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For a videogame character to be successful they need to standout from the crowd. This can be done by how they act, what they look like or the feats they accomplish in their games. But a sure-fire way to get a character to stick in someone’s mind is to give them a signature move. It doesn’t have be something complicated either. It can be something simple, executed in a memorable or stylistic way. With that in mind, here are five signature moves in video games that, in my mind at least, standout from the crowd:
“Fus Ro DAH!” (Skyrim)
Everyone who has played Skyrim remembers unlocking the Fus Ro Dah ability. If you’re like me you ran to the nearest road to find an innocent passer-by. Quickly saved. Then Fus Ro DAH’ed them into the middle of next week. A quick reload of the previous save and it was back to adventuring, or until temptation took over again. I hear it’s good on enemies too.
Leap Of Faith (The Assassin’s Creed Series)
Ah, the iconic leap of faith. It looks cool, it makes your stomach drop watching your assassin leap off the building and, most importantly, it saves you a long trip climbing back down. Across every Assassin’s Creed there are an inexplicable amount of hay piles. It used to be in carts but now it’s like piles of it roam the wilderness catching and aiding Assassin’s, or in the case of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, falling Vikings.
The Fart (The Oddworld Series)
Abe the Mudokon is iconic. From his look, his mannerisms and his voice. He doesn’t even need the fart, but (butt) it’s there and it’s great. Fart at a fellow Mudokon or an enemy Slig and they’ll laugh, then you’ll laugh. Everyone at some point has rapid-fired farts for no reason across the Oddworld Collection. It was one of the first things I did in Oddworld: Soulstorm. I would’ve don’t it in Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath given the chance!
“Hadouken!” (Street Fighter V)
Of course Ken and Ryu’s fireball move would be in here. It’s arguably the original signature move. Granted every character in Street Fighter has an iconic move set. But the two guys in pyjamas have the most memorable - “Hadouken” is almost a catchphrase of the entire franchise.
“Get Over Here” (The Mortal Kombat Series)
Speaking of catchphrases, the back-from-the-dead ninja Scorpion has the best and most brutal. Hearing “Get Over Here” means your about to be dragged across the screen and receive an uppercut. Or, in the case of Mortal Kombat X and XI, a combo to the face finishing with either an uppercut or a sword in your back. The move is a mainstay in the series, if only the “Toasty” guy was too.
And That’s That
There is just SOME of the best signature moves in video games! I could probably have kept the list going on and on for hundreds of different games, but for now, this will do.
What do you think of my list? Which signature moves standout in your mind? Have I missed an obvious one? Let us know on Zatu social media and I’ll see you next time. Take care.