Final Fantasy games are rich in lore, but it's the games' summons that are really steeped in history. How well do the Final Fantasy games represent the stories surrounding each of their summoned beasts? Gaijin Goomba looks at the summons inspired by Norse Mythology, specifically how Odin, Gandalf, Loki, and Thor all relate to the Final Fantasy series!

The Legend of Zelda is a long-beloved series. But did you know it's more controversial than you thought. Gaijin Goomba takes us through some of the more controversial moments from Ocarina of Time and the original Legend of Zelda. Were these games really offensive to other religions?

To Western audiences, Mythical Ninja Goemon is a WEIRD series of games. Bizarre enemies, absurd weapons, silly costumes. But Ganbare Goemon makes PERFECT sense if you understand Japanese culture and history. So stop being an uninformed gamer! Here are all the references you don't get!

Ever want to learn Japanese but thought you wouldn't have time or the patience to all of the repetition and memorization that is required? Kickstarting game Koe fixes that by creating an JRPG that utilizes kanji and kana into the battle system and story of the game! VERY AWESOME!

Bravely Default is a BRILLIANT JRPG. But the game feels much richer when you know some of the cultural references behind the game's summons. With the help of expert ProJared, Gaijin Goombah is taking a look at all the Bravely Default summons, from a Noah-figure who drinks beer to everyone's favorite, the DOOM TRAIN!

Ninjas are some of the coolest characters in video games. But which ninja is THE BEST? Is it Ninja Gaiden's Ryu Hayabusa? The top-heavy Mai Shiranui? Or some other nameless masked figured in the night? Gaijin Goomba has the rundown of who is actually a true ninja and who are just poseurs.

It's a 100 Man Marathon! Players of Super Paper Mario for the Wii probably remember the Sammer Guy Kingdom and its Duel of 100. But did you know that this is a reference to one of the most grueling challenges in martial arts? Gaijin Goomba has the scoop!

Lucky Cat Mario in Super Mario 3D World is a bizarre power-up. Part cat suit, part Tanooki, it bestows some pretty interesting powers to Mario, Peach, and all the rest. But do you know it's cultural roots? And even more, the hidden symbolism behind the colors and gestures? Gaijin Goomba explains...

Elves and orcs are stock characters of anything fantasy. And, like in the game Order and Chaos Online, they always seem to be grouped into the same two categories: Elves = good, Orcs = Evil. But WHY? What is the origin of this fantasy trope and has this good vs evil classification always been the case? Gaijin Goomba has the answer!

Mega Man isn't a game series most people would consider CONTROVERSIAL. And yet Mega Man 5, an oft-overlooked game in the series, was BANNED in Vietnam. Why? Gaijin Goomba has the answer.

The shovel. It's a go-to weapon for so many video games, especially the awesome-looking indie game Shovel Knight. But a shovel...REALLY??? It can't ACTUALLY be a good weapon right? Gaijin Goombah has the answers that may surprise you. The humble shovel is a lot more effective than you would typically think!

Shantae is one the indie darlings that tragically gets overlooked. But this fantastic female character has never had her origin mentioned in the games. Where does she come from? Gaijin Goomba thinks he has the answer...and the clues he uses to get there come from one of the strangest areas -- her belly dancing!

Is Punch-Out!! racist? Or is it a bunch of Bald Bull!? ...Sorry.

We explain the cultural history behind the catfish from A Link to the Past.

CONGA! Team Fortress 2's newest taunt has people in a tizzy over the so-called "game breaking" dance. But ironically enough, the conga taunt in TF2 is just a case of history repeating itself. This is the FORBIDDEN DANCE of Team Fortress 2!

Gaijin is STILL going gaga over Shovel Knight. And what's captured his interest today is THE PLAGUE! Plague Knight is a FASCINATING character with a rich history from the days of the Black Death. What do bird masks and exploding rats have to do with history? Find out on today's Culture Shock!

Gaijin has LOST his mind...or has he? The new indie game Gunvolt has got him thinking about J-Pop, its influence, and the way its slowly looking to replace talented humans with its mind control. But surely he's just overreacting right? RIGHT?

Gaijin dons his armor to explore the world of jousting. From armored shoes to pointed helmets, jousting is far more complex than two guys rushing at each other with sticks. What can we learn about this medieval trope from a mobile game? A LOT, actually!

Majora's Mask is arguably the best game in the franchise...at the very least, it's certainly the most unique. But not only is it unique as a game, it's cultural influence is far different from most other titles in the series: It's African! Gaijin Goombah lays out the similarities.

I dive into something that perhaps horror games are not taking into account as they are designed.

Zombies...are...REAL! Surprise! Bet you didn't know that. There's a mysterious ritual in Haiti that produces its own version of "real life zombies," but this cultural ritual is one that is, to this day, very poorly understood. Gaijin Goombah takes a look at the creation of "real life zombies" and determines that our existing zombie lore is NOTHING like this ritual.

Majora's Mask is arguably the best game in the franchise...at the very least, it's certainly the most unique. But not only is it unique as a game, it's cultural influence is far different from most other titles in the series: It's African! Gaijin Goombah lays out the similarities.

Who...is...Majora? After two episodes examining the African origins behind the game's villains and masks, Gaijin Goombah confronts the mysterious Majora himself. What secrets has the little chestnut discovered about this Moon Child of Destruction? The answer may surprise you!