History TookALevelInDumbass / VideoGames

* Perhaps it was just Kazushige Nojima's shaky writing (he admitted in an interview that he didn't do a lot of work on the first game and wasn't familiar with the plot/characters/cosmology of KH), but Sora went from often naive in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsI'' to often ''ridiculously clueless'' in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII''. He never really recovered, to the point where his inability to use technology resulted in him being completely unable to figure out how to use a touchscreen phone in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsIII'', as opposed to [[spoiler:both Ventus and Aqua, one of whom was in a coma for ten years and the other was trapped in the Realm of Darkness for that span]], who were able to figure it out almost immediately.

** Yuna too although to a much lesser degree as it mostly takes the form of her naivety growing up on a small isolated island sheltered from life by her peers. It is also implied in-game that her new-found idiocy is due to the fact she is trying to imitate Rikku.

* Perhaps it was just Kazushige Nojima's shaky writing (he admitted in an interview that he didn't do a lot of work on the first game and wasn't familiar with the plot/characters/cosmology of KH), but Sora went from often naive in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsI'' to often ''ridiculously clueless'' in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII''.

* ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros'': Bowser. Originally, just a straight up, ObviouslyEvil, DesignatedVillain. The lighthearted nature of the series, however, led to his portrayals as a dumb, immature bully, leading him down the path of this trope.

* ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'':

--> '''Eggman''': "Did [Gerald] really mean to destroy us?" [[note]] This is after Gerald posthumously sent a space colony crashing into the earth following a video where he explained exactly why he did it. [[/note]]
--> '''Tails''': "I don't know. But what I do know is, [[NonSequitur we did it all together!]]"

* ''VideoGame/Splatoon2'', as part of its attempts to [[PanderingToTheBase pander to]] Marie faithfuls, applies this trope (among [[OutOfFocus several others]]) to poor Callie. In the first game, she was a bit less sarcastic and serious-minded than Marie, but still perfectly competent--in fact, she even serves as the undercover Agent 1 of the New Squidbeak Splatoon. In the second game? She apparently forgets about all of her Agent training and gets captured by the Octarians, then willingly puts [[HypnoTrinket DJ Octavio's hypnoshades]] back on after being rescued, even knowing full well [[BrainwashedAndCrazy what they do]], because "they make her look cool."

* ''VideoGame/TombRaider'' has Larson Carraway, a hired henchman who has a redneck accent and wasn't too bright, but he wasn't a complete idiot either. By ''Tomb Raider Chronicles'', his character is retconned to become even dumber (he tries to shoot Lara from a rooftop instead of letting her get the MacGuffin(s) so that their work is made easier) and his accent sounds like a redneck ''even more''.

* Akihiko Sanada, one of your party members in ''{{VideoGame/Persona 3}}'', began as a student who, while [[ObliviousToLove oblivious to other peoples' feelings]], [[NoSocialSkills lacking in social skills]], was perceptive, is established to get good grades in school(second only to Mitsuru), is a very caring BigBrotherMentor type, and can step in as a decent stand-in leader in certain situations. A major part of his character revolves around his [[BloodKnight unhealthy love of fighting and training]], but it's clearly established that it stems from a feeling of weakness that came about when his [[CynicismCatalyst sister died when he was a child.]] His CharacterDevelopment involves him changing his purpose to fight from personal weakness to protecting those he cares about instead (and this is emphasized even more in the PSP [[VideoGameRemake remake]], namely if you play as a female protagonist instead). Not only are the nuances of his development tossed out the window in ''VideoGame/Persona4Arena'', but his love of fighting is back in full force, it's established that he dropped out of college to go WalkingTheEarth and train, and his obliviousness to everything is cranked UpToEleven (the [[RummageSaleReject ridiculousness of his outfit]] and him being oblivious as to ''why'' it's ridiculous is a RunningGag between both ''Arena'' games). On top of those, his perceptiveness is toned down, he's [[TookALevelInJerkass somewhat more arrogant]], and he grows a bizarre love of [[TrademarkFavoriteFood protein]] that wasn't even remotely there in ''Persona 3.''

* Pete Wheeler of ''VideoGame/BackyardSports''. I mean, he ''forgot how to ride a bike within a few months of being a pro''.

