4. 'Polybius'
I think most devout gamers will probably admit they have been 'addicted' to a certain title in their lives. Whether it is COD, FIFA, GTA or even Pokemon, video gaming by nature has an addictive quality. Few gamers will be able to relate to the addiction of a little known arcade machine known as Polybius, which appeared in arcades in the Portland, Oregon area. These machines were said to be monitored by mysterious 'men in black' (yes, like Will Smith). This machine was said to be extremely popular due to its addictive qualities and had gamers queuing around the block to play to the extent that people would fight over their place in line. This isn't the only problem the game caused reported side affects included amnesia, insomnia, nightmares or night terrors and some player never playing video games ever again. One player even became an anti-gaming activist. The name of the company that produced the legendary title is 'Sinneslöschen' which is the German term for 'deletion of senses'. This is rumoured to be a secret US government organisation or an alias for 'Atari'. The game has also been said to contain subliminal messages that influenced the player's behaviour. The game is said to be similar to 'Tempest' which also caused adverse side affects to those playing it such as photo-sensitive epilepsy, motion sickness and vertigo. Yet some believe a lot of people are getting Tempest and Polybius mixed up, making the legend seem more authentic. In fun Easter egg terms, the machine has popped up in The Simpsons (including 'property of US Government' written on the arcade case) and briefly in Disney film Wreck-It Ralph. The game is now available as a downloadable ROM and bogus machines have appeared in 'retro' style arcades as a practical joke. One of the most bizarre rumours about the game is that one of the only playable versions of the game is hidden in one of the first Donkey Kong arcade machines. This is also part of a 'creepy pasta' story which reveals a certain Shigeru Miyamoto as the game's creator. Surely the brains behind Mario and Zelda wouldn't include something so sinister in a video game...would he?