Funny Moments in Videogames: Laughing through Harold and Me
Videogames are more than just entertainment; they are a space where laughter and joy can be found, even in the most unexpected moments. These are stories from my own gaming experiences, where the unexpected and the outlandish brought me and my friends great joy.
Halo Reach: A Joke Gone Sour
One day, my friend and I were playing our favorite game, Halo Reach. We were on an intense mission where we were piloting a Falcon helicopter over a dying city. The mission involved us landing, taking out the enemies, and then moving on. I, being the cheeky one, sometimes made my character fly off to the helicopter without alerting my friend to the situation.
My friend was left on a building with one marine. In a light-hearted and playful mood, he spoke to the marine, saying, "So, you had luck, eh? Guess we have to do this together," but it was the marine's AI that really made us laugh. The marine, waiting a few seconds, decided to run at sonic speed off the edge of the building. The AI's actions were unintentionally comical, leading to fits of laughter that lasted for a good 10 minutes. It's a moment that still brings us joy whenever someone brings it up.
Conker's Bad Fur Day: Hilarious AI
Another day, I was visiting my friend who had the game Conker's_BAD Fur Day (2001). While I was over playing, the words "The Great Mighty Poo" echoed throughout the room. The in-game music for the final boss battle, known as The Great Mighty Poo, was simply hilarious. The song's lyrics were so amusing and quirky that it nearly made me and my parents hyperventilate as we laughed on the floor for at least 20 minutes.
How about some scat, you little twat? You don’t seem to know which creek you’re in!
Even though the lyrics were not for the faint of heart (or ears), they are etched into my memory as one of the funniest moments in a videogame. The song recounts the chaotic and grotesque battle with a giant pooping character, named The Great Mighty Poo, and it’s a highlight that brings joy and laughter every time I think of it.
The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion
Yet another laughable moment came from The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion. I was engaging in a quest that would inevitably land a character in jail. This quest would later culminate with the character escaping and pursuing me. One day, while I was exploring a dark, vampire-infested dungeon, this once-captive NPC escaped and launched an attack on me!
Unfortunately for the enemy, he chose the worst possible moment to attack. He pursued me during a particularly blood-thirsty encounter with a group of vampires. By the time I realized the man had escaped and was engaging me, he had already been dispatched by the undead creatures. Despite the situation, the contrast between being in a frightening environment battling terrifying creatures and then thinking about the hilarity of a friendly character going on the offensive was comically absurd.
These funny moments in videogames have such staying power because they remind us that while gaming can be intense and serious, there's also room for comedy and joy. They serve as a reminder that even the most unexpected or chaotic events can bring us immense satisfaction and laughter.