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Revisiting Internet Meme History: "All Your Base Are Belong to Us"

Screen capture of "all your base are belong to us"

This peculiar internet meme that captured the attention of countless users: "All your base are belong to us." This phrase originated from the 1989 video game Zero Wing, known for its poor translation, and it quickly became a viral sensation.

 

The meme was especially notable for its humorous take on the game's opening scene, and it eventually inspired various remixes, including an iconic EDM version uploaded to YouTube nearly 18 years ago.


The meme's influence was not confined to the digital realm; it sparked real-world antics, such as people hacking road signs to display the phrase, contributing to its growing legend. "All Your Base" became one of those early viral moments, a precursor to the internet's explosion of meme culture.


This meme also paved the way for other internet phenomena, such as Rickrolling, which involved tricking users into clicking a link that led to the music video for Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up." Both represent significant milestones in the evolution of online humor and virality.


As we reflect on these relics of internet history, we encourage you to share your stories or suggest sites you'd like us to review. 

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