In the realm of the weirdest video games, the unexpected, unconventional, and downright quirky often leave an indelible mark on players’ minds. From surprise character swaps to completely offbeat themes, the world of gaming is no stranger to unusual twists. This article unveils the top 20 weirdest video games in popular series.
Top 20 Weirdest Video Games in Famous Video Game Series
1. Super Mario Bros. 2 (Nintendo)
When Western gamers first dove into the land of Subcon, they probably didn’t realize they were embarking on a wholly unique adventure. This wasn’t the Mushroom Kingdom they knew, and not just because they could play as Peach or Toad. The game was a reskin of a Japanese game called “Doki Doki Panic,” making it a bizarre divergence in the globally adored Mario series.
2. Zelda: Majora’s Mask (Nintendo)
Venturing away from the typical Hyrulean escapades, this game took a leap into an alternate universe. In a macabre twist, Link found himself trapped in a three-day cycle, with the menacing moon threatening to destroy the world. The surreal atmosphere, compounded by the ever-looming apocalypse, made this a truly weird game in the Zelda franchise.
3. Metal Gear Solid 2:
Sons of Liberty (Konami): MGS2 made a dramatic bait-and-switch, replacing fan-favorite Solid Snake with the blonde-haired Raiden. The plot twisted itself into philosophical knots, further bewildering players and solidifying its place as an oddity in the stealth-based series.
4. Final Fantasy II (Square):
The Final Fantasy series is known for innovation, but the second game in the series introduced a curious leveling system. Characters became stronger in what they frequently used rather than gaining traditional experience points. It was an unusual move that has rarely been replicated in the RPG genre.
5. Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest (Konami):
This game broke away from its action-platformer origins to venture into the RPG realm, with a day-night cycle and multiple endings. The changes, although innovative, made Simon’s Quest a strange departure from its predecessor.
6. Resident Evil 6 (Capcom):
The sixth installment strayed from the series’ survival horror roots and opted for an action-heavy, blockbuster approach. With exploding vehicles, chaotic gunfights, and high-octane thrills, it felt far removed from the claustrophobic fear induced by previous games.
7. Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 (Sega):
Sonic’s 2006 outing is infamous for many reasons, including a convoluted storyline and a notorious human-hedgehog romance. It wasn’t just an odd game in the Sonic series; it became a symbol of how not to reboot a franchise.
8. Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare (Rockstar):
In a left-field move, Rockstar took its realistic Wild West setting and unleashed a zombie apocalypse. The standalone expansion was as bizarre as it was entertaining, adding a supernatural twist to the gritty realism of Red Dead Redemption.
9. Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon (Ubisoft):
Shifting from the sun-drenched tropical setting, Blood Dragon transposed Far Cry 3 into a neon-drenched, ’80s-inspired sci-fi world. Despite being a marked departure, it was lauded for its bold style and tongue-in-cheek humor.
10. Batman: Arkham VR (Rocksteady):
This virtual reality spin-off from the critically acclaimed Arkham series provided a unique perspective but was significantly shorter and less interactive, making it a peculiar addition to Batman’s gaming repertoire.
11. Assassin’s Creed: Liberation (Ubisoft):
With a female protagonist and a hard look at the grim reality of slavery, Liberation stood out in the Assassin’s Creed series. Originally released on the PS Vita, its distinctive narrative and unique mechanics made it memorable.
12. Halo 3: ODST (Bungie):
ODST replaced the legendary Master Chief with orbital drop shock troopers for a more grounded storyline, providing a fresh perspective but also making it an oddball in the famed Halo series.
13. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (Midway Games):
Fusing the gory Mortal Kombat universe with DC’s roster of superheroes made for a decidedly odd crossover, especially with the toned-down fatalities.
14. Street Fighter 2010:
The Final Fight (Capcom): This game took Ken, a well-known Street Fighter character, and plunged him into a solo, futuristic adventure. It abandoned its fighting roots for a side-scrolling action format, making it a strange entry in the series.
15. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (Activision):
This game thrusts players into a far-future setting, complete with space combat and zero-gravity environments. The high-tech shift was a radical departure from the series’ grounded warfare, leaving fans with mixed feelings.
16. Dead Space Ignition (EA):
This game veered from the survival horror formula, presenting itself as an interactive comic with hacking mini-games, which was a substantial shift from the spine-chilling suspense of the Dead Space series.
17. Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands (Ubisoft):
Released alongside the 2010 movie, this game introduced new mechanics and neglected the established storyline, making it a peculiar outlier in the Prince of Persia series.
18. Bomberman Act Zero (Hudson Soft):
The usually vibrant, cartoonish aesthetic was swapped for a dystopian, gritty theme, a radical departure that was widely criticized and shocked fans of the Bomberman series.
19. Contra: Rogue Corps (Konami):
With its twin-stick shooting mechanics and odd humor, Rogue Corps was a far cry from the traditional run-and-gun gameplay that the Contra series is known for.
20. Mass Effect: Andromeda (Bioware):
A new galaxy, characters, and controversial animations marked a significant departure from the trilogy, and the game received mixed reviews, becoming an odd chapter in the Mass Effect saga.
In conclusion
The universe of video games is not devoid of unusual twists and turns. These anomalies, be they in style, gameplay mechanics, or narrative, often give rise to distinctive experiences. Whether they spark joy, bemusement, or disappointment, they certainly contribute to the rich diversity that makes the gaming world so vibrant and engaging.
