We Haven’t Recovered From Our Failures
Most game over screens acknowledge a battle lost. Some cut to the chase with simple text while others have basic graphics—but those are the normal ones. Some games don’t let you walk away so easily, and we’re here to relive our top game-over traumas (and delights).
1. Donkey Kong Country, Beaten Up Characters
Despite the somewhat disturbing game over screen, we kick off the list with a personal favorite from childhood. If you took one too many beatings, you were greeted with the infamous sight of DK and Diddy—swollen, bruised, eyes glazed over with confusion. DK can’t even look at you. Guys, we’re sorry!
2. Catherine, “Love is Over”
This puzzle platformer may have charmed its way into cult classic territory, but let’s not forget the terrifying game over screens. We’ll sidestep the one where Vincent plummets to his demise and jump straight into the bone-chilling alternative, the one where he’s frozen in bed. His limbs are contorted, eyes white and wide as ping-pong balls, and all we hear is police radio chatter and camera shutters in the background. No thanks.
3. Metal Gear Solid, “Snake!”
“Stop kidding around.” We wish we could, but we’re actually goners. How could we make this list without mentioning Snake’s iconic end? After our hero falls, gamers are treated to a panicked, elongated call for Snake—one so amazing that it wound up in meme culture.
4. Dark Souls, All Caps Reminder
Alright, game. We know what happened. We don’t need your pitch-black screen and red text. But you better get used to it because you’ll see it more often than you want. Thanks a lot, Manus.
5. Ninja Gaiden, Buzz Saw
Never before has a game over screen had such high stakes. So, go. Run. Right now! You have ten seconds to find more coins and stop that buzz saw’s slow descent into your chest. It didn’t help that our ninja frantically looked at the player, and his panicked little eyes still haunt us.
6. Batman: Arkham Series, Villain Taunts
Is it not enough that Batman goes toe-to-toe with Gotham’s greatest villains? Oh no, they have to taunt us too. We had to see them with every fail, forced to watch Bane punch the screen or the Joker blow raspberries in our faces. Don’t even get us started on Professor Pyg.
7. Silent Hill 3, Dragged Away
Just once we’d love a horror game to leave us in peace. But this is Silent Hill, so peace was never an option. As Heather lies sprawled on the ground, we can only watch as Valtiel comes out of the shadows to slowly drag her away. We don’t care for his noises either.
8. The Binding of Isaac, “Dear Diary” Letter
There’s nothing worse than failing a young child, especially one who leaves heart-wrenching letters behind. Should poor Isaac perish, players can find a scribbled last will with hilarious details and crude drawings. (Don’t forget Guppy’s inheritance either.)
9. Aladdin, “Give Up, Street Rat”
What’s your problem, Jafar? Aladdin’s really sensitive about getting called a “street rat.” He sang a whole song about it! But that didn’t stop this ‘90s game over screen. Children everywhere had to hear Jafar’s laughter as he told us to “give up, street rat.” Rude.
10. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, “A Terrible Fate”
“You’ve met with a terrible fate, haven’t you?” Those words alone spark terror in many of us, as they should. While Link’s everyday demise isn’t scary, that freakshow moon certainly is, and we all remember its awful face looming over the timer. Fail this mission and you’re met with nothing but howling wind and a black screen. Then the laughter. Suffice it to say, this cut scene caught everyone off guard.
11. Resident Evil 2, A Final Attack
Do you know what’s worse than an untimely end? Watching what happens afterward. That’s right, folks. Strap in as your lifeless body awaits fresh horrors from the darkness—whether creatures or zombie hordes, you’ll have to watch (and listen to) yourself get feasted on.
12. Alan Wake 2, Black and White Nightmare
Honestly, there’s nothing more nightmarish than this game over screen. A crooked neck? Wide, lifeless eyes? A twitching black-and-white screen? God, make it stop. There’s something very Fatal Frame about it, and that game scared us too.
13. Jackie Chan in Fists of Fire, Shrugging
It’s never a bad day when Jackie Chan’s around—even if he gets pummeled. This ‘80s arcade fighting game featured the legendary actor, martial artist, and all-around good guy against a series of foes. Don’t worry if you take too many punches; Jackie gently encourages you on the continue screen, and then shrugs off your failure when the time runs out.
14. Fatal Frame, Hands From Beyond
A ghostly collection of arms all reaching out to grab our character? You hate to see it. But you will see it every time you’re overrun in this classic horror game. Miku’s petrified screams only make it worse.
15. Tarzan, Taunting Enemies
You know, we’re starting to think those ‘90s Disney games didn’t care about our feelings. Countless enemies could take down that tree-swinger, but we especially hated the taunting. “Alas, my boy. Your little ape friends are mine.” Shut up, Clayton.
16. P.T., Lisa Jumpscare
There we go, talkin’ about Lisa again. We don’t care! This game over jumpscare still gives us nightmares. As if it wasn’t enough to stalk us down the corridor, she violently attacks us too (often after bouts of ominous silence). Where is your eye, ma’am? Why are you so tall? Why did our zipper unzip? We don’t know, just get away from us.
17. Conker’s Bad Fur Day, “We Got Him”
Oh, a game about an adorable squirrel! What could possibly go wrong? Well, we’ll tell you. Players are treated to three special game over cutscenes. The first shows a missing Conker on the Panther King’s milk carton. The second has him bound to a table leg. The third, however, features the Panther King’s minions dropping a red sack at his feet—with Conker in there. There’s a reason this game was rated M.
18. Mortal Kombat 4, Bed of Spikes
As much as we love Mortal Kombat’s graphic endings, that bed of spikes hits differently. Should you fail to knock out your enemy, you plummet down a seemingly endless pit. Harmless enough until you meet what’s at the bottom.
19. Theme Park, Family Portrait
We know losing all your money to a failed theme park is rough, but this ending was uncalled for. Do your best to avoid a game over in this one—unless you want to see the manager’s reflection in a family portrait on his desk, all before he hops out the window.
20. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Don’t Give Up Now
It’s either fun or a little creepy when characters break the fourth wall. In Prince of Persia, it’s both. If you choose to continue, the Prince breathes a sigh of relief and lives in denial that you failed at all. If you leave, however, he’ll beg you to come back and make you feel really bad when you don't.
