The ten funniest computer games

Video games are serious business. Well, most of them. After all, it's usually about saving the world. Games that really make us laugh are far too rare. But they do exist!

"The Secret of Monkey Island" (1990)

The “Monkey Island” series is cult, the would-be pirate Guybrush Threepwood (left) is one of the most popular characters everPhoto: Manufacturer

That's what it's all about: Guybrush Threepwood wants to be a pirate. To do this, however, he first has to master three tasks. During his adventure, he falls in love with governor Elaine, which the ghost pirate LeChuck doesn't like.

Funny because ... puzzle fun and funny dialogues have really become cult here. And which computer game can you say it was implemented as a play and ended up in the Smithsonian American Art Museum?

"Lemmings" (1991)

This is what it's about:  dozens of lemmings go to their ruin if the player doesn't stop them. Pixel-precise and with precise timing, the green-haired sleepwalkers have to be assigned new jobs so that they can find their way to the exit.

Funny, because ...  the herd of lemmings rules chaos, mistakes are planned, but even failure is so funny.

"Day of the Tentacle" (1993)

That's  what it's all about: Nerd Bernard, the student Laverne and the phlegmatic Roadie Hoagie travel through time and save the world from the tyranny of the purple tentacle.

INTERESTING TOO

Funny because ...  weird humor meets crazy puzzles and hilarious characters. A cartoon to play with!

"Sam & Max Hit the Road" (1993)

That's what it's about: Hyperactive rabbit Max and dog detective Sam hunt for a yeti who has escaped from a circus. 

Funny because ...  in this adventure game one grotesque situation chases the next. The most bizarre investigator duo ever!

"Worms" (1995)

That's what it's all about:  the war of earthworms rages in colorful cartoon landscapes. The players take turns in the funny duels, using funny and nasty weapons, while the worms fool each other with beeping comments ("Get going!").

Funny, because ... exploding sheep, banana bombs and holy hand grenades often trigger unpredictable chain reactions. If you then have the last living worm on a pixel-sized ledge, the joy is greatest. 

"Dungeon Keeper" (1997)

This is what it's all about: The player creates an underground dungeon full of monsters and traps, while computer opponents in the form of elves, wizards and other heroes want to thwart him. Finally be really bad!

Funny, because ... "Dungeon Keeper" skilfully takes all the role playing games. Fired by a narrator, players can chastise their subjects here by slap their faces, chase away the brilliant heroes, lock them up and even torture them. Ugh, devil!

"Brütal Legend" (2009)

That's what it's all about: Roadie Eddie Riggs is teleported from his cursed belt buckle into an alternative heavy metal world. There he fights demons with an ax and an electric guitar. 

Funny because ... the game world looks like a metal album, the hero is embodied by US actor Jack Black and Motörheads Lemmy Kilmister and Ozzy Osbourne appear as game characters. The crazy mix of action adventure and real-time strategy also comes from the funniest of all game developers: Tim Schafer!

"Portal 2" (2011)

That's  what it's all about: Young Chell wakes up from a long deep sleep and now has to escape from the aperture science laboratories. But Artificial Intelligence GLaDOS tries to prevent this with increasingly difficult puzzle rooms.

Funny, because ...  the failure of the player is constantly mocked by GlaDOS. The co-op mode also offers rows of slapstick inserts if two players in the roles of the robots Atlas and P-Body are to harmonize perfectly - but do not always do so.

"The Stanley Parable" (2013)

That's what it's all about: as Stanley, the player explores an office building. He follows the narrator's instructions - or not. Every step changes the game, leads to dead ends or back to the beginning. The aberration is accompanied by the funny sayings of the apparently omniscient commentator.

Funny because ... the player is constantly surprised by the narrator and is forced to think about his freedom of action in computer games.

"South Park: The Staff of Truth" (2014)

This is what it's all about:  The "South Park" children are playing a live role-playing game and have to find the staff of truth. The player joins as “The New One” and has to prove himself in the clique. 

Funny, because ...  the weird humor of the TV template one-to-one found its way into the game. If you can win fart attacks in turn-based fights, this is the place for you.