So Bad ... that it's Good? [Help us build a list]

Discussion in 'General Game Discussion and Questions' started by retr0spective, Apr 20, 2012.

  1. retr0spective

    retr0spective Well-Known Member

    May 24, 2011
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    #1 retr0spective, Apr 20, 2012
    Last edited: May 6, 2012
    Greetings,

    I would like to find out what little-known iPhone games are out there that are so bad, so weird, or so peculiarly designed, that you actually kind of like them. Which games do you know of that are so bad ... that they are actually kind of good?

    Post some and I will add them to the list. If possible, please include a link.

    LIST (Alphabetical):

    30 Second Life AppStore
    774 Deaths Article
    Bonkey Trek AppStore
    Curio Thread
    Dreamy Goat Review
    Enviro-Bear 2010 Review
    Four Hats Thread
    Four Winds Fantasy DX Thread
    Get to tha Choppa!!1 Thread
    Glitch Tank AppStore
    Hi, How are you? Review
    Justin Smith's Realistic Summer Sports Simulator Review
    Magnetic Shaving Derby Review
    Minotaur Rescue Review
    Minotron: 2112 Article
    NOM 5 Thread
    Ow My Balls! Review
    Passage Article
    Pexer's Tower Thread
    Pygmies-Hoglet Review
    Raptured! AppStore
    Re: Get to Schol on Time AppStore
    So Long, Oregon! Review
    Sometimes You Just Can't Win AppStore
    Super Soviet Missile Mastar Article
    These Robotic Hearts of Mine Review
    Time Ducks Review
    Tower of Fortune Thread
     
  2. Ghostz

    Ghostz Well-Known Member

    Jan 5, 2012
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    Through the rain.
    Enviro-Bear
     
  3. GnarKill

    GnarKill Well-Known Member

    Oct 24, 2009
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    UI Engineer
    Bay Area
    I second Enviro Bear
     
  4. S.I.D. CrAzY

    S.I.D. CrAzY Well-Known Member

    May 16, 2009
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    #4 S.I.D. CrAzY, Apr 21, 2012
    Last edited: Apr 21, 2012
    Most games that are truly bad are just that. Bad. I've never played a game that was so bad it actually became good, or enjoyable to play.
     
  5. retr0spective

    retr0spective Well-Known Member

    May 24, 2011
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    #5 retr0spective, Apr 21, 2012
    Last edited: Apr 21, 2012
    I agree with you S.I.D.. What I have in mind in my inquiry is primarily games that are weird and/or bad and conscious of this fact. In these instances their weirdness/badness contributes to a unique and creative use of humor or an appreciation for the avant garde. Several of the games that I am putting on the list have received featured reviews on the main site out of appreciation for these qualities.
     
  6. retr0spective

    retr0spective Well-Known Member

    May 24, 2011
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    #6 retr0spective, Apr 21, 2012
    Last edited: Apr 21, 2012
    Come to think of it there was a weird black and white RPG type game with some kind of animal that was featured a while back because of how bad it was ... can anyone remember the title?

    UPDATE: Nevermind, I found the review. It is called Pygmies-Hoglet.
     
  7. Red1

    Red1 Moderator
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    #7 Red1, Apr 21, 2012
    Last edited: Apr 21, 2012
    Thanks retr0spective.

    Interesting thread... I've added some links to the opening post so they're easier to check out.
     
  8. retr0spective

    retr0spective Well-Known Member

    May 24, 2011
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    Great. Thanks for helping out!
     
  9. playpunk

    playpunk Well-Known Member

    May 3, 2011
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    Teacher, curator, author, artist
    San francisco
    How about sin or win?
     
  10. retr0spective

    retr0spective Well-Known Member

    May 24, 2011
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    I added some new titles to the list and found some relevant threads. Fortunately, neither of these has an actual list so this one isn't entirely extraneous.

    Best Strange or Weird iOS Games

    Are There Any Games as Art Games?

    Concerning Sin or Win, I would say that the level of polish and the intentions of the developer cause it to not entirely fit the bill, but I think you are on the right track.
     
  11. GeekyDad

    GeekyDad Well-Known Member

    Jan 14, 2012
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    Games Journalist
    :D

    Can't really add anything at this time, but great topic. Love finding games like this. The last one I came across was Muscle March for Wii. Very campy. Would love to find similar abominations on iOS.
     
  12. Exact-Psience

    Exact-Psience Well-Known Member

    Jan 12, 2012
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    The Work-At-Home Guy
    Philippines
    I dont know why 774 Deaths is on that list. That game is not bad at all. It's actually very good since the start, just brutally difficult, never bad.
     
  13. retr0spective

    retr0spective Well-Known Member

    May 24, 2011
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    #13 retr0spective, Apr 23, 2012
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2012
    Greetings,

    I agree with you and would go so far as to say that none of those games are really bad games - that designation was mostly for an eye catching thread title that communicates something of the peculiarity of the games under consideration. What I have in mind are games that make use of an offbeat sense of humor (Enviro-Bear - So Long, Oregon), a peculiarity of design (Four Winds Fantasy - Glitch Tank), or are otherwise just very strange (Time Ducks - Magnetic Shaving Derby). Many people enjoy these games because of, rather than in spite of, their quirks and I would definitely count some of them as among my personal favorites, much desirable alternatives to the prevailing trend of "stupid games."
     
  14. rsanchezsaez

    rsanchezsaez New Member

    Mar 10, 2011
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    Seconded! Props on maintaining such a list, it is a great compilation of hidden gems.

    As a possible addition, do you think 'There Robotic Hearts of Mine' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61aALmR97z0) would qualify?
     
  15. rsanchezsaez

    rsanchezsaez New Member

    Mar 10, 2011
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    Seconded! Props on maintaining such a list. It is a great compilation of hidden gems.

    By the way, suggesting another possible addition. Would you think that 'These Robotic Hearts of Mine' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61aALmR97z0) would qualify?
     
  16. retr0spective

    retr0spective Well-Known Member

    May 24, 2011
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    Greetings,

    These Robotic Hearts of Mine is a fantastic game, but you're right - its a very strange way to tell a story. I added it to the list and thank you for the suggestion.
     
  17. retr0spective

    retr0spective Well-Known Member

    May 24, 2011
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    I also added the recently released Tower of Fortune - King Cashing style retro-minimalist weirdness. Also a fantastic game!
     
  18. The Bat Outta Hell

    The Bat Outta Hell Moderator
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    Washington
    Where is Ow My Balls?
     
  19. retr0spective

    retr0spective Well-Known Member

    May 24, 2011
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    #19 retr0spective, May 4, 2012
    Last edited: May 4, 2012
    Thanks for the suggestion - I added Ow My Balls!, Curio, Four Hats, Minotaur Rescue, and Minotron 2112.
     
  20. MonkeyChunks

    MonkeyChunks Well-Known Member

    Oct 27, 2012
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    I like to see a game for once that deals with finer aspects of my religious belief system. First time ever I see a game about the rapture event
     

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