Water has a strange reputation in the gaming world, often transforming what could be enjoyable levels into frustrating experiences. Underwater segments frequently rank alongside poorly received game mechanics like escort missions and sewer levels.
In many instances, mere proximity to water can detrimentally impact gameplay. This can manifest through convoluted swimming mechanics, restrictive air supply constraints, or simply a general deceleration of the game’s usual tempo.
For various reasons, certain water-themed levels in video games are notorious for making players wish they could skip them altogether.
10 Water Dam
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NES)
Released in 1989, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for the NES isn’t the pinnacle of gaming, to say the least, but it’s mostly manageable—except for one significant flaw: the underwater level beneath the Hudson River dam.
Here, players are tasked with locating and disarming bombs, all while racing against a ticking clock. To complicate matters, navigating this maze involves avoiding electrified kelp, which saps your health with even the slightest contact, making the mission all the more frantic.
9 Water Temple
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Though tales of Ocarina of Time’s Water Temple may have been exaggerated over time, it’s still far from an enjoyable experience. The primary issue is that Link is unable to swim, resulting in cumbersome movement mechanics.
This limitation often forces players to pause the game frequently to manage the Iron Boots and deal with sluggish controls, both in and out of combat. Additionally, the level’s puzzles are laid out in a way that can leave players frustrated and stuck, especially if they overlook the use of Zelda’s Lullaby to alter the water level.
8 Ghost Ship
Devil May Cry
The original Devil May Cry is thrilling when Dante is on solid ground, but the transition to navigating a sunken ghost ship introduces a decidedly awkward dynamic. Ship battles underwater strip Dante of his sword and guns, leaving players fumbling through a heavy swimming mechanic, viewed from a first-person perspective.
Though players eventually receive a needle gun for underwater combat, it pales in comparison to Dante’s usual arsenal, serving more as a temporary fix than a robust solution.
7 Atlantic
Kingdom Hearts
While The Little Mermaid is beloved, its underwater setting is poorly suited for the action-packed dynamics of a role-playing game, evident during Atlantica in the original Kingdom Hearts.
Players encounter unpredictable 3D swimming controls, which become irritating when combat with Heartless intensifies. Moreover, the level’s layout can be maddening, as pathways are often locked behind contrived requirements, complicating progress. The battles against Ursula require extensive magic use, making it essential to have sufficient resources on hand.
6 Gloomy Galleon
Donkey Kong 64
In Donkey Kong 64, Gloomy Galleon presents a dark and expansive ship graveyard, rich with nostalgic callbacks to earlier titles. However, navigating its murky depths proves to be a pain.
The level’s undersea portions are not only vast but dimly lit, often relying on light fish to navigate. Moreover, an infuriating boss battle requires players to engage differently than usual, with puzzling tasks involving an intimidating pufferfish.
5 Labyrinth Zone
Sonic The Hedgehog
Despite being one of gaming’s enduring icons, Sonic the Hedgehog surprisingly lacks the ability to swim—an evident flaw after traversing the Labyrinth Zone in his debut game.
This level comprises narrow corridors, many submerged and hampering Sonic’s signature speed. Players find themselves frequently searching for oxygen bubbles, encountering the infamous low-oxygen warning jingle that has haunted gamers for decades.
4 Bat’s Tower
Conker’s Bad Fur Day
In Conker’s Bad Fur Day, players encounter Bat’s Tower, where Conker must navigate submerged areas to assist some rather picky fish. This seemingly straightforward task quickly escalates into a lengthy and arduous journey.
Players must grapple with diving into deep waters filled with aggressive enemies. Beyond the initial vault, players navigate through expansive passages while managing a powered flashlight to combat larger foes lurking in the dark.
3 Down The Tubes
Earthworm Jim
During the fifth level of Earthworm Jim, players must navigate a complex maze of glass tubes submerged underwater, overseen by the nefarious Bob the Killer Goldfish.
This level features mutant cat guards that cannot be fought, forcing players to find perches to avoid them. Navigating this tricky area often requires players to utilize a fragile submersible, which has strict oxygen limits and will break upon even minor collisions.
2 Dire, Dire Docks
Super Mario 64
Among its water-themed levels, Super Mario 64 features Dire, Dire Docks, which presents distinct swimming challenges. Unlike its counterpart Jolly Roger Bay, the entirety of Dire, Dire Docks is submerged, lessening the joy of Mario’s platforming prowess.
Mario’s sluggish movement and inefficiencies during underwater segments can complicate objectives, especially as some level stars demand swift swimming through bubble rings, a task made even more frustrating by his limitations.
1 Mount Kazai
Skies of Arcadia
In Skies of Arcadia, players delve into the depths of Mount Kazai, where the Blue Gigas is imprisoned. The presence of a diving suit offers some security, but navigating this underwater dungeon often feels tedious.
The maze-like environment limits movement speed, compelling players to engage in extended explorations while solving puzzles at a crawl. Coupled with a high encounter rate, it renders the dungeon a prolonged slog through underwater tedium.
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