Character Redesigns (And Why They Suck)
Comparing bad character redesigns to their better originals and wondering why they exist
Things get old over time and their creators or owners want to spice things up with a new design, a new look, and this goes for video games too, especially the characters. Sometimes, however, this is a mistake. The new design turns out worse than the original, upsetting and sometimes confusing fans, making them ask the question, “Why did they have to change it?” or rather, “If they had to change it, why on earth did they change it to that?”
Let’s take a look at some video game character redesigns so you can join me in feeling disgust and anger at these unfortunate “updates.” Best part is, it doesn’t matter if you’ve played or even seen or heard of these games - there are pictures for you to hate as well. 😉
Some Not So Bad Ones That Are Still Terrible
Knuckles from the world of Sonic - especially his redesign in Sonic Boom
A few of the characters in Sonic Boom got a redesign, including Sonic and his weird bandana, but we’re gonna focus on Knuckles.
As you can see, not only has he gotten taller and bigger throughout the years (temporarily ignore that last design), but his knuckles have changed pretty drastically, with giant spikes in 2011 and more realistic, Wolverine-like spikes in 2014. He also has bandages wrapped around his arms in the 2014 version for some reason… And he’s a lot bigger in the shoulders and torso, still with those skinny stick legs.
And the infamous, meme-generating 2018 version. What is that? It’s like one of those sad stuffed characters you can get from a claw machine: you’re excited when you win until you see what you got. Then it’s just disappointment and confusion.
Honestly, that 2018 version is not designed by Sega. It was originally someone’s avatar in the game VRChat then quickly evolved into a meme called Ugandan Knuckles. This website explains this phenomenon more, but we gotta move on.
For Sega’s attempt at an explanation for Knuckles’ (as well as Sonic’s) new look, click here.
Okay I don’t know about all of you, but I actually played Crash Bandicoot on PlayStation when I was a kid, so this one’s more personal to me than most of the other ones. So, here we go!
Clearly the design hasn’t changed too much over the years, just minor changes/improvements here and there, like the style of his jeans, his face (especially the eyes and hair), and his shoes.
Besides the switch from somewhat creepy/mischievous-looking in 1996 to just dorky in 2004 and on, one major change that has fans upset and confused is the addition of tattoos in 2007. It gives Crash a sort of vibe like he’s trying to be cool or something, especially with the stereotypical superhero pose, but that’s not Crash’s character at all, that’s not who he is.
Overall, strange choice in a design update that does not go with his character very well.
It almost looks like the company who owns Conker, Rare Ltd., was trying to go back in time with this redesign. The one on the left looks more modern, probably around early-to-mid 2000s, whereas the one on the right… more like late 90s.
I know it sounds like just a few years difference, but you’ve already seen what a couple years can do to a character with Knuckles and Crash.
When you’re designing a character, or anything really, it takes a lot longer to create it the first time than it does to redesign it and update it after that, cuz you have to
“[create] the entire concept, style, and artwork of a character from scratch.”
- ConceptArtEmpire.com
Usually, people want their new designs to be better and more modern, but I guess that’s not how it is with everyone (case in point = Conker the Squirrel).
Drastic Changes Have Been Made (and not necessarily for the better…)
Okay, now it’s time for some of the more drastic and somewhat disturbing changes to characters’ designs.
Spyro’s another game from my childhood, also PlayStation, and I’ve come to really love the purple dragon’s blocky 1998 design. But I’m not so attached that I can’t appreciate the 2000s version. It’s not really an improvement, it’s pretty much the same, but it’s more like an upgraded, modernized version.
But the Spyro design on Skylanders… *shiver* I have no words.
No words.
Just look at the picture. What happened? They’ve both got (somewhat) similar-looking helmets on… and that’s it. These are like two completely different characters. The original looks like a little boy wearing an all-blue suit, he could be a character from a Disney movie.
But the redesign… He’s wearing a weird, light blue and yellow suit that looks like he might’ve made it himself, and a dark blue, maybe purple, and yellow helmet that doesn’t match at all. And just his character in general, he’s got red eyes, looks like a very angry gang member wearing pajamas.
I mean, were they trying to make a completely new character? Cuz they succeeded.
This one’s not nearly as drastic as Mega Man, but there are still some major changes here. To be fair, Joanna Dark’s redesign is for a game that’s supposed to be the prequel to the original, but still. The original’s like a serious secret agent who’s the top spy at Carrington Institute, with a dark, form-fitting, full body suit, two guns holstered on her thighs, super short hair, etc. She looks the part, very unlike the Joanna on the right.
The redesign is an over-the-top teenager makeover. She’s supposed to be 20 years old in the original Perfect Dark, and 17 in Perfect Dark Zero, the prequel. They really went all out here: blond highlight, exposed midriff, tank top with a star (more indicative than it sounds), some weird bangles and bracelets on both wrists, almost her entire forearms actually, a huge flashy belt, camo cargo pants, and high top converse sneakers, as well as heavy makeup, especially on her eyes.
If that doesn’t scream 90s teen, I don’t know what does.
And last but not least:
Pac-Man. Pretty much everyone’s go-to old video game character. I guess it’s no surprise his look has changed over the years, but look at that picture. Clearly some of those redesigns were a bad idea. Three of those seven immediately pop out at me, because they’re somewhat creepy: the top middle, top right, and bottom right (which I wouldn’t even have recognized as Pac-Man, I mean come on).
So giving Pac-Man limbs wasn’t entirely a bad idea, it works for the middle left redesign and works (for the most part) in the bottom left one. I dunno why he’s got such a long nose in that one, but okay. And is it just me or does the middle right one make him look kinda like a fish? Or like the Cheez-It cheese block with an eye? It’s a coin toss.
But one common feature among all of these redesigns that isn’t in the original (which you can see a tiny version of in the middle square) is eyes. The original Pac-Man doesn’t have eyes, he’s just a circle with a mouth. It seems these are all trying to make him more human-esque, especially the ones with limbs, or at the very least, more like a living, breathing character. (In case you haven’t noticed, most characters have eyes - including the Pac-Man ghosts.)
I assume that’s enough for you to get the picture. In case it’s not, I’ve included a couple of links1 to other websites going over the same thing with additional video game characters (click on footnote or scroll just a bit further down).
“Sometimes, video game characters get a makeover. They change their aesthetic, their outfit, or their whole attitude. Like real life, sometimes these changes are well received, and at other times they aren’t.”
- Stacey Henley on WhatCulture.com (bold added)
These ones weren’t. They were bad, some more than others, but all mistakes. *shiver*
Penny2 for your thoughts... Lemme know if you agree with my take on these redesigns or if you actually somehow like them (unlikely).
More characters with horrible designs:
BlockFort: Top 10 Worst Video Game Character Makeovers of All-Time!
WhatCulture: 10 Disastrous Redesigns That Ruined Iconic Video Game Characters
Figurative penny, not a real penny. Sorry.
I enjoyed this read. The sarcastic tone was great. A few laughs there. kudos. But I know what you're talking about when they start tweaking with characters that are best left alone. If they are going to do that, they should at least have the decency to give the audience a chance to voice their opinions and they could make it fun at the same time. Nice newsletter.