History ThreateningShark / VideoGames

** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTearOfTheKingdom'': The Mucktorok boss spends much of its fight encased in sludge in the shape of a grimy shark (albeit one that also makes whale noises of all things) that will charge at you and splash sludge all over the arena. Funnily enough, you fight it alongside the aforementioned Sidon.

* ''VideoGame/CaliforniaGames'': During the surfing minigame, a shark will occasionally come up out of the water whenever you wipe out, implying an unfortunate fate for the poor surfer.

* ''VideoGame/MarioPlusRabbidsKingdomBattle'': The DLC "DK Adventure" introduces Side Eye, a Hammerhead shark slash Rabbid wielding a SeaMine. He can dive into the sand [[SandIsWater as if it was water]] to move around, with only his fin poking out menacingly.

** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioLand2SixGoldenCoins'': The sharks are nearly invincible. But [[WebAnimation/HomestarRunner how do they swim with boxing gloves on?]]
** In ''VideoGame/MarioParty9'', the Sushi enemy appears on the Blooper Beach board. They appear behind the players, and move four spaces every turn. If they catch up with the vehicle, the current Captain will lose Mini-Stars.

** ''VideoGame/MegaManX6'' is worse with Metal Shark Player in more ways than one.

** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'': The Zora race are portrayed as having somewhat more shark-like traits than they were previously. However, while some are suspicious and hostile in attitude towards the main character, others are much more friendly, and none of them are considered enemies. In an outright [[InvertedTrope inversion]] of this trope, one of the friendliest characters in the entire game is the [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_18921212_1508811429193858_5200863313174799155_o.jpg Zora Prince Sidon]], who is even ''more'' shark-like than the rest of his people (complete with hammerhead-like crest). At the same time, he ''is'' a WarriorPrince, so this trope is played straight for the monsters he fights to protect Zora's Domain, particularly that giant Octorok whose stomach he speared his way out of.

* Subverted in ''VideoGame/PhantomBrave''. Cauldron, the shark man, gives Marona way more money than he promised, [[InstantFanClub forms a fan club for her]], beats up anyone that badmouths her, and generally dotes on her as if she were his granddaughter.

* ''VideoGame/MightAndMagicVII'' has the late-game Shoals area, which is infested with sharks. The sharks wouldn't be ''too'' bad -- by the standards of monsters by the time you get there, their stats are actually pretty weak -- but the Shoals, being an underwater environment, imposes a lot of restrictions (for example, you are limited to one type of weapon, and you can't wear ''any'' armour or use any type of magic), and attacks can come from any direction...

* A rare inversion is ''VideoGame/OneHundredAndOneSharkPets'', in which the sharks are playful like [[AllAnimalsAreDogs puppies.]]
* A game called "Sharks" appears in the deplorable ''VideoGame/{{Action 52}}'' cartridge; both the NES original and somewhat improved (but not by much) Genesis version have it. You play as a scuba diver with a HarpoonGun trying to hunt sharks and not get killed. The game is simultaneously too cluttered and yet incredibly easy and rather dull--it's notable only for the rather explicitly bloody death animations in the Genesis version. Sharks hit by a harpoon bleed out before disappearing, while the player is quickly and messily StrippedToTheBone if eaten by a shark.
* In ''VideoGame/TheAdventuresOfLomax'', in some of the levels with water present, sharks appear from time to time to either start swimming in one direction and chomp continuously, or ''outright jump out of the water to bite you.''
* One of boss-fights of ''VideoGame/{{Alundra 2}}'' is [[AmazingTechnicolorWildlife a giant orange shark]] [[TractorBeam with vacuum powers]].
* Inverted in the later ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing'' games, where sharks are among the aquatic animals you can reel up with your fishing rod ([[AcceptableBreaksFromReality don't think about it too much]]). Sharks are both fairly common during the summer and on the island ''and'' extremely valuable, so you'll probably be ''looking'' for sharks to catch -- an inventory full of sharks (not that hard to gather) will net you several ''hundred thousand'' Bells (and that's before ''New Horizons'' introduces C.J., who will pay even more Bells for them).
** ''New Horizons'' does add a subversion, knowing how valuble sharks are in the series. What seems to be a Saw Shark shadow will usually be the smaller Suckerfish, which isn't worth that much.