* Akihiko Sanada, one of your party members in ''{{VideoGame/Persona 3}}'', began as a student who, while [[ObliviousToLove oblivious to other peoples' feelings]], [[NoSocialSkills lacking in social skills]], was perceptive, is established to get good grades in school(second only to Mitsuru), is a very caring BigBrotherMentor type, and can step in as a decent stand-in leader in certain situations. A major part of his character revolves around his [[BloodKnight unhealthy love of fighting and training]], but it's clearly established that it stems from a feeling of weakness that came about when his [[CynicismCatalyst sister died when he was a child.]] His CharacterDevelopment involves him changing his purpose to fight from personal weakness to protecting those he cares about instead (and this is emphasized even more in the PSP [[VideoGameRemake remake]], namely if you play as a female protagonist instead). Not only are the nuances of his development tossed out the window in ''VideoGame/Persona4Arena'', but his love of fighting is back in full force, it's established that he dropped out of college to WanderTheEarth and train, and his obliviousness to everything is cranked UpToEleven (the [[RummageSaleReject ridiculousness of his outfit]] and him being oblivious as to ''why'' it's ridiculous is a RunningGag between both ''Arena'' games). On top of those, his perceptiveness is toned down, he's [[TookALevelInJerkass somewhat more arrogant]], and he grows a bizarre love of [[TrademarkFavoriteFood protein]] that wasn't even remotely there in ''Persona 3.''

* J. Jonah Jameson went through this in ''VideoGame/SpiderManMilesMorales''. In the [[VideoGame/SpiderManPS4 first game]] he was a principled JerkWithAHeartOfGold with often [[JerkassHasAPoint valid criticisms]] regarding ComicBook/SpiderMan. In ''Miles Morales'' however, he's a raving ButtMonkey [[StrawCharacter strawman]] frequently utilizing InsaneTrollLogic to justify his vitriol, making his more progressive {{foil}} [[AdaptationalNiceGuy Danika Hart]] look better. This is best illustrated by their attitudes during the climax of the two games; in the first game Jameson does his best to reassure the people of New York as the state descended into chaos, and praised Spider-Man in the end for saving the day. In ''Morales'', he completely falls for [[EvilInc Roxxon]]'s VillainWithGoodPublicity act in spite of the fact that [[{{Hypocrite}} they were guilty of a lot of the same reasons he disliked the Spider-Men]], and in the end of the game he pins all the blame for their crimes on Miles and opens the phone to hear from his own supporters only to be ignored by the entirety of New York.

* Councilor Udina in ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' went from being a [[JerkassHasAPoint harsh, but intelligent advisor]] who supported Shepard's battle strategies for the very first time [[spoiler: into a traitor who actually though that [[StupidEvil Cerberus]] was the organization that would save the galaxy. Keep in mind, Cerberus is also well-known for their catastrophic failed evil plans.]] It's partially justifiable in that [[spoiler: he's noted to be increasingly desperate to save Earth, and the other alien races aren't offering help, so he's just accepting the help that ''is'' offered. Another possibility is that he's indoctrinated]].

** Detective Gumshoe started off as a scatterbrained but reliable ally to Phoenix Wright (defense attorney), even though he was usually under the thumb of Miles Edgeworth (prosecutor). As time went on, Gumshoe progressively grew ditzier and can't even solve simple logical problems, relying on Phoenix and the prosecutor of the week to solve everything.
** Maya Fey grew incredibly ditzy over the series as well. In the beginning, she did all she could to help Phoenix on his cases, even if she wasn't always right, and didn't have any useful skills apart from the ability to channel her dead sister's spirit (which, due to her incomplete training, wasn't always reliable). Afterwards, Maya uses off the walls logic to justify her reasoning (which usually didn't solve anything and annoyed Phoenix) and always goes on about food at inappropriate times, turning her into a CloudCuckooLander.

