History NarmCharm / VideoGames

* ''VideoGame/HouseOfTheDead'' is well known for its bad voice acting. ("Suffer like G Did?"). The latest game in the series, ''VideoGame/TheHouseOfTheDeadOverkill'', took the {{Narm}} football, ran it back for a touchdown, and ended up with a perfectly corny narrator, a BondOneLiner dropping agent, and a ClusterFBomb dropping detective. Plus the deliberate [[ExploitationFilm grindhouse B-Movie look for the game and cutscenes...]]

* A very, very powerful moment in VideoGame/DeadSpace2 has [[spoiler: Isaac confronting the hallucination of his now deceased girlfriend that the Marker exploits to make Isaac mentally unstable.]] Upon them dropping the act, the final boss fight begins, and Isaac says something that, normally, would be cheesy. But the frustration he's built up over the game, the bluntness of it, and the incredible delivery and power behind the line make it just plain incredible.

* Every last person in [[VideoGame/{{Fable}} Albion]] has either British or Irish accents and they're very stereotypically exaggerated.

** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV''. "You spoony bard!" It's a silly line that doesn't match the Japanese original, but it's so well loved that it's preserved in all remakes and sequels. Fans of archaic slang have pointed out that calling Edward "spoony" is indeed correct, since he was indeed sentimental and hopelessly in love. That it happens to also be [[InherentlyFunnyWords a really, really funny thing to call someone]] is just lagniappe.

* ''VideoGame/StreetFighterI'' has [[SoBadItsGood hilariously bad]] voice acting. [[TalkingToHimself All by one dude]].

* ''Videogame/BatmanArkhamAsylum'' has a few lines that would be ridiculous if they weren't being spoken by Batman (in Creator/KevinConroy's BadassBaritone, no less), such as the BadassBoast "I eat punks like these for breakfast."

** A lot of the fun of ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil4'' is that its story manages to be simultaneously serious and cheesier than a fondue to the point of {{Bathos}}. On one hand the backstory and lore is surprisingly deep, well-written, somber, and dark. The idea of a cult using {{Puppeteer Parasite}}s to turn people into, in effect, worker ants and that the entirety of a decent-sized community has already fallen to such a thing without anyone else knowing is a really strong setup for a genuinely dark and serious horror plot, which the game takes very seriously. However, at the same time, [[BigBad Lord Saddler]] and his henchmen are straight out of a Saturday morning cartoon, complete with Saddler's gag-penis tentacle that borders on belonging in a hentai, a "personal" rival to Leon [[RememberTheNewGuy who's never been so much as mentioned before acting like he's a major character who the audience should recognize]] and a giggling midget who acts like [[Film/ChildsPlay Chucky]], Leon's ''constant'' puns and dad jokes, Ashley chastizing the player for happening to gawk up her skirt, a "save the president's daughter" plot that's a few ninjas short of ''VideoGame/BadDudes'', a vaguely Spanish village that dresses like it's the 18th century, zombie cultists chanting "brains" in Spanish, silly action setpieces, hand-to-God a ''GIANT ROBOT STATUE THAT CHASES YOU'', and non-stop corny dialogue from everyone that often sounds like it's trying to be commentary on something but has no clue what. It's like the creators were asked if they wanted to make a horror movie or ''Film/ScaryMovie'' and answered "yes."
-->"Complete. Global. Saturation." \\

** Resident Evil has a zoo of zombie animals. We've had zombie dogs, spiders, snakes, plants, crows, lions, wasps, piranhas, monkeys (Yeah, zombie monkeys) and a zombie elephant, and the animalesque bosses. At first it seems hilariously silly but then when you realize these animals are much more dangerous than any human zombie [[GameOver it's too late]].

--> '''Monster [[spoiler:Alex Wesker]]:''' My imposter... you must... ''die!''
--> '''Barry: [[PunctuatedForEmphasis YOU!!! FIRST!!!]]'''

* ''The whole VideoGame/SuperMarioBros series'' runs by this principle. It's an irreverent and bizarre ConstructedWorld, populated by funny-looking characters with a very quirky sense of humor. But the games are done with such sincerity and charm that [[VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy when they try]] [[VideoGame/SuperPaperMario to take themselves]] [[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiBowsersInsideStory seriously]], ''it works''.

** [[spoiler:The Endogeny fight ends with the goofy "Dogsong" playing. While it would normally sound ridiculous, it sounds like a relief here, because [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pf_liZf5I8 this song was playing before]], and also because it shows that deep down, it's a BigFriendlyDog who was more curious than aggressive and needed affection before anything else.]]
** Wingdings is one of those [[InherentlyFunnyWords inherently funny words]], and it's a pretty silly font. That doesn't make Dr. W.D. Gaster or the line ''"Beware the man who speaks in hands"'' any less chilling.

