History HistoricalVillainUpgrade / VideoGames

* ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaBloodlines'': [[BigBad Countess Elizabeth Bartley]] is based on [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Báthory Erzsébet Báthory the Blood Countess]]. Whereas the real Bathory was an infamous serial killed who tortured and murdered possibly hundreds of young girls, the game makes her an actual vampire, Draculas' niece in fact [[note]]A reference to the fact that Bathory was UsefulNotes/VladTheImpaler 's cousin.[[/note]]. She was also [[HistoricalRapSheet responsible]] for kickstarting the events that led to World War I as she hoped to sacrifice all the souls of the people killed in the large scale conflict to revive her EvilUncle. Likewise Drolta Tzuentes, the witch that revived Countess Bartley, was based on Dorotya Semtész, servant of Bathory who was later executed for aiding the countess on the atrocities she committed.

* ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyBlackOpsII'' does this to the Mujahideen in a level set during the UsefulNotes/SovietInvasionOfAfghanistan, possibly owing to current perceptions of such groups thanks to UsefulNotes/TheWarOnTerror. The player helps the Mujahideen push the Soviets out of their territory, capturing and interrogating a Soviet character from the previous game in the process, and then the very ''instant'' he is executed after the interrogation the Mujahideen betray the player, stating that "you are, and always will be, our true enemy". In reality, the anti-Soviet Mujahideen had little to no anti-American sentiment, and were overall more moderate than the Afghan Taliban, who the Americans ''would'' end up fighting down the line, but who actually weren't founded until the 1990s.

* ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaBloodlines'': [[BigBad Countess Elizabeth Bartley]] is based on [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Báthory Erzsébet Báthory the Blood Countess]]. Whereas the real Bathory was an infamous serial killed who tortured and murdered thousands of young girls and was accused of vampirism, the game makes her an actual vampire, Draculas' niece in fact [[note]]A reference to the fact that Bathory was UsefulNotes/VladTheImpaler 's cousin.[[/note]]. She was also [[HistoricalRapSheet responsible]] for kickstarting the events that led to World War I as she hoped to sacrifice all the souls of the people killed in the large scale conflict to revive her EvilUncle. Likewise Drolta Tzuentes, the witch that revived Countess Bartley, was based on Dorotya Semtész, servant of Bathory who was later executed for aiding the countess on the atrocities she committed.

* ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'': While many Servants get a HistoricalHeroUpgrade, UsefulNotes/ChristopherColumbus, who was introduced in the game as [[spoiler:the Rider of Resistance in the Agartha Sub-Singularity]], wasn't so lucky. The case of the real Columbus was a bit complicated: whereas while he did govern the American colony and promoted slavery there, he might not have been completely at fault on that, as behind-the-scenes politics played a role in the colony's development. In-game, however, he did all his horrible deeds for the sake of profit, and despite the world moving on from slavery, he's extremely insistent in trying to bring back the old ways of slavery because he likes it better. And he does all those while being a two-faced BitchInSheepsClothing, using his positive qualities such as being a {{Determinator}} and inspiring captain to cover his dark desires.

* The games ''VideoGame/OperationDarkness'' and ''VideoGame/BionicCommando''. Think Hitler can't be upgraded, villain-wise? [[StupidJetpackHitler Think again]].

** Kyogoku Maria, half-sister of Azai Nagamasa, as an example of how you can take a usually minor historical person and make her villainous or being a complete bitch. Historically, she was known as a devout Christian, dedicated in spreading her religion after her husband's death and becoming one of the best Japanese Kirishitans (aside of the more famouse UsefulNotes/DomJustoTakayamaUkon). In this game? Every notion of Christianity are removed and Maria is turned into a [[{{Jerkass}} bitchy]] and [[TheVamp sultry]] VainSorceress who thinks that [[ItsAllAboutMe the world and everyone revolve around her]] because [[ScrewTheRulesImBeautiful she is a stunningly beautiful woman]], and sees Nagamasa and to an extent Oichi as her playthings to be manipulated for lulz. The only hint of 'Christianity' in her is her exotic name, in here she picked the name because she's so vain that she decided that she deserves an exotic name. This is saying something considering Basara does include Christianity off-shoots in form of the Xavism and Otomo Sorin, and at worst they were just being sissy but comedic 'villains', Maria instead becomes a ''really'' malicious witch ([[WitchWithACapitalB figuratively]] and [[OurWitchesAreDifferent literally]]).

