The Toasty gag began in Mortal Kombat II, where sound designer Dan Forden would pop up in the corner of the screen and shout the word after a player landed an uppercut. The hidden cameo became a fan favourite, returning in later Mortal Kombat games and arcade lore as a badge of a stylish hit. As gameplay clips and memes spread online, the short shout travelled far beyond the arcade, becoming shorthand for a satisfying moment. It endures because it is instantly recognisable, playful, and tied to a clear on-screen payoff.