* In ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamCity'', you must cross a half-frozen lake inside the Penguin's museum. This, of course, has a gigantic great white shark in it. Amusingly, you must slowly walk around on the ice, just as you needed to in Killer Croc's lair in ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamAsylum.'' What's worse than a croc? Exactly.
* In this case, Fritz, disguised as one, in one of Lance's death scenes in ''VideoGame/BrainDead13''.
* In ''VideoGame/BubbleTrouble'', Normal the Shark is a fast-moving enemy who can push bubbles to squish the player, or spit bubbles to ensnare him.

* During the surfing minigame of ''VideoGame/CaliforniaGames'', a shark will occasionally come up out of the water whenever you wipe out, implying an unfortunate fate for the poor surfer.
* One of the signature villains in ''VideoGame/CityOfVillains'' is Captain Mako, a {{muta|nts}}ted [[BeastMan shark-like]] {{Pirate}} and PsychoForHire known for tearing his enemies apart.

** Of course, you can't forget the Kirov Airship, a flying shark that drops bombs.

* The BigBad in ''VideoGame/CrayolaTreasureAdventure'' is a ''shark pirate.''
* ''{{VideoGame/Depth}}'' is a FirstPersonShooter with one side playing a quartet of treasure hunters, the other playing the sharks bent on eating them.
* Towards the end of ''VideoGame/DesertAssault'', you just destroyed the enemy's aerial base and crashed into the ocean, and as you radio for help, your superiors tell you help would take ''a while'' to arrive... just as a shark suddenly shows up behind you. Your character's reaction is somewhere between OhCrap and ThisIsGonnaSuck... cue the ending where you swim like crazy while the shark chases you as the credits roll.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Dubloon}}'', you can meet sharks when sailing between islands. They attack by charging forward.
* Sharks show up as seafaring [[TheGoomba goombas]] in ''VideoGame/DukeNukem3D''. They also make a cameo in ''VideoGame/DukeNukemForever''.

* The ''VideoGame/EndlessOcean'' franchise features many, ''many'' types of sharks. In the first game, they're all harmless, but Magu Tapah (a very large great white) is good old-fashioned NightmareFuel. In the sequel, ''Blue World'', the carnivorous species will now ''attack'' you, and the new "special" shark -- this one named Thanatos -- cranks Magu Tapah's scariness up to eleven.

* ''[[VideoGame/ExtrapowerGiantFist EXTRAPOWER Giant Fist]]'': One appears at the end of the harbour segment in Milles City, just in case you forgot about the bracelet making nearby animals rampage. After screen after screen of fighting TheMenInBlack across urban and industrial settings, sudden shark leaping from the water!
* Sharks make an appearance as wild-life in ''VideoGame/FarCry3''. Specifically, Bull Sharks. They make swimming in the ocean a hazardous venture, as you cannot attack in water except for a [[PressXToNotDie specific counter-kill when they bite you]]. They have even been known to swim inland via rivers, although if you're swimming in a river, you have [[NeverSmileAtACrocodile another scary and dangerous animal to worry about...]]
* In ''VideoGame/FantasyQuest'', a shark appears out of nowhere and attacks. It's particularly bizarre because every other threat in the game comes from mythological creatures.
* In both ''VideoGame/FeedingFrenzy'' games, sharks are some of the biggest threats to the player. The final boss of the first game even is a giant great white shark. Goliath in the second game averts this, though, as it is a playable character (although the other sharks in the game still are out to kill you).
* The Japan-exclusive game ''VideoGame/FightingLayer'' a.k.a. ''Where [[Franchise/StreetFighter Blair Dame's]] [[PutOnABus Bus Stopped]]'' features a shark as one mid-level boss that you must defeat to move on. It's as hard as you might imagine, but the satisfaction of leaping into its tank and clobbering a shark on its own turf simply is too awesome for words. Oh sure, Ryu and Akuma might act grumpy, throw fireballs and yell a lot, but how many sharks have ''they'' kicked the crap out of? That's right, '''none'''.
* ''VideoGame/FreedomFall'' has a ''robot'' shark on one level.

