5 Horrific Video Games That Were Banned & Why

In this day and age it's fair to say fresh ideas for video games are drying up. Developers are resorting to dishing up remasters and players are having to experience déjà vu for almost every stereotypical AAA-title. But then, there's that collective who're more ballsy than others. Well, I say ballsy – what I really mean to say is stupid. It's these specific teams I speak of who try to one up the next release by taking the risks no other would attempt.

Of course, there's leaving a mark and then there's leaving a stain. Sometimes, and I mean sometimes – ballsy works. But more often than not, developers go on to face extreme backlash from gamers and critics alike. Thanks to many ludicrous methods used to shove sex, violence and dishonourable material down our throats – many titles have fell victim to a good 'ol banning. And, it's those distasteful games we want to take a closer look at.

Be warned, for what we're about to step into is a little extreme compared to the likes of standard controversy. These titles are the worst of the worst – and a staple on bad tasting video games.

Here are five horrific video games that were banned and why.

5: BULLY

Alright, so if Rockstar Games didn't make an appearance on this list at some point or another, then there would be something seriously wrong. That's pretty much because when it comes to controversy and balls-out gaming, Rockstar tend to hit the nail on the head proudly. Take Grand Theft Auto, for example. Now, we don't need to dig too deep into that iconic series in order to establish a picture. But, when it comes to Rockstar's watered down version featuring school kids – now that's when people started to raise a few hands.

Bully, or also known as Canis Canem Edit, is essentially a game that features stereotypical class types, OTT bullying, and exaggerated characters fit for a teen drama. So, once the title hit the shelves, activists and anti-bullying campaigners were quick to strike a match and watch the developer burn. Or, at least until Rockstar swindled it in their favour and kept the title going strong.

Brazil were quick to ban Bully the moment Rockstar dropped it. Plus, with both the US and UK making accusations against the developer about glorifying bullying, Rockstar were soon faced with several lawsuits and activists trying to pull the game. And now, even fourteen years down the line, Rockstar still face harsh criticism for their souped up bullying simulator.

4. RAPE DAY

Rape Day is everything you probably think it is: uncomfortably sinister. Of course, a game that promotes sexual assault and mass killings is bound to receive a backlash from furious players. Rape Day is no exception when it comes to sliding past the board, purely because there are no themes embedded within that can make a player feel less disgusted from the content.

Rape Day allows the player the freewill to sexually assault other women, and then murder them in cold blood before locating a new target. It's by far the most graphic thing people have seen in years, and no doubt the quick victim to the old chopping block.

Desk Plant, who developed the game, have gone on to say that they will attempt to sell the title on their own site. That's essentially because Steam, or anywhere else for that matter, have refused to promote the controversial experience. And, to be honest, that's more than understandable.

3. RAPELAY

Again? So soon? Well, there are some tainted individuals out there, and sadly, RapeLay is no happy-go-lucky point and click adventure. Instead, RapeLay essentially grants you the ability to sexually harass various characters in public locations. And yes – this was banned almost immediately due to its rather graphic nature.

Due to the aggressive themes RapeLay shoves down your throat, developer Illusion was unsurprisingly quick to receive the boot from various markets like Amazon. And now, RapeLay has been stripped from the Japanese markets and is no longer being traded under the Illusion domain.

2. THE GUY GAME

Like a band of thirsty tropical apes, The Guy Game shovels buckets of sex, sea, sand, and testosterone-fuelled content that would make a frat boy blush. That's basically because all the game consists of is, well – sex. All the player really needs to do is answer some trivia questions, and should the live women fail the question, then the player is given a strip tease, of sorts.

However, four months after the launch, developer Topheavy Studios became subject to a lawsuit, due to one of the women featured in the game being only seventeen years old and unaware of the reasoning behind the footage. This quickly resulted in the shamed developer stripping the game from the shelves and banishing it from the market entirely. Now, The Guy Game has been transferred over to a DVD version, which features the same content, only without the minor.

1. POSTAL 2

The Postal franchise is sort of like marmite; you either love it or you hate it. Unsurprisingly, however, due to its raw violence and explicit themes – a lot of people hate it – especially those local authorities. And yet, in more recent years, Postal 2 has been branded as a cult classic, and is still very much played today.

Postal 2 grants players the immunity to walk the streets and feel like a walking nightmare. Only, this nightmare uses tools such as urinating on people, and then decapitating them with a blunt shovel. And yes, that is a cat attached to the barrel of a shotgun.

New Zealand, being even more horrified than any other country, put a ban on the game shortly after release, and had informed any potential player that a fine of up to $50,000 will be received as well as a ten year prison sentence. And yes – even in 2020, those rules still apply.

Postal 2 still receives a wide community following despite the media branding the game as an overdriven serial killing simulator. With mods still being made and all-star YouTubers promoting the game, Postal 2 has been granted a certain level of immunity that authorities can no longer touch.