* Councilor Udina in ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' went from being a [[JerkassHasAPoint harsh, but intelligent advisor]] who supported Shepard's battle strategies for the very first time [[spoiler: into a traitor who actually though that [[StupidEvil Cerberus]] was the organization that would save the galaxy. Keep in mind, Cerberus is also well-known for their catastrophic failed evil plans.]] It's partially justifiable in that [[spoiler: he's noted to be increasingly desperate to save Earth, and the other alien races aren't offering help, so he's just accepting the help that ''is'' offered]].
* Akihiko Sanada, one of your party members in ''{{VideoGame/Persona 3}}'', began as a student who, while [[ObliviousToLove oblivious to other peoples' feelings]], [[NoSocialSkills lacking in social skills]], was perceptive, is established to get good grades in school, is a very caring BigBrotherMentor type, and can step in as a decent stand-in leader in certain situations. A major part of his character revolves around his [[BloodKnight unhealthy love of fighting and training]], but it's clearly established that it stems from a feeling of weakness that came about when his [[CynicismCatalyst sister died when he was a child.]] His CharacterDevelopment involves him changing his purpose to fight from personal weakness to protecting those he cares about instead (and this is emphasized even more in the PSP [[VideoGameRemake remake]], namely if you play as a female protagonist instead). Not only are the nuances of his development tossed out the window in ''VideoGame/Persona4Arena'', but his love of fighting is back in full force, it's established that he dropped out of college to WanderTheEarth and train, and his obliviousness to everything is cranked UpToEleven (the [[RummageSaleReject ridiculousness of his outfit]] and him being oblivious as to ''why'' it's ridiculous is a RunningGag between both ''Arena'' games). On top of those, his perceptiveness is toned down, he's [[TookALevelInJerkass somewhat more arrogant]], and he grows a bizarre love of [[TrademarkFavoriteFood protein]] that wasn't even remotely there in ''Persona 3.''

* ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'':

** Knuckles. He was never the sharpest tool in the shed but that was more due to naivete and lacking social skill, due to being an isolated guardian of the Master Emerald. In the ''Adventure'' games and to a lesser extent ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'', Knuckles is portrayed as the oldest, most level-headed and patient of the cast - which makes sense for a character who meditates on a rock 80% of the time. Over time though, the character's lack of social intelligence was [[{{Flanderization}} played up to the sacrifice of all of his other traits]] which led to this trope. [[note]] Things are looking slightly better with Knuckles in ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' though, where he is portrayed more as a socially oblivious but intelligent leader. He is still more extroverted than he used to. [[/note]]

* ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'': Knuckles. He was never the sharpest tool in the shed but that was more due to naivete and lacking social skill, due to being an isolated guardian of the Master Emerald. In the ''Adventure'' games and to a lesser extent ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'', Knuckles is portrayed as the oldest, most level-headed and patient of the cast - which makes sense for a character who meditates on a rock 80% of the time. Over time though, the character's lack of social intelligence was [[{{Flanderization}} played up to the sacrifice of all of his other traits]] which led to this trope. [[note]] Things are looking slightly better with Knuckles in ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' though, where he is portrayed more as a socially oblivious but intelligent leader. He is still more extroverted than he used to. [[/note]]

* ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'': Knuckles. He was never the sharpest tool in the shed but that was more due to naivete and lacking social skill, due to being an isolated guardian of the Master Emerald. In the [[VideoGame/SonicAdventure ''Adventure'']] games and to a lesser extent ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'', Knuckles is portrayed as the oldest, most level-headed and patient of the cast - which makes sense for a character who meditates on a rock 80% of the time. Over time though, the character's lack of social intelligence was [[{{Flanderization}} played up to the sacrifice of all of his other traits]] which led to this trope. [[note]] Things are looking slightly better with Knuckles in ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' though, where he is portrayed more as a socially oblivious but intelligent leader. He is still more extroverted than he used to. [[/note]]

* ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'': Knuckles. He was never the sharpest tool in the shed but that was more due to naivete and lacking social skill, due to being an isolated guardian of the Master Emerald. In the [[VideoGame/SonicAdventure ''Adventure'']] games and to a lesser extent ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'', Knuckles is portrayed as the oldest, most level-headed and patient of the cast, especially by voice actors Michael McGaharn and Scott Dreier, whose voices for Knuckles were extremely calm and soothing. Over time though, the character's lack of social intelligence was [[{{Flanderization}} played up to the sacrifice of all of his other traits]] which led to this trope. Later voice actors Creator/DanGreen and Creator/TravisWillingham have only contributed to this caricature with loud, bruting voices. [[note]] Things are looking slightly better with Knuckles in ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' though, where he is portrayed more as a socially oblivious but intelligent leader. He is still more extroverted than he used to. [[/note]]

* ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'': Knuckles. Ok, he was never the sharpest tool in the shed but that was more due to naivete and lacking social skills, and even then had enough sense to stay on task and get the job done. Over time though, his lack of intelligence was [[{{Flanderization}} played up to the sacrifice of all of his other traits]] which led to this trope. Almost all of his appearances nowadays(With the exception of his comic appearances) emphasize his lack of intelligence above all else.
** Tails and Eggman, despite having ImprobablyHighIQ, get occasional brain farts. Best summed up with their conversation during the credits of ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'':

--> '''Tails''': "I don't know. But what I do know is, we did it all together!"