Must Watch Youtube Channels That Parody Video Games
In the sea of never ending content on YouTube, a particular niche has captured audiences worldwide - channels dedicated to parodying video games. These channels have carved out a unique space, offering a combination of humor, critique, and creativity that appeals to both hardcore gamers and casual viewers. They stand out not just for their entertainment value but also for their ability to offer a different perspective on the world of gaming. From insightful satires to hilarious sketches, these channels have transformed the way we consume video game content, making them a must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of gaming and comedy.
1. Viva La Dirt League
First on our list is a veteran in the gaming parody and humor industry on YouTube: Viva La Dirt League. Founded in 2011, this group produces hilarious sketches about video games and gaming culture. They have created several series, such as "PUBG Logic," parodying the popular battle royale game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds; "Epic NPC Man," which explores the absurdities of role-playing games from the perspective of non-player characters; and "Bored," depicting the mundane lives of office workers who are secretly gamers.
Their channel parodies video games by poking fun at the glitches, tropes, and stereotypes of various games and genres. Using humor, satire, and exaggeration, they highlight the gameplay, mechanics, and logic of games such as PUBG, Starcraft, Skyrim, and more. They also act out scenarios that gamers might encounter or imagine while playing, like dealing with annoying teammates, finding hidden Easter eggs, or discovering new abilities. They often use costumes, props, and special effects to mimic the look and feel of the games they parody.
Viva La Dirt League is undoubtedly a channel worth watching and subscribing to. With over 6 million subscribers and 3 billion views on YouTube, they also offer exclusive content and perks to their supporters on Patreon.
2. Videogamedunkey
Videogamedunkey, also known as Dunkey, began his YouTube journey in 2010, quickly gaining recognition for his approach to gaming content. His channel is a vibrant mix of video game-related sketches, playthroughs, and commentaries. Dunkey's early content primarily focused on League of Legends, where his comedic and offbeat style garnered a substantial following. However, over the years, he has diversified his content to encompass a wide array of video games across different genres; his diversification was partially motivated by his League of Legends account getting banned by Riot. This variety has allowed him to appeal to a broader audience, continuously expanding his fan base. At the start of 2024, Dunkey is reported to have over 7 million subscribers and over 3.87 billion views on his Youtube channel.
A significant aspect of Videogamedunkey's channel is his way of parodying and making fun of video games. His videos often feature a blend of dry humor, absurdity, and sharp wit, through which he critiques and celebrates various aspects of gaming. Dunkey's style involves exaggerated characterizations, humorous commentary, and often a satirical take on gaming tropes and industry practices. This approach not only entertains but also provides viewers with a critical lens through which to view games. His ability to balance humor with insightful observations has made his channel a go-to source for both entertainment and thoughtful commentary on the gaming world.
3. Dorkly
Dorkly is an American animation channel known for creating humorous shorts that parody video games and movies. Established in 2008 by Andrew Bridgman and Andrew Vestal, Dorkly was initially part of CollegeHumor Media (rebranded as Dropout). The channel's humor is distinct for its dark tone and occasional boundary-pushing. On its YouTube page, Dorkly features a variety of sketches related to video games, including parodies of well-known franchises like Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog, Zelda, and Pokémon. These sketches often humorously critique clichés and fridge logic in classic video games, underlined by the channel's signature dark humor.
Some of the most popular sketches on Dorkly’s YouTube channel include “If Video Game Characters Switched Places,” “The Real Reason Mario Eats Mushrooms,” and “If Every Villain Had An Assistant.” Known for their sprite animations, these sketches are characterized by their witty take on video game logic and the use of dark humor. The channel's consistent theme of crossing conventional lines adds a distinct flavor to its content, often leading to a humorous examination of well-trodden gaming tropes.
As of now, Dorkly boasts a following of 3.77 million subscribers on YouTube. The channel has uploaded over 1,000 videos, amassing more than 1.5 billion views in total. This impressive viewership is a testament to the channel's enduring popularity and its impactful presence in the online gaming community.
4. SsethTzeentach
SsethTzeentach, a different kind of voice in the world of YouTube gaming channels, began his journey into video content creation with a flair for parody and dark humor in 2007. His channel, known for its darker style of humor, caters primarily to a mature audience, often pushing the boundaries of conventional comedic reviews, with a particular focus on older or more obscure video games.
