The videogame industry has been on the target of mainstream-media/critics for provoking violence, crime and profanity from time to time. There are dozens of videogames that have been debatable and created controversies, apparently giving publicity to publishers.

The games that have created ripples to that effect are generally of shooter or action/adventure genre provoking violence or nurturing aggression in the kids. Here are a few of them:

10. Custer’s Revenge

Game Publisher: Mystique
Reason of Controversy: Sexuality, Nudity

Custer’s Revenge is Mystique’s adult videogame of 80’s that could not gain ground in the videogame industry and was taken off the shelves earlier than expected.

The game contains feeble graphics and to give hype to its puny title, Mystique included some porn element, so that the game could make a good sale, however it backfired.

9. Leisure Suit Larry

Game Publisher: Sierra On-Line
Reason of Controversy: Nudity, Sexuality

This 80’s game remained in the news owing to its inadequate content. The game starts as Larry Laffer, the main character of the game, introduces himself by saying - ‘Hi, my name is Larry; Larry Laffer.”


The game contains some adult content, as you can see in the images. The game’s sequel, named Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude, has touched the new heights of nudity with most of ingame characters, like Bilzarbra, portrayed topless.

8. DOOM

Game Publisher: GT Interactive/Activision
Reason of Controversy: Violence, Gore

Id Software’s FPS genre Doom is a science fiction thematic game in which you play as an anonymous space marine who is deported to Mars for assaulting a senior officer when ordered to kill unarmed civilians.

The game is titled - ‘Mass Murder Simulator’ - portraying real killing in the game. It has been criticized numerous times by religious organizations for its diabolic undertones.

The game is M-rated by ESRB.

7. Ethnic Cleansing

Game Publisher: Resistance Records
Reason of Controversy: Extreme Racism

Ethnic Cleansing allows the player to run through a ghetto killing black people and Latinos, before descending into a subway system to kill Jews. As the game proceeds, the player reaches the ‘Jewish Control Center’ where Ariel Sharon (former PM of Israel) is directing plans for world domination and you are supposed to kill Sharon to win the game.

The game indeed has intended racism.

6. Manhunt

Game Publisher: Rockstar Games
Reason of Controversy: Violence

Protagonist has to execute brutal slaughterers of gang members.

The high intensity of bloodshed depicted in the game certainly stings the psyche of the player. In the gameplay, enemies die as they are packed inside an airtight plastic bag, left screaming until they die.

The game is M-rated by ESRB.

5. Super Columbine Massacre

Reason of Controversy: Violence

The game follows Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold through Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, the date of the Columbine shootings.

The game is accused of possessing some insensitive content. The game is held responsible for Dawson College shooting, which took place in September last year in Montreal.

4. Bully

Game Publisher: Rockstar Games
Reason of Controversy: Sexuality

The player takes on the role of a bully, and the player-controlled antagonist throws a punch at another student. The gameplay is quite similar to the GTA that comes with numerous missions to complete.

The title remained in the headlines for some boy-on-Boy/gay kissing scenes that ignited aggravation amongst the gamers.

The game is T-rated by RSRB.

3. Left Behind: Eternal Forces

Game Publisher: Left Behind Games
Reason of Controversy: Irreligious content

The game is based on the evangelical Christian Left Behind series of books. In the game, player joins a Christian organization to fight the forces of the Antichrist.

The game is alleged to intrude the religious sphere in which the Anarchists and their fellows are forced to adopt Christianity.

In the game, people are forced to make a drift towards Dispensationalism.

The game is T-rated by ESRB.

2. God of War II

Game Publisher: SCE
Reason of Controversy: Nudity, Off-screen sex

The game is much like its previous version, as the player has to control Kratos.

The image attached is (I think) more than enough to describe the God of War II ingame controversy. Hidden sex scenes like naked women that the gamer can get on by making some specific attacks makes the game questionable.

The game has received M rating by ESRB.

1. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Game Publisher: Rockstar Games
Reason of Controversy: Nudity, Hidden sex scenes

The story revolves round Carl “CJ” Johnson who comes to know about his mother’s murder and finds his family and his old gang in disorder. Gradually, he unknots the mystery of his mother’s death.

The game contains some sexual intercourse scenes. Hot Coffee controversy associated with Grand Theft Auto brought a lot of disgrace to the Rockstar’s action title.

The game is M-rated by ESRB.

There are a few more games on the way, that I am sure will grab the attention of critics and create a great hoopla. One of them that I suppose is Saboteur, currently underway from game developer Pandemic Studios for two next-gen platforms Xbox360 and PS3.