This week, Polygon unveiled our definitive ranking of the 100 most iconic quotes in video game history. From snappy one-liners and visceral combat dialogue to profound, narrative-defining monologues, we’ve covered the entire spectrum. This extensive feature serves as the centerpiece of a special week-long editorial series dedicated to exploring the art of game writing.
Over the coming days, we will dissect why these specific lines have transcended their source material to become legends of the medium. Expect exclusive interviews with the visionaries who scripted these moments, alongside deep-dive retrospectives and critical analysis. And because we couldn’t resist—prepare for some lighthearted fun as we imagine iconic characters like Ezio Auditore da Firenze delivering high-stakes lines while walking away from explosions in slow motion. Make sure to check back at the end of the week for the highlight: a roundup of the quotes our readers are most passionate about us omitting.
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Ari Notis
The 100 greatest video game quotes of all time
For months, our team has been rigorously evaluating half a century of gaming history to isolate the most impactful dialogue ever written. What elevates a line of text to legendary status? Is it the internet meme potential? Raw emotional depth? Foresight? Or perhaps just a shared acknowledgement of the pure joy games provide?
We concluded that the answer is “all of the above.” The most effective game writing resonates because it is versatile, mirroring the experiential nature of the medium itself. Here is our curated list of the 100 greatest quotes, along with our perspective on why they continue to endure.
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Giovanni Colantonio
Leon S. Kennedy’s voice actor reveals his favorite Resident Evil one-liner
After reviewing our list of the 100 greatest video game quotes, you’re bound to wonder why your personal favorite didn’t make the cut—trust us, we had those same heated debates behind the scenes. Curating a list that captures the vast, varied landscape of game writing is a monumental task, especially when you have to exercise restraint with franchises that have a surplus of iconic lines.
Few series boast as many memorable scripts as Resident Evil. Born from an era of B-movie camp and awkward localization, the franchise has successfully embraced its own absurdity, turning the “cheesy one-liner” into a hallmark of the series. Players now anticipate those signature zingers as much as they do the unfolding horror of the zombie apocalypse.
Source: Polygon
