The Most Controversial Video Games You Need to Play Now!
While a wide array of games cater to various tastes and demographics, it is accurate to acknowledge that many games incorporate explicit violence and explore sensitive themes. This article will delve into some of the most controversial video game titles that have sparked intense debates and discussions. Prepare to explore the edgier side of gaming as we dive into The Most Controversial Video Games ever created!
The Most Controversial Video Games You Need to Play Now!
What Is a Controversial Game?
Controversial games are commonly associated with violent titles, explicit sexual content, blood spilling, ethical dilemmas, or political and social commentary. These elements often push boundaries or challenge societal norms in some way.
Companies like Nintendo and Sega were seen as “family-friendly” until Games like Conker’s Bad Fur Day or Perfect Dark were released, where gaming was related to body secretions and explicit murders.
The Most Controversial Games
We’ve enlisted seven controversial games you really will love. These games are the perfect balance between unpopular features and fun.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Release Date: October 28, 2022
Developer: Infinity Ward
Publisher: Activision
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Metascore: 79
Shooter video games have always been criticized due to their violence, polemical missions, and the myth that shooters can make children violent. Beyond these shenanigans, a video game like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will always be violent due to its nature, as it’s impossible to eliminate enemies in a warfare scenario without blood spilling.
Still, this first-person shooter, one of the last installments of the CoD franchise, was especially controversial due to one of its missions. In a past version, the game presented a mission in which you had to murder civilians in the Moscow airport. This aspect was considered an “Anti-Russian” approach.
Despite being one of the best games of the franchise and a new return to the classic gameplay, the general audience and fans strongly criticized this “violent” video game. This particular mission was removed from the game in Russia, but it can be played in other regions of the world.
Regarding the gameplay, CoD: MW2 is a return to the basics of the saga and a breath of fresh air for gamers who love shooting, infiltration, and missions; it’s one of the best shooters of modern times.
Key Features:
Intense gameplay with violent content, mass murder, and more.
A first-person perspective that will make you feel like you are in the middle of a modern battlefield.
Multiple new mechanics and physics make the gameplay even more realistic.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II Cross-Gen Bundle US Box One/Series CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Release Date: October 26, 2004
Developer: Rockstar North
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Platforms: PlayStation 2, PC, Xbox, Mac OS X, iOS, Android, Windows iPhone, Fire OS, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Oculus Quest 2
Metascore: 93
GTA is an iconic franchise that has provoked unusual controversy in all its chapters and installments. Since the release of the first title of the saga, Grand Theft Auto has been synonymous with robbery, shooting, murder, prostitution, police, drugs, and more! Undoubtedly, GTA is one of the most violent video games ever. Still, we believe this reaction is exaggerated.
The GTA Franchise does not more than reflect real life, and gamers worldwide want to feel that their experience is authentic. This is the case of San Andreas. This game generated great controversy since its plot was based on real-life events in the 80s and '90s, such as the crack pandemic and the street gang wars.
We can say that GTA: San Andreas is a fighting game – from a certain point of view – due to its multiple street conflicts against civilians and the police. But the game is much more than that. What's more! Thanks to its playable characters, mechanics, world-building, interactions, NPCs, and more, it's considered one of the greatest video games ever made.
Key Features:
A vast open world set in Los Santos reflects real-world Los Angeles.
A gameplay with endless possibilities.
It is an exciting story full of violent situations extracted from real life.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Steam CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.
Mortal Kombat 11
Release Date: April 23, 2019
Developer: NetherRealm Studios
Publisher: Warner Bros | Interactive Entertainment
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Xbox One, Stadia, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Metascore: 82
Talking about the most violent games in video game history, the Mortal Kombat franchise is likely the most laureled and recognizable of all time. The MK saga is characterized by bloodthirsty mechanics, where characters fight each other until death. Fatalities, Brutalities, and other forms of assassination are famous worldwide and have made this game one of the most iconic in the fighting genre.
Mortal Kombat, the series' first game, set the trend due to its mechanics, interactions, fatalities, graphics, and explicit violence. But it was also one of the first-m-rated games in history, which is an achievement.
Mortal Kombat 11 is not far from that! The last iteration of the classic fighting franchise goes even beyond, thanks to its hyperrealistic fatalities that incorporate more blood and dismembered limbs. Besides, it integrates very detailed graphics, which nurtures even more morbid and killer instincts.
Like other games in this list, Mortal Kombat, the first title, changes the story of video games in terms of violence and funny and memorable moments.
Key Features:
Over fifteen playable characters with unique abilities and fatalities.
Multiple scenarios with which you can interact to attack your enemy.
Several controversial moments make the gameplay even better.
Mortal Kombat 11 Global Steam CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.
Doom
Release Date: May 23, 2016
Developer: id Software
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Stadia, PlayStation 4
Metascore: 85
The original Doom launched in 1993, brought some of the first controversies to the video game world. The game featured graphic violence with satanic imagery, the perfect recipe for worried mothers and Catholics to cry out. The criticism was so heavy that it turned Doom into Nintendo's first m-rated game.
Doom was initially banned in Germany. However, the restriction was lifted 17 years later, as violence, blood, and free expression became more common among all genres. Nowadays, Doom, like other games such as Diablo Immortal – due to an aggressive monetization system – is still highly controversial in several countries.
