History NarmCharm / VideoGames

* ''EternalSonata'' is a game that ran on narm. It was didactic, pretentious, and overflowing with irritating characters who [[WhatAnIdiot had the common sense of a carton of bricks]]. But the ending, where [[spoiler:Fredric dies, and his soul rises from his body, slowly sitting down to play the ending theme ''Heaven's Mirror'', while his final visitor rises to sing]] somehow loops around and becomes [[TearJerker heartbreaking]].

** From the ending: "Shooting game never die." Despite the {{Engrish}}, it's a BadassBoast for ''the entire ShootEmUp genre.'' When ''World Ignition'' was localized into English, [[GoodBadTranslation this line was kept in]].

** From the ending: "Shooting game never die." Despite the {{Engrish}}, it's a BadassBoast for ''the entire ShootEmUp genre.''

* In ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter 4'', players often get a laugh out of the otherwise cool-looking Zamtrios--a huge amphibious ThreateningShark with frog-like legs--once it activates its infamous inflation mode, making it look like a giant beanbag with a shark embedded inside of it. To add insult to injury, the inflated belly becomes a major weakpoint, ensuring that the monster doesn't stay alive for much longer particularly at Low Rank. ''Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate'' introduces the Tigerstripe Zamtrios, a subspecies of Zamtrios that inflates and deflates far more frequently. This would be even more hilarious, but most players ''don't'' think so. Thanks to its high mobility, difficulty in trying to mount it (since it can't be mounted while inflated), and the massive damage it can inflict with its various attacks, especially its very fast GroundPound attack, it becomes [[ThatOneBoss one of the frustrating and terrifying bosses]] in early G-rank quests.
* ''VideoGame/NightsIntoDreams'' definitely qualifies. It's almost offensively cute & colourful, the [[TastesLikeDiabetes innocence, idealism and whimsy]] is taken to the extreme...and yet, somehow, it works. It ain't a CultClassic for nothin', folks.
** Similarly, ''Dreams Dreams'', the main theme song of the series, is a ''very'' cheesy love song, but it also works very well, mainly due to Dana Calitri (the female singer of the 1996 adult version) having a rather sexy voice, the badass flute solo bridge, and the sheer amount of sincerity put into the song's construction, that it almost becomes ''transcendent''.

** The Japanese and [=PAL=] versions of ''VideoGame/SonicCD'' bring us the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTWnxQD5_sw track]] to Metallic Madness (Bad Future), featuring a robotic voice (presumed to be Robotnik's) telling you, "You can't do anything, so don't even try! Get some help!" Yes, the voice sounds like Microsoft Sam. But the track also [[PlayerPunch reminds you that you]] [[DownerEnding screwed up]].

** In ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'', the scene between Tidus and Jecht, specifically after Jecht thinks Tidus is down for the count. Cue [[AutobotsRockOut ''Otherworld'']] [[ThemeMusicPowerUp theme]] and [[HeroicSecondWind Tidus getting back up to fight]], followed by '''''[[NarmCharm "There's no tomorrow]]''''' '''''for me''''', '''''[[CrowningMomentOfAwesome unless I beat you today!"]]'''''.

* The ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors'' series would be a LOT less fun to play if they ever got rid of the [[LargeHam outrageously hammy]] voice acting, the [[TheyJustDidntCare atrocious pronunciation]] of Chinese names, the anachronistic dialogue and the across-the-board commitment to MundaneMadeAwesome moments.

* Kinda the whole idea of ...''FreedomForce''.

** The [[SuddenlyShouting order to]] [[DiveDiveDive dive]] in one late game mission can be viewed in hindsight to be narmy and hilarious, but in the moment it's terrifying since, not only have you literally just started the mission, if you don't immediately obey you'll wind up as a proverbial bug on a windshield.

