FEATURE | Top 10 Pranks in Video Games That Played with Your Expectations
VIDEO games have always been a source of entertainment for players worldwide, offering immersive experiences that take them to different worlds and storylines. However, some games have incorporated pranks that have left players feeling shocked, surprised, and even frustrated. Here are ten games that played pranks on players (spoilers ahead!):
ETERNAL DARKNESS: SANITY'S REQUIEM (Gamecube, 2003) - Blue Screen of Death
Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem is a psychological horror game that utilises a sanity meter mechanic that affects gameplay as the player progresses. The sanity meter gradually decreases, causing the game's environments and enemies to become distorted and unsettling. As the sanity meter drops, gameplay mechanics become more challenging, with the player hearing disturbing noises and experiencing physical changes.
To restore sanity, players can perform various actions, but these can also have unintended consequences, with some actions even lowering sanity. One of the most interesting features of the sanity meter is "sanity effects," where the game breaks the fourth wall and manipulates the player's perception of reality. For example, the game may appear to delete save files, turn off the console or display a blue screen of death.
METAL GEAR SOLID (PlayStation, 1998) - Psycho Mantis' Abilities
Metal Gear Solid series as a whole is known for its penchant to mess with gamers. Our first encounter with Psycho Mantis with his unique ability to read the player's memory card and even move the controller using his psychic powers still haunts us today.
This gave him a sense of control over the player, making him seem like an all-powerful foe. To defeat him, players had to think outside the box and switch the controller to a different port, breaking his hold on the game and allowing the player to fight back.
UNDERTALE (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, 2015) - Brutal Tutorial
If the protagonist runs into his bullets, he announces his central philosophy: "KILL or BE KILLED." Regardless of whether the protagonist dodges Flowey's bullets or not, he then attempts to kill the protagonist with an unavoidable ring of bullets. However, Toriel intervenes and saves the protagonist.
X-MEN (Sega Genesis, 1995) - Computer Reset
X-Men for the Sega Genesis was ahead of its time with its unique gameplay approach. The game had a devious way of progressing through one of its levels that involved using the console itself. As you reach the end of the stage, the exit that leads back to the Danger Room suddenly explodes when you try to enter it. As the timer dwindles down with no exit in sight, the game required players to reset the computer at the end of the level, but there was no in-game prompt or direction. It turns out, the game was referring to the console itself, and players had to press the soft reset button on the Sega to move forward.
LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD (Wii U, Nintendo Switch, 2017) - Hestu's Gift
In the game, BoTW players can collect 900 Korok Seeds scattered throughout the game's vast open world. While collecting 441 seeds rewards players with inventory upgrades, collecting all 900 is essentially pointless as the reward is a decorative item called Hestu's Gift, which resembles a golden pile of faeces.
According to game director Hidemaro Fujibayashi, the developers thought it would be funny to make the golden poop a big joke for players who ignored Ganon and collected all the Korok Seeds. Despite the humorous nature of the reward, collecting all 900 Korok Seeds still requires a significant amount of dedication.
GUNSTAR HEROES (Sega Genesis, 1993) - Gem Fakeout
In Gunstar Heroes, the Dice Palace stage requires players to roll a die to progress across the board. Each space labelled "FIGHT" leads to a mini-boss battle. As player progress through space, the mini-boss fights gets increasingly difficult without the proper weapons. At the end of the stage, players face off against the main boss, Black, who is inside a machine, the Black Beat Stepper, that throws dice to determine the type of attack that players will face.
First-time players upon defeating the leather-clad villain, Black will throw a fake copy of the Red Treasure Gem that explodes upon impact. If the player didn't have enough energy left after going through the level and the intense boss fight, your character will die and have to start the fight all over again. Fortunately, if you avoided the trap, you can dispense revenge by shooting him infinitely for pulling the prank until you give him the chance to fork out the real gem.
BATMAN ARKHAM ASYLUM (PC, Xbox 360, PS3, 2009) - Glitched Out
Batman: Arkham Asylum is a game that has been loved by many gamers since its release in 2009. However, one of the most memorable moments of the game was the scarecrow section where players would encounter a fake game over screen.
This section of the game was particularly frightening as players would be confronted with what appeared to be the game crashing and glitching out, only to have the game suddenly restart at the beginning with the roles reversed. This unexpected twist definitely left us feeling disoriented.
STAR WARS KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC (Xbox, 2003) - The Double Double Cross
In Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, players can engage in a memorable quest that takes place in the Sith Academy, where they can double-cross Uthar Wynn, the Sith Master, during the final test. Yuthura Ban, a fellow Sith student, asks for the player's help in overthrowing Uthar, and the quest can have a variety of outcomes depending on the player's choices. One option is to poison both Yuthura and Uthar, which adds an element of strategy to the quest and offers a satisfying conclusion as players can see the consequences of their actions play out in the final battle.
The ability to poison both parties is just one example of the depth and complexity that make Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic a beloved game, even almost 20 years after its release. It's a testament to the game's enduring appeal, as players continue to appreciate the intricate storytelling, immersive gameplay, and memorable characters.
STREETS OF RAGE (Sega Genesis, 1991) - Betrayal on Level 8
This classic Sega Genesis game is renowned for its action and music, but Streets of Rage's most distinct feature was the twist at the end of level eight. Players had the option to become Mr X's right-hand man or battle him to the death. The game provided a chance for deception, allowing players to select a different option than what they said, leading to an unexpected betrayal or cooperation.
The game's unique feature added a new dimension of intrigue, encouraging players to make tough decisions and betray their friends for their personal gain. This led to some hilarious pranks, with players waiting for their friends to choose their option before making a last-minute betrayal, followed by a thrashing. The unexpected twist at the end of level eight cemented Streets of Rage as a classic game that remains popular to this day.
SUPER MARIO BROS. (NES, 1985) - Our Princess is in Another Castle
Princess is in another castle: This classic game's ending after the first seven levels would reveal that Princess Toadstool was in another castle, leaving players feeling like their journey was far from over. a moment from Super Mario Bros.
After completing World 1-4 and defeating what players thought was the final boss, players were greeted with the message "Thank you, Mario! But our princess is in another castle!" The game had seven worlds in total, and players had to complete all of them to rescue Princess Toadstool from the clutches of Bowser.
ALL IN GOOD FUN
While these pranks may have left players feeling frustrated, they also added an element of surprise and excitement to the games. They have become memorable moments in video game history, and players continue to look back on them with fondness and amusement. — Geeks Republika
