History Main / PoisonMushroom

* ''VideoGame/EarthwormJim 2'' has a weapon known as the BubbleGun, which is ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin: It shoots out ''soap bubbles''. Obviously, it's not even remotely useful in trying to defeat enemies. What raises this above a mere PowerupLetdown is that (at least in the Genesis version) there is no way to switch weapons, so you're stuck with the last weapon you pick up until it runs out of ammo. This is a minor annoyance in the first level, where you can just stop and use it up, but a death sentence in the last level, a foot race against Psy-Crow, where you need a useful weapon to clear away obstacles so you can beat him to the checkpoints, and using up the ammo wastes valuable time you don't have. Failing to do so results in him [[StalkedByTheBell closing the gate behind him]] and triggering an inescapable DeathTrap (if you're ''lucky'' - if you aren't, a glitch will prevent the DeathTrap from firing, leaving you to [[{{Unwinnable}} sit in the now-sealed room until you give up and reset the system]]). And even in the versions where you ''can'' switch weapons, you'll usually get the bubble gun at the worst possible moment.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Balatro}}'', the Credit Card's only purpose is to drain your wallet by $20, making it worse if it's [[StuckItems eternal.]] Its [[NotCompletelyUseless only practical use is to guarantee that the Vagabond generates a tarot card after each played hand]] since it needs $4 or less to activate.

Whatever their method, it's a PowerUp that powers you down instead. Contrast with ChestMonster, which is a monster that disguises itself as a PowerUp or other item, and PowerupLetdown, which is a PowerUp that is unintentionally hindering. Compare CursedItem and {{Zonk}}, a "prize" that isn't worth anything.

* Red crates in ''VideoGame/DukeNukemII'' often contain health items. Sometimes they can contain a bomb instead, that will explode if shot or after a little bit and send out a shockwave of fire that destroys crates, enemies and also the soda can health pickups. There's a way to find out if a crate contains a bomb: Duke will walk behind the crate as opposed to in front of a safe one. To a clueless player, they're a curse; to a savvy one, they're a deterrent to shooting wildly.

* Mushrooms found in ''VideoGame/RuneFactory5'' do not return any information on the items menu as to what their effects will be upon consumption, stating that the only way to find out is to eat them. While they do all restore HP when eaten, the amount restored can vary greatly, and may also inflict a status effect such as poison, paralysis, or sleep.