10 Most Annoying Video Game Characters of the Last 10 Years

If anything is true about video games, it's that they have the ability to create lasting and memorable characters. There's Zelda, Glados, Solid Snake, Sonic, etc, but nothing in this world is more cringe-inducing, jaw-clenching, or controller-squeezing bad than that one character in an otherwise good game that just ruins every single interaction in which that character is involved. 

And no, I'm not choosing Navi for this list. Other than being in a game older than 10 years old (Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time), Navi is part of literally every "__ Most Annoying Characters" list in existence. 

10) John Madden

The commentator for every Madden NFL game until Madden NFL '09, John Madden had this funny way of saying the most annoying thing you could possibly think up. Gee, thanks John, I never knew that if I didn't throw the ball at the defender, it wouldn't have been intercepted.

9) Paul Revere

Nobody can make you hate an American icon quite like Ubisoft in Assassin's Creed III. In one particularly infamous mission, Paul rides shotgun on a horse giving the player directions to different communities, in order to warn them of the British insurgence. And if Paul isn't saying, "Turn left," while pointing right, he's screaming, "This is exactly where we need to be!" in the middle of a heavily wooded forest.

8) Sarah Michelle Gellar

In Call of Duty: Black Ops's "Call of the Dead," whether she's spelling out the letters "S.M.G," grunting like a man, or giving the rest of the team constant updates on the status of Zombie George, Gellar has a serious propensity for annoying in the virtual world as much as in the real world.

7) Seth Briars

One of the earlier characters in Red Dead Redemption, he immerses the player in the whole "wow, yeah I'm glad I didn't live in this time and place." Mostly, Seth just rambles on and on about this treasure he's hunting, completely disinterested in lending the player a modicum of help. Also, at the end of Undead Nightmare, Seth ensures singlehandedly that the zombie virus survives.

6) Heimskr

Nothing is more annoying than passing religious zealots on a daily basis in real life. Scratch that, nothing is more annoying than passing religious zealots in virtual life, your only escape from real life. Heimskr kind of corners that market in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, stationed in the first real hub of Skyrim, Whiterun. 

5) CL4P-TP (Claptrap)

As a disclaimer, I understand that Claptrap's sole purpose in the Borderlands franchise is to irritate, you know, like for comedic value. That doesn't make him any less annoying. "It looks like Shep Sanders has a job for you out in the--" I don't care, Claptrap! And don't get me started on his dubstep dance moves.

4) Sticky

Otherwise known as Sticky-Hands for reasons he tells the player, "Use your imagination." To put into perspective how terrible this kid is--apparently he's 16, but he says he's 18--he's a minor in Fallout 3 and you can kill him. Also, killing him earns you no loss in karma. It's as if he was designed to be killed. Also, he tells terrible stories in order to pass the time. He's the worst.

3) Roman Bellic

As if it wasn't enough for him to lie to his own cousin about his living conditions in "the big city," in Grand Theft Auto IV Roman has to remind Niko on an hourly basis that he wants to go bowling. If for some reason you make the endgame decision to save him, and then after that go on an activity with him, he will tell you to stop mourning the death of the woman who had to die in order for him to live.

2) Adoring Fan

This guy is on a lot of the lists for good reason. He is easily The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion's most annoying character, and he's probably TES's most annoying character period. He's the player's reward for completing the Arena, a follower who never shuts up about how awesome you are and won't participate in combat.

1) Chop

The supposed 3.5th character in Grand Theft Auto V, Chop was advertised as a unique companion to Franklin, capable of significantly aiding in combat and of being controlled in certain circumstances. The reality is that the player can control him in a whole two missions for a very limited time, and taking him out to do anything other than play catch is tedious and frustrating. He attacks and kills anyone at whom Franklin aims, garnering the player a two-star wanted level. Some best friend.