Unearthing 5 video game bugs that shaped gaming history

Unmasking the top 5 iconic video game bugs of all time

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PUREVPNUnmasking the top 5 iconic video game bugs of all time

Video gaming has long been a mainstream hobby with 1.93 billion players globally, however, despite being deeply immersed in the game – at times we are disrupted by notorious video game bugs. The fact is, we all have been there. 

Video game bugs aren’t just annoyances; they’re an unavoidable part of the gaming universe. While you can’t control when these glitches decide to crash the party, you can take steps to enhance your gaming experience.

But wait, it’s not all about getting frustrated and facing problems. Sometimes, game developers make mistakes that turn into surprisingly fun glitches. These glitches can become really popular on social media and even give us a sense of nostalgia when we come across them.

Come along with us as we explore the stories of video game bugs – from the annoying ones to the unexpectedly cool ones. In the tech-savvy and gamer community, glitches aren’t just mistakes; they’re like the extra spice that makes our gaming adventures more interesting.

Overview of video game bugs

These glitches, or as some might call them, gaming hiccups, are the unexpected guests that developers didn’t plan for. They’re the quirks that make your character dance the cha-cha when they should be shooting aliens.

Love them or hate them, glitches and bugs have become intrinsic to the gaming experience. Game developers, being human, aren’t impervious to errors. While you can’t have absolute control over these glitches (beyond crossing your fingers that they won’t sabotage your save or progress), there are proactive measures you can take to enhance your gaming journey. 

Take, for example, the use of a dependable gaming VPN—a formidable defense against security threats that often target gamers, such as DDoS attacks and swatting.

Read more: DDoS Attack Protection: Here’s How to Protect Yourself Against DDoS

Top 5 Iconic video game glitches

Embark on a journey through the digital realms where the unexpected reigns supreme. In the world of gaming, glitches are not merely flaws but unexpected phenomena that have etched their mark on pop culture. 

Join us as we delve into the iconic video game glitches that have transcended pixels to become legendary in the gaming universe. 

From World of Warcraft pandemics to The Witcher 3 unforeseen exploits, these glitches