There is no other form of entertainment that draws as much ire from the media and the public as video games. Perhaps it is due to the misconception that video games are solely for children, so when an adult-themed game hits the market controversy erupts. Controversial video games have plagued the industry from the beginning, and we’ve compiled a list of the most offensive games.
Mortal Kombat
Also released in 1992, Mortal Kombat was the first fighter game to introduce killing off opponents. Fatalities were executed in gruesome ways such as reaching into an opponent’s chest to tear out their heart, ripping out a fighter’s spine or punching an enemy’s head clean off. Mortal Kombat caught the attention of video game critics and may have been the impetus for the implementation of the video game rating system.
Leisure Suit Larry
When you think about obscene video games, Leisure Suit Larry originally released in 1987 should come to mind. Released initially as a PC and Apple II game, the plot is similar to the movie The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Middle-aged virgin Larry Laffer tries to find love (and get lucky) in the city of Lost Wages. The prospects for this lonely loser in the Las Vegas-like city include a sex worker, club-goer, receptionist and bathing beauty. He can opt for a prostitute but if he doesn’t use a condom, he contracts an STD and dies. If he doesn’t find love, he commits suicide. These are definitely not kid-friendly themes.
Wolfenstein 3D
Wolfenstein 3D, first released in 1992, broke ground for popularizing first-person shooter games. But it also was a magnet of controversy as one of the first games to feature Nazi imagery. You play as an Ally bad boy who’s been captured and tortured by the Nazis. Before impending execution, you must escape. There is tons of violence and gore, but most notable is the game’s final boss: Adolf Hitler.
Doom
What do you get when you mix graphic violence with satanic images? You get one of the most controversial games of all time. It’s a nightmare world of demonic creatures, secret areas and hell spawn battles. The perpetrators of the Columbine High School massacre were said to be huge fans of Doom and even created levels that were widely distributed. Because of this, many debates raged about the role video games played in real world violence.
Grand Theft Auto Series
Oh, where to even begin with the Grand Theft Auto series that debuted in 1997. It has everything from drugs, sex and rock and roll. A good dose of racism, nudity and violence against innocent citizens is also included. Your character can ride around the city listening to music, pick up a prostitute, do the deed then beat her up and steal her money.
Perfect Dark
Nintendo is typically associated with wholesome family fun. But Perfect Dark, released in 2000, was the first mature-rated game to appear on the console. It pales in comparison to some of the games on this list, but stacked up against the Nintendo 64’s lineup, it stood out. You play as agent Joanna Dark who must uncover the trust behind the nefarious dealings of the dataDyne Corporation. No cute creatures or Mario characters to liven the gameplay.
State of Emergency
Rockstar Games, the developer of State of Emergency, seemed to be a magnet for criticism thanks to the release of GTA. State of Emergency earned them even more flack as a game that to some glamorized riots and chaos. Taking place in a totalitarian police state, the resistance begins a campaign of terrorism sparking violence across the board. The game was frenzied and so was the public response to the subject matter.
Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball
This Tecmo 2003 release revolves around the women of the Dead or Alive series playing beach volleyball in extremely skimpy bikinis. Although the game was lauded for its volleyball play, the “jiggle” physics drew attention the female character’s various assets, making the game overtly sexual.
Hitman: Blood Money
This critical success for developer Eidos follows Agent 47, a professional hitman who must stealthily make his way through missions to reach his kill target. To be successful at this game, the player would need to drag bodies into secluded areas or dispose of any witnesses to the crime. It was not just about killing, but also about being devious and hiding your murderous tracks. Even before the release of the game, ads for Hitman: Blood Money drew controversy as they depicted victims of murder.
Silent Hill: Homecoming
You can expect survival horror games to be gruesome, and Silent Hill: Homecoming did not disappoint. The game revolved around a solider returning from war. As he returns to his hometown he discovers his younger brother is missing and his mother suffering from catatonia. His search leads him to the nightmarish Silent Hill. This was the first in the series to use surround sound, which combined with decapitations, dismemberments and torture upped the scare factor and sense of violence.
