Nathan Drake has faced collapsing temples, centuries-old puzzles, double-crossing mercenaries, and impossible odds—but he always comes out swinging, and often with a remarkably clever line. Throughout the Uncharted series, Drake’s voice is as iconic as his climbing skills and near-superhuman luck. Whether he’s cracking jokes in the face of danger, reflecting on his past, or lashing out in moments of pain or loyalty, his words reveal just as much about him as his adventures do.
What makes Nathan Drake a memorable protagonist isn’t just his daring stunts—it’s his humanity. He’s not invincible. He’s a man constantly in over his head, fueled by love, loss, curiosity, and a deep yearning for something greater than gold. His dialogue balances sharp humor with emotional depth, and many of his most powerful moments come from what he says, not what he does.
In this list, we’re diving into the Top 10 Most Memorable Nathan Drake Quotes—the lines that define who he is at his core. These quotes highlight his sarcasm, his compassion, his trauma, and his unwavering spirit. Some made us laugh, some made us tear up, and some just made us want to reload and replay the whole game. Let’s take a journey through the words that made Nathan Drake one of the most beloved characters in video game history.
#10: “Greatness from small beginnings.” – Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
This quote isn’t just a line—it’s a mantra. The Latin version, Sic Parvis Magna, is etched onto Sir Francis Drake’s ring, which Nathan wears around his neck for most of the series. But it’s in Uncharted 3 where the weight of the phrase finally settles in. “Greatness from small beginnings” represents not just Sir Francis’s legacy, but Nathan’s entire identity.
Throughout the series, Drake is painted as someone chasing grandeur—lost cities, ancient treasures, legendary discoveries—but what he’s really searching for is validation. He was a street kid with no real family, no future, and a made-up name. That small beginning makes this quote resonate deeply. It’s not just aspirational—it’s defiant. It’s his way of saying, “I wasn’t born great, but I will become great anyway.”
In Uncharted 3, this quote surfaces during pivotal character moments, especially as Drake grapples with who he is versus who he pretends to be. The ring—and the phrase—represent the thin line between myth and man. Is Drake truly related to Sir Francis? Maybe not. But the quote suggests that what matters more is what he chooses to become, not where he started from.
The beauty of this line is in its versatility. It’s hopeful, noble, and filled with potential. It’s the kind of phrase you’d find carved into stone—or scribbled on the back of a napkin by someone daring to dream. And for Nathan, it defines his journey: from a scrappy orphan with nothing to a globe-trotting adventurer who shapes history.
Fans instantly connected with this quote because it doesn’t just apply to Nathan—it applies to everyone. We all start somewhere. It’s what we do next that defines us. And for Nathan Drake, greatness wasn’t a birthright. It was something he fought for, stumbled into, and earned—one collapsing ledge at a time.
This quote sets the tone for his life, his legend, and his lasting impact as a character. It’s simple, profound, and completely unforgettable.
#9: “I’m sweating like a hooker in church.” – Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Leave it to Nathan Drake to face down danger with a joke that’s equal parts irreverent and perfectly timed. Early in Uncharted 2, while navigating a booby-trapped jungle temple, Drake drops this line without missing a beat. It’s one of the first moments in the game where we’re reminded why he’s more than just an action hero—he’s charm personified.
This quote is a great example of Drake’s signature sarcasm and tendency to lighten the mood, even when surrounded by death traps and ancient curses. It breaks the tension, pokes fun at the absurdity of the situation, and reminds us that Drake doesn’t take himself too seriously—even when everything around him is deadly serious.
What makes this line so defining is its delivery. It’s casual, unfiltered, and spoken as if Drake were just making conversation in a coffee shop rather than staring at his own potential doom. That’s the Drake difference—his instinct isn’t to panic, it’s to riff. His sense of humor is often a defense mechanism, but it’s also what makes him relatable. He’s not a stoic action robot—he’s a guy who gets scared, gets hot, and cracks jokes to cope.
The humor also highlights something else: he enjoys the danger. Drake isn’t just reluctantly pulled into these adventures—he lives for the thrill. The quip makes it clear that, even in the most uncomfortable circumstances, he can’t help but smile, shrug, and move forward.
