The recent unveiling of God of War's Laufey showcased a surprisingly popular, if small, companion: Phranque, a square of goo voiced by Jack Quaid. Phranque’s agility and charm quickly captured online attention, highlighting a long-standing fascination with slimes in video games. These amorphous entities have served diverse roles, appearing as adversaries, allies, and even protagonists throughout gaming history.
The roots of gaming's slimes can be traced back to tabletop role-playing games, most notably Dungeons & Dragons. Since its inception in 1974, D&D has featured slime creatures, with the Gelatinous Cube becoming a particularly enduring presence. This 10-by-10-foot predator, known for consuming remains in dungeons, possesses a morbid fascination that resonates with many. The recent surge in Dungeons & Dragons' popularity, potentially bolstered by Minecraft's own cubical slimes, has introduced the Gelatinous Cube to a new generation of fans. Its iconic status is further cemented by its appearance on Stern's Dungeons & Dragons pinball machine.
Dungeons & Dragons' influence extended to the early wave of computer RPGs, including Wizardry, which featured slimes as early enemy encounters. Namco's Tower of Druaga and Hydlide also incorporated slime enemies. However, it was Wizardry's success that directly inspired the creation of gaming's most celebrated slime: the Dragon Quest slime. Creator Yuji Horii sought to replicate Wizardry's monster designs for his own game, and the inclusion of slimes was a natural fit. Manga artist Akira Toriyama's redesign transformed the initial concept of a simple pile of goo into a distinctive, tear-drop-shaped monster with a charming, albeit often menacing, grin. "Originally when we thought up the slime, it was a pile of goo," Horii stated in a 2007 interview, "but when (Akira Toriyama) came back with that perfectly shaped tear-drop monster, we thought it was perfect." The Dragon Quest slime quickly became a mascot for the series, surpassing many human characters in recognition. Its versatile appearances across sequels, minigames, and spin-offs allowed players to engage with the creature beyond combat. A dedicated spin-off series, including the Nintendo DS title Rocket Slime, further explored the character, though most entries remained Japan-exclusive. The Dragon Quest slime endures as an icon, frequently appearing on merchandise.
Following Dragon Quest, slime designs in video games began to shift from more realistic, naturalistic forms toward a more rounded, "jiggly" aesthetic. While older designs persisted, such as recurring enemies in the Shin Megami Tensei series and the Flan monsters in Final Fantasy, which blended anthropomorphic features with sharp teeth, marketability favored cuter designs. This trend was capitalized on by the puzzle game Puyo Puyo.
Originally a spin-off from Compile's RPG series Madou Monogatari, where Puyos served as enemy mobs, Puyo Puyo debuted in 1991. Its 1992 arcade release, emphasizing a fast-paced versus mode, achieved significant success. The game's simple yet engaging mechanics—linking same-colored Puyos to clear them and setting up chain reactions—made it accessible and addictive. The charming cast and the Puyos themselves became integral to the game's identity, making Puyo Puyo a lasting fixture in the falling-piece puzzle genre, with Sega continuing to market the recognizable blobs, even creating a confection named Puyoman.
The rise of critter-collecting games also provided a natural home for slime-like creatures. Pokémon's Ditto, a relatively simple blob with beady eyes and a relaxed smile, stands out due to its unique ability to transform into other Pokémon and mimic their moves. Despite not being a primary mascot, Ditto has garnered a dedicated fanbase, particularly for its role in Pokémon breeding as a universal mate. The creature recently took center stage in Pokémon Pokopia, a simulation title where humanoid Dittos utilize their transformative powers to build a community and learn other Pokémon's skills.
While many games feature player interaction with slimes, fewer place players directly in control of one. Developing gameplay around creatures lacking traditional limbs presents challenges, yet developers have attempted it. Game Freak, before its Pokémon success, developed Smart Ball (known as Jerry Boy in Japan) for the Super NES. This platformer featured a boy transformed into a slime, with mechanics allowing him to stretch, cling to walls, and absorb or eject items. The game showcased innovative ideas for slime-based movement and interaction. A sequel was planned but ultimately canceled.
A more infamous example of a playable slime is The Ooze, a Sega Genesis exclusive. In this game, Dr. Caine is transformed into a slime while investigating a corporate plot to poison the planet. The game required players to foil the plot and find a cure. While ambitious and featuring interesting physics for its time, The Ooze was hampered by awkward controls and a frustrating resource management system, where the slime's "goo" supply dictated its size and hitbox. It is primarily remembered for its late console release and unique premise.
The indie game scene, in particular, has embraced slime characters. World of Goo, an early breakout indie hit from 2008, tasked players with building structures from goo balls to solve physics puzzles. Its 2024 sequel continues this tradition. Slime Rancher, a cozy simulation series, allows players to raise, feed, and breed various slimes on alien planets. Indie developers are also experimenting with slime protagonists in titles like the co-op souls-like Slime Heroes and upcoming 3D games with visually striking designs. With characters like Phranque poised to enter the spotlight and a rich history behind them, slimes, in their myriad forms, are set to remain a foundational element of gaming's diverse bestiary.