Keener Top Lists

Saturday, January 10, 2026

20 Hilarious anti-piracy measures in games

Yo ho ho and a bucket of screw you! Whether they break the game, shame the hell outta you or pull TikTok worthy pranks, here are 20 super clever and funny ways that video games tried to prevent piracy. Note: Only real anti-piracy measures will be shown, so no Mario Party DS shenanigans nor any fanmade screens that do their best Sonic.exe impressions.

#20: Gold Rush: Hung for your crimes

Bet ya Nintendo wishes they could do this to video game pirates!

Like many computer games made during the 80s, this game started with a question that back then you could only answer if you had the instruction book or a code wheel of sorts, which didn't come with pirated copies. In this game's case, answering the question incorrectly showed your character being hung in front of a disapproving crowd.

#19: Ocarina of Time: YOU MUST DIE!!!

Hey, as long as that BEN fellow isn't involved, I'll be alright.

Okay, let's say you managed to get to the end of this game after several hours, but your copy of the game came from an online torrent site rather than your local video game store. Near the end of the game Zelda acts like she's gonna open a set bars, but instead she walks right through them, leaving you to die in Ganon's crumbling tower. Also, her hair becomes a giant shape for who knows why.

#18: Earthbound: Battletoads Edition

This'll be you if you're crazy enough to try this game!

All who dare illegally download this game are met with a drastically harder game, filled with endless enemy encounters even in places where enemies usually aren't present. If you somehow manage to make it to the end, the game crashes and your save file self destructs.

#17: Grand Theft Auto IV: Screw you!

The PC version of this game has several anti-crack (the act of piracy, not the drug) methods installed in it, most notable being a camera that wobbles around like a drunk and cars so weak you'd think they were made out of Atari 5200 controllers.

#16: Serious Sam 3: Invincible scorpion monster

Don't even try to kill this guy, it's impossible!

Did you get this game from a torrent site. Congratulations, you now have an unkillable, protagonist hating scorpion monster to keep you company on your no doubt difficult journey.

#15: Alan Wake: Eye Patch

Aaargh, this swashbuckler's been found out!

All illegal copies of this game came with free eye patches for the player character that couldn't be removed, letting everyone who watched the videos of YouTube know the users' nefarious deeds.

#14: The Talos Principle: Stuck elevator

Go in. I dare you...

In this game you use elevators to get from one level to the next. At least, you do on legally purchased copies. If you make the mistake of playing a bootleg copy, one of the elevators would get stuck and trap you for good.

#13: Ooga Booga: You are a pirate!

Fight piracy with piracy I always say!

The pirate in this lesser known game has some choice words for bootleggers.

#12: Ranma ½: Hiryuu Densetsu: How is this a punishment again?

For those curious and/or horny, the uncensored image can be found here.

Those who got cracked versions of this Japan exclusive got a really saucy surprise. By the way, that's a man who was cursed to turn into a woman when exposed to cold water.

#11: Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2: Boom shocka locka!

It's raining bomb!

Hey, did you enjoy building all those turrets, mining units and other towers? Well, if you're playing a bootlegged copy of this game all that hard work will blow up seconds after you start the mission!

#10: Zak McKracken: Jailed and called out

Again, something Nintendo would do to real life pirates if it were legal!

This game like many old computer games including the aforementioned Gold Rush started with a code screen that could only be answered if you had the manual. In this case the punishment was both Zak being jailed and you, the player, being called out for your pirating ways.

#9: Alpha Protocol: Annoying main menu

Pirates of this game were in for a big surprise and maybe a headache or two.

#8: Spyro Year of the Dragon: Don't say we didn't warn you

You'll be sorry!

Those daring enough to play cracked versions of this game not a warning from the fairy friend, followed by an ultra buggy adventure that reset itself if you somehow got to the end.

#7: Mod The Gungeon: You are a pirate!

While Enter The Gungeon doesn't have any anti-piracy measures, one of its mods does. If you install the Mod The Gungeon mod on a bootlegged copy of them, you get an impossible first level, a shortcut to the Steam page and a meme YouTube video all in one!

#6: Just Shapes and Beats: Kind of the opposite

This kind of goes against the list, but I'm glad there's at least one game developer who doesn't view piracy as the devil's work (unlike a certain company whose name starts with N).

#5: Michael Jackson The Experience: Ear torment

I'm not gonna torture your ears, but you can easily find videos of this on YouTube.