** Similarity, ''Dreams Dreams'', the main theme song of the series, is a ''very'' cheesy love song, but it also works very well, mainly due to Dana Calitri (the female singer of the 1996 adult version) having a rather sexy voice, the badass flute solo bridge, and the sheer amount of sincerity put into the song's construction, that it almost becomes ''transcendent''.

** Similarity, ''Dreams Dreams'', the main theme song of the series, is a ''very'' cheesy love song, but it also works very well, mainly due to Dana Calitri (the female singe of the 1996 adult version) having a rather sexy voice, the badass flute solo bridge, and the sheer amount of siceroty put into the piece, that it almost becomes ''transcendent''.

* "VideoGame/NightsIntoDreams" definitely qualifies. It's almost offensively cute & colourful, the innocence, idealism and whimsy is taken to the extreme...and yet, somehow, it works. It ain't a CultClassic for nothin', folks.
** Similarity, ''Dreams Dreams'', the main theme song of the series, is a ''very'' cheesy love song, but it also works very well, mainly due to Dana Calitri (the female singe of the 1996 adult version) having a rather sexy voice, the badass flute solo bridge, and the sheer amount of siceroty put into the piece, that it becomes ''transcendent.''

* In ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter 4'', players often get a laugh out of the otherwise cool-looking Zamtrios--a huge amphibious ThreateningShark with frog-like legs--once it activates its infamous inflation mode, making it look like a giant beanbag with a shark embedded inside of it. To add insult to injury, the inflated belly becomes a major weakpoint, ensuring that the monster doesn't stay alive for much longer particularly at Low Rank. ''Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate'' introduces the Tigerstripe Zamtrios, a subspecies of Zamtrios that inflates and deflates far more frequently. This would be even more hilarious, but most players ''don't'' think so. Thanks to its high mobility, difficulty in trying to mount it (since it can't be mounted while inflated), and the massive damage it can inflict with its various attacks, especially its very fast GroundPound attack, it becomes [[ThatOneBoss one of the frustrating and terrifying bosses]] in early G-rank quests.

* The first ''BatenKaitos'' game. As abysmal as the voice acting was, the plot still manages to be both interesting and enjoyable.

* Despite how bad the voice acting was in ''BatenKaitos 1'', the flashbacks of how Kalas's brother Fee dies still manages to be quite heart-breaking.

** ''Any'' music with lyrics in the Sonic franchise tend to be cheesy, yet strangely catchy. ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'' is probably the biggest example of this with the memetic [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome Escape From The City]] and Knuckles' rap themes.mon Lord]] [[BigBad Ghirahim]] ''would'' be ridiculous, what with his [[FashionVictimVillain gaudy]] outfit, [[SissyVillain campy demeanor]], and oddly casual lines...except he's also so damn ''crazy'' that it makes him come off as CreepyAwesome.

* Reaper from ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'' is practically made out of this trope. He ''should'' be an utterly ridiculous character dreamt up by a 9-year-old boy during the 90's trying as hard as he can to be "cool;" a dark and edgy assassin dressed in a black BadassLongCoat and white skull mask, who dual-wields ''[[ShotgunsAreJustBetter shotguns]]'' ([[ThrowAwayGuns which he doesn't even bother reloading,]] [[HyperspaceArsenal he just pulls an endless supply from his coat!]]) with a deep, gravelly voice saying incredibly unsubtle lines like "I will feast on their souls!" By all accounts, his character shouldn't work... and yet he does, and is both legitimately badass and [[NightmareFuel incredibly threatening]] in-game and out. It helps that what a children's interpretation of a badass is appears in a stylistically [[Creator/{{Pixar}} Pixar-esque]] universe, as well as having a genuinely intriguing backstory.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'', Aigis has apparently finally tuned in to human emotions and confesses her love for the hero. This kind of touchy-feely dialogue is endemic to anime and [=JRPGs=] and it ''always'' turns out sounding gut-wrenchingly corny in English. Not this time. Could be considered a Crowning Moment of Dubbing, but it's really no surprise considering the excellent quality of the rest of the dub.

* ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'''s [[spoiler:Last Story's ending]] is considered very memorable, with mostly good dialogue, but Tails' ''"[[MemeticMutation we all did it together]]"'' line is considered notoriously cheesy even apart from the AccidentalInnuendo. Also: "Let's get back to the planet that's as [[TotallyRadical cool and blue]] as me!".
* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'': [[AdjectiveNounFred Demon Lord]] [[BigBad Ghirahim]] ''would'' be ridiculous, what with his [[FashionVictimVillain gaudy]] outfit, [[SissyVillain campy demeanor]], and oddly casual lines...except he's also so damn ''crazy'' that it makes him come off as CreepyAwesome.
* The super SuperDeformed look in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' got noticed even when the game was raking in accolades. Yet it was an understandable consequence of Square getting to know the system. Even the game's detractors rarely use that as a negative against the game.

* People in ''Franchise/MetalGear'' fandom who complain about the guy covered in bees, the [[NoFourthWall fourth wall breaking]], the possessed arm, Big Boss being defeated by an aerosol can and a lighter or the "deadly poisonous Zanzibar hamsters" (or even the endless melodramatic dialogue) are usually quietly resented/pitied by the other people in the ''Franchise/MetalGear'' fandom, who love the games because they're really quite silly.

* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2'': "We've managed to avoid drowning!" Well, consider that navigating underwater sections while escorting someone with a smaller OxygenMeter and LifeMeter is rather awkward...

* In ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006 Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)]]'', Mephiles is given some pretty bad dialogue, but DanGreen manages to make it work.
** Most ''Sonic'' dialogue falls under this. This narm is awesome narm. (Especially ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'' narm.)
** ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'' does this in Sonic's final boss battle. (GET A LOAD OF THIS-GET A LOA-GET A LOAD OF THIS, etc)
** ''VideoGame/ShadowTheHedgehog'', what with lines like:
--> Where's that, DAMN fourth Chaos Emerald?!
--> Find the computer room!
--> The more the Merrier! The more the Merrier! The more-- (and it goes on).
** The strange, over-the-top expression in Shadow's various "I Am" Speeches, particularly "THIS is WHO I AM" underscores his mental instability. So does his whining, five-year-old like protests to Rouge about his identity in ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'' and his lame puns in ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes''.
** Espio's stereotypical ninja lines in ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'' come off as NarmCharm. His voice actor at the time made them sound cool. These lines include:
--> "DASHAAAAA!"
--> "Behold, ninja power!"
--> "Evil must die! Beware my ninja power!"
--> "Spirits unite!"
** ''Any'' music with lyrics in the Sonic franchise tend to be cheesy, yet strangely catchy. ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'' is probably the biggest example of this with the memetic [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome Escape From The City]] and Knuckles' rap themes.
* The Japanese and [=PAL=] versions of ''VideoGame/SonicCD'' bring us the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTWnxQD5_sw track]] to Metallic Madness (Bad Future), featuring a robotic voice (presumed to be Robotnik's) telling you, "You can't do anything, so don't even try! Get some help!" Yes, the voice sounds like Microsoft Sam. But the track also [[PlayerPunch reminds you that you]] [[DownerEnding screwed up]].
* Many considered the BlindIdiotTranslation of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'' to be this, which is why the PSP version's PurpleProse was so controversial. Some consider the often over-the-top prose to have Narm Charm itself.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV''. "You SpoonyBard!" It's a silly and mistranslated line, but so well loved that it's preserved in all remakes and sequels.
** Fans of archaic slang have pointed out that calling Edward "spoony" is technically correct, since he was indeed sentimental and hopelessly in love. That it happens to also be [[InherentlyFunnyWords a really, really funny thing to call someone]] is just lagniappe.
* Most fans of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV'' cite the generally upbeat characters, silly dialogue, "save the crystals" Light Warriors plot and the game's tendency to [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall lean on the Fourth Wall]] as the reason they love it... in other words, the very reasons many fans of "Classic Final Fantasy" (before Square [[UnpleasableFanbase ruined everything]]) seem to ignore it. Which is not to say the game is devoid of seriousness, because in certain scenes there may well be [[TearJerker something in your eye]]...
** Special mention goes to the GBA port, whose English translation [[{{Woolseyism}} Punched up the dialogue]] with some great cornball lines, while keeping the original intent intact. And you've gotta love Gilgamesh saying "It's morphing time!" and "Now we fight like men, and women, and women who dress like men!"
** In ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'', the scene between Tidus and Jecht, specifically after Jecht thinks Tidus is down for the count. Cue [[AutobotsRockOut ''Otherworld'']] [[ThemeMusicPowerUp theme]] and [[HeroicSecondWind Tidus getting back up to fight]], followed by '''''[[NarmCharm "There's no tomorrow]]''''' '''''for me''''', '''''[[CrowningMomentOfAwesome unless I beat you today!"]]'''''.

