Summary
- Clowns in gaming evoke goosebumps, with quirky, unsettling beings like Pietro in Animal Crossing and the twisted Arkham in Devil May Cry 3.
- From the chilling battle with Beppi in Cuphead to the eerie aura of Kefka in Final Fantasy, creepy clowns add a trippy, intense edge to gameplay.
- The Joker in Batman games seeks chaos and darkness, tormenting Batman with sadistic behavior while adding a sociopathic, goofy sense of humor.
The off-kilter entertainers known as clowns can be quite creepier than they're usually meant to be. While their colorful getup, wacky demeanor, and childlike appeal can make them seem playful enough, there's something about that harsh makeup, menacing grins, and overtly wild nature that often brings an unsettling feel more than the comedic, whimsical vibe they're supposed to exude.
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Whether it's the sewer-dwelling monster that favors a clown form in Stephen King's IT, the sinister Joker from Batman, or even a seemingly innocent, kid-friendly host of The Bozo Show, clowns can invoke some goosebumps regardless of age.
This notion is typically amplified more when it comes to gaming, as players are forced to interact face-to-painted face with these quirky beings. As one might expect, they make a natural fit for the popular horror genre in gaming, though at least a few spooky clowns appear in other genres as well.
8 Pietro
Animal Crossing
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Released
- March 20, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EPD
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
Pietro may somewhat be a departure from the darker, more sinister ilk that gamers and moviegoers think of when it comes to scary clowns. Rather, this charming little guy brings a more subtle eeriness with his strange appearance — which includes searingly bright makeup, beady black eyes, and a wide, overly-happy grin.
Stepping into the vibrant amusement park-style home of Pietro furthers the bizarre themes of this colorful clown. He certainly stands out when it comes to the more peculiar villagers in the Animal Crossing franchise — and that's saying something given the amount of unique ones in the franchise.
7 Arkham
Devil May Cry 3
Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening
- Released
- February 17, 2005
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
- Genre(s)
- Hack and Slash, Action-Adventure, Beat 'Em Up
Given the action-laced, adrenaline-fueled nature of this hit franchise on PlayStation, having memorable foes is a must, and Devil May Cry delivers. This is especially true when it comes to the sadistic Scholar and main villain of DMC3: Dante's Awakening, Arkham.
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His efforts to gain more power and become an unstoppable demon include studies of the black arts — and a failed ritual involving the sacrifice of his wife, in which he took on a dark alter-ego fittingly called Jester. The twisted, power-hungry nature of the pale, sharp-nosed clown, coupled with his wacky, unpredictable traits rounds out a truly unsettling villain. This culminates with a tough, chaotic boss showdown with Dante, which takes on the vibe of a warped nightmare.
6 Beppi
Cuphead
Cuphead
Most gamers who have delved into the depths of the cartoony Cuphead — with its grueling shooter gameplay and odd worlds — will note that much of the experience is eerily trippy and intense. Thus, a clown-like character would seem a natural fit for this stylistic sidescroller.
Fittingly, players will face off against a rather "animated" clown called Beppi at the end of the Carnival Kerfuffle level. As far as boss fights go, there are tougher battles to be had during the brutal button-mashing campaign of Cuphead and its even more colorful DLC.
Still, he doesn't go down without a fight — and the experience can feel chilling and "off" on a thematic level. Players must contend with a crazed red and white clown, flying about recklessly on a bumper car with eyes. The scare factor is elevated when he shifts to his second form, where he transforms into a large mechanical balloon with a spooky Cheshire Cat-like smile and watches players fend off foes from all sides.
5 Kefka
Final Fantasy 6
Final Fantasy 6
Whether referring to the ominous "God of Magic" from Final Fantasy 6, or the sillier, Joker-esque version that stands out in Dissidia Final Fantasy NT, Kefka brings an unsettling aura with him. Players need only contend with the devastating move known as "Heartless Angel" — which wipes out virtually all HP of all party members — to get a sense of Kefka's dark, destructive nature.
Fans get to see this force of death in a more whimsical light in Dissidia, but he maintains at least some of his eeriness with his bizarre getup and unhinged mannerisms, especially with lines such as "sit back and watch the world go kaboom!".
4 The Joker
Batman Arkham Series
Batman: Arkham Asylum
The Joker has long been among the most memorable villains in the iconic Batman franchise, and this extends to the Dark Knight's foray into gaming. In a universe full of dynamic villains and antiheroes, The Joker is perhaps the best of the best, with his wild, anarchic ways and palpably sadistic behavior.
This clown-like villain doesn't just want money, fame, or power; he doesn't just want to defeat Batman. He longs for pure chaos and darkness. He seeks to destabilize the already crime-laden Gotham. He strives to toy with his heroic counterpart, Batman, and get in his head to torment him — quite literally in the case of Batman: Arkham Knight.
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This is offset a bit by his goofy sense of humor — though these taunts and quips present sociopathic tendencies which only further elevate his creepiness. Joker's fiendish laugh and red, blood-like scar going across his wide grin completes the picture of a truly chilling clown.
3 Adam MacIntyre
Dead Rising
Dead Rising
The wild zombie-slaying romp known as Dead Rising wastes little time rattling players with one of its early bosses — the chainsaw juggling Psychopath Adam. This fight remains one of the most memorable parts of this Capcom horror game. The protagonist Frank bumps into a clearly unstable clown giggling and sobbing about his irrelevancy following the zombie outbreak.
Once players gaze upon the swift, chainsaw-wielding clown, it becomes apparent they're in for a frightening showdown. As this is fairly early on, Frank is typically vulnerable against this deadly, energetic foe, and it often takes some trial and error to overcome the maniacal mall clown.
As a side note, Adam is voiced by the Crypt Keeper John Kassir of Tales from the Crypt fame, and his experience shines through by way of the clown's authentically creepy, emotive vocals.
2 Mr. Giggles
TimeSplitters Series
TimeSplitters
- Released
- October 23, 2000
- Developer(s)
- Free Radical Design
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- FPS
There are many peculiar themes in the Goldeneye-esque FPS Timesplitters, made apparent by elements like recurring monkey avatars — as well as this razor-toothed clown creature from the sequels.
While he merely appears in the Circus tied to the Aracde League matches and in bot form, he instantly leaves an impression. His monster-like motif, red nose, and wild laughter is juxtaposed by his rather straightforward business attire.
Unlock Mr. Giggles in Timesplitters 2 by completing "Big Top Blowout" (Arcade League Deathmatch) with a silver or better.
1 Needles Kane/Sweet Tooth
Twisted Metal Series
Twisted Metal
Serving as the iconic painted face of an iconic early PlayStation franchise, Sweet Tooth — formally known as Needles Kane — is the ominous antihero of the Twisted Metal series. The dark, threatening appearance of this fiery, large-toothed clown makes a fitting mascot for the wild car-combat ride that is Twisted Metal.
The fact that he floors it from place to place in a dingy ice cream truck adds another eerie layer to the unhinged, sporadic Sweet Tooth, painting a memorable picture scarcely matched in gaming clown lore.
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