* In ''VideoGame/HitmanBloodMoney'', 47 sets a lady on fire at a party. She then manages to fall into a shark pool and the crowd applauds 47. And the more corpses you throw in that tank, the bigger that shark gets.
* In ''VideoGame/HungrySharkEvolution'' and its sequel ''Hungry Shark World'', you play as a shark and eat the fish and humans on your path. There are enemy sharks trying to eat you as well.

* In ''VideoGame/IndianaJonesAndTheEmperorsTomb'', sharks appear in some of the aquatic levels, such as the flooded Temple of Belisarius in Istanbul and the lagoons on Penglai Island. If you're not careful, Indy can be SwallowedWhole by them, but fortunately, they can be killed with a few shots from a speargun.
* Aquaman's Supermove in ''VideoGame/InjusticeGodsAmongUs'' involves flooding the stage, leaving his opponent vulnerable to a [[AttackOfThe50FootWhatever massive]], hungry shark.
* Gash, the shark pet from ''VideoGame/{{Insaniquarium}}'', zig-zags this trope. On the one hand, he helps you defeating aliens, and quite effectively at that. On the other, he still has no qualms eating your guppies regardless of their size or status. Yes, he can devour your precious royal guppies, too.

** In ''VideoGame/KingsQuestIVThePerilsOfRosella'' you are a princess trapped on an island. You may swim to a few limited locations, but it takes a lot of trial and error, swim into the wrong screen and ''Film/{{Jaws}}'' music starts and you get mowed over by a shark fin. Que the HaveANiceDeath screen. This is especially unnerving when you're going at top speed. That fin comes out of nowhere!

* One of the aquatic enemies in ''VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand3'' is a propeller-tailed shark named Joe. However, Joe undergoes AdaptationalHeroism in his appearances in ''Anime/KirbyRightBackAtYa'', becoming an ally of Kirby and [[ExitPursuedByABear chasing off King Dedede and Escargoon]].

** [[DemonicSpiders Firaxen sharks]], a.k.a. [[http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Firaxan_shark firaxa]], on those underwater levels of Manaan. You can one-hit-kill them, ''but'': you are in a pressure suit at the bottom of the ocean, which slows your movements to a torturous crawl. The suit and the water pressure mean that you can't use any of your usual weapons or Force abilities. The sonic emitter is your only weapon, and although you can fire it repeatedly in quick succession, it only works at close range. When the firaxa notice you, they immediately glide after you, mouths open, and that's the only time you can strike. Sometimes you don't get the chance to see them coming.

** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'' the Zora race are portrayed as having somewhat more shark-like traits than they were previously. However, while some are suspicious and hostile in attitude towards the main character, others are much more friendly, and none of them are considered enemies. In an outright [[InvertedTrope inversion]] of this trope, one of the friendliest characters in the entire game is the [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_18921212_1508811429193858_5200863313174799155_o.jpg Zora Prince Sidon]], who is even ''more'' shark-like than the rest of his people (complete with hammerhead-like crest). At the same time, he ''is'' a WarriorPrince, so this trope is played straight for the monsters he fights to protect Zora's Domain, particularly that giant Octorok whose stomach he speared his way out of.
* Captain Fishook from ''VideoGame/LuigisMansion3'' is a ''ghost'' shark which is fought as the boss of the Spectral Catch. He wields a terrifyingly large hook on his right fin and can possess his own ship to fight the green plumber.
* The protagonist of ''VideoGame/{{Maneater}}'' is a bull shark with extraordinary genetic mutability and aggression, out to hunt everything in the polluted waters of Port Clovis... and a few things out of it, namely squishy humans and [[CollectionSidequest license plates]].
* The ''VideoGame/MarioPlusRabbidsKingdomBattle'' DLC "DK Adventure" introduces Side Eye, a Hammerhead shark slash Rabbid wielding a SeaMine. He can dive into the sand [[SandIsWater as if it was water]] to move around, with only his fin poking out menacingly.
* In ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'', you can find the online search history of Grunt, a tank bred super solider from a [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Proud Warrior Race]] who was born ready for battle, but is still learning about the culture and history of his own people and of the humans he is fighting alongside with.

