Gaming has introduced fans to an array of heroic characters since its inception a few decades ago. Mascots like Mario, Master Chief, Lara Croft, Nathan Drake, and many more have instilled people around the globe with unbridled passion to go forth and create vast new worlds of their own. For as many admirable heroes that are out there, however, there are equally as many annoying video game characters that we wish would just stop. Here are our favorite least favorite dorks.
Annoying Video Game Characters – Navi (The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time)
“Hey! Listen!” These two words are all it takes for scores of Nintendo 64 owners to cover their ears in horror. Even if you’re not familiar with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, you’re probably aware of the annoying tip fairy that has transcended meme status at this point. Perhaps the most frustrating part about Navi is that she’s actually useful at times.
She interacts with NPCs to expedite Link’s journey, serves as a targeting system during combat, and even gives the hero some hints if a secret area is nearby. Given this occasional aid, players are obliged to listen to everything the fairy says and not speed through conversations with her. Most of what she says is useless, of course, but sometimes she’s genuinely helpful. The player can never really be sure, thus making her a general pain to work with.
Annoying Video Game Characters – The Dog (Duck Hunt)
If fans ever decide to erect a monument dedicated to the biggest trolls in gaming, the Duck Hunt dog should be featured front and center. This annoying sidekick (if you can call it that) openly mocks the player when he or she misses a flying target onscreen. Instead of helping the user with, you know, hunting ducks, this dog just sits around and waits for its opportunity to pop out of the grass to laugh at you.
Many Nintendo fans have openly admitted throwing their NES Zapper accessories in disgust after witnessing the Duck Hunt dog‘s antics. Thankfully, the character’s inclusion in the upcoming Super Smash Bros. Ultimate means players can finally have their revenge against what’s supposed to be man’s best friend. Thankfully, no Zappers will be required.
Annoying Video Game Characters – Slippy Toad (Star Fox 64)
Slippy Toad from Star Fox 64 is an idiot. While he may be invaluable behind the scenes as a ship engineer, he’s totally useless in combat. Players who’ve played the game are probably very familiar with the line, “Fox! Get this guy off me!” as Slippy constantly goes out of his way to be in the enemy’s line of fire. It’s not like he’s actually damaging anyone either; he’d rather leave that all up to the player.
During one sequence, Slippy predictably gets destroyed by a villain and ends up crashing into a barren planet with little left keeping him alive. It’s a sign of relief for the player, as he or she thinks that the toad is finally gone for good. Immediately after, however, Fox is forced to go save Slippy from annihilation (again). This brief moment of solace is all that Slippy allows. Rejoice while you can.
Annoying Video Game Characters – Mr. Resetti (Animal Crossing)
Animal Crossing‘s Mr. Resetti really wants you to save your game. He cares so much that should you ever turn off your console without saving, he’ll pop up and scold you, forcing you to read walls of text when you could be doing something more useful (like paying off your debt to Tom Nook). Should you repeat the offense a couple of times, Mr. Resetti will make you type out an apology.
It’s admittedly a novel concept, but annoying when you consider that most people play video games to get away from the people who scold them in real life. Mr. Resetti is essentially the video game equivalent of a bad teacher. It goes without saying that none of us want to relive through those parts of our childhoods.
Annoying Video Game Characters – Natalya (GoldenEye 007)
It’s weird that players aren’t allowed to shoot a couple of bullets into Natalya’s skull throughout the course of GoldenEye 007, as this NPC clearly wants to die. Though escort missions are almost always annoying, none compare to the sequence in which players must make sure this red-haired woman makes it across a building in one piece.
The level itself is pretty straightforward. As James Bond, players are tasked with taking down patrolling guards and avoid some security systems. Natalya refuses to let things go smoothly, however, as she repeatedly strolls into gunfire and gets herself killed in the process. She often just runs off into a new corridor filled with enemies, eager for death. I’m sure many GoldenEye fans really appreciate that.
Annoying Video Game Characters – Princess Peach (Super Mario Franchise)
Does Princess Peach not know what security is? Does she not know how to lock a door or hire a personal bodyguard? It seems as though every time Mario blinks this princess gets herself kidnapped by Bowser again. Throughout the Super Mario series, it’s never explained why this keeps happening, leading many Nintendo fans to believe that Peach actually wants to be taken away by Bowser.
It makes sense, given the fact that this premise has been repeated over and over again since video games have existed. Peach and Bowser are probably madly in love with one another. Mario is the real criminal here, preventing the princess from marrying her beloved because of society’s standards or his rivalry with the Koopa King. In any case, Princess Peach needs to finally end all this annoying drama and stick up for herself. Perhaps then the next Mario game could have players help the mascot find a real job.
If you’ve made it to the end of this article without punching a hole through a wall, you have the patience of a saint. In all seriousness, each of the characters above were simply trying their best to help you. They may not have found the best means of doing that, but it’s the thought that counts. For that, we all should be saying thank you. Now please just leave us alone forever.
