This creature is basically a fluffy burglar that washes its food like it’s prepping for a cooking show
Raccoon
In many RPGs, this basic system allows characters to gain stats or abilities after earning enough experience points
Leveling up
This long-running anime’s opening theme “Gotta Catch ’Em All!” tells you the goal of the entire franchise in the first 30 seconds
Pokemon
This island nation is basically a volcanic sneeze in the North Atlantic that runs on geothermal power, wool sweaters, and people sitting in hot water while it snows
Iceland
In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, this skeletal boss wields a giant sword and shield and is fought in the Forest Temple
Phantom Ganon
This spiky little potato protects itself by becoming a very angry ball
Hedgehog
This iconic anime transformation first introduced golden hair, increased power, and a very long screaming session
Super Saiyan
Booting up the original Super Mario Bros. drops players into this instantly recognizable overworld theme composed by Koji Kondo
Overworld Theme
This country is the one that’s technically an archipelago, but everyone only ever talks about its massive northern island and its capital full of neon signs
Japan
In Hades, this boss(es) of the first region guards the path out of the Underworld and can chain attacks with a variety of weapons depending on which you fight
Megaera, Alecto, and Tisiphone
This desert bird can run fast enough to make you question your life choices but refuses to fly
Ostrich
In The Legend of Zelda series, collecting four of these permanently increases Link’s maximum health
Heart Containers
This anime’s opening song “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” became so iconic that it often overshadows the series’ psychological trauma
Neon Genesis Evangelion
This landlocked country looks like someone tried to draw a circle and gave up, but it still manages to host banks, Alps, and more chocolate than anyone needs
Switzerland
In Terraria, this hardmode boss hovers through the air, splits into smaller segments, and is considered one of the most challenging pre-Moon Lord encounters
The Twins
A tiny, judgmental feathered goblin that swivels its whole head just to stare into your soul at 3 a.m
Owl
This anime power system from Naruto involves molding physical and spiritual energy to perform techniques like Shadow Clones and Fireballs
Chakra
This anime opening features the band Linked Horizon asking “Are we the prey?” while characters sprint directly at the camera
Attack on Titan
This country is the one shaped like a backwards “C,” wrapping around its neighbor like it’s trying to give it a slightly awkward hug
Senegal
This Final Fantasy villain transforms mid-battle into a towering multi-headed creature, forcing players to adapt to completely new attack patterns
Sephiroth
A chilly-weather hooved buddy with head furniture so large it looks like it’s carrying its own holiday decorations
Reindeer
In Fullmetal Alchemist, performing alchemy requires understanding this foundational rule, which states that something of equal value must be lost to gain something else
Law of Equivalent Exchange
This video game’s opening calmly introduces a campfire story about a princess and a curse before dropping the player into a collapsing kingdom
Dark Souls
This country is the sliver along the Mediterranean that looks like someone tried to draw a straight line but the pen slipped toward the coastline at the last second
Lebanon
This classic Metroid boss starts as a floating brain inside a tank, then mutates into a giant creature that must be defeated in multiple stages
Mother Brain