The original game was like hot coffee and burned people who tried it for the first time. We refer to it as the "original" version because back in 2016, the franchise underwent a reboot. It stayed true to the essence of the original game, delivering a harrowing blend of death, destruction, and provocative symbolism. The release of this upcoming title stirred the excitement of die-hard fans of the original, and it certainly lived up to their expectations.
We strongly recommend you play the PC version linked below since it's the best way to experience the battle of the Doom Slayer against the eternal forces of the darkness.
Key Features:
It is a first-person gunplay loaded with extreme violence and controversy surrounding graphics.
The possibility of playing with the ultimate warrior and defeating Hell forces.
Blood, blasphemous graphic content, dismemberments, disturbing scenes, and more.
Doom + Demon Multiplayer Pack Global Steam CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.
Resident Evil 5
Release Date: March 5, 2009
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, Shield Android TV, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Metascore: 86
Resident Evil 5 has provoked multiple controversies since 2009 due to its featuring fast-paced gameplay and gunplay, which completely changed the terrifying focus of the franchise. This fifth installment of this zombie franchise changed many elements of the previous games, turning the saga into a third-person shooter that moves away from the classic franchise.
Due to its shooter and massacre nature, Resident Evil 5, after its initial release, received much criticism, particularly for its gameplay, no-sense gameplay, and plot. But there is more! Some critics accused Capcom’s title of using negative stereotypes about Africans, as black zombies are the main enemy.
However, the heavy criticism was unjustified as there are different types of zombies from all ethnicities worldwide in the franchise. Thus, controversies didn't make much sense with Resident Evil being set in an African society.
Beyond this, Resident Evil, like the other franchise titles, is a great adventure throughout a dangerous scenario full of threats. This game has multiple positive points, such as the plot and the development of characters, so do not listen to offensive commentaries. Just try it and see it for yourself.
Key Features:
The continuation of the mythical franchise, expanding the Resident Evil world and plot.
The classic main character, Chris Redfield, is empowered as never before.
A fierce third-person gunplay with thousands of opponents to kill.
Resident Evil 5 Global Steam CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.
Wolfenstein: The New Order
Release Date: May 20, 2014
Developer: MachineGames
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Steam
Metascore: 81
When depicting villains in the context of racism, few adversaries are as universally recognized as the Nazis. However, it's worth noting that in the past, some individuals have expressed concerns about portraying National Socialism in video games, believing that giving it a platform might not be in the best interest of responsible historical representation.
Still, in Wolfenstein: The New Order, the developers balanced violence, gore, and Nazi imagery well. Besides, the German political party is just an excuse to present an interesting story full of shots and violence with a simple objective: killing all the Nazis you can.
As with every first-person shooter, Wolfenstein offers multiple melee and ranged weapons, encouraging players to use all their abilities and resources to survive this German version of the Apocalypse. The New Order presents alternative timelines where moral decisions are crucial.
In general terms, we do not question the decision of certain parts of the gaming community and their widespread criticism. Still, Nazis are part of history, so depicting them within a fictional and action-packed narrative shouldn't inherently be problematic.
Key Features:
The best representation of Nazis since movies like The Last Crusade.
The opportunity of killing thousands of these manhunt German soldiers with different weapons and explosions.
It's a vertiginous gameplay with role-play elements that always get you in trouble.
Wolfenstein: The New Order UNCUT Steam CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.
Postal 2
Release Date: April 14, 2003
Developer: Running with Scissors
Publisher: Whiptail Interactive
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux
Metascore: 50
The last game on this list is very special since it was banned from different countries around the globe, such as Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, and Germany. The reasons? The insane quantity of violence the main character releases against law enforcement and citizens.
This title reminded people of the 1999 Columbine High School Massacre, which left fifteen dead, including teenage girls, a teacher, and the two students responsible for the attacks. Since Postal 2 involves a man with mental health issues as he kills a security guard, a policeman, a pedestrian, and everyone in his field of vision, it brings back dark memories that parents and other people want to forget.
Moreover, Postal 2 also has racist, sexist, and homophobic themes that can disturb common people. These themes appear during the entire game, and it’s impossible to skip them. Besides, it’s not necessary. Postal 2 is a satire, and none of its aspects should be taken seriously.
Postal 2 is a notable video game with great art and an inspiration for cult films like Kill Bill. Still, as we mentioned earlier, Postal 2 entices more and more people interested in violent and funny gameplay.
Key Features:
Two ways of playing: aggressive or passive; the decision is yours.
A violent, drug, and destructive life with the option to shoot everything that moves.
It is one of the most violent games in the industry, where inclusion does not matter.
Postal 2: Paradise Lost Steam CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.
The Bottom Line
Controversial video games are a bit like a rollercoaster in entertainment. They can be thrilling and thought-provoking, but they also make us wonder about their impact on our actions and beliefs. However, most of them should be taken with a grain of salt.
As passionate gamers, we understand the joy of exploring different gaming experiences while staying within budget. RoyalCDKeys allows gamers to access a wide range of titles, including the controversial ones discussed in this article, without breaking the bank. So, whether you're curious about the latest controversy or seeking an unforgettable gaming adventure, RoyalCDkeys is the place to find what you're looking for at a price that won't leave your wallet empty.