song. Anyway, it goes to show that the tune can apply “happily” to video games as well—in this case, it’s about the enjoyment that is Minecraft, though there’s a lot of focus on mining in this song. The video itself stems from plenty of effort and volunteering, but damn, the vocalist Jay Breeze is good. Such a fun song overall, even if you’re not into Minecraft.
Undertale – Stronger Than You (Parody of Steven Universe’s “Stronger Than You”)
Love (pun intended) it or hate it, Undertale is a really popular game. This indie title carries such a large fanbase, and tons of songs are crafted and dedicated to it. One of the most popular Undertale song parodies has nearly reached ten million views, which is the song you’ve just checked out above—unless you haven’t, then I suggest you should before continuing to read this entry. This theme, set during an encounter with Sans in the player’s “genocide run,” takes note of “Stronger Than You,” a song featured in the television series Steven Universe. From a personal standpoint, I thoroughly enjoy the lyrics and the animation, but I am unsure about the vocalist. I like his voice, but I feel like he could gain more from singing this theme passionately. But then again, Sans could be considered dead inside (could be the case in “genocide run”), and the vocalist does indeed represent Sans, so perhaps that’s the projection he is going for. Simply put, I’m not 100 percent certain with the execution.
Also, keep in mind that there are other Undertale themes based on “Stronger Than You”, but in the point-of-views of the other characters like the Main Character and Frisk if you’d like to check them out.
Street Fighter IV – The Juri Han Song (Parody of Ke$ha’s “Tik Tok”)
Okay, this song isn’t the greatest parody in the world, but it’s hard to deny that this theme isn’t fun. It’s whimsical and portrays Juri pretty damn well, though there is a lot of Zagat embedded in this for some unknown explanation.
So what if I added this theme for partially nostalgic reasons!? Anyway, though there isn’t anything super special about the animation for this video—okay, so there’s no animation whatsoever—something about the compilation of the images just emphasizes the whimsy of this theme.
Nintendo – Nintendohemian Rhapsody (Parody of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”)
I love Brentalfloss and his works. Though most of his songs have leaned toward the humor edge (I’d recommend the Wii Shop Channel Song), he has also crafted some sweet and heartfelt lyrics for themes we’ve known well over the years. But we’re talking parodies here, so let’s refer to Nintendohemian Rhapsody, a collaboration parody based off of—you guessed it—Bohemian Rhapsody—the whole song is just a damn blast, chock full of obsession for Nintendo. It’s important to state that this song is a full collaboration between Brentalfloss and Pat the NES Punk, so no, this isn’t all about Brentalfloss, though I’m more familiar with him. But the song demonstrates what many gamers have felt over the years—the love of the original NES console… and the masochism it draws out of gamers.
Now I should learn more about Pat.
Call of Duty – “Uptown Funk” Parody
I know, this parody doesn’t exactly have a name for it, but it sounds pretty good all the same. The editing of the song, however, could use a bit more technical work, but the vocalist James Adams does a damn good job as vocalist. Too hot for the arena? That’s what Call of Duty is all about… the multiplayer I mean.
All these songs share one common ground—the lyrics resemble the actual games, and speak much of what people experience within the game… or company in the case of Nintendohemian Rhapsody. But these all deserve a listen or two. Or ten. Or even 20.