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  1. Hardware
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16 idle animations worth dropping your controller for

Features
By Griffin Vacheron published 23 April 2017

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Killing time

Ever leave Mario waiting for three hours while you shower, grab some tacos, or consult a strategy guide? He was likely none too pleased. He may even have gone to sleep. Remember Sonic tapping his foot impatiently if you got distracted for even a few seconds? He always was the edgier mascot, wasnt he.

The animated quirks developers sometimes sneak into their games are usually pretty amusing. Not surprisingly, other games are loaded with these as well, and though sometimes its simply part of the genre (looped animations in fighting games, for example), other instances can get downright weird. With that, here are some of the most interesting or off-the-wall idle animations seen in games throughout the years.

Sonic is terribly impatient (Sonic the Hedgehog)

Lets start with Sonics basic foot-tap from Sonic the Hedgehog. What exactly is his deal? If youve got somewhere to be then feel free to leave, bro.

You may like
  • Tom, recently saved from drowning, looks groggily up at Jerry in a Tom and Jerry cartoon Shigeru Miyamoto said Tom and Jerry's cartoon reality was "vital fuel" for Nintendo's early games
  • Mario swims around in a Frog Suit in art for Super Mario Bros. 3 Shigeru Miyamoto had to "force" in Super Mario Bros 3's iconic Frog Suit because it was fun even though it sucked
  • King Bob-omb grabs Mario in Super Mario 64 I could've used this Super Mario 64 secret 30 years ago: all you need is exactly 11 button mashes to escape King Bob-omb

While Crash just wants to show off (Crash Bandicoot 3)

Some characters use their free time for a hobby instead; just check out Crash Bandicoots impressive yo-yo-ing skills.

Prepare for glory (The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time)

Heres a pretty innocent one: Young Link! Watch as he adorably adjusts the belt of his classic green hero's garb.

Game within a game (Banjo-Kazooie)

You play video games, so why cant Banjo? If the world is actually a Matrix-like game simulation, then youre probably being put into a GIF made by our otherworldly overlords as we speak.

The latest tech (Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze)

Looks as if DK likes to game too. Maybe its a thing with Rare characters? Retro specifically made sure he upgraded to a 3DS this time around, too (he packed an original DS in the Wii game).

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Show ya moves (Psychonauts)

When the going gets tough, some characters prefer to just drop everything and dance. Raz is an any time, any place kind of kid.

Bro party (Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga)

And so is Mario, as it turns out--him and Luigi bust out regularly before each battle.

Burn up the dance floor (The Legend of Spyro)

Heck, Spyro even performs a full-on jazz-snap when nobodys looking. Hes clearly self-conscious about it, though.

Itch that needs scratching (Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time)

Sly Cooper isnt quite the type for busting out his moves, but he will indulge in a nice long back scratch when hes not needed by the player. He can also be seen playing air guitar on occasion.

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Griffin Vacheron
Griffin Vacheron
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