Bomberman: Act Zero
(2006, Xbox 360)

Everybody loves Bomberman. The adorable bubble-headed robot with the small size and big bang is the gaming equivalent of apple pie. Simple and familiar. As other series and heroes grow darker and bloodier, you can always count on this little guy to remain the same, forever dreaming and detonating away. Sigh...

But imagine, if you dare, a different sort of Bomberman. One with glowing eyes, massive claws, exposed wires and murder on his mind. One that prefers a gas mask, rusty armor and laser fire to cartoon bombs or rainbow colored suits. One with 99 torture chambers to complete on a single life. One that only knows how to compete online and not with actual friends and family in the same room. What would you call such a monstrosity? A nightmare... or Bomberman: Act Zero? Is there really any difference?

Well, the game's own publisher called it "shit." No, really. So maybe we should just stick with that.