For illegal copies of this game, instead of Michael Jackson's award winning singing, you'll hear the oh so wonderful sounds of hundreds of vuvuzelas blaring all at once.

#4: The Witcher 2: OH GOD NO!!!!!

I'm gonna be sick!

One neat feature in this game is the ability to have sex with various NPCS. People who did this on illegally acquired copies found that everyone they boned turned into an ugly old woman.

#3: Crysis Warhead: Chickens!!!

Ed would have a field day with this game!

Cracked copies of this game have a secret: All the usable guns had there regular ammunition replaced with harmless chickens.

#2: Rabi Ribi: CRASH SHOCKA LOCKA!!!

This is the game I least recommend you pirate (barring anything that has DJ Hallyboo in it)!

Did you buy an illegal version of this game from a site other than Steam? If so, I hope you like having hundreds of tabs opening on your browser till your computer crashes, because that's exactly what you're getting!

#1: Game Dev Tycoon: A taste of your own medicine

If you don't watch Did You Know Gaming, you should. They're awesome.

This bit of irony speaks for itself.

I know trolling pirates is fun and all, but here's a serious message to game developers: Just because somebody pirates games doesn't mean they're the type of people who incites deadly neighborhood riots, shoots up elementary schools, drops bombs on third world countries and leaves negative reviews of popular movies on IMDB (I'm calling you out especially, Nintendo!). With that being said, thanks for reading and enjoy this new year.

Sources

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

20 Interesting scrapped consoles

Not all gaming devices make it to development, sadly. Whether they would've done something unique, had an interesting development or look unlike any console that did end up in people's homes, here are 20 consoles that unfortunately went unreleased.

#20: Sega Neptune

What's next, Pluto?

This console was gonna be a combination of the Sega Genesis and the ill fated 32x, similar to the Wondermega. This console was scrapped so that Sega could focus their attention on the then upcoming Sega Saturn.

#19: SNES CD

At least we got Playstation and YouTube Poop out of this failed deal.

Back in the 90s, Nintendo worked with both Sony and Phillips to produce a CD add-on to the Super Nintendo. Both deals fell through and instead we got the Playstation and Phillips CDI.

#18: Indrema L600

A damn shame this never happened!

A would've been product of the now defunct Indrema company, this was to be a Linux based computer/console hybrid that was also a CD/DVD player, web browser, screen recorder ala Tivo and MP3 storer and possibly player. As if that wasn't enough, it also would've appeared in independent game developers.

#17: MoMa Eve

Talk about ahead of the times!

Unveiled at E3 2004, this little handheld would've ran Windows XP and would play both PC games and games made specifically for it. Basically it was meant to be a handheld gaming computer before the days of Steam Deck and GPD Win.

#16: Panasonic Jungle

GPD Win, is that you?

This little device was Panasonic's attempted answer to the Nintendo 3DS and Playstation Vita. It had a similar design, but instead of a second screen it held a little keyboard and touchpad. It was designed for playing MMO RPGs like Runescape and Stellar Dawn on the go.

#15: NanoGear

An indie developer's soul mate!

Being advertised as far back as 2003, this device would've not only been able to play games, but it would've included tools for players to make their own games and an online network for people to share their creations.

#14: Action Enterprises Game Master

These bozos could barely make a game, what made them think they could make a whole console?

Made by the same guys who made the infamous (and thankfully short-lived) Action 52 series, this huge system would've supported not only its own game, but also NES, SNES and Sega Genesis games. From the one image we have of it, it looks way more like a submarine control then a game console.

#13: Widescreen Gizmondo

Of all the consoles I wish were made, this ain't one of em!

Despite he Gizmonda being a commercial failure, Tiger Telematics was gonna make a followup console that sadly (or in this case, thankfully) went unreleased when the company went bankrupt. It appears that it would've been like its predecessor, but it looks like a modern smartphone with game controls glued to the sides.

#12: Atari Cosmos

Too bad, this could've gone where no console has gone before!

This was an early handheld that would've used holographic technology to make the games played on it look better. It was almost released in the early 1980s, but was scrapped because of negative reception from critics. Despite this, there are still a few units out in the world.

#11: Camerica Express

No cheaters allowed!

This was an early portable NES made by Biederman Design Labs and would've been marked by Camerica, the makers of the Game Genie. This project fell through because Nintendo sued the people making it.

