With the country’s reputation for nuclear weapons, eccentric dictators and anti-American bellicosity, it comes as no surprise that video games have often portrayed North Korea in much the same way. 

From crude flight simulators to big-budget shooters, North Korea has been a recurring antagonist in games since the industry was in its infancy, and its depiction in various titles has evolved along with growing public consciousness of the Kim regime’s nuclear threat. 

Portrayals of North Korea in gaming, however, have rarely been nuanced and often mirror general ignorance of the country and its people. While some developers occasionally dip their