10 Character Designs That RUINED Video Games

6. Shadow The Hedgehog - Shadow The Hedgehog

We can appreciate Shadow the Hedgehog, we really can. A bit of a dark and edgy vibe never hurt anyone, as all those players who immediately opt for Link’s black costume with the red eyes in Super Smash Bros. (which is everybody) will tell you.

You’ll notice, though, that we specified a bit of an edgy vibe. When Shadow’s at his dark and brooding anti-hero best, he’s exhibiting just the right amount. In his own game, sadly, he was clearly trying much, much too hard. You can tell just by looking at him.

While 2005’s Shadow the Hedgehog deserves praise for its replayability (there are over 300 different routes to take through the game, depending on mission choices the player makes) and bold genre-blending, some of these decisions just didn’t pay off. The G.U.N. soldiers, the TPS elements, the firearms Shadow totes and cheesy lines he spouts throughout... I totally get that he’s meant as an anti-hero foil to Sonic himself, but his characterization in the game went way over the top.