12. Attending Claptrap’s Birthday Party (Borderlands 2)
Claptrap, the lovable (or perhaps infuriating) robot, is notorious for his awkward antics and depressing personality. One of his most cringeworthy moments occurs during the “Claptrap’s Birthday Bash” side quest in Borderlands 2. The quest involves organizing a birthday party for Claptrap, with the player tasked with extending invitations to everyone in Sanctuary.
As expected, the party is a disaster. Only a handful of people show up, leaving the Vault Hunter to endure uncomfortable silence and awkward interactions. The experience perfectly captures the feeling of attending a lonely birthday party, a testament to Claptrap’s social ineptness and the hilarious absurdity of the Borderlands universe.
11. Marcus Aggressively Denies Request for a Refund (Borderlands 2)
Marcus, the ever-greedy entrepreneur and gun salesman, is known for his love of money and his aversion to customers who dare to challenge him. In his iconic introduction video in Borderlands 2, Marcus demonstrates his ruthlessness in a rather shocking way.
A customer approaches Marcus, complaining that a gun he purchased is faulty. Marcus, in a display of pure capitalist zeal, shoots the customer in the knee with the “faulty” weapon, then casually states, “Looks like it works to me.” This scene perfectly encapsulates Marcus’s greed and willingness to resort to violence to protect his profits, making him a truly memorable and unlikeable character.
10. Rhys and Vaughn Bro Down Hard (Tales from the Borderlands)
Telltale Games’ Tales from the Borderlands masterfully utilizes its unreliable narrators to create unexpected twists and turns. One of the most memorable examples of this occurs in Episode 2, “Atlas Mugged.” Rhys and Vaughn, the game’s protagonists, suddenly begin acting strangely, adopting an overly-enthusiastic “bro” persona and engaging in ridiculous fist-bumps.
The scene becomes increasingly bizarre as their dialogue becomes more nonsensical and their behavior borders on psychotic. However, the audience soon realizes that the scene is all a fabrication, a product of Fiona’s imagination. This clever twist highlights the unreliable nature of the game’s narrators and adds a layer of humor to the already captivating story.
9. Claptrap is Bested by Stairs (Borderlands 2)
Claptrap’s encounter with a flight of stairs during the climax of Borderlands 2 is a classic example of the series’ absurdist humor. After delivering an inspiring speech to the Vault Hunters, Claptrap finds himself confronted with a seemingly insurmountable obstacle: a set of stairs.
The wheeled robot, unable to navigate such an incline, is forced to stay behind while the Vault Hunters move on to face Handsome Jack. This humorous scene, where a seemingly powerful robot is defeated by a simple set of stairs, is a testament to Borderlands’ unique brand of comedy. It also highlights the absurdity of Claptrap’s character, solidifying his place as one of the series’ most endearingly inept characters.
8. Finding the Thirsty Shotgun (Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel)
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, despite its sometimes uneven humor, delivers some truly memorable gags. One such moment is the “Another Pickle” side quest, which rewards the player with a sentient Scav shotgun named Boganella. The shotgun’s special effect, called “Rack off ya dag!,” increases its potency while also making it talk every time it is fired or reloaded.
Boganella’s constant barrage of sexually suggestive and often explicit phrases is a testament to the series’ unrestrained sense of humor and a testament to the creativity of the developers. The weapon’s unique dialogue and its surprisingly suggestive personality make it one of the most memorable and bizarre weapons ever to appear in a video game, solidifying the Pre-Sequel’s place as a worthy addition to the Borderlands franchise.
7. Mr. Torgue Blows Up the Ocean (Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands)
Mr. Torgue, the boisterous and bombastic character introduced in Borderlands 2, is known for his explosive personality and love of all things loud and violent. His antics often result in catastrophic consequences, as seen in Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, where he unleashes a barrage of nuclear warheads that obliterate the entire ocean.