* ''VideoGame/{{Okami}}'': You'd think that God herself getting [[MouseWorld shrunk]] to the point where brooms are deadly and TheThingThatGoesDoink is usable for platforming would be sillier than it is, yet it works. Even when you have to jump down the Emperor's throat while he snores and fight a boss [[WombLevel in his stomach]].

** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX''. No matter how heart-wrenching the scene where Tidus finds out [[spoiler: what being a summoner entails]], his voice actor fake-cried as well as Daniel Radcliffe does in ''[[Film/HarryPotterAndThePrisonerOfAzkaban Prisoner of]] [[FilmOfTheBook Azkaban]]'' in that scene. This sentiment could be applied to the entire game. It was Square's first real attempt at voice acting, and so is often a point of criticism due to the performances being somewhat rough around the edges(as well as technical issues such as the english localization needing to bend itself around the voice clips having to be the same length as the japanese audio). Despite this, the game has been known to move many people to tears. To this day, it's still cited as one of the most heartfelt videogames ever made.

* The original congratulatory text for killing a boss in ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'': '''[[{{Engrish}} YOU DEFEATED]].''' Defeated what, you ask? Doesn't matter, YOU DEFEATED.[[note]]Technically, it's correct English, but it's almost never spoken without a direct subject.[[/note]] It's been changed to the more sensical "VICTORY ACHIEVED" in updates, however.
* ''VideoGame/JadeCocoon'' for the Sony Playstation. It's a mons game with a [[JustForFun/RecycledINSPACE Native American...ish(?)]] theme, a story that goes nowhere and makes little to no sense, voice-acting that ranges from surprisingly serviceable to SERIOUS narm, only 8 levels, and a final boss that, while manages to be properly set-up, and STILL make no sense. Somehow though all of this adds up to create a weirdly charming world to explore, and to this day it's remembered fondly as a classic and has a considerably large fan-following.

* The [[SilentProtagonist only line]] spoken by the player character in ''VideoGame/SystemShock 2'' is a response to SHODAN's WeCanRuleTogether. It's "Naaah."

--> Where's that [[PrecisionFStrike DAMN]] fourth Chaos Emerald?!\\

-->"DASHAAAAA!"\\

** [[spoiler:The Endogeny fight ends with a slowed down version of "Dogsong" playing: while it negates a lot of its scariness, it's a relief to see the monster doesn't want to attack you anymore, but it also shows that despite everything, it's still a dog who finally found the affection it needed.]]

* ''VideoGame/EliteBeatAgents'' is ''positively powered'' by this. You're part of the EBA, a [[TheMenInBlack Men in Black]] organisation who go around [[WeHelpTheHelpless helping the helpless]] through the power of dance. Songs include ''Sk8er Boi'', ''Y.M.C.A.'' and ''Material Girl''. Missions range from helping a magician save the casino he works at from robbers, to helping a ludicrously rich Texan get his fortune back, to helping a baseball player recover his confidence so he can ''save a theme park from a gigantic golem'' (complete with a ridiculous catchphrase - "YOU BET, KID!"). You'd think the one serious mission, in which you help a little girl deal with the death of her father, would avoid this, and it does... except she comes back in the final mission to help you save the world from invading aliens through the PowerOfRock. And yet, [[strike:despite]] ''because of'' this, you'll be cheering along the entire time.

** Prompto of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV'' seems to be invoking this. Every time the party camps or rests at a hotel, the game will look over Prompto's pictures from his camera. Many of them are totally hilarious between Prompto [[SkewedPriorities taking pictures of monsters attacking Noctis or his friends]], people knocked on their asses, Noctis picking up something and it looks like he's throwing up, or his [[UncannyValley bizarre facial expressions]] in his selfies.

** Kratos's [[{{Wangst}} wangsty]] quote after [[spoiler: releasing Origin's seal: "It looks like I've failed to die once more."]] He's looking at the camera and his head is at a pretty UncannyValley angle. But it's forgiven because the [[DuelBoss rest of]] [[HeroicSacrifice the scene]] [[{{Forgiveness}} is AWESOME.]]

** ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogCD'' started the tradition of cheesy yet catchy music in ''Sonic'' games:

*** Even the Japanese GameOver music has this effect. It may not be as horrible as the infamous OminousPipeOrgan of the American version, but the distorted "Toot-Toot Sonic Warrior...", which sounds like a DarkReprise of the aforementioned intro song, gives the impression that [[EvilLaugh the game is laughing at you]].
*** On the other hand, the infamous American boss and GameOver themes, despite being [[AmericanKirbyIsHardcore over-the-top]], still do a great job at raising tension before fighting Eggman and frustrating the player after they lost all their lives. Considering the game is DarkerAndEdgier than other 2D ''Sonic'' games, they may fit better than their Japanese funky equivalents.

