The Legend of BEN Drowned
Haunted Video Game Cartridge and Its Impact on Creepypasta Culture
The story of BEN Drowned centers on a supposedly haunted Nintendo 64 cartridge of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, which brings eerie, unexplained phenomena to its new owner. This urban legend began online, captivating readers with detailed accounts from a college student known as Jadusable, who documented strange experiences after acquiring the game.
The narrative quickly stood out for blending traditional ghost stories with video game culture, sparking conversations about the line between fiction and reality. As more people encountered the tale, it grew into one of the internet’s most recognizable creepypastas, generating theories, fan art, and even an alternate reality game.
Interest in BEN Drowned is driven by how it turns a familiar childhood object—a classic video game—into the center of suspense and mystery. It invites readers to question what is possible in the interplay between digital life and the supernatural.
Origins of BEN Drowned
BEN Drowned became one of the most well-known internet horror stories through a unique blend of digital folklore, game modification, and community engagement. Its origins link directly to a specific creator, a classic video game, and the rise of online storytelling platforms.
Creation by Jadusable
The BEN Drowned story was created by Alex Hall, better known online as Jadusable. In 2010, he began uploading a series of posts and videos to forums like 4chan, presenting a narrative about a haunted Nintendo 64 cartridge of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask.
Jadusable's project was not limited to written text. He produced edited gameplay videos that showed in-game glitches, eerie music, and ghostly messages, all intended to document his imaginary experience with the cartridge said to be haunted by a boy named Ben.
These multimedia elements, combined with a believable first-person narrative style, gave the story an appearance of authenticity. The audience was encouraged to interact, submit questions, and even piece together mysteries left by Jadusable, making the mythos collaborative.
Connection to The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Majora’s Mask was central to the BEN Drowned narrative, serving as both the setting and source of much of its suspense. The choice of this particular game was deliberate—Majora’s Mask is known for its darker themes and unsettling atmosphere among the Zelda series.
Many of the story’s unsettling moments were achieved through video edits of actual Majora’s Mask gameplay. These edits included unusual NPC behavior, distorted in-game music such as the "Elegy of Emptiness" theme, and recurring haunting imagery related to the character Ben.
The familiarity of Majora’s Mask to many gamers made the fake “haunted cartridge” feel plausible. The story’s twists, such as fake save files labeled "BEN" and cryptic in-game events, used fans’ pre-existing knowledge to increase the sense of unease.
Role of Creepypasta Culture
BEN Drowned quickly became a part of the larger creepypasta community. Creepypasta—short horror stories or legends shared online—were growing in popularity, with readers expecting a mix of the believable and the fantastic.
The story’s presentation mirrored how creepypastas were consumed: bite-sized updates, mysterious clues, and an author who interacted with his audience. This approach encouraged fans to spread the tale across forums, YouTube, and dedicated wikis.
Community contributions, such as fan art and expanded lore, helped keep the story alive. BEN Drowned set a template for interactive horror narratives, showing how digital storytelling could use existing video game worlds to build immersive myths.
Discovery of the Haunted Video Game Cartridge
The origins of the BEN Drowned legend center on a secondhand Nintendo 64 cartridge that exhibited unexplained phenomena. The story quickly drew attention for its unsettling combination of real gameplay footage and detailed firsthand accounts.
First Encounter with the Game
Jadusable, a college student, discovered the haunted cartridge at a local garage sale. The cartridge was labeled simply with "Majora," a reference to The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.
The seller, an elderly man, reportedly gave Jadusable the game without much explanation. Upon loading the cartridge, it appeared to be a standard copy of the Nintendo 64 title. However, the cartridge's worn appearance and hand-written label stood out from typical retail copies.
Jadusable decided to take the game home, intrigued by its mysterious origin and curious about what, if anything, made it different from other versions of the classic video game.
Strange Save File and In-Game Anomalies
Inside the cartridge, Jadusable found an unusual save file named "BEN." Unlike typical save files, this one contained incomplete game progress and odd in-game behaviors.