This hilariously over-the-top moment, following a memorable rock concert, highlights Torgue’s penchant for destruction and underscores the chaotic nature of Wonderlands. The fact that the explosion significantly impacts the game’s world, forcing players to navigate through the now-empty ocean bed, adds a layer of humor and absurdity to the experience.
6. Handsome Jack Kills Bloodwing (Borderlands 2)
Handsome Jack, the series’ most iconic villain, is a master of manipulation and a purveyor of utter chaos. He gleefully relishes in the suffering of others, as demonstrated in his ruthless killing of Bloodwing, Mordecai’s beloved bird companion.
Jack’s act of cruelty, which involves kidnapping Bloodwing, subjecting her to a series of torturous mutations, and ultimately killing her in a gruesome fashion, is a testament to his sadistic nature. The scene perfectly captures Jack’s ruthlessness and his utter lack of remorse, cementing him as one of the most memorable and terrifying villains in video game history.
5. Face McShooty Requests a Bullet to the Face (Borderlands 2)
Face McShooty, a throwaway character who appears for a mere two seconds, is a testament to the series’ irreverent sense of humor. His sole purpose is to request a bullet to the face, a ridiculous and surprisingly memorable moment that perfectly encapsulates the absurdity of the Borderlands world.
The fact that a random NPC with such a bizarre desire becomes a fan favorite highlights the series’ willingness to embrace the unexpected and its ability to find humor in the most unusual of places. Farewell, Face McShooty, may your face-shooting legacy live on!
4. Throwaway Gag, Butt Stallion, Becomes Full Blown Character (Borderlands 2)
Butt Stallion, Handsome Jack’s diamond-encrusted horse, was originally a throwaway gag mentioned in the opening moments of Borderlands 2, meant to emphasize Jack’s extravagant lifestyle. However, this seemingly insignificant joke unexpectedly resonated with players, leading to the horse’s unlikely transformation into a fully fledged character.
Butt Stallion was first introduced as a playable character in the Borderlands 2 DLC Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep, and then became a significant character in Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. This unexpected journey from a minor gag to a beloved character demonstrates the power of fan engagement and the series’ willingness to embrace its own absurdities. Long live Butt Stallion, the diamond-coated pony of our dreams!
3. Handsome Jack Tells His Spoon Story (Borderlands 2)
Handsome Jack, despite his cruelty, possesses a knack for captivating his audience with his twisted sense of humor. One of his most memorable monologues occurs during the Borderlands 2 story, where he recounts a tale of a man who attempted to attack him with a spoon, resulting in Jack’s violent retribution.
The story, delivered with a mix of chilling nonchalance and dark humor, perfectly captures Jack’s twisted worldview and his inability to empathize with others. The monologue, ending with a seemingly profound moral lesson, highlights the character’s ability to both terrify and amuse with his unpredictable nature.
2. The Legendary Finger Gun Fight (Tales from the Borderlands)
In a universe teeming with high-powered weapons, the finger gun fight in Episode 4 of Tales from the Borderlands stands out as a truly bizarre and unforgettable moment. Rhys and Vaughn, in a surprising twist, engage in a mock battle with a group of accountants, using nothing but finger guns.
The scene, a testament to the series’ willingness to break the fourth wall and embrace the absurd, highlights the game’s unique ability to surprise and delight its players. This unexpected moment of childish humor in a world of violence and mayhem demonstrates the series’ versatility and its commitment to pushing boundaries.
1. Nakayama Is Fatally Bested by Stairs (Borderlands 2)
The series’ penchant for stairs doesn’t end with Claptrap. Professor Nakayama, Handsome Jack’s loyal lackey, suffers a hilariously untimely demise at the hands of a staircase in Borderlands 2: Sir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt.
After unleashing a series of monstrous creatures against the Vault Hunters, Nakayama finds himself face-to-face with the players, only to trip and fall down a set of stairs, meeting his end in a surprisingly comical fashion. This slapstick moment, which showcases Nakayama’s incompetence and highlights the series’ unwavering commitment to humor, solidifies his place as one of the most memorable and unfortunate characters in the Borderlands universe.
Leave a Reply