*** Even the Japanese GameOver music has this effect. It may not be as horrible as the infamous OminousPipeOrgan of the American version, but the distorted "Toot-Toot Sonic Warrior...", which sounds like a DarkReprise of the aforementioned intro song, gives the impression that [[YourTelevisionHatesYou the game is laughing at you]].

*** The robotic voice in the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTWnxQD5_sw Japanese Bad Future music for Metallic Madness]] sounds like the Software Automatic Mouth and is basically saying the opposite of the lyrics of that version's theme song, but the song in general (especially the instrumentation) doesn't refrain from [[PlayerPunch reminding you that you]] [[BadFuture screwed up]].
---> '''''"[[IronicEcho YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING]], SO DON'T EVEN TRY IT. GET SOME HELP.'''''\\

*** Even the Japanese GameOver music has this effect. It may not be as horrible as the infamous OminousPipeOrgan of the American version, but the distorted "Toot-Toot Sonic Warrior...", which sounds like a DarkReprise of the aforementioned intro song, gives the impression that the game is laughing at you, giving you the frustration to try again or RageQuit.

** The soundtrack of ''VideoGame/SonicR'' is this trope in music. The lyrics may be cheesy, but the singer's implication and the dynamic music will make you sing along before you realize it.
** ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'''s [[spoiler:Last Story's ending]] is considered very memorable, with mostly good dialogue, but Tails' ''"[[MemeticMutation we all did it together]]"'' line is considered notoriously cheesy even apart from the AccidentalInnuendo. Also: "Let's get back to the planet that's as [[TotallyRadical cool and blue]] as me!".

** ''Any'' music with lyrics in the Sonic franchise tend to be cheesy, yet strangely catchy. ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'' is probably the biggest example of this with the memetic [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic Escape From The City]] and Knuckles' rap themes.
** The Japanese and [=PAL=] versions of ''VideoGame/SonicCD'' bring us the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTWnxQD5_sw track]] to Metallic Madness (Bad Future), featuring a robotic voice (presumed to be Robotnik's) telling you, "You can't do anything, so don't even try! Get some help!" Yes, the voice sounds like Microsoft Sam. But the track also [[PlayerPunch reminds you that you]] [[DownerEnding screwed up]].

* "Okay...Let's ''PARRRTY!''" ''VideoGame/MetalWolfChaos'' turns the insanely HotBlooded PatrioticFervour UpToEleven, delivers epic SayMyName moments ("RIIIICHAAAARD!!"), [[HamAndCheese ludicrous dialogue]] and a plot of stomping around AMERICA saving it by [[MonumentalDamage blowing famous]] [[WeaponizedLandmark parts of it]] to bits. If it didn't go so over the top, or showed the slightest self-awareness about how ridiculous it was, it wouldn't be so much fun.

** The game goes out of its way to ham up the '''[[SuperMode BREAK MODE]]''' and '''[[UpToEleven DOUBLE BREAK MODE]]''' text whenever you activate either Break mode.

** Horah Loux fights you with ''freaking pro wrestling moves'', like the devs made [[VideoGame/DarkSouls Andre of Astora]] into a boss. It makes for a surprisingly fun and unique boss fight, especially since Horah [[spoiler: spent the first half of the battle as the regal Godfrey, First Elden Lord, before deciding he was ''done holding back'' and stripped off his armor to fight you with his ''bare fists''.]]

** The Starscourge Radahn boss fight, which seems to have been developed by people who were watching ''Anime/DragonBallZ'' while they worked. It's part of a massive 'Radahn Festival' whose sole purpose is to find some way to actually challenge the boss, who's a 20 ft. tall giant with a long red mane of AnimeHair, a [[HugeRiderTinyMount a horse way too small for him]], and over-the-top GravityMaster attacks that include pelting you with meteors and a GroundPound ''from orbit''. It's also completely ''epic'', featuring infinite summons, gorgeous effects, and an engaging, difficult-but-fair boss that really makes you feel like a Shonen hero. The circumstances also have a surprising amount of emotional intensity; [[spoiler: The Radahn Festival is actually an attempt at MercyKilling Radahn, who's become mindless and feral due to Scarlet Rot, as [[AFatherToHisMen his soldiers loved him too much to let him go on like that]]]]. And that comically small horse? It was Radahn's [[ABoyAndHisX childhood mount]], and he loved it so much he ''learned gravity magic'' [[MundaneUtility simply so that he could still ride]] it after he grew into a behemoth.

** [[spoiler:The Endogeny fight ends with "Dogsong" playing: while it negates a lot of its scariness, it's a relief to see the monster doesn't want to attack you anymore, but it also shows that despite everything, it's still a dog who finally found the affection it needed.]]