9 Video Game Mascots We Absolutely Hated

9. Karnov

Data East's Karnov, self-evidently, was not your typical video game mascot - and nor was he despised for the typical reasons.

A fire-breathing blimp (a combustible combination if ever there was one) extracted straight from Borodin's central Asian steppes, Karnov - a diminutive form of Jinborov Karnovski - was the unlikely protagonist of a 1987 arcade platformer of the same name.

Unlike many games of the period, the Soviet strongman's motivations don't involve the usual captured, lost or otherwise unsorcelled damsel, but revolve around a more relatable and realistic lust for loot. Come the end, he pummels a wizard, and claims all the world's treasure as his own.

Karnov was obviously an absolute badass then, and well deserving of our admiration. And he would have retained it, had he not returned in several subsequent Data East titles in a more fitting role of big baddie.

The bald brute is the first major impediment in the wonderfully named Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja, and poses an even bigger threat in beat 'em up Fighter's History, standing proud as the game's ultimate test. He even turns up as a regular enemy in games as diverse as Tumblepop and Trio The Punch - Never Forget Me... - neither of which are made up.

With the exception of Enix's lovable Slime, Karnov is just about the only example of a villain being the company mascot. We hate him, but we love to hate him.