You play a good game, boy… but the game is finished. Now you die.

There are pivotal moments in video games that have stuck with me throughout the years. Beating Contra for the first time. Getting the Master Sword in A Link to the Past. Killing my first prostitute in Grand Theft Auto III (after I already paid her). These are moments that have been discussed numerous times around the school yard and/or watercooler.  These precious gaming memories come back to me even more than witnessing the birth of my own child! Don’t judge!  

There are also gaming memories that are always on the back of my mind even though I prefer them not to be. No, I’m not talking about losing an important save on a memory card.  I’m talking about stress inducing, eye widening, scrotum shrinking, terrifying moments. The moments that have been haunting gamer’s dreams for years after they have experienced them. Those moments that realllllllly get to you.  

I’m sure you’ve seen a list like this hundreds of times, especially around Halloween,  but I’m going to try to include some games that many gamers may not have heard of. I have to throw in some obvious moments too, but please bear with me.  Here are five terrifying moments in gaming:

Uninvited – The Skeleton Woman (Nintendo Entertainment System)

This point and click adventure game has you wandering around a spooky mansion in search for your sister. It’s obvious that this isn’t your average NES game considering the box art features a skeleton lunging toward you.  Well, even that didn’t prepare most gamers for the “Scarlett O’Hara Skeleton”.

The very first person you come across in this creepy game is a lady who has her back to you. She seems like she’s going to be an ally, so obviously you’re going to want to speak with her. She’s described as “dressed like Scarlett O’Hara”. Well, whatever you do, don’t go near this bitch! If you manage to grab her attention be prepared to get a facefull of skeleton along with a graphic depiction of how she’s “ripping you apart”.

Catherine – The Child Boss (PlayStation 3)

Vincent Brooks is a 32 year old dude who doesn’t want to grow up. His girlfriend Katherine (with a K) desperately wants him to settle down a “put a ring on it”. While hanging with friends at the local bar Vincent runs into 22-year-old hottie Catherine (with a C) and decides to sleep with her.  What Vincent thought to be a one night stand turns into something a whole lot more.

Catherine (with a C) will not leave Vincent alone, and Katherine (with a K) seems to be onto what he’s trying to hide. To make matters worse, Katherine (with a K) notifies Vincent that she’s pregnant! This trauma obviously is giving Vincent nightmares, but not just the “wake up in a cold sweat” nightmares that we all have come to know and love. This particular nightmare has Vincent being chased up a tower by a demon baby screaming “Daddy!”. I think this is the same nightmare I had when my wife told me she was pregnant.  I made it up the tower and survived.  

P.T. – The Whole Experience( PlayStation 4)

By now everyone knows what P.T. is so I don’t think I have to go into too much detail, but I should at least give a quick rundown. P.T. was a demo that was released August 2014 on the PlayStation 4.  At the time of release nobody knew what it even was. After a few hours in the hands of some really determined gamers, it was revealed that it was a teaser trailer for the next installment in the Silent Hill franchise.

This may seem like a cop out pick, but let me explain. I downloaded this demo the day it was announced and had no idea what it even was. That night I had a few friends over for some much needed gaming time. Just when we were about to call it a night we decided to give the demo a quick glance. We fired it up and started drunkenly laughing at the cockroach walking across the floor in the game. Well, we sobered up real quick when the bloody fetus in the sink started crying. To make matters worse, I was having my game room renovated that week and the door for my circuit box decided to fly open unexpectedly. That night was the first time I shit my pants as an adult.

Sonic The Hedgehog Series – Drowning (Sega Genesis)

Sonic the Hedgehog isn’t considered a scary series (well some of the shitty releases can be considered scary), but there are a few terrifying moments sprinkled in.

I tense up whenever I see water in a Sonic game. Going under is a little frustrating, but then you see a bubble and all is well. Go a little further…”Oh, another bubble!”  A little further and…”Hey, where did the bubbles go?!  What the hell, man.  Oh, shit!  The music is speeding up. What’s that alarm?! Oh my god, Sonic is drowning.  Where the hell are the bubbles? Dammit!”  Then all the sudden Sonic dies and he flies off the screen with his arms straight up in the air. This is the reason why I haven’t beat Sonic Mania yet.

Vampire Masquerade: Bloodlines – Haunted Ocean House Hotel (PC)

Vampire Masquerade: Bloodlines is the  2004 action role-playing that is the sequel to Vampire: Masquerade Redemption. In it you play a fledgling vampire whose sire was executed due to his unauthorization of your creation. Since you now have no sire, you are under the wing of the prince and must do his bidding. Think of this as Mafia but with Vampires.

Early on in the game you’ll find yourself on a fetch quest inside of a haunted hotel. This section of the game has stuck with me because, here I am, a Vampire, and for some reason I’m the one that is scared. In this godforsaken hotel, chandeliers come crashing down, ghostly apparitions are cackling, and creepy kid drawings are scattered about. The experience is heightened dramatically with a good pair of headphones, and a fresh pair of underwear on standby.

I’m dying to hear what terrifying gaming moments our readers have experienced! ! Sound off in the comments below!