Shortly after selecting the BEN save file, he noticed characters in the game would refer to him by the wrong name—often calling him "BEN" instead of the default character name. Music and visuals in the game became distorted, with certain events triggering out-of-sequence cutscenes or impossible occurrences, such as the character Link suddenly dying without cause.
These glitches escalated into severe anomalies. Text boxes displayed cryptic messages, and non-player characters acted in unsettling ways. The game even appeared to interact with Jadusable outside of normal gameplay boundaries, leading to speculation that the haunted video game was somehow possessed or manipulated by an unknown force—later linked to the entity "BEN."
Unraveling the BEN Drowned Mystery
The BEN Drowned story centers on unusual in-game events tied to a haunted copy of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask. Its enduring intrigue lies in programmed glitches and a sequence of events that suggest the presence of a supernatural entity within the game.
Elegy of Emptiness and Glitches
A critical element in BEN Drowned is the Elegy of Emptiness statue, which appears repeatedly due to strange game triggers. The statue, modeled after Link’s empty, emotionless face, is central to the unsettling atmosphere. Its unexpected appearances are typically tied to gameplay moments where the player uses the Elegy of Emptiness song.
Players documented abnormal glitches: reversed music, distorted dialogue, and non-standard character placements. Skull Kid’s unpredictable behavior increased tension, with his mask sometimes appearing in-game without context.
The mask system in Majora’s Mask is important to the story, as the corrupted save file named "BEN" displayed unnatural mask effects and transformations. These irregularities blurred lines between programmed features and apparent supernatural manipulation.
Supernatural Occurrences
As the tale progressed, players began to suspect the involvement of a ghost or supernatural entity linked to the cartridge. The haunting was characterized by eerily sentient behaviors within the game, such as self-moving characters, cryptic messages, and unexplained changes after saving and reloading.
Notable supernatural elements included in-game messages like "You shouldn’t have done that" and characters referring to BEN even when there was no logical reason. The supernatural entity seemed to exert control over events, giving the impression of a haunted digital presence.
The legend describes BEN’s spirit becoming intertwined with the mask system, manifesting through both familiar and corrupted versions of masks. Instances included disappearing characters and seemingly triggered events not possible in the unmodified game, contributing to the ghost story’s suspense and persistent mystery.
Impact and Influence on Horror and Urban Legends
The story of BEN Drowned played a significant role in shaping online horror communities and inspiring countless digital urban legends. Its use of video game nostalgia as a vehicle for suspense set it apart from earlier creepypasta icons and introduced a new style of internet storytelling.
Rise of Creepy Urban Legends
BEN Drowned emerged at a time when internet users were already fascinated by digital mysteries. The concept of a haunted video game cartridge—specifically from Majora’s Mask, a popular Nintendo 64 title—quickly resonated with those who grew up during that era.
The story combined elements of classic urban legends with a modern twist by leveraging video game glitches, distorted audio, and subtle narrative hints. This approach created an atmosphere that blurred the line between fiction and reality, leading many readers to question what was possible in their favorite games.
Its viral spread influenced the rise of other horror stories centered on lost or altered media. The blending of creepy gaming experiences with nostalgia led to similar tales involving games, television shows like SpongeBob SquarePants, and mysterious internet artifacts.
Relationship to Other Creepypasta Icons
BEN Drowned stands alongside other notable creepypasta figures such as Slender Man and Jeff the Killer. Unlike Slender Man, which draws from ancient folklore and the uncanny, BEN Drowned is rooted in the manipulation of familiar pop culture, specifically retro gaming.
While Jeff the Killer emphasizes personal terror and grotesque imagery, BEN Drowned relies on subtle unease and the distortion of trusted childhood memories. Its influence can be seen in a variety of media, from fan art and music videos to lists of top internet urban legends.
Together, these stories shaped the modern creepypasta movement, building a framework for participatory horror that invites users to create, share, and expand on the myths. The collaborative nature of BEN Drowned’s story helped set trends that persist in today’s online horror communities.
Cultural Significance and Legacy
The BEN Drowned story left a notable mark on internet folklore, influencing both the structure of online horror narratives and how gaming communities interact with myth. Its legacy continues to be discussed and dissected by fans and media analysts alike.