#10: Atari Game Brain

Sorry Game Brain, but it's either you or the 2600!

Originally set for release during the first console generation, this was a Pong console that included directional and fire buttons alongside the at the time standard paddles. By the time this was finished, consoles with cartridges instead of built in games were becoming popular and as such this console was scrapped in favor of the world famous Atari 2600.

#9: Ultravision

Ultra is an apt title!

Announced during the 1983 Consumer Electronics Show, this unit was meant to be a game console, television and personal computer all rolled into one. In addition to it's own games, it would've had accessories to play Atari 2600 and Colecovision games.

#8: Bandai HET

Thankfully devices like this are popular thanks to console modifications!

Developed by Bandai and making an appearance in E3 1993, this was a portable SNES made to look like a laptop.

#7: Intellivision Amico

Shame how even these days some ideas just don't work out.

This console wasn't officially announced as cancelled, but it has been delayed several times and as of this post there is no official release date. It was meant to be a family oriented system that could be controlled with either the included controllers or a mobile phone app. The controllers resemble the old Intellivision controllers, but the number pads has been replaced with touchscreens.

#6: Sega VR

Sadly this was when VR was in it's infancy.

Much like Nintendo, Sega experimented with VR technology back in the 90s to 2000s. While Sega's device had a head strap unlike the Virtual Boy, said device was scrapped following reports of testers experiencing motion sickness and headaches.

#5: Red Jade

Notice how this model isn't red.

Dating back to 2002, this console, this console was supposed to have a 64-bit processor and 3d graphics rivaling home consoles at the time. It also would've had some PDA and multimedia features, as well as the ability to download games back before that practice was commonplace.

#4: Phantom

What a fitting name!

Dating all the way back to the 2000s, this console was an early attempt at cloud gaming back when every other console used cartridges or CDs. Unfortunately for the Phantom, cloud gaming technology was more limited back then compared to nowadays and after several delays the project was cancelled.

#3: Konix Multisystem

Drive baby drive!

The main unit had a built-in steering wheel which could be replaced with a jet fighter controller and would've sat on a desk while you played with it.

#2: Control-Vision

Action Max, is that you?

Designed by Tom Zito and supported by Nolan Bushnell, this was a console that was gonna use VHS tapes instead of cartridges. Interestingly, the prototype was made from a modified ColecoVision and the games list included Night Trap and Sewer Shark, both of which found their way to the Sega CD.

#1: Nintendo Advanced Video System

The NES was almost even better!

Originally in 1983, Nintendo was gonna make a 8-bit home computer that would've had many capabilities including playing games, not unlike the Commodore 64. However, plans fell through when the 1983 video game crash happened in the USA and the company quickly reworked the system into the NES we all know and love.

I don't know about you, but I wonder how cool these devices would be in alternate universes where they actually came out. There's plenty of other consoles that I haven't talked about, so feel free to leave some suggestions behind. Thanks for watching and game on!

Sources

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

20 Funny ways video games punished cheaters

Cheaters never prosper and these games will make damn sure you take that seriously. Whether they mock you mercilessly, erase your save file or even ban you for life, here are 20 humiliating ways games trolled those who dared tried to cheat at them. Note: I won't be counting answers to piracy, since that's a list for another day.

#20: Animal Crossing Series: Mr. Resetti

Go ahead. Get on this guy's bad side.

Don't even think about resetting without saving in this series or Mr. Resetti will visit you. He gets angrier and angrier each time you do it, eventually forcing you to apologize if you do it too many times.

#19: Fabel: Frying Pan Troll

This is what you get for looking up walkthroughs!

One of the weapons you can get in this Xbox classic is a super powered frying pan. There's a catch, however: The pan's power depends on how many clues you got during the treasure hunt that rewards it. If you get to the end without any clues (most likely via online walkthrough), the pan will be as worthwhile as a subscription to Qubi.

#18: South Park The Fractures But Whole: Tom Brady

If you're gonna unlock any code based doors in this game, you better not get the codes from online walkthroughs. Try to unlock a code based door without learning the code in-game and Cartman will appear to scold you (and compare you to Tom Brady for some reason).

#17: The Impossible Quiz: No Tabs Allowed

This game said it, not me!

For this serious the message is clear: Try to find the answer with tab and your game is up!