** For example, [[spoiler:Rodrigo Borgia]] was certainly a murderous, conniving asshole in real life and [[spoiler:as Alexander VI, generally considered to be the worst pope in the history of the Catholic Church]]; it turns out he was secretly the [[EvilLaugh cackling]] [[BigBad leader]] of the Templars during UsefulNotes/TheRenaissance. Oh, and [[spoiler:[[StrawHypocrite he thought Christianity was bunk]], but became Pope anyway just for the power.]] Unlike the game's version, there's also no evidence (beyond slander from his enemies after his death) that the real [[spoiler:Rodrigo]] ever raped his daughter or [[NastyParty invited people to dinner parties only to poison them all to death]]. In fact, the historical Rodrigo Borgia was considered somewhat tame compared to other Renaissance era Cardinals.

** For example, [[spoiler:Rodrigo Borgia]] was certainly a murderous, conniving asshole in real life and [[spoiler:as Alexander VI, generally considered to be the worst pope in the history of the Catholic Church]]; it turns out he was secretly the [[EvilLaugh cackling]] [[BigBad leader]] of the Templars during UsefulNotes/TheRenaissance. Oh, and [[spoiler:[[StrawHypocrite he thought Christianity was bunk]], but became Pope anyway just for the power.]] Unlike the game's version, there's also no evidence (beyond slander from his enemies after his death) that the real [[spoiler:Rodrigo]] ever raped his daughter or [[NastyParty invited people to dinner parties only to poison them all to death]].

** Mōri Motonari, the daimyo of Chuugoku region. The real life Motonari actually had bouts of ruthlessness, but just as necessary as his era allowed him. He also put a great emphasis on family unity; a particular personal event in history went like this: Motonari called forth his sons and handed them an arrow each, and told them to break them; they did that easily. And then Motonari told them to do the same on three arrows at once, they failed. However, it allowed Motonari to teach a good Aesop that one person is easier to break than three, united people. Now how was the Basara version of Motonari like? A [[TheNeidermeyer jackass commander]] extraordinary who [[WeHaveReserves sacrificed his own soldiers, clansmen and allies willy-nilly as long as it serves his own interests]] and [[ItsAllAboutMe thinks that the only thing that matters is just himself]], that he sometimes contests the position of BigBad alongside ObviouslyEvil characters like Nobunaga and Hisahide (and his 'advantage' that contributes to his popularity or [[DracoInLeatherPants people making excuses of his 'misunderstood' jackassery]] is that [[EvilIsSexy "He's prettier"]]). He's basically what happens when you [[{{Flanderization}} exaggerate]] Motonari's bouts of ruthlessness to the point it eclipses everything else and he most likely would rather ''die'' than giving that unity lesson to his family... if any of them remains.

** UsefulNotes/{{Nero}} as portrayed in ''VideoGame/FateExtra'' is said to have this occurred, supposedly doing everything the historical Nero is alleged to have done but not deserving her ([[GenderFlip yes, her]]) reputation. Though unlike others, there seemingly are no actual side effects.

** Kyogoku Maria, half-sister of Azai Nagamasa, as an example of how you can take a usually minor historical person and make her villainous or being a complete bitch. Historically, she was known as a devout Christian, dedicated in spreading her religion after her husband's death and becoming one of the best Japanese Kirishitans (aside of the more famouse UsefulNotes/DomJustoTakayamaUkon). In this game? Every notion of Christianity are removed and Maria is turned into a [[{{Jerkass}} bitchy]] and [[TheVamp sultry]] VainSorceress who thinks that [[ItsAllAboutMe the world and everyone revolve around her]] because [[ScrewTheRulesImBeautiful she is a stunningly beautiful woman]], and sees Nagamasa and to an extent Oichi as her playthings to be manipulated for lulz. The only hint of 'Christianity' in her is her exotic name, in here she picked the name because she's so vain that she decided that she deserves an exotic name. This is saying something considering Basara does include Christianity off-shoots in form of the Xavism and Otomo Sorin, and at worst they were just being sissy but comedic 'villains', Maria instead becomes a ''really'' malicious witch ([[WitchWithACapitalB figuratively]] and [[WickedWitch literally]]).

