Top 10 Best Game Theorist Videos

Whether it’s Ash’s true age or Pikachu’s actual power level, the Game Theorists’ library has no shortage of Pokémon content. When they decided to do the Pokémon theory to end all Pokémon theories, they partnered with YouTuber JWittz for this mind-bending thesis. A simple in-game text regarding Poké-behavior snowballed to a deep dive into the origins of our beloved pocket monsters. Dissecting everything from Pokédex entries, Poké-biology and the IP’s established mythology, the research team concluded that trainers and their fighting critters were…at one point in history…one and the same. It was vintage Game Theorist over-analyzation that led to unexpected conclusions and unsettling implications. We recommend all Game Theorist Pokémon videos, but this one is a great place to start!

If you think MatPat’s gang only dangles its magnifying glass over the video game world, you’re just getting a fraction of what they offer. One of four sister channels, the “Film Theory” series examines crazy ideas in movies and TV…and this one pumps the eccentric inquisition up to nine thousand. Turning attention to the legendary “Dragon Ball” franchise, the film theorists apply real-world physics and philosophy to Goku’s signature kamehameha move. By reasoning that the fantastical energy attack could plausibly exist in our world, this fascinating YouTube short calculates some disarmingly logical hypotheses that explain the kamehameha. They even discuss the collision of stars at one point. Even if that loses you, you might enjoy one brief and somewhat meta segment, when they “theorize about theorizing.”

The theorists have a whole lotta love for indie titles, and viewer suggestions helped lead them to this exploration of the quirky RPG “Undertale”. Specifically, MatPat’s research crew unpacked the story’s enigmatic skeletal antagonist, Sans. No line of text or animated cutscene was left unturned as they drew a connection between “Undertale” and MatPat’s all-time favorite game, “Earthbound”. Ultimately, the theorists posited that “Undertale” baddie Sans actually shares an identity with Ness, the hero of “Earthbound” - and not just because their names are an anagram. They even cited evidence outside of the tale’s universe, referencing some of creator Toby Fox’s professional history. There’s plenty of passion and respect for the “Undertale” world here, sure to delight both current indie fans and curious newcomers alike.

Did you know that Christmas trees are edible? Well when MatPat discovered this, he couldn’t resist giving it a TREE-al* run on his spinoff channel, Food Theory. He attempted the Fear-Factor-esque task a few times, chewing on the bark and even baking cookies from trunk sawdust. After three videos, he found that the solution was to transform different parts of the tree into separate dishes. This involved turning pine cones into jam, wood into deep-fried nuggets, and even concocting a form of ice cream! The adventurous experiment features other members of MatPat’s Game Theorist crew, and it also showcased his adorable chemistry with his wife and show co-creator, Stephanie Cordato. Although more culinary than scientific, the short is sure to bring you a gleeful holiday smile.

No icon was ever too infallible for MatPat. And in this installment, he went after Nintendo’s “numero uno.” While the video about Mario the communist was equally evocative, this two-parter dares to accuse the “hero” of being downright sociopathic. The investigation scoured the entire franchise, including some games of which he’s not even the star. We bet you never even noticed that Mario has actually been abusing his “beloved” pet Yoshi and brother Luigi this entire time! Let’s not even start on what Part Two has to say about the plumber’s relationship with Princess Peach…This breakdown also outlined some eerily accurate signs of actual sociopathy, and it forced many gamers to see the worshiped Nintendo icon in a whole new light.

Wait, how can clothes be part of elaborate and over-thought theorization? Well, MatPat’s most recent spinoff channel, The Style Theorists, has some ideas about that. Launched by the YouTuber, along with collaborator Amy Roberts, “Style Theory” dares to ask if we’re wearing our socks wrong, what’s the difference between a “vest” and a “sweater vest,” and why don’t girls’ jeans have deep pockets!? Touching upon topics like pickpockets, cavemen, and the eighteenth century French regime, “The Great Pocket Conspiracy” delves into the history of fashion for answers. It’s a flagship introduction to the new channel’s creative concept, tackling a frustration that’s (apparently) insanely common. Want to know why your outfit has no place for an iPhone!? Then look no further.

Since YouTube had already surveyed both the buoyancy of Titanic’s floating doors and some very out-there imaginings of Jack’s return, “Film Theory” decided to go in a different direction. With historical fact-checkers at the ready, the theorists suggested that the ill-fated Mr. Dawson was actually a time traveler who actively participated in the Titanic’s doom. They pointed out both the conspicuous and not-so-obvious statements made by Jack, all about things that would’ve been impossible for him to know. They proposed that his act of saving Rose eventually caused the sinking of the vessel, and even claimed that the tragedy was fundamentally for the historical greater good. It sounds certifiably nuts at first, but watch these fifteen minutes, and you might just be convinced.

This particularly dark speculation may not be anything new, but seldom has it been fleshed out so thoroughly. “Majora’s Mask” was always a black sheep in the “Zelda” family, and its atypically grim atmosphere led many to postulate that the adventure actually existed in some form of purgatorial afterlife. Game Theory took this one step further, equating each of the five areas in the game’s setting with the five psychological stages of grief. Having done their homework, the team annotated professionally studied principles of the grieving process, demonstrating their in-game presence within specific characters. They even presented facts from the official Zelda timeline as evidence. Whoa. It might ruin your childhood, but that’s exactly why it’s fun!

As another epic plunge into the Mario-verse, “Rosalina Unmasked” presents even more shocking revelations, threatening a cataclysmic shift in how we see some of our favorite characters. The premise pulls out all the classic “Game Theory” stops: science, character analysis, cutscene evidence, and more. And it’s all to prove that Rosalina and Princess Peach are secretly blood relatives. After two parts and some unexpected discussions around genetics, the conclusions drawn about Rosalina’s family tree open up a can of worms for Mario theories. There’s also conflicting evidence as to whether Rosalina’s patriarch could be Mario or Luigi, but we’re left to make that decision for ourselves. This theory unfolds like a great mystery novel…with its own share of surprising emotional moments.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“What Level is Ash's Pikachu?”
They Watched HOURS of Pokémon Episodes to Get This Math Right

“How Fast is Sonic the Hedgehog?”
The Answer Might Surprise You…

“Zootopia's DARK Conspiracy!”
Is It REALLY a “Family” Movie!?

“Neo ISN'T The One in The Matrix Trilogy”
Let’s Take Another Look at Agent Smith…

“Froot Loops and Apple Jacks Are SECRETLY The Same!”
Your Inner 90s Kid Will Never Be the Same

We really could discuss any of “Game Theory”’s fantastic “Five Nights at Freddy’s” videos, but we went with the one that started it all. Back before the sequels, spinoffs, novels and film adaptations, MatPat shared his early “FNAF”* playthrough with us. We got to join him as he unearthed some profound, disturbing, and unforgettable secrets within this point-and-click horror. It was a little-known title at the time, and MatPat’s videos served as many viewers’ introduction to the franchise…so much so that many still associate the two names with each other. This first “Freddy” video brims with the undying love for exploration and discovery that prevails in all Game Theorist chapters since. We just LOVE rewatching it…along with everything that’s come afterwards.

Salute MatPat by sharing your favorite Game Theorist video below! We think we picked some great ones, but hey….it’s just a theory…