* ''S4League'': SUPERSONIC! [[{{DJMAX}} SUPERSONIC!]] [[EarWorm SUPERSONIC!]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-2YiVsmPME SUPERSONIC!]]

* In ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter 4'', players often get a laugh out of the otherwise cool-looking Zamtrios--a huge amphibious ThreateningShark with frog-like legs--once it activates its infamous inflation mode, making it look like a giant beanbag with a shark embedded inside of it. To add insult to injury, the inflated belly becomes a major weakpoint, ensuring that the monster doesn't stay alive for much longer particularly at Low Rank. ''Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate'' introduces the Tigerstripe Zamtrios, a subspecies of Zamtrios that inflates and deflates far more frequently. This would be even more hilarious, but most players ''don't'' think so. Thanks to its high mobility, difficulty in trying to mount it (since it can't be mounted while inflated), and the massive damage it can inflict with its various attacks, especially its very fast GroundPound attack, it becomes [[ThatOneBoss one of the frustrating bosses]] in early G-rank quests.

* In ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter 4'', players often get a laugh out of the otherwise cool-looking Zamtrios--a huge amphibious ThreateningShark with frog-like legs--once it activates its infamous inflation mode, making it look like a giant beanbag with a shark embedded inside of it. To add insult to injury, the inflated belly becomes a major weakpoint, ensuring that the monster doesn't stay alive for much longer particularly at Low Rank. ''Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate'' introduces the Tigerstripe Zamtrios, a subspecies of Zamtrios that inflates and deflates far more frequently. This would be even more hilarious...except many players ''don't''. Thanks to its high mobility, difficulty in trying to mount it (since it can't be mounted while inflated), and the massive damage it can inflict with its various attacks, especially its very fast GroundPound attack, it becomes [[ThatOneBoss one of the frustrating bosses]] in early G-rank quests.

* In ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter 4'', players often get a laugh out of the otherwise cool-looking Zamtrios--a huge ThreateningShark with legs--once it activates its infamous inflation mode, making it look like a giant beanbag with a shark embedded inside of it. To add insult to injury, the inflated belly becomes a major weakpoint, ensuring that the monster doesn't stay alive for much longer particularly at Low Rank. ''Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate'' introduces the Tigerstripe Zamtrios, a subspecies of Zamtrios that inflates and deflates far more frequently. This would be even more hilarious...except many players ''don't''. Thanks to its high mobility, difficulty in trying to mount it (since it can't be mounted while inflated), and the massive damage it can inflict with its various attacks, especially its very fast GroundPound attack, it becomes [[ThatOneBoss one of the frustrating bosses]] in early G-rank quests.

