In the 90s, the video game industry brought to life a variety of memorable characters, but not all of them were well-received by players. In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 most hated video game characters of the 90s, highlighting the reasons why they stand out as infamous antagonists and provoke players’ aversion.
- Navi (The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Nintendo 64) Navi, Link’s fairy companion in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, is remembered for her constant interruptions and annoying hints. With her repetitive exclamations of “Hey! Listen!” and obvious instructions, Navi became a symbol of irritation for many players who just wanted to explore the world of Hyrule without being constantly reminded of her intrusive presence.
- Tails (Sonic the Hedgehog Series – Sega Genesis, Sega Saturn) Tails, Sonic’s companion, is often criticized for his inadequate AI and for frequently putting himself in danger during adventures. With his frustrating attempts to keep up with Sonic and his failures to maintain pace during platforming stages, Tails often ended up being more of an obstacle than a help to players.
- Slippy Toad (Star Fox Series – Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64) Slippy Toad, the pilot of the Star Fox team, is often the target of criticism for his annoying voice and his tendency to constantly need rescue during missions. With his frequent distress calls and his inability to defend himself adequately, Slippy became a character that many players would prefer to leave behind.
- Ashley Graham (Resident Evil 4 – PlayStation 2, GameCube) Ashley Graham, the president’s daughter in Resident Evil 4, is remembered for her propensity to be captured by enemies and for requiring constant protection from Leon. With her inability to stay safe and her tendency to attract trouble, Ashley became a burden for many players who preferred to deal with the horrors of Resident Evil alone.
- Baby Mario (Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island – Super Nintendo) Baby Mario, the constant kidnapping target in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island, is often criticized for his tendency to cry incessantly when separated from Yoshi. With his annoying voice and his inconvenient behavior, Baby Mario often made game stages more challenging than they needed to be.
- Tingle (The Legend of Zelda Series – Nintendo 64, GameCube) Tingle, the eccentric cartographer in The Legend of Zelda series, is often considered irritating for his eccentric personality and his exorbitant map prices. With his strange appearance and peculiar interactions, Tingle was often avoided by players who preferred not to deal with his eccentricity.
- Eddy Gordo (Tekken 3 – PlayStation) Eddy Gordo, known for his capoeira fighting style in Tekken 3, is often criticized for his unbalanced gameplay and for how easily he can dominate less experienced opponents. With his fast moves and devastating combos, Eddy Gordo was often hated for his ability to make matches unfair and frustrating for adversaries.
- Johnny Cage (Mortal Kombat Series – Arcade, PlayStation) Johnny Cage, the action movie star in Mortal Kombat, is often seen as an irritating character due to his arrogant personality and exaggerated fighting moves. With his tasteless jokes and selfish behavior, Johnny Cage often annoyed players who preferred more serious and balanced characters.
- Barney Rubble (The Flintstones: The Treasure of Sierra Madrock – Super Nintendo) Barney Rubble, Fred Flintstone’s friend, is remembered for his unnecessary presence and for often getting in Fred’s way during adventures in The Flintstones: The Treasure of Sierra Madrock. With his inadequate AI and his tendency to put himself in danger, Barney often made the game more challenging than necessary for players.
- Tingle (The Legend of Zelda Series – Nintendo 64, GameCube) Tingle, the eccentric cartographer in The Legend of Zelda series, is often considered irritating for his eccentric personality and his exorbitant map prices. With his strange appearance and peculiar interactions, Tingle was often avoided by players who preferred not to deal with his eccentricity.
These 10 video game characters from the 90s were subject to criticism and aversion from players, leaving an indelible mark on the gaming community as examples of characters many would prefer to avoid. While some may have their fan base, it’s undeniable that they had a negative impact on the gaming experience for many players.