It’s this blend of gallows humor and everyman relatability that separates Nathan Drake from so many other video game protagonists. Lines like this may seem throwaway at first, but they stick because they reveal character. In just one sentence, we get Drake’s wit, his nerves, his charm—and his complete inability to keep his mouth shut when maybe he should.
#8: “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.” – Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Coming from a man who lies for a living, this moment of vulnerability in Uncharted 4 is jarring, raw, and incredibly human. After lying to Elena about his return to treasure hunting—and dragging her into another life-threatening mess—Drake finally lets his guard down and simply says, “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”
It’s not dramatic. It’s not long-winded. It’s real.
This line lands because it’s such a departure from Drake’s usual snark. He’s often the kind of guy who jokes his way out of tension, but here, he doesn’t deflect. He doesn’t try to spin it. He just owns up to what he did and shows real remorse.
By Uncharted 4, we see a different Drake. Older. Worn down. Torn between the domestic life he’s built with Elena and the thrill of adventure that’s still in his blood. This quiet, sincere apology captures that inner conflict perfectly. It’s Nathan Drake acknowledging his flaws—his selfishness, his restlessness, and the way it hurts the people he loves.
What makes this quote even more powerful is Elena’s reaction. She doesn’t forgive him right away. She walks away. It’s one of the few times Drake’s charm doesn’t save him. And that’s the brilliance of this line—it’s not enough. It’s a turning point, a moment of honesty, but it’s also a reminder that consequences exist in Drake’s world.
This quote defines Nathan not as an invincible action hero, but as a deeply flawed man trying to be better. He’s not perfect—and finally, he admits it.
#7: “I did it… I actually did it.” – Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
This is the moment where dream becomes reality—where legend becomes tangible. After spending most of Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune chasing the mythical El Dorado, Drake finally discovers it. And his stunned whisper—“I did it… I actually did it”—perfectly captures the awe, relief, and disbelief of a man who’s spent his life chasing the impossible.
This quote is a window into Nathan’s motivation. It’s never really been about the money, or the glory—it’s about proving something. To himself. To the world. Maybe even to the ghost of Sir Francis Drake.
Throughout the series, Drake plays it cool. He jokes, he shrugs, he gets cocky. But here, alone with the treasure, he drops the bravado. This line is soft, almost childlike. It’s not about conquest—it’s about validation. That all the danger, all the sacrifice, all the madness wasn’t for nothing.
It’s a rare emotional beat in a game that’s otherwise packed with shootouts and quips. And it lingers. Because for a second, you see who Nathan Drake really is beneath the smirks: a dreamer who just wants to believe he can do something extraordinary.
#6: “We’re not getting any younger.” – Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
This line, said with a half-smile and a touch of weariness, encapsulates the core theme of Uncharted 4. Nathan Drake isn’t the spry daredevil of his early days anymore. The aches linger longer. The walls feel higher. The risks seem greater. And yet… he’s still chasing treasure.
Drake says this to Sam as the brothers embark on yet another dangerous trek. It’s a moment filled with nostalgia, resignation, and excitement all at once. It acknowledges the passage of time—a recurring theme in the final chapter of the series—and Drake’s awareness that the clock is ticking.
It’s also a subtle nod to the players who’ve grown up alongside him. We’re not getting any younger either, and hearing our favorite adventurer admit the same thing hits hard. He’s changed. We’ve changed. But the call to adventure? It still pulls at us, even when we know better.
This line shows that Drake’s not just running on adrenaline anymore—he’s running on experience, brotherhood, and maybe a bit of recklessness that never quite left.
#5: “Oh crap.” – Every Uncharted Game
No quote defines Nathan Drake quite as universally—or as frequently—as the iconic: “Oh crap.”
From collapsing floors and booby traps to ancient monsters and helicopter gunships, this line is his go-to reflex. It’s almost Pavlovian. The second something explodes or falls apart, Drake mutters those two words in perfect deadpan.
It’s funny, sure, but it also reflects something deeper. Nathan doesn’t scream or panic—he processes disaster like it’s part of the job. He’s perpetually surprised, yet somehow unfazed. “Oh crap” is a shrug in the face of death. A verbal eye-roll as the ceiling collapses. It’s pure Drake.
This quote became so iconic that fans now expect it—and the series leans into it, delivering it at exactly the right beats for comedic or dramatic effect. It defines his tone: sarcastic, reactive, human. Not a superhero, not a soldier—just a guy who somehow survives whatever insanity is thrown at him.