** Kyogoku Maria, half-sister of Azai Nagamasa, as an example of how you can take a usually minor historical person and make her villainous or being a complete bitch. Historically, she was known as a devout Christian, dedicated in spreading her religion after her husband's death and becoming one of the best Japanese Kirishitans (aside of the more famouse UsefulNotes/DomJustoTakayamaUkon). In this game? Every notion of Christianity are removed and Maria is turned into a [[{{Jerkass}} bitchy]] and [[TheVamp sultry]] VainSorceress who thinks that [[ItsAllAboutMe the world and everyone revolve around her]] because [[ScrewTheRulesImBeautiful she is a stunningly beautiful woman]], and sees Nagamasa and to an extent Oichi as her playthings to be manipulated for lulz. The only hint of 'Christianity' in her is her exotic name, in here she picked the name because she's so vain that she decided that she deserves an exotic name. This is saying something considering Basara does include Christianity off-shoots in form of the Xavism and Otomo Sorin, and at worst they were just being sissy but comedic 'villains', Maria instead becomes a ''really'' malicious witch ([[WitchWithACapitalB figuratively]] and [[OurWitchesAreDifferent literally]]).

** Kyogoku Maria, half-sister of Azai Nagamasa, as an example of how you can take a usually minor historical person and make her villainous or being a complete bitch. Historically, she was known as a devout Christian, dedicated in spreading her religion after her husband's death and becoming one of the best Japanese Kirishitans (aside of the more famouse UsefulNotes/DomJustoTakayamaUkon). In this game? Every notion of Christianity are removed and Maria is turned into a [[{{Jerkass}} bitchy]] and [[TheVamp sultry]] VainSorceress who thinks that [[ItsAllAboutMe the world and everyone revolve around her]] because [[ScrewTheRulesImBeautiful she is a stunningly beautiful woman]], and sees Nagamasa and to an extent Oichi as her playthings to be manipulated for lulz. The only hint of 'Christianity' in her is her exotic name, in here she picked the name because she's so vain that she decided that she deserves an exotic name. This is saying something considering Basara does include Christianity off-shoots in form of the Xavism and Otomo Sorin, and at worst they were just being sissy but comedic 'villains', Maria instead becomes a ''really'' malicious [[WitchWithACapitalB witch]] (figuratively and literally).

* ''VideoGame/DantesInferno'' takes many of the historic figures who were upgraded in ''Literature/TheDivineComedy'' mentioned above (except any who would be controversial, like Mohammed, who are omitted entirely) and upgrades them further, making them downright ''nasty''. For example, Cleopatra becomes a [[HornyDevils succubus]] of [[AttackOfTheFiftyFootWhatever titanic size]] cruelly goading Dante as he makes his way through the Lust Storm, summoning demons and her former lover Anthony (himself an example of this Trope) to stop him, finally trying to seduce him if all else fails. (Causing a NonStandardGameOver if he falls for it.) Of course, in this game, ''everyone'' from the original work is an AdaptationalBadass. Dante [[VillainProtagonist himself]] also qualifies as this,being a positively AxCrazy KnightTemplar responsible for murdering countless prisoners and blaming his brother-in-law Francesco Portinari for it.

* In the original ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'', Father Balder is the last of the Lumen Sages working towards the awakening of Jubileus, which involves using his own daughter as a LivingBattery, and is said to have both seduced Bayonetta's mother Rosa solely for his goals and engineered the genocide of the Umbra witches. [[spoiler:In ''VideoGame/Bayonetta2'', it's revealed that the actual Balder of the time was an honourable man who, while responisble for the witch hunts, [[UnwittingPawn was manipulated to do so by the Angels]] and [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone was horrified by what they led to]], and spends most of the game on a grief-fueled warpath to avenge Rosa's death. The reason for HeelFaceTurn was ultimately the result of him imprisoning the GodOfEvil Loptr inside his body, corrupting the once good man into the monster seen in the first game. At the very least, his daughter was able to learn the truth and his [[DyingAsYourself final death has him regain his sanity and keep Loptr inside him]], ensuring the god dies with him.]]

* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'', Ivalice remembers [[TheHero Ramza]] as a criminal and heretic after his quest to stop the Lucavi and Ultima has ended. [[CorruptChurch The Church of Glabados]] covered up the truth about Ramza's heroic deeds as well as revering [[HistoricalHeroUpgrade Delita Herial]] as a hero who brought the end of the War of the Lions.

** UsefulNotes/JuliusCaesar was known for fighting with the patricians of AncientRome over his reforms that would benefit the plebs. For the nobles who stood above the common filth this was of course a threat to their position and power in the republic and one of the reasons for some to stab him. In ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedOrigins'' they switched the line, making the senators the friends of reforms to make the life of the people better, while Caesar stands against it until he gets stabbed by Aya.

** Kyogoku Maria, half-sister of Azai Nagamasa, as an example of how you can take a usually minor historical person and make her villainous or being a complete bitch. Historically, she was known as a devout Christian, dedicated in spreading her religion after her husband's death and becoming one of the best Japanese Kirishitans (aside of the more famouse UsefulNotes/DomJustoTakayamaUkon). In this game? Every notion of Christianity are removed and Maria is turned into [[{{Jerkass}} a manipulative, bitchy]] [[VainSorceress enchantress]] who thinks that [[ItsAllAboutMe the world and everyone revolve around her]] because [[ScrewTheRulesImBeautiful she is a stunningly beautiful woman]], and sees Nagamasa and to an extent Oichi as her playthings to be manipulated for lulz. The only hint of 'Christianity' in her is her exotic name, in here she picked the name because she's so vain that she decided that she deserves an exotic name. This is saying something considering Basara does include Christianity off-shoots in form of the Xavism and Otomo Sorin, and at worst they were just being sissy but comedic 'villains', Maria instead becomes a ''really'' malicious [[WitchWithACapitalB witch]] (figuratively and literally).

** Kyogoku Maria, half-sister of Azai Nagamasa, as an example of how you can take a usually minor historical person and make her villainous or being a complete bitch. Historically, she was known as a devout Christian, dedicated in spreading her religion after her husband's death and becoming one of the best Japanese Kirishitans (aside of the more famouse UsefulNotes/DomJustoTakayamaUkon). In this game? Every notion of Christianity are removed and Maria is turned into [[{{Jerkass}} a manipulative, bitchy]] [[VainSorceress egoistic enchantress]] who thinks that [[ItsAllAboutMe the world and everyone revolve around her]] because [[ScrewTheRulesImBeautiful she is a stunningly beautiful woman]], and sees Nagamasa and to an extent Oichi as her playthings to be manipulated for lulz. The only hint of 'Christianity' in her is her exotic name, in here she picked the name because she's so vain that she decided that she deserves an exotic name. This is saying something considering Basara does include Christianity off-shoots in form of the Xavism and Otomo Sorin, and at worst they were just being sissy but comedic 'villains', Maria instead becomes a ''really'' malicious [[WitchWithACapitalB witch-bitch]].

** UsefulNotes/OdaNobunaga, who was basically him at his evilest portrayals taken UpToEleven. After making the deal with the Genma for personal power, he was shot to death by a stray arrow. Upon his revival by the Genma, he took over the leadership of Japan, with Fortinbras supposedly having been killed by the protagonist, Samanosuke. Nobunaga then continued to spread his hellish conquest, mirroring his brutal actions in history, throughout the franchise, until Samanosuke came back and personally killed him in Honnoji, sealing him within the Oni Gauntlet. Per Onimusha tradition, Nobunaga's brutality went through {{Flanderization}} that made him look a bit too ObviouslyEvil, with the same applying to every one of his followers, starting with his wife Nouhime/Kichou (called Vega Donna here) and his page Mori Ranmaru, all of which became cackling evil and/or monstruous to boot. Nobunaga was so much this in this game that Matsunaga Hisahide below, who is usually treated as 'Villain of the Sengoku Period' and as being a roadblock to Nobunaga's road to unification, is given [[HistoricalHeroUpgrade a heroic, positive light]] in ''Onimusha Tactics'' because [[BlackAndWhiteMorality anyone who opposed the Genma and its followers can't be that much of a villain.]]

