Since their inception, it seems, video games have courted controversy. Like rock music, comic books and movies before them, video games have become targets for hyper-sensitive parents, grand-standing politicians, and religious zealots who really, at the most fundamental level, just do not understand the medium in any way, shape, or form. Sad but true.
Here is a chronological list of 15 games that stood out in my memory as having rattled the collective cages of one special interest group or another throughout the years. Somewhere the future Jack Thompson's of the world are salivating, I just know it...
Death Race (1976):
From Wikipedia: "Although the graphics are primitive and monochrome, the 'gremlins' resemble stick figures, and the game's working title had been 'Pedestrian.' In spite of Exidy president Pete Kaufman's denial that the intent of the game was to promote violence, 'Death Race' provoked media criticism. The National Safety Council called it 'gross.' The CBS news program '60 Minutes' broadcast an investigation into the psychological impact of video games, and the game was covered on 'NBC's Weekend' news show, and in the 'National Enquirer.'"
This is first game I ever recall causing any kind of stir. I was only six at the time, but I do recall the machine being in arcades. The game was based on the cult film "Death Race 2000" where participants in the race where given points for slaughtering pedestrians, so it's the overall concept (running down people in the roadways for fun/sport) here that's concerning, not the content. It's laughable by today's standards that anyone ever was offended by this game. It's even kind of ridiculous that people were offended by in 1976...
Custer's Revenge (1982):
"Custer's Revenge" (also known as "Westward Ho" and "The White Man Came") was a game made for the Atari 2600 by Mystique, a company that produced a number of adult video game titles for the system. The player character is based on General George Armstrong Custer. The main thrust of the criticism for this title stems from its crude simulation of a rape of a Native American woman. In the game, the player controls the character of Custer, depicted as a man wearing nothing but a cavalry hat, boots and a bandana, sporting a visible erection. Custer has to prevail over arrow attacks to reach the other side of the screen. His goal is to have sex with a naked Native American woman tied to a pole.
It also interesting to note that a gender flipped version of this game was produced titled, "General Retreat." In this game, the woman has to overcome various obstacles (cannonballs instead of arrows) to have sex with a bound Custer.
Even though the graphics are laughably crude by any standard, it's obvious that this game's premise is just vile. The controversy surrounding this game is deserved...for the most part.
Punch Out! (1984):
This a beloved boxing game made by cute and cuddly Nintendo...so why is it on this list? Well, it promotes racial stereotypes, it seems. Russian people took offense to character named, "Vodka Drunkinski" so his name was changed to "Soda Popinski." So much better...
There are a few other characters that caused some concern over the years, but really, I think people have gotten their panties in a twist over nothing here. Get over yourselves and just enjoy this super fun game.
Barbarian - The Ultimate Warrior (1987):
The cover art of this game, which featured bikini-clad babe who was then associated with topless photo shoots, and a muscle-bound dude, who was only wearing loincloth, provoked outrage in the UK.
From Wikipedia: "Electron User magazine received letters from readers and religious bodies, who called the image 'offensive and particularly insulting to women' and an 'ugly pornographic advertisement.' 'Barbarian's' violent content (you could cut off your opponent's head with one, clean stroke) was also controversial and was banned in Germany by the Bundesprüfstelle für jugendgefährdende Medien because of it."
There's nothing in "Barbarian" that kids of the era couldn't have seen in a PG-13 rated film. And although the gameplay was shallow, it was a blast to play in short bursts or against a friend.
Wolfenstein 3D (1992):
This is a classic, first person shooter that has a ton pixelated blood, killing of guard dogs, and related Nazi imagery. It also has a Mecha-Hitler as its final boss battle...which is pretty damn cool actually.
If you served in WWII and fought the Nazis, or are a Holocaust survivor, I can understand why you might take offense at this title. Otherwise, get a life...or a hobby. Seriously.
Mortal Kombat series (1992):
This a storied fighting game franchise that introduced the concept of "Fatalities" to finish off opponents. These "Fatalities" where gory and over the top to point be being absurd; much like the video game/digital age equivalent of Bugs Bunny whacking another character with a frying pan. When "Mortal Kombat" was released for home console formats it became the first "big budget" game to raise the issue of violence in the medium. "Mortal Kombat" (and the game below it which we'll get to in a minute) were the main catalysts to the implementation of a video game rating system, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB).
Night Trap (1992):
This "is a survival horror interactive movie video game that was released in North America on October 15, 1992 for the Sega CD," according to Wikipedia. "It was filmed in Culver City, CA over a three-week period in 1987 and was originally developed for Hasbro's 'NEMO' video game system, which used VHS tapes instead of ROM cartridges. However, when Hasbro scrapped production of 'NEMO,' the footage was placed into archive until purchased in 1991 by the founders of Digital Pictures. Digital Pictures ported 'Night Trap' to the Sega CD platform and later brought it to the Sega 32X, 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, and PC platforms with higher-quality video. In total the game reportedly cost US$1.5 million to produce. The game utilized full-motion video scenes entirely and is notorious for the controversy it brewed in 1993, resulting in U.S. Senate hearings and withdrawal of the game from the market and the creation of the ESRB."
Again, if you've ever played "Night Trap" (and I recommend that if you even have a slight interest in video games you should give this a go; it's goofy fun and shows the potential of what interactive movies could be) you know that the outcry over this game is all sound and fury. There's nothing in the game that a young kid couldn't see in a PG or PG-13 rated film. As I recall there is no blood whatsoever, just Dana Plato and some scantily clad 80s chicks bopping about.