#16: Super Monkey Ball: Konami code

Can't say it wasn't worth a shot.

In many games the Konami Code gave you some neat benefits, like 30 extra lives in Contra. Some games instead trolled you for using it, like this game for example.

#15: Tomb Raider 2: Nude code

If you really wanna see Lara nude, just go online! Deviantart probably has a thousand pics of that!

After years of rumors of getting to see Lara Croft nude in the first game, the developers actually added a code in the sequel. JK! All this cheat does is make Lara explode into a million pieces.

#14: Link's Awakening: Thief

That's what shoplifting gets you!

In this game, you can get a free item from the shop by going to the wall behind the shopkeeper and running through the door before he has time to turn around. Be warned, however, for everyone will somehow find out about it, including the electrocute happy shopkeeper.

#13: Heretic: Doom code fails

Good luck beating this game's enemies with a stick!

In Doom, the codes iddqd and idkfa will activate God Mode and give you all weapons respectively. In Heretic, these codes instead kill you instantly and leave you with nothing but a useless staff respectively.

#12: Postal 2: Insulting cheat codes

Sorry, I don't talk to sissies!

Like many games, Postal 2 has a variety of cheat codes. The catch here is you basically type that you're a sissy before you can use any of them.

#11: Crusader No Regret: Jessica16

Well you're screwed.

Good news: Some of the cheat codes from the original Crusader No Remorse show up in this game. Bad news: All they do here is set you up on a date with 8 super powered enemy mechs.

#10: The Witcher 3: Bovine Defense Force

Peta sent that demon!

In early versions of this game it was possible to get infinite money from endlessly slaughtering the cows on the White Orchard. In later versions, doing this too many times results in an army of bull demons spawning to kill you.

#9: Gradius 3: Boom Socka Locka!

The Konami Code strikes again!

In previous Gradius games, the Konami Code gave you all the weapons in the game. In this game, all it did was make your ship explode into a million pieces.

#8: Undertale: Dirty Hacker

He knows...

Being a computer game, it is possible to go through the files in search of endings. Go too far, however, and Sans will catch you and call you out on your dirty hacker ways.

#7: Grand Theft Auto V: Dunce Cap

Cheating in online games is for dunces!

Quite a few games combat cheaters by restricting them to "special" servers where all they go up against are other cheaters. GTA5 ups the ante by making all it's cheating VIPs wear humiliating hats while they troll along.

#6: The Jade Empire: The gambler's death

Oh my God! You killed Daoshen (that this guy's name)! You bastard!

In Imperial City there is a gambler who you can bet with to gain money and like many games you can use save states to always win. Unfortunately the game is ahead of you, so if you manage to win 20 times in a row the gambler will spontaneously explode and be unavailable for that save file.

#5: Banjo-Kazooie: Save file erasure

Among the cheat codes available in this N64 classic are some illegal codes that can unlock other worlds. If you make the mistake of using three of these codes in one game, Grunty will erase your save file. Turns out there's some lines even she won't cross!

#4: The Stanley Parable: The Serious Room

It's the time out corner all over again!

If you so much as dare bring up the cheat menu in this game, the narrator will sentence you to a long time in the Serious Room!

#3: Afterlife: Death Star

Have fun building all of that again!

In this after life sim there is a cheat code that gives you a ton of money. Use this code too many times, however, and a Death Star will show up and start destroying the afterlife you spent probably hours of real time making.

#2: H1Z1: YouTube apology video required

Those caught cheating in this battle royal game were banned from competing in future online matches. To get the ban reversed, cheaters had to upload videos of them apologizing for their cheating ways onto YouTube and email them to the developers.

#1: Donkey Kong 64: Game Shark suicide

You gamesharked on the wrong game, fool!

Trying to use GameShark codes on this Rare classic turns the game into a glitchy, unplayable mess. Even turning the codes off didn't fix this, so you were pretty much screwed.

Heed my advice: Just play by the rules and no one gets hurt. Some honorable mentions include Return of Superman's Not So Super achievement (achievements you don't want is a topic for another list), SimCity wrecking your city for using a money code too many times (The Afterlife example was funnier), Slender 2 sacrificing you to Slenderman for getting out of bounds (That's more scary than funny), and Star Wars Dark Forces LAIAMLAME code (It's similar to the Postal 2 example). For those of you who play by the rules, thanks for reading and have a happy Easter.