Video Game Myths That Players Still Believe Today
Every gamer has heard one — a whispered story from a friend, a mysterious rumor on an old forum, or a supposed “secret level” discovered by someone’s cousin. These myths have fueled imaginations for decades, spreading through playground conversations, YouTube comments, and Reddit threads like wildfire.
But here’s the wild part: even in 2025, when gamers have access to data miners, modders, and millions of hours of gameplay footage, some of these myths just won’t die.
The Haunted Cartridge That Started It All
Let’s rewind to one of the internet’s most infamous gaming stories: “Ben Drowned.” The myth claimed that a haunted copy of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask carried the spirit of a boy named Ben. Glitched visuals, distorted music, and eerie dialogue convinced thousands of players that something supernatural was hiding inside the code.
Of course, it turned out to be a clever piece of creepypasta — a viral storytelling experiment. But the myth was so immersive that even now, people revisit it every Halloween as if it might somehow be real this time.
The Button Combo That Never Worked
Remember the so-called “Nude Code” for Tomb Raider? For years, teenagers swore there was a secret combination of buttons that would remove Lara Croft’s iconic outfit. Forums and cheat code books claimed to know it. Spoiler: it never existed.
What’s fascinating is how this myth became a reflection of early gaming culture — a mix of curiosity, limited internet access, and the desire to uncover something forbidden. Even without proof, it spread across continents because back then, we wanted to believe secrets like that were hidden in our games.
The Truck Behind the S.S. Anne
For anyone who played Pokémon Red and Blue, the rumor about a truck near the S.S. Anne is unforgettable. Kids believed if you used Strength on it, Mew would appear. Thousands tried. None succeeded.
It wasn’t until years later that modders confirmed: the truck’s there, but Mew isn’t. Still, that single rumor inspired a generation of players to explore every inch of the game world — proving that myths, even fake ones, can spark real curiosity.
The Ghost in Polybius
Ah yes, the Polybius mystery — a supposed arcade game from the early 1980s said to cause hallucinations, nightmares, and memory loss. Supposedly developed by the government, it vanished after a few weeks of testing in Portland, Oregon.
No physical copy has ever been found. But the myth has lived on through documentaries, indie remakes, and conspiracy podcasts. It’s the perfect blend of Cold War paranoia and gamer obsession — the kind of story that feels almost too weird to invent.
Myths That Defined an Era
These legends reveal something profound about gaming culture: players crave mystery. Before datamines and instant YouTube tutorials, myths were part of the fun. They turned games into shared adventures — puzzles that existed beyond the screen.
Some players remember their first big myth hunt as a core childhood memory. Whether it was searching for Luigi in Super Mario 64 or unlocking Shen Long in Street Fighter II, the thrill of “what if” kept the magic alive long after the console was turned off.
Modern Myths in the Digital Age
You’d think the internet would kill myths, but it’s done the opposite. Now, they spread faster than ever. Games like Fortnite and GTA Online have endless rumors about secret events, hidden islands, or unreleased weapons. Even dataminers can’t catch them all.
Today’s myths thrive on social media and TikTok, where half-truths can turn into viral “discoveries” overnight. Maybe it’s nostalgia. Maybe it’s human nature. But one thing’s clear: gamers still love believing that somewhere, just beyond the code, lies one more secret waiting to be uncovered.
Popular Gaming Myths Still Circulating Online
- “Luigi is hidden in Super Mario 64.”
- “You can find Herobrine in Minecraft.”
- “There’s a secret level in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas where Bigfoot appears.”
- “A full version of Polybius exists in a private collection.”
- “Silent Hill P.T. secretly connects to a future Kojima project.”
The Real Magic Behind the Myths
Maybe the truth doesn’t matter anymore. What matters is how these myths make us feel — curious, connected, and part of something bigger. They remind us that gaming isn’t just about playing; it’s about *believing* — and sometimes, that’s what keeps the world of video games truly alive.