I Want a Videogame Tattoo

I want to get a videogame tattoo, you guys, and I have for some time. Its clear that videogames are a part of my life and have impacted it greatly, which in mind equals perfect tattoo material. But I find myself facing that age-old dilemma of What the fuck do I get inked into my skin?

The first thing that pops into mind to get etched into my epidermis is a Triforce. Not only does it stand for Power, Wisdom and Courage (three awesomesauce traits) its also the representative symbol of the Zelda franchise, which means an uber-lot to me–it would be an understatement if I said I have deep ties to the Zelda series. And if you really wanna get technical, yellow is my favorite color.

PERFECT, right?! But while it sounds good on paper, I just cant follow through with it.

I’ve scoured the internet for Trifroce tats, and here’s what I’ve found.

Okay, I think this is really cute. It has some twirly designs around it that make it feminine. It looks like it's on a hip?
Uhhhh....UHHHHH...this clearly would have been the best Triforce tat ever had he just left the middle triangle naked. JUST SAYING. Also, /sarcasm
I can appreciate it, but this is kinda big. Just a little. But still, props.
Ohai.
Cool concept!
Oh man. I hope this is fake. :/
Okay, I see what she's going for with the colors. Intereeesting.
A Triforce tramp stamp, eh? Hmmmm....not for me, but this is actually pretty popular with the lady-geeks out there.
BLAMMO!
What is this I don't even

The next franchise I simply cannot ignore is that of the damn plumber’s. While Im not a major fan of Mario’s latest shenanigans, I have to give credit where credit is due: if it werent for the Mario games I may have never gotten into gaming. (Then again, I have a videogame obsessed grandmother who shoved games down my throat every time I visited her, so perhaps thats not entirely true.) My roots are with Super Mario World, Super Mario Brothers, Super Mario Brothers 2, Super Mario Brothers 3 and Super Mario 64. The rest I could take or leave, honestly.

So, for the most part Im into the good ol 8 and 16 bit graphics. Ive always thought pixilated looking tattoos looked neat, but I dont know if theyre for me. I dont even know what I would get! Perhaps a turnip (LULZ)? A mushroom (cliché!)? A question block? Mario boinking Peach? None of these things sound like something I want imprinted into my skin. Sothe Mario franchise is kind of out.

CUTE. This would be really cute smaller and on a hip or something.
That looks...painful.
Sharpie?
Wow. I'm sad to say I'll never have big enough balls to do something like this.
I, um, well that's an interesting concept to say the least...
...so is that one...
Jack of all trades! That Mario, so good at multitasking. No wonder Peach wants his nuts. Speaking of her...
BOW-CHICKA-BROWN-COW!!! Also, +5 for Bullet Bill!
..............
OMG. OW. I am ticklish as hell, so I would probably be laughing/crying while this was happening. Either that or I would kick the tattoo artist in the face. Also, gross feet are gross.

These were just two franchises Ive come to know and love over the years. There are still several more that I need to consider, and Ill do so next week. But in the meantime, do you have a gaming tattoo? Do you regret it? Why did you get what you did?

22 Comments

  1. I have personally always wanted to get the chain tattoos that Jack has in Bioshock. But from what I have seen on the net, Tattoo artists always get them wrong.
    I say you get the triforce, The simplicity means the artist has zero chance of messing it up and you can put it wherever you please. I am not sure about your works policy on tattoos but it is always a good idea to put it some place easily hidden so as to not piss off your boss.

    (Joke starts here) you should have the triforce above your woman cave with the text “time to get lost in the water temple.”(end joke, you try coming up with zelda sex puns its difficult.)

  2. I like the third LoZ one if it was smaller and all in black. Unless you’re wanting color. I don’t know where I’d put it though…

    And have you thought about an Earthbound-themed tattoo? I know that was a big influence on your gaming life, and you could come up with some sweet designs I’m sure.

  3. In my opinion, 99% of tattoos are terrible both in the reason/decision behind it and the actual art (as in done by a shitty tattoo artist). If you want a video game tattoo I suggest something small and iconic. Triforce tattoos are beyond cliche at this point and having mario permanently etched on your skin is stupid, no matter how iconic of a video game character he is. Choose wisely and have a reputable artist do it, or don’t do it at all. I think a classic NES controller tattoo would be neat (if you’re old enough to appreciate that) if it were someplace easy to hide but also easy to show off to your geeky peers.

    By the way, there are some nasty tattoos on some NASTY feet. EW!

    • Yeah, those feet are pretty gross.

      That’s what I’m kind of struggling with–the Triforce is so cliche, but it’s something I’ve always wanted and the first thing I can think of. But because a LOT of folks have one, it’s kind of deterring me.

      I wish there was one all-encompassing symbol of gaming.

      • well you could try to get all of the game provider symbols that you like (or like the most) and try to make a word or phrase out of them

  4. I’m pretty sure the 3 images under “What is this I don’t even” is scarification or branding. Or possibly it’s mid process laser removal?

    Also the only way a tattoo is cliche is when it has no meaning for you. aka most hipsters tattoos. Even if you fall out of love with the video game, band, etc… The tattoo will remind you about something in your life, something special to you.

  5. I think the reason gaming tattoos look like crap is because they are done in the new school style. So come up with what tattoo you want, and take it to an artist that does traditional tatts, and have him do it in a traditional rendition. Like that princess would probably look better if the artist gave her more traditional look. Also, I don’t have any gamming tatts, but half of the ones that I have are of musicians or bands. But I don’t have anything obvious. I have a piece of artwork from the band that only a hardcore fan would recognize. That way when I run into a stranger in the street, and they mention my tatt. I can see that they truly are a fan as well.

    • Cousin, I say it how I want. Now go off and hide in the internet like you always do. But come back to visit soon. I miss yer face.

  6. Hey Bramaracaracraca!!! My tattoo guy said what’s the point of getting a tattoo and hiding it???? So given that I think you should get a Kratos tattoo nothin says badass like that full body mahamajamma, and if any one gives you shit you can pull out your sword of Olympus and cut those mother fuckers in half. LOL my thoughts would be get it on your wrist or may be shoulder? Stay away from tummy or hips as you need to think about it will look all stews he our of shape if you ever have kids! Also find the best artist and for the love of Sparta don’t be a cheap bastard! You most definitely get what you pay for with tatts! Hope this will help. Good luck.
    THIS IS SPARTA!!!!!!!!!!!

  7. Ps when is the next were not dead coming out!!!! You and good ol boy game over need to stop being lazy bitches! We miss you guys!! You have made it all the way to Australia too cos that’s where I’m at!
    “in all my years I have never found some one who can give what we Spartans call a beautiful death, maybe down there amongst the best wariors in the world there is someone who will”

  8. Hello, I just came across this here article and I am also considering getting my first tattoo. It is something I have wanted for a while now.

    I have decided on either the E-tank from the Megaman series or the screw attack power up from the Metroid series. Both of them are pretty easily distinguishable, as far as video game history is concerned, and neither is as common as the triforce or mario themed tattoos.

    /my $0.02

  9. I think those last triforce ones are backlight tattoos. They are supposed to be invisible, but sometimes leave scars (like the far left) and the ink has a nasty habit of browning over time (the middle).

  10. I was considering something like the first one (with the three pieces of the triforce in black) for a scar cover up,it’s absolutely gorgeous <3

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