** [=SharkMan.EXE=] from ''VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork''.
** Diveman's stage from ''Battle Network 6'' has some pesky sharks that must be avoided in order to progress.

** The third game of the ''VideoGame/MegaManStarForce'' series has the Sharky viruses, which are more or less colorful sharks wearing [[CoolShades shades]]. Their battle chip lets you sic a trio of them on your foes.

* ''VideoGame/MightAndMagic VII'' has the late-game Shoals area, which is infested with sharks. The sharks wouldn't be ''too'' bad -- by the standards of monsters by the time you get there, their stats are actually pretty weak -- but the Shoals, being an underwater environment, imposes a lot of restrictions (for example, you are limited to one type of weapon, and you can't wear ''any'' armour or use any type of magic), and attacks can come from any direction...

** ''Monster Hunter Tri'' has the Sharq, which inhabits the waters on the northern end of the Deserted Island area. A subversion in that they don't make things worse, and only attack when you invade their territory.
** Played straight in the fourth game with the Zamites and their adult form, Zamtrios, amphibious monsters that resemble sharks with the legs of a frog. The smallest of the former like to latch onto prey and drain their body fluids, while the latter is big enough to simply swallow hunters whole if they're not careful and also possesses the bizarre ability to inflate its body to truly ridiculous proportions for the purpose of utilizing bouncing and rolling attacks.

** From Generation III, Sharpedo. It doesn't help that its pre-evolved form is a ''[[PiranhaProblem piranha]]''. A GlassCannon with the speed of a torpedo (and can learn [[TakingYouWithMe Destiny Bond]] to take advantage of its poor defenses). And in ''Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire'', it gets a [[SuperMode Mega Evolution]], which besides making it bigger, faster, stronger, and scarier, also changes its ability to Strong Jaw, making any biting attacks 50% stronger. In its debut, it's the signature Pokémon of the villainous Team Aqua, and the one used by their boss, Archie, is able to Mega Evolve in ''Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire''. And the first member of the Elite Four, Sydney, has one as part of his Dark-type team.
*** Another notable mention of Sharpedo in ''VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield''. It doesn't have any SuperMode in this game, but in the seas around the Isle of Armor, whenever you're using the Rotom Bike to ride on the waves, you'll most likely see a Sharpedo tearing through water towards you as fast as a torpedo. One or two at a time and they never stop reappearing.

* Subverted in one of [=GLaDOS=]'s lines of dialogue in ''VideoGame/{{Portal 2}}'', which makes sense considering [[ForScience just how important scientific accuracy is for her]]:
-->'''[=GLaDOS=]:''' Excellent! You're a predator, and these tests are your prey. Speaking of which, [[ImpliedDeathThreat I was researching sharks for an upcoming test]]. Do you know who else murders people who are only trying to help them? Did you guess 'sharks?' Because that's wrong. The correct answer is "nobody". Nobody but you is that pointlessly cruel.
* The shark in ''VideoGame/{{Raft}}'' stalks you and takes periodic bites out of your raft if you don't drive it away fast enough. It will also attack you if you linger in the water for too long, though you can make "Shark Bait" to distract it briefly, giving you time to swim to a nearby island or scrounge up some ore, scrap, and other materials from the sea-bed. And even if you manage to kill the shark, another one will take its place before too long.

