1. Red Explosive Barrels
As used in: Every video game ever. Blowing things up is easy in video games, because there's been an age-old trend since the dawn of time. You shoot the red barrels because they explode. And as the fiery explosion that you caused dissipates so to does any feeling of immersion. Red explosive barrels are almost like the game industry's Wilhelm Scream. They pop up in almost every game and serve as a reminder that while what you're playing is slightly different to the last thing you played, every game ever is the same. It is hard to pinpoint when the Red Explosive Barrel thing started. My barrel trip has sent me as far back as Doom (not quite barrels, but pretty much the same) and further, and it is not entirely obvious why this concept was so popular. But the stark truth is that dangerous explosive substances can be kept in all manner of different coloured barrels. Green. Yellow. Puce. And the first game to offer up Puce Exploding Barrels will be my new favourite game of all time. What are your most annoying trends in video gaming? Make some noise in the comments below...