“I was simply stunned by this: how unending it was, that old ass ‘people who play video games never have been laid’ joke, a complete disregard for specificity in service of surface level nonsense,” commented one viewer.
The portrayal of Jason, limited to superficial elements like an RPG and car-stealing antics, left some fans unimpressed. His costume—a simple bloody bandage and a tropical shirt—did little to capture the character’s essence. Conversely, Day’s Link was praised for his accurate representation, complete with a detailed tunic, elf ears, and a wig. Despite the authentic look, the jokes fell flat, primarily revolving around Link’s insistence that his tunic is not a dress.
Online reactions were critical, with many pointing out the stale nature of the jokes. Comments highlighted how the humor felt dated, recycling old stereotypes about video gamers. One viewer noted that the sketch felt like a “middle school talent show presentation,” criticizing its lack of originality and depth.
“They were trying SO hard to make Link and Zelda look like nerd shit, but you could tell the sketch fell apart at the start when the crowd cheered louder for Zelda and the puzzle joke,” remarked another observer.
The skit arrives amid a bustling gaming season, with GTA 6 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake being two of the most talked-about releases. Both games are set for November, with The Legend of Zelda launching on the Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5, followed by GTA 6 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on November 19. This timing has led to a quieter gaming release calendar for the month, as developers steer clear of competing with these titans.
While the SNL skit aimed to capture the excitement and rivalry between these two major releases, it seems to have missed the mark with its intended audience. As gamers gear up for the November launches, they are left to decide which of these blockbuster titles will claim their attention. For those interested, more insights into the upcoming games can be found through previews of the new Zelda re-imagining and details on GTA 6’s latest age rating.
Michael Cripe, known for his contributions to IGN and other gaming platforms, encourages readers to follow his insights on social media platforms Bluesky and Twitter.

Article Source: www.ign.com