* In ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter 4'', players often get a laugh out of the otherwise cool-looking Zamtrios once it activates its infamous inflation mode, making it look like a giant beanbag with a shark embedded inside of it. To add insult to injury, the inflated belly becomes a major weakpoint, ensuring that the monster doesn't stay alive for much longer particularly at Low Rank. ''Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate'' introduces the Tigerstripe Zamtrios, a subspecies of Zamtrios that inflates and deflates far more frequently. This would be even more hilarious...except many players ''don't''. Thanks to its high mobility, difficulty in trying to mount it (since it can't be mounted while inflated), and the massive damage it can inflict with its various attacks, especially its very fast GroundPound attack, it becomes [[ThatOneBoss one of the frustrating bosses]] in early G-rank quests.

* In ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter 4'', players often get a laugh out of the otherwise cool-looking Zamtrios once it activates its infamous inflation mode, making it look like a giant beanbag with a shark embedded inside of it. To add insult to injury, the inflated belly becomes a major weakpoint, ensuring that the monster doesn't stay alive particularly at Low Rank. ''Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate'' introduces the Tigerstripe Zamtrios, a subspecies of Zamtrios that inflates and deflates far more frequently. This would be even more hilarious...except many players ''[[ThatOneBoss don't]]''. Thanks to its high mobility, difficulty in trying to mount it (since it can't be mounted while inflated), and the massive damage it can inflict with its various attacks, especially its very fast GroundPound attack, it becomes one of the most threatening bosses in early G-rank quests.

* Reaper from ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'' is practically made out of this trope. He ''should'' be an utterly ridiculous character dreamt up by a 9-year-old boy during the 90's trying as hard as he can to be "cool;" a dark and edgy assassin dressed in a black BadassLongCoat and white skull mask, who dual-wields ''[[ShotgunsAreJustBetter shotguns]]'' ([[ThrowAwayGuns which he doesn't even bother reloading,]] [[HyperspaceArsenal he just pulls an endless supply from his coat!]]) with a deep, gravelly voice saying incredibly unsubtle lines like "I will feast on their souls!" By all accounts, his character shouldn't work... and yet he does, and is both legitimately badass and [[NightmareFuel incredibly threatening]] in-game and out. It helps that what a children's interpretation of a badass is appears in a stylistically [[Creator/{{Pixar}} Pixar-esque]] universe, as well as having a genuinely intriguing backstory.

* ''{{Catherine}}'': Several of the lines the final boss lets off, special mention going to "[[YourHeadAsplode Head goes BOOM!]]" and "I can see you - you and your [[GoofyPrintUnderwear underpants]]!"

* Reaper from ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'' is practically made out of this trope. He ''should'' be an utterly ridiculous character dreamt up by a 9-year-old boy during the 90's; a dark and edgy assassin dressed in a black BadassLongCoat and white skull mask, who dual-wields ''[[ShotgunsAreJustBetter shotguns]]'' ([[ThrowAwayGuns which he doesn't even bother reloading,]] [[HyperspaceArsenal he just pulls an endless supply from his coat!]]) with a deep, gravelly voice saying incredibly unsubtle lines like "I will feast on their souls!" By all accounts, his character shouldn't work... and yet he does, and is both legitimately {{Badass}} and [[NightmareFuel incredibly threatening]] in-game and out. It helps that what a children's interpretation of a badass is appears in a stylistically [[Creator/{{Pixar}} Pixar-esque]] universe, as well as having a genuinely intriguing backstory.

* ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'': [[spoiler: Photoshop Flowey comes off as something right out of a stereotypical, badly-written creepypasta, and Asriel's powered-up boss form resembles a child's self-insert MarySue character complete with ridiculous attack names.]] So, why do these bosses still work so well? [[spoiler:Because Asriel, and by extension Flowey, is a kid at the age where they would find such things cool and want to incorporate them into their fights. Even his abysmally on-the-nose choice of name, "Flowey The Flower", fits perfectly when the FridgeBrilliance kicks in and you consider his father's [[LikeFatherLikeSon similarily awful ability to pick clever names]].]]