Postal series (1997):
These games (there are three I believe; the first one was an isometric shooter, the last two were FPS's) are pretty abhorrent and deserve to be on list like this because there's really no artistic merit here...it's all about shock value. You just go around doing terrible things to terrible people ad nauseum. If you get your kicks out of something like the "Postal" series, seek help now.
Grand Theft Auto series (1997):
What can I say about the "GTA" series that hasn't been said already? I could write an entire 2000 word article on the crazy, criminal antics you can get up to in these games. Really though...it comes down choice in a game like this. There have been several people who have let their young children play one of these games and they typically just drive around, obeying all the laws and never causing any harm. Check out this article from VentureBeat if you don't believe me.
The most famous scandal that most people recall surrounding GTA is the "Hot Coffee" mod in "GTAIII: San Andreas." Originally, there were mini-game sections in this title that allowed you to have sex with various women if they asked you in for "hot coffee." The mini-games were removed from the final game but a hacker uncovered the code in the PC version of game and modded it so you play those sections. The ESRB flipped out, fined Rockstar games and had the M-rated version of the game pulled from shelves so it could be re-rated the dreaded AO (Adults Only) because it was "content on the disc" and therefore needed to be disclosed.
Thrill Kill (1998):
I debated even putting this game in the list because it was actually never released, but it is readily available in playable form on the internet...and it is something of curious, violent oddity that deserves mention.
"Thrill Kill" was fighting game for the developed for the original PlayStation. While the technical feat of allowing four players to fight simultaneously in the same room was to be a major selling point, this was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the game's depictions of gratuitous violence and sexual content. It also had a quadriplegic with blades for limbs as a playable character. So there's that.
Conker's Bad Fur Day (2001):
From Wikipedia: "The game stars Conker the Squirrel, a greedy, heavy-drinking red squirrel who is attempting to return home to his girlfriend. The gameplay is composed of various challenges like solving puzzles or racing vehicles, split across multiple levels. The game also includes a multiplayer mode where up to four players can compete in seven different game types.
'Conker's Bad Fur Day' was in development for four years and was originally intended for a family audience, but was redesigned and marketed to a much older demographic. It features graphic violence, sexual themes, strong language, toilet humor, and several film parodies. The game received very positive reviews from video game publications, which praised the game's graphics, audio, and presentation. The game sold poorly due to limited advertising and a release towards the end of the Nintendo 64's life cycle, but earned a cult following due to its unique styling. A remake, titled 'Conker: Live & Reloaded,' with enhanced graphics and a different multiplayer mode, was released for the Xbox in 2005."
Yeah, Conker is kind of out there (it has a giant, singing mound of feces as one of its bosses), but it is all in good fun. The game was essentially designed to take the piss out of all the mascot games (Sonic, Mario, Crash Bandicoot, Busby, Gex, etc.) that there were a glut of at this period in time.
Regardless, it's a well-designed, classic gaming experience that shouldn't be missed.
Manhunt 1&2 (2003, 2007):
The first "Manhunt" gained significant controversy after it was alleged that the game inspired a teenager to commit a murder. It was also banned in Australia. It is a violent and brutish game for sure; the video game equivalent of a snuff film.
"Manhunt 2" has been labeled as possibly the most violent video game ever made, and is infamous for being one of only two video games to receive an "Adults-Only rating" due to violence. Further controversy surrounds the Wii version due to the fact that it actually simulates violent acts through motion control, dubbing it a "murder simulator."
On top of that, I have personal experience with "Manhunt 2" as I worked for the ESRB at the time and was part of the ratings team that decided on the AO rating. I can assure you the version that Rockstar submitted to us was well-deserving of the AO rating. It was as bleak, unrelenting, and downright malicious as it gets. End of story.
Super Columbine Massacre RPG (2005):
This is a role playing game created by independent developer Danny Ledonne. The game reconstructs the 1999 Columbine High School shootings near Littleton, Colorado in video game form. Players assume the roles of gunmen Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold and act out the massacre, with flashbacks relating parts of Harris and Klebold's past experiences. The game begins on the day of the shootings and follows Harris and Klebold after their suicides to fictional adventures in Hell.
While I think the idea behind this game is an intriguing one, it is just in poor taste and a bit sensational overall. There's also a documentary about the creator and his game called, "Playing Columbine" that is rather insightful. I believe it is still on Netflix, so check it out.
RapeLay (2006): (video is NSFW, obviously)
As the title would suggest, rape is a core part of the gameplay, as the player takes on the role of a sexual predator who stalks, and subsequently rapes, a mother and her two daughters, at least one of whom is underage. Three years after its initial release, significant controversy was raised in the UK Parliament and elsewhere, and Equality Now eventually pressured its distributor to withdraw distribution of it in Japan.
The Japanese are a weird, squirrely lot sometimes. I don't think there's much more to say about something this perverted and deviant.
South Park: The Stick of Truth (2014):
This a South Park game...how could it not court controversy? The game was censored in Europe and Australia due to its depiction of an anal probing by aliens and the player-character performing an abortion. In their place, the game displays a still image of a statue holding its face in its hand, with an explicit text-based description of events depicted in the scene. The German version was specifically censored because of the use of Nazi and Hitler-related imagery, including swastikas and Nazi salutes, which are illegal in that country...as well they should be.
Honestly, this game is just funny, and it's really hard for a video game to be funny. Obviously, the South Park brand of humor isn't everyone's cup of tea, and I think that should be a well-known fact since the show been on the air since 1997. If you don't like it, don't buy it. It is that simple.
