Most Controversial Games of All Time

January 29, 2008 | By: Steven Wong

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The socially questionable video games that sparked the biggest fires.

Mortal Kombat

Mortal Kombat is synonymous with controversy, thanks to the bloody fighting game's "fatalities" -- signature finishing moves that include ripping out spines, wrenching heads off bodies or making enemies explode into a pile of gore.

The over-the-top violence made this game one of the most talked about in the world, among both fans and critics, and led to the creation of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), the video game equivalent of the MPAA film rating system.

Reader Comments (161)

bloodofbelmont at 4:39 pm on July 5th 2008

Down with kiddie games Mature games forever -chanting-

bloodofbelmont at 4:38 pm on July 5th 2008

PS: What the heck? That Hitman poster doesn't depict sexual violence the ***** got capped!

bloodofbelmont at 4:36 pm on July 5th 2008

Also, nude Oblivion women= UGLY!!!

bloodofbelmont at 4:31 pm on July 5th 2008

Splatterhouse= ownage ESRB= FAIL

remariuszero at 3:57 pm on July 5th 2008

People need to stop blaming the media and entertainment for their irresponsibility of taking the time to raise their kids right. Yeah you can't be there watching them 24/7. But you can instill common sense into them. The shooters of some Columbine reinactment blame it on a PC game. But I blame it on the parents for doing a **** job at raising their kids and making them into retards. I mean. Just lust look at their overall appearance to begin with. I say make the games how you want. Don't sugarcoat reality. Imagine a G rated GTA. Ugh.

sk411500 at 3:49 pm on July 5th 2008

Of all games to rip on doom is picked i mean cmon ive played doom since i was 4 and ive never shot anyone or thought of joining the military. As GTA IV goes ive beat the game and this one is so cleaned up and politically corrected in the fact that Niko puts a helemt on when he rides a bike, and when you go drinking he says "I am to drunk i should not be driving" . So I think the ESRp and parents should just let video games be, I mean your not exposed to it if you dont buy it.

jalenskates858 at 11:58 am on July 5th 2008

cheshirecat09000 is right, splatterhouse was crazy, why didnt they put that. ????

cutupangels1892 at 11:56 am on July 5th 2008

Oh my ****ING god!!! The put Elder Scrolls on here xD wow....

metalisbetter001 at 11:53 am on July 5th 2008

Ok, i never understood why MK had controversy. My parents would always play MK with me and my bro when given the chance. I guess MK was one of those games you'd have to play to get past the "controversy".

zepqueen444 at 11:40 am on July 5th 2008

alright i love the game mortal kombat it is really fun but if parents think it is so bad why do they let there kids play it, then the stupid parents go and complain that the game is so bad. MAYBE the should of tried it first before there kids.......ever think about that!!!