His approach to content is not just about playing games; it's about creating an experience that often pokes fun at the gaming world through a concoction of satire, irony, and a touch of absurdity. This style of content, while incredibly popular, has led to some challenges with YouTube advertisement sponsors, reflecting the edgy nature of his humor.
SsethTzeentach's channel has attracted a significant following, currently boasting 1.43 million subscribers and an impressive total of 282,677,250 views. This achievement underscores the appeal of his distinctive brand of humor, which, while not suitable for children, finds a strong resonance with young adults and older audiences. In the crowded realm of gaming channels, Sseth's channel stands out for its unabashed approach to comedy and parody. For fans who really like his content, you can always join his “Merchants Guild” and help “bankroll” his videos.
5. Neebs Gaming
Neebs Gaming is a renowned YouTube channel known for its humorous and podcast-centered content related to video games. Launched in 2010 by a group of friends, the channel has successfully garnered a substantial following, boasting over 2.25 million subscribers. Characterized by its irreverent and absurd humor, Neebs Gaming predominantly focuses on parodying video games and the broader gaming culture.
The channel showcases a diverse array of video game-related content, ranging from "Let's Play" videos and animated shorts to live-action skits. The humor is often self-deprecating, with the creators humorously critiquing their gaming skills and frequently engaging in parodies of popular video games like Minecraft and Grand Theft Auto, resulting in uproarious entertainment. With over 1 billion views, Neebs Gaming's videos are a go-to source for those in search of laughter. If you're in search of a YouTube channel that will consistently bring a smile to your face, Neebs Gaming is undoubtedly a channel to explore.
6. The Escapist
The Escapist is a popular YouTube channel known for parodying video games, active since September 23, 2008. The channel boasts over 1.16 million subscribers and has amassed more than 1.12 billion video views. Characterized by its satirical, sarcastic, and self-deprecating humor, the channel focuses on video game culture and the gaming industry. Its content includes a variety of video game-related sketches, such as reviews, news, and commentary, along with original web series like Zero Punctuation, Unskippable, and Escape to the Movies.
The Escapist's parodies are humorous and irreverent, often poking fun at various aspects of gaming culture and the industry. The channel is renowned for its witty writing, clever editing, and sharp humor, targeting the absurdities and idiosyncrasies of video games and their players. Its most popular series, Zero Punctuation, features fast-paced, animated reviews of video games, emphasizing humor and satire. Other series like Unskippable and Escape to the Movies provide humorous commentary on video game cutscenes and movie adaptations of video games, respectively.
7. Girlfriend Reviews
Girlfriend Reviews is a YouTube channel that offers a relatable twist on video game criticism. Launched in November 2018 by a couple named Matt and Shelby, their first video featured a four-minute commentary on Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2, posing the question – "should your boyfriend play it?" The channel innovatively shifted the traditional review perspective from the player to what it's like to live with someone who plays games, aligning perfectly with today's streaming culture. Girlfriend Reviews quickly expanded its content from short commentaries to eight to ten-minute review essays, offering thoughtful critiques on titles ranging from Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild to the 2019 release Death Stranding.
The humor of Girlfriend Reviews is both witty and relatable. Matt's clever scripts and impeccable editing style become a character of their own; his quick cuts to pop culture references make these reviews a perfect fit for platforms like Reddit and resonate with the meme-loving generation of gamers. Shelby’s hilarious personality and delivery play a significant role in their reviews, as she shares her perspective on watching him play popular games. The channel humorously parodies video games by analyzing the hobby from an outsider's perspective. They started the channel to poke fun at the games they play and to satirize gaming journalism. As of January 2024, Girlfriend Reviews boasts over 1.5 million subscribers and more than 100 million views.
These YouTube channels stand out for their humorous and insightful takes on video game culture. They appeal to a wide audience, from hardcore gamers to casual viewers, by mixing satire and creativity. These amazing and everygrowing channels are reshaping online entertainment and are a must-watch for anyone interested in gaming and comedy.
Recommended Products
Patrick Yu is a Senior Project Manager at Level Interactive and has 8 years of experience writing business, legal, lifestyle, gaming, and technology articles. He is a significant contributor to Acer Corner and is currently based in Taipei, Taiwan.
Introducing: Email Digest
Every week, we’ll bring you the top 5 trending topics from our Acer Corner.
| Find out how |
Socials
|
|
|
|
