The Top 10 Weird But Useful Items In Video Games

Video game developers have always been able to imagine up unique and iconic items. Sometimes they make sense, like the Buster Sword or Spartan Armor. But there are also many items that are just weird and inexplicable. These are some of the strangest but most useful items found in video games.

10. Stunkz (Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath)

Stranger’s Wrath has a unique take on ammo. Instead of using bullets or rockets, the player launches small but deadly critters at their enemies. One breed of this “live ammunition” is Stunkz, which look an adorable skunk. When the creature hits, however, it emits a powerful odor across a wide area, causing those caught in the blast to violently puke. The player can capture multiple bounties while enemies are occupied. The main character, Stranger, seems unfazed by the smell. 

9. Your Finger (Tearaway)

In Tearaway, the player is actually a god-like character called the You. Your face appears in the sun and your finger can tear through the paper ground. You can poke the rear touchpad, sending your finger ripping into the game world allowing you to whack enemies. The finger looks oddly realistic and out of place when set against the rest of the paper-made world. It’s incredibly surreal seeing a part of yourself in a game, especially when it’s a major part of the gameplay.

8. Groovitron Glove (Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time)

The Ratchet & Clank series has always had weird weapons like the Morph-O-Ray, which turns enemies into chickens. But the weirdest would have to be the Groovitron Glove. The glove throws out a disco ball that plays an irresistible tune, compelling any nearby enemy to start dancing uncontrollably. This allows the player to take a breather…or attack without retaliation. It’s unclear what amazing music could make these enemies prioritize dancing over their lives.

7. Blast Mask (The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask)

Running out of bombs in a Zelda game can be a hassle. While many entries in the series have a system keeping the player sufficiently stocked, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask ensures that Link is never empty-handed if he has the Blast Mask. The mask is itself a bomb that regenerates after every explosion, allowing for unlimited uses. But in order to use it, Link has to blow up his own face. Apparently, in the world of Zelda, it makes more sense to set off an explosive attached to your head than go to a store and buy some more bombs.  

6. Mollusk Launcher (Saints Row: The Third)

The Saints Row franchise has a multitude of odd weaponry. While the Dubstep Gun and the Penetrator get a lot of attention, the weirdest might be the Mollusk Gun from the Funtime! Pack DLC. The gun launches a talking octopus that attaches itself to enemies and takes over their mind. The enemy then fights for the player and after some time has passed, the octopus explodes in a colorful stream of sparks. The gun gets a significant boost in the weirdness scale because of the pitiful and unsettling pleas for mercy from the octopi. 

Up next, more weird items from Red Faction: Armageddon and Metal Gear Solid. 

5. Mr. Toots (Red Faction: Armageddon)

Environmental destruction is a major feature in Red Faction: Armageddon, and the game provides plenty of tools to wreak havoc. One of the most destructive weapons is a lovely unicorn named Mr. Toots. He is a generally pleasant creature with a constant smile on his face. But when someone squeezes him a wrong area, he will unleash a deadly fart, causing a powerful rainbow beam to shoot from his butt. The laser can cut through nearly any object and looks absolutely delightful. 

4. Healing Bullets (Borderlands series)

Bullets hurt – this is a fair assumption to make in most games. However, this rule does not apply to Roland and Maya in the Borderlands series, who can both fire bullets to heal teammates as well as damage enemies. The ability turns them into versatile support classes, though it makes absolutely no sense. How can shooting at your friends possibly heal their wounds? In the weird, twisted world of Borderlands, anything is possible. 

3. Wabbajack (Elder Scrolls series)

This staff is given to the player by the Sheogorath, the Daedric lord of Madness. Just like its creator, it can act strangely and cause unexpected results. In Skyrim, the Wabbajack can shoot a fireball, paralyze, or even instantly kill a foe. However, it can also turn enemies into a powerful dremora, a chicken, or a pile of cheese. All of these effects are random, which makes the destructive staff wildly fun to use. In the relatively serious world of the Elder Scrolls, Wabbajack stands out as one of the most bizarre items.

2. Cardboard Box (Metal Gear series)

Cardboard boxes aren’t inherently strange, but the way that Solid Snake uses them is absolutely absurd. He is somehow able to turn a simple box into one of the best stealth tools in gaming. While hiding under it, he is virtually invisible. Enemies might be curious, but they often won’t check a container that has suddenly appeared in the middle of the area they’ve been patrolling for the last three hours. One would think they’d at least notice that the box changes position every time they look away. But, alas, these professional soldiers are oddly confounded by a cardboard box. 

1. Pokéballs (Pokémon series)

Pokéballs have existed since 1996 and have ingrained themselves into gaming culture. So many people don’t even second-guess the logic behind these items anymore. It’s merely a way to capture and carry around all of your favorite Pokémon. But if you think about it, Pokéballs are weird. They somehow shrink down large Pokémon and stuff them inside a tiny space, but will not work on people or objects. Nobody knows what goes on inside the Pokéballs, what the living conditions of these imprisoned creatures is really like. Even the developers aren’t sure. In addition, Pokéballs always know when the player is carrying six Pokémon and automatically sends newly captured creatures into a computer. So they also have an ability to convert organic matter to computerized data. Sure, why not?

Do you agree with this list? Can you think of other odd video game items? Let us know in the comments below.