Online Community and Social Media Spread
BEN Drowned gained traction through platforms like 4chan, Reddit, and YouTube, where creator Jadusable posted videos and updates. Social media played a crucial role, as fans shared, debated, and speculated, creating a collaborative storytelling environment. Dedicated forums, wikis, and comment sections became central hubs for theorizing about the haunted Majora’s Mask cartridge.
The interactive format of the narrative encouraged real-time participation, with users often influencing story elements through feedback and suggestions. This communal engagement led to a rapid spread beyond the original audience. BEN Drowned’s structure set precedent for future "creepypastas," showing how horror could evolve with community input and social media dynamics. Viral hashtags, fan art, and analysis videos helped cement its place in internet history.
Nostalgic Relevance for Gamers
BEN Drowned resonates strongly with those who grew up with the Nintendo 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. The story taps into shared childhood experiences—late nights spent exploring mysterious video game worlds and the sense of discovery that characterized early gaming.
By framing a classic game cartridge as haunted, the narrative channels collective nostalgia into a lens of subtle unease. It highlights how retro games can evoke powerful emotions, blending fond memories with suspense. For many, the haunted cartridge legend reinforces the lasting impact of the Nintendo 64 era and how digital artifacts can become vessels for both nostalgia and new forms of storytelling.
Collectors and longtime fans often cite BEN Drowned as a key example of how internet folklore can amplify the cultural weight of beloved gaming experiences. The story’s integration with an iconic game makes it a reference point in discussions about the intersection of gaming, myth, and online community culture.
In-Game Elements and Symbolism
Ben Drowned is recognized for its unsettling digital imagery and use of recognizable symbols from Majora’s Mask. The creepypasta relies on both visual and narrative changes to craft its sense of unease.
Haunted Enemies and Disturbing Visuals
The story’s haunted cartridge introduces corrupted enemies not found in the original game. Distorted versions of familiar characters, such as the Elegy of Emptiness statue, appear unexpectedly and fill the world with a sense of dread.
Glitches are used to alter environments, causing objects to float or duplicate. Background music often slows or plays in reverse, making locations feel alien. Menacing text boxes and altered dialogue frequently foreshadow doom.
Some locations, normally safe in the game, become threatening. Ben’s ghostly presence is often hinted at through visual cues and enemy behaviors. The use of in-game events, like the moon’s descent, creates persistent tension and anxiety.
The Moon Children and Story Themes
The Moon Children, introduced in the narrative, embody the unsettling themes of innocence lost and hidden trauma. These figures resemble children in white, wearing masks, and are linked with Majora’s Mask as a source of both temptation and power.
They often ask unsettling questions, pushing the player toward moral choices or ambiguous answers. The symbolism of masks is central, representing hidden identities and secrets. Dialogue with the Moon Children references despair, regret, and the passage of time.
Majora’s Mask itself represents chaos and manipulation. The Moon Children’s actions—and the player’s interactions with them—reflect the uncertainty surrounding Ben’s fate. Lists of nameless victims and cryptic phrases deepen the story’s lingering sense of mystery.
Conclusion
The story of BEN Drowned as a haunted video game cartridge demonstrates how online storytelling can blend fiction with aspects of real-life gaming culture. Its foundation as a creepypasta taps into familiar themes from internet folklore.
The narrative gained traction because it used familiar elements—such as an ordinary Majora’s Mask cartridge—combined with unsettling game glitches. Community engagement through forums and videos played a major role in spreading its popularity.
Key features of BEN Drowned include:
Feature Description Origin Creepypasta written by Alex Hall (Jadusable) Game The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask Main Character BEN (alleged spirit) Format Story posts, game footage, and an alternate reality game
This tale remains a significant example of how modern myths can emerge online. It also highlights how video games, storytelling, and digital communities can interact to create enduring internet legends.
Discussions continue regarding the authenticity of events described in BEN Drowned. Most agree that it is a work of fiction, yet its structure and presentation have influenced the way people approach horror and mystery stories on the internet.
