What is the viral 'I've Played These Games Before" Squid Game meme? Meaning, most hilarious memes, and more explored

In the wake of the release of Squid Game season 2, fans are going ballistic over yet another trending TikTok meme: Or rather, one line in particular has gone ultra-viral: "I've played these games before."

However, those who aren't chronically online may be struggling with what it means, where it came from, and how it's funny. Let's break all of it down for you. P.S., this post is riddled with spoilers.

Disclaimer: This piece reflects the writer's opinion; the reader's discretion is advised. Do let us know in the comments what you think should have made the cut.

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Everything you need to know about the latest meme to come forth from Squid Game season 2

In the latest season, the winner of the previous Squid Game, Gi-hun, makes his way back to take revenge on the game by putting an end to it once and for all. He joins a new fleet of players, all of whom are in it to win the staggering sum of around £24.8 million.

They start their games with the infamous "Red Light, Green Light," and after it finishes, Gi-hun tries his best to sway the contestants to vote for the better option of opting out of the game, lest they meet their demise later on. When the cash-strapped contestants protest this option, a frustrated Gi-hun yells the now-iconic line:

"I've played these games before."

For those interested in watching the clip, head to the end of the show's second season, episode 3. As for how it went viral, Know Your Meme reports that a TikTok user named @garfieldl0ver6 uploaded it as a meme on December 27th, 2024. It had several other scenes from the new season, and the caption strewn over it read:

"546 noobs vs. 1 pro' ahh," gaining over 1.1 million plays and 86,500 likes in six days."

From there, the memes began growing, and within no time, they took off. Today, there are a myriad of variations available online, making a wide host of users laugh. Check out some of the most popular memes below:

1) Squid Game if it was woke: I'VE PLAYED THESE GAYS BEFORE (via X/ @Muk40ri_Fuwatti)

2) Me when I played these games before or something idk anymore: (via X/ @ajajsbsbsja5)

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3) Me joining Roblox squid game just to shout “ IVE PLAYED THESE GAMES BEFORE!!!”: (via X/ @drainmoder)

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4) Me when I've played these games before: (via X/ @zaijibray)

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5) Hearing “I’VE PLAYED THESE GAMES BEFORE!” every 3 minutes in class: (via X/ @heartcherriz)

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And now you know what the memes mean! Go forth and make your own, or just hop on social media to have a good chuckle at how others are rendering their takes on the meme.