Videogames, fiction in general, are partly known for featuring memorable characters both good and evil. Dominated by larger than life heroes and evil villains, the stories to some of our favorite games have deeper character development than quite a few novels, so it goes without saying that we all have our favorites. But then there are the rejects, those very special characters that are memorable for all of the wrong reasons. Not only do they mar the gameplay experience, but some of us become so enraged at their actions and dialogue that we rush to message boards to proclaim our hatred. Below is my list of annoying videogame characters. The scars that these abominations have left behind [sniff] are almost too painful to bear.

Please note that this is NOT a MOST annoying list. I certainly don't want to make one without acknowledging the worst RPG characters of all time.

Slippy
Star Fox

I'm all for lots of chatter during space battles because it enhances the experience (Red Five standing by), but if you're going to implement it into your game it's probably a good idea to focus test all of the character voices, which Nintendo obviously didn't do. If it had, it would've noticed that most of the participants would have strongly disliked Slippy, our trusted amphibious companion who happens to have the voice of a six year old. Its pitch seriously grates on the nerves, and to make matters worse he has nothing important to say, which is why I, as well as many of you, am guilty of sending Slippy to his grave on many a Star Fox mission. Rest in pieces Slippy! Rest...in...pieces!

Raiden
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Hideo Kojima's big Sons of Liberty secret didn't exactly go over too well with most of us. Having to switch off from being Solid Snake to the whiny and therefore extremely annoying Raiden was a serious low blow. One minute we're this super bad @$$ character and the next we're...well...we're Raiden. Now I know what some of you will say. "It's the gameplay that matters! Raiden has a bunch of cool moves. Who cares what he looks or sounds like?" No. If you're going to introduce a new main character and ask the player to use him for the next 9-14 hours, you damn well better make sure he or she is just as cool as or even cooler than the character they're replacing. Raiden is certainly no Solid Snake.

Jar Jar Binks
Lego Star Wars

I've got nothing but love for George Lucas but he misfired with Jar Jar Binks. Possibly the most annoying character in all of science fiction (he's got to be up there), Jar Jar is the primary reason why Episode I is at times difficult to watch. His bumbling antics combined with his meesa-meesa way of speaking has earned him a decapitation via light saber, but it's just not going to happen (at least I don't think so).

Unfortunately, developers have included Jar Jar in their games, most notably Lego Star Wars, where he's a playable character. Thankfully, he doesn't talk, BUT, just the sight of him is enough to annoy. You can continuously bash him with your light saber, but just like dust, he comes back.

The Dog
Duck Hunt

Hark! What demon's womb hath thee crawled from you foul abomination? That was my crappy old speak impression, but you get the idea. The dog from Nintendo's Duck Hunt is without question one of the most annoying characters ever conceived. I have no qualms with it if I'm filling ducks full of buckshot, but as soon as I miss one and he pops up and laughs at me I have this burning desire to send his brains flying. Sadly, he's immune from the NES Zapper's harmful light blasts.

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