** Matsunaga Hisahide was known as the "Villain of the Sengoku Period"... and Koei decided to dial it UpToEleven. He is portrayed as an ObviouslyEvil CardCarryingVillain who revels in his role as "the greatest villain of the era" and, after getting shanghaied into Nobunaga's army, takes every opportunity he can get to subvert his campaign of conquest before finally, in the game's own take on his dying act of defiance, uses a teapot containing dynamite to attempt a [[TakingYouWithMe suicide attack]] on Nobunaga. Still, this version has its PetTheDog moments: an event from Chronicle Mode shows him offering free meals to the poor while blasting the idea that people who don't work should starve.

* UsefulNotes/JosefStalin is supposed to be this in ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlert'', except that, well... given the historical circumstances, it's actually a [[AxeCrazy pretty accurate]] [[UsefulNotes/FromRussiaWithNukes portrayal]] [[TheCaligula of the]] [[PresidentEvil guy]], even though the real person never engaged in gassing of entire villages with sarin. The only major difference here is his voice, which is a LargeHam in the game; in RealLife Stalin hated his own voice because it was simply not threatening enough and hence it was ordered to not be recorded. Indeed, only a very few examples of his speeches exist in audio form.

** Nobusuke Kishi was already one of Japan's worst war criminals in the original timeline, with his turning Manchukuo into an industrial colony that absolutely brutalized its locals. Here, he gets to do the same for thrice the time, as well as sees the chance to pounce upon the chaos Japan might enter to coup the nation, establish his regime, and have every last dissenter he can find down to the civilians on the streets shot to death by the army. This is a unique case, as Kishi would have ''probably'' done more or less the same thing in reality; instead, he found his plans thwarted due to Japan's democratic system being too solid to allow it (that and America was watching ''very closely'' after putting him as Prime Minister), and was quickly forced to step down after widespread opposition. Here, Japan can be weak enough for him to enact [[FourisDeath Order 44.]]

* UsefulNotes/JosefStalin is supposed to be this in ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlert'', except that, well... given the historical circumstances, it's actually a [[AxeCrazy pretty accurate]] [[UsefulNotes/FromRussiaWithNukes portrayal]] [[TheCaligula of the]] [[PresidentEvil guy]]. The only major difference here is his voice, which is a LargeHam in the game; in RealLife Stalin hated his own voice because it was simply not threatening enough and hence it was ordered to not be recorded. Indeed, only a very few examples of his speeches exist in audio form.

** Kyogoku Maria, half-sister of Azai Nagamasa, as an example of how you can take a usually minor historical person and make her villainous or being a complete bitch. Historically, she was known as a devout Christian, dedicated in spreading her religion after her husband's death and becoming one of the best Japanese Kirishitans (aside of the more famouse UsefulNotes/DomJustoTakayamaUkon). In this game? Every notion of Christianity are removed and Maria is turned into [[{{Jerkass}} a manipulative, bitchy]] [[VainSorceress egoistic enchantress]] who thinks that [[ItsAllAboutMe the world and everyone revolve around her]] because [[ScrewTheRulesImBeautiful she is a stunningly beautiful woman]], and sees Nagamasa and to an extent Oichi as her playthings to be manipulated for lulz. The only hint of 'Christianity' in her is her exotic name, in here she picked the name because she's so vain that she decided that she deserves an exotic name. This is saying something considering Basara does include Christianity off-shoots in form of the Xavism and Otomo Sorin, and at worst they were just being sissy but comedic 'villains', Maria instead becomes a ''really'' malicious witch-bitch.

* In ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'', Emperor Lei Shen is an {{Expy}} of China's first emperor UsefulNotes/QinShiHuangdi. He is given [[ShockAndAwe demonic lightning powers]] and Nazi-style racial theories to make him look particularly evil. Qin is nowadays seen as a brutal,([[RepressiveButEfficient albeit effective]]) tyrant, but he didn't approach this level of evil.