Two words. One legacy.
#4: “This is what I do. It’s what I am.” – Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
This line is one of the most powerful self-revealing moments in the entire series. Nathan Drake, caught between the pull of a normal life and the thrill of his dangerous adventures, lays his soul bare. “This is what I do. It’s what I am.” It’s not bravado—it’s confession.
By Uncharted 4, Drake has tried to retire. He’s settled down with Elena. He has a house, a job, a marriage. But the call to adventure doesn’t fade—it gnaws at him. When the opportunity arises to chase another myth, he doesn’t hesitate long. And in trying to justify it, this line spills out.
What makes it defining is the emotion behind it. It’s not proud. It’s painful. There’s a hint of guilt, of frustration, of sadness. He knows what this life costs him—broken relationships, constant danger, and emotional exhaustion. And yet, he can’t walk away. Not completely. Because for better or worse, this is who he is.
The quote hits hard for fans who’ve followed Drake since the beginning. We’ve seen him joke, lie, and run headlong into insanity. But this moment strips all that away. It’s raw identity. It’s Nathan Drake coming to terms with himself—and it’s heartbreaking.
#3: “You’re gonna miss this.” – Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Said with a grin and a wink, this line from Drake to Sam may seem lighthearted on the surface, but it encapsulates a truth that defines the entire Uncharted series. In the middle of yet another impossible climb, Drake turns to his brother and smirks, “You’re gonna miss this.”
And he’s right.
The moment captures the paradox of the adventurer’s life—dangerous, absurd, often life-threatening… but irresistibly exciting. Nathan knows that no matter how chaotic it gets, there’s something alive in these moments that can’t be replicated in ordinary life. The adventure isn’t just about treasure. It’s about feeling something.
The line also shows Nathan’s self-awareness. He knows how addictive this life is—not just for him, but for anyone who’s ever tasted it. And it’s his way of reminding Sam (and the player) that this isn’t just a mission. It’s a moment. A fleeting, beautiful disaster that, for all its madness, will be remembered fondly.
“You’re gonna miss this” is funny, nostalgic, and eerily poignant all at once. It’s not just about a single moment—it’s about the entire journey.
#2: “I’m not giving up on you!” – Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
This line, shouted during a desperate moment in Uncharted 2, defines the heart of Nathan Drake. It’s not about treasure. It’s not about glory. It’s about people. When his allies are in danger, Drake becomes something more than a thrill-seeker—he becomes loyal to a fault.
In this particular scene, Drake risks everything to save a wounded comrade. With explosions all around and escape closing in, he chooses not to run. “I’m not giving up on you!” is more than a heroic declaration—it’s a promise. A refusal to abandon anyone, no matter the odds.
This fierce loyalty is what separates Nathan from other action heroes. He lies, he steals, he improvises—but he never leaves anyone behind. He’ll die trying to save a friend, and this quote is one of the clearest expressions of that unshakable commitment.
The intensity in his voice, the panic, the sincerity—it all reinforces how much the people around him mean. In a world of collapsing ruins and false alliances, this one moment shows what’s truly unshakable about Nathan Drake: his heart.
#1: “Some things are worth dying for.” – Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
This quote is Nathan Drake at his most resolute. Said during a confrontation with the antagonist Katherine Marlowe, it is the defining mission statement of his character. “Some things are worth dying for.” It’s the culmination of his beliefs—about loyalty, history, truth, and legacy.
In the face of threats and manipulation, Drake doesn’t back down. He knows the dangers. He knows the consequences. But he believes that discovering the truth, honoring those he cares about, and living a life of purpose matters. Even if it means dying.
This moment is more than defiance. It’s clarity. For a character who often acts on impulse, this line is rare—it’s intentional. He’s not just reacting. He’s choosing. And he’s doing it for something bigger than himself.
Fans love Nathan Drake because he’s flawed, funny, and human—but also because he believes in something. This quote distills that belief into a single, unforgettable sentence. In a world full of danger and doubt, Nathan finds meaning in the pursuit. And he’s willing to stake his life on it.
It’s a perfect closer for this list—because it doesn’t just define Nathan Drake. It defines the Uncharted series.
