10 Video Games That Were MASSIVE Jokes

2. Takeshi's Challenge

pyst gaming
Taito

Revered Japanese gaming publication Famitsu reserves a special rating for the most reprehensible of all titles: kuso-ge, lit. 'sh*t game'. That's the badge of ignominy they slapped on 'Beat' Takeshi Kitano's Famicom hellscape Takeshi no Chōsenjō, such was its punishing, virtually insurmountable difficulty.

Were they really expecting anything other than a gruelling gauntlet from the Count of Takeshi's Castle (yes - the very same)? On the face of it, it's a relatively simple premise, an adventure that sees you take the role of a salaryman as he seeks the treasures of the South Sea, but in practice, it's absolute torture. The arduous task involves - but isn't limited to - quitting your job, divorcing your wife, and singing actual karaoke (courtesy of the Famicom's mic) - with only a pitch-perfect performance being good enough to progress.

At one point, you have to leave the controller untouched for an entire hour to uncover a map. This true test of the player's patience pretty much epitomises the whole philosophy of the game, one which Kitano allegedly designed through complete contempt for the medium - and humanity in general.

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Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.