As you’re enjoying the Fourth of July, take time to remember not only the U.S.’s struggle for independence but the soldiers who fought for our freedoms. Then think about all the great games that have used patriotism, or lack thereof, as a motif over the years.

Patriotism is rife in video games, from today’s “Call of Duty” series to older generation games like “Contra.” And who could forget the infamous NES port of the 1988 game “Bad Dudes vs. DragonNinja,” where a CIA agent asks the main protagonist, “Are you a bad enough dude to rescue the President?”

There are all sorts of references to patriotism and history even in our favorite childhood games. “Oregon Trail” was a great educational experience as it showed some of the hardships and dangers settlers had to face when they traveled west in the 1800s. The “Medal of Honor” and a few of the first “Call of Duty” games created stories out of historical battles and skirmishes like the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II. Though these games are inherently violent, they also serve as an interesting look at the life of a soldier.

Of course, sometimes games wade into what it means to be patriotic. Some of the most intelligent, intriguing games involve the struggle between patriotic zealotry and patriotic rationality. The “Metal Gear Solid” series always asks interesting philosophical questions about war and nationality, and “BioShock: Infinite” explores what happens when people take the American ideal to an absurd, cultish end.

Yet some games are either thinly disguised pitches for military service or, far worse, exploitative of our patriotic pride. “Fugitive Hunter: War on Terror” was a dreadful 2003 shooter on the Playstation 2 revolving around a U.S. agent’s attempt to capture well-known terrorists and U.S. enemies, such as Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden. It’s notorious for its terrible gameplay and horrendous sound.

There are also games like “America’s Army,” which the U.S. army developed specifically as propaganda to recruit more citizens into service. The original “America’s Army” spawned a franchise that ran for much of the 2000s and showed actual military training and values. Yet critics decried the blatant attempt to recruit citizens through a game and the series has raised political questions about whether the military should use such methods aimed at children.

Yet patriotism is a strong theme in literature and it’s only natural that we should use patriotism as a concept in gaming. There are plenty of games that showcase the U.S.’s pride and that’s a good thing. After all, it’s great we have the freedom to explore patriotism in general.