8 Crazy Video Game Urban Legends You Need To Hear

From naked Lara Croft to post-apocalyptic Pokémon.

By Mark Langshaw /

Mythology has served as the basis for countless video games over the years, from the God of War series to the Persona franchise, but there are times when games in turn have inspired myths and legends of their own.

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This comes as no surprise considering game developers have been hiding secrets deep within their files since the advent of home computing. Players have never been able to get enough of Easter eggs and cryptic content, although there are times when some of them have discovered things that aren't even there.

The video game industry is awash with urban legends and conspiracy theories, from alleged hidden meanings behind popular console titles to controversial cheat codes that turned out to be nothing more than the fantasies of a prepubescent male.

While the majority of these myths turn out to be hogwash, that hasn't stopped dozens of fans from subscribing - and their ramblings are rarely anything less than entertaining.

In all fairness to the industry's tin hat brigade, some of the ideas they've come out with are almost as creative as the games which inspired them.

8. The John Madden Series Is Cursed

Being selected as the cover star for the latest edition of EA Sports' Madden NFL series is a great honour that only the sport's most bankable players are offered, but according to some, it's more of a curse than a blessing.

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Curse in this particular context is meant literally, as there are conspiracy theorists out there who will tell you the bestselling football franchise is jinxed, pointing out that many of its cover stars have either picked up a nasty injury or suffered a downturn in form after lending their likeness to the game's box art.

Cleveland Browns fullback Peyton Hillis is often cited as a victim of this so-called curse. After fronting Madden NFL 12, he endured an injury nightmare the following season, playing just 10 games and scoring only three touchdowns as a result.

Other alleged Madden Curse victims include Marshall Faulk, Daunte Culpepper, Michael Vick, Ray Lewis, Donovan McNabb, Shaun Alexander and Vince Young.

Although the words coincidence and confirmation bias spring to mind, that hasn't stopped scores of superstitious NFL fans from lobbying to ensure their favourite players aren't featured on the cover of Madden games over the years.

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