* Naturally, you can summon sharks in ''VideoGame/{{Scribblenauts}}''. A single Scribblenauts shark is enough to defeat ''Cthulhu''. You can also summon {{Megalodon}}.

* The sheep-herding game ''VideoGame/{{Sheep}}'' has, as a possible sheep-killing device, ''shark-infested ice-cream''.
* Appears twice in ''VideoGame/{{Skylanders}}''. On the evil side, the boss fight for the Eternal Water Source features Kaos, in full LargeHam mode, summoning [[DoomyDoomsOfDoom "MY DEADLY SHARK BATH OF DOOMSHARKS!"]] (and later in said boss fight, [[SerialEscalation the "EVEN DEADLIER" version of same]]). On the good side, one of the [[DishingOutDirt Earth-element]] Skylanders is the landshark Terrafin, who can swim through the ground and summon mini-sharks to attack foes.

* Dr. Jennifer of ''VideoGame/SmashmuckChampions'' is intelligent, sentient, and has access to high-tech weaponry, the most iconic of which is a robot shark body. Her [=PhD=] is in Murder, by the way.

** ''[[VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]'' has Jawz, a shark-like robot that inhabits [[UnderwaterRuins Hydrocity Zone]]. They appear flying or swimming in straight lines without turning around. They can easily be destroyed with the spin jump, but can still be dangerous if the player fails to notice them. This badnik returns in ''VideoGame/SonicColors'' and ''VideoGame/SonicMania''.
** In ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'', Chaos 4 takes on the form of a shark. Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles fight him in the lake near where Dr. Eggman swiped their Chaos Emeralds from them, [[LilyPadPlatform standing atop giant lily pads]] that Chaos 4 tries to sink in an attempt to drown them. When Chaos 4 pokes his head out of the water, that's their chance to attack him.
* In ''VideoGame/Splatoon3'', Shiver fights you atop Master Mega, a megalodon shark who attacks by firing ink and trying to devour you whole. Stunning him by throwing Smallfry into his mouth will allow you to knock Shiver off her perch and attack her directly.

* Amongst the hostile fauna haunting the Zee in ''VideoGame/SunlessSea'' are the Bound Sharks, enormous sharks ensnared in iron bands and strange mechanisms that try to ram the player's ship and sometimes eats a member of the ship's crew.

** Kingfin in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy''. It's [[NinjaPirateZombieRobot a skeletal shark, with the typical]] GlowingEyesOfDoom that summons skeletal piranhas and attempts to kill Mario.
** Played with in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG''. Jonathan Jones and his minions are sharks and you have to fight them for a Star Piece. However, once you win, they cool off and become nice guys, even helping you when another baddie tries to take the Star Piece you just won.
** The sharks in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioLand2SixGoldenCoins'' are nearly invincible. But [[WebAnimation/HomestarRunner how do they swim with boxing gloves on?]]

* {{Zig zagged|Trope}} in ''VideoGame/{{Terraria}}''. While sharks do exist as enemies, and they're not easy to take down pre-Hardmode, their likeness is more widely associated with two of the game's [[MoreDakka automatic firearms, the Minishark and the Megashark]].

* In ''VideoGame/VacationStory'', as soon as they end up in the ocean, the players must deal with a shark following them to the island.

* Gran Bruce from ''VideoGame/ViewtifulJoe''. His entrance is even done with a JawsFirstPersonPerspective.

* Played with in ''VideoGame/{{Wadanohara}}'', which has a mixture of good sharks to evil sharks. In particular, the misunderstood Samekichi [[spoiler:becomes an ally and the main character's love interest]], while [[spoiler:Sal, who is not actually a dolphin, plays this trope straight to [[VileVillainSaccharineShow its fullest extent]]]].
* The ''VideoGame/WiiPlayMotion'' minigame ''Treasure Twirl'' features sharks among the enemies the diving Miis will have to dodge.
* The shark noise in ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou''. Furthermore [[spoiler:the Swing Shark of Week 1 Day 4 provides the first PlayerPunch of the game by killing off Rhyme, Beat's partner, during a sneak attack at Towa Records.]]

* ''VideoGame/{{Yakuza 6}}''; Kiryu can go spear fishing in Onomichi, and sharks are a hostile fish that will attack him on his hunts. The final boss of the minigame is the Bloody Shark, a massive Great White that has attacked a number of fishers in the area. [[Awesome/{{Yakuza 6}} Kiryu opens their confrontation by punching it hard enough to send it reeling.]]
* The strongest monster in ''zOMG!'' is the [[BonusBoss Landshark]], affectionately referred to as Landy by many players. And [[ShoutOut Bruce]] by the devs. The April Fool's 2009 event also resulted in the "Airshark" meme.

* ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'': ''[[VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]'' has Jawz, a shark-like robot that inhabits [[UnderwaterRuins Hydrocity Zone]]. They appear flying or swimming in straight lines without turning around. They can easily be destroyed with the spin jump, but can still be dangerous if the player fails to notice them. This badnik returns in ''VideoGame/SonicColors'' and ''VideoGame/SonicMania''.

* ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'': ''[[VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]'' has Jawz, a shark-like robot that inhabits [[UnderwaterRuins Hydrocity Zone]]. They appear flying or swimming in straight lines without turning around. They can easily be destroyed with the spin jump, but can still be dangerous if the player fails to notice them. This badnik returns in ''VideoGame/SonicColors'' and ''VideoGame/SonicMania''.

* ''VideoGame/StrandedDeep'': The main enemies in the game (aside from marlins) are sharks. There are three variants of shark; the harmless Black Tip Reef shark which only serves as a meal for you if you catch one, the Tiger shark, and the Great White shark. Along with the marlins, the Tiger sharks and Great Whites will attack you in the ocean and try to tip your boat or raft over. Fortunately all three main enemies are depicted more realistically and won't attack you constantly for no reason, usually only becoming hostile if you get to close or attack them, making it easier to traverse the ocean on your boat or raft. A Megalodon shark also serves as one of the three bosses of the game (the other two being a GiantSquid and SeaMonster sized Moray eel).

* The ''VideoGame/EndlessOcean'' franchise features many, ''many'' types of sharks. In the first game, they're all harmless, but Magu Tapah (a very large great white) is good old-fashioned NightmareFuel. In the sequel, ''Blue World'', the carnivorous species will now ''attack'' you, and the new "special" shark -- this one named Thanatos -- cranks Magu Tapah's scariness UpToEleven.

** The second example is played straight. Snacker lives in Treasure Trove Cove and will spawn anytime you fall into the water and will bite at you until you return to shore... or die. He also has a message every time he spawns about how much he'll love eating you. He can be killed with ordinary attacks, but that will only save you for that time in the ocean. Go in the ocean again, and he'll be back like nothing ever happened. Snacker also shows up in Rusty Bucket Bay. In oily water that makes Banjo suffocate on the surface.

** The first, Clanker, is a subversion; he's an ally of the titular characters, and being "swallowed" by him (or [[WombLevel entering his stomach via his gills, or dropping down his blowhole]]) don't harm you in any way, and indeed is required to get a [[PlotCoupon Jiggy]]. He's a mechanical shark-like whale that floats in one place and eats garbage by grinding it up. No need to worry about any biology failings there.

* |* The sharks in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioLand2SixGoldenCoins'' are nearly invincible. But [[WebAnimation/HomestarRunner how do they swim with boxing gloves on?]]

* During the surfing minigame of ''videoGame/CaliforniaGames'', a shark will occasionally come up out of the water whenever you wipe out, implying an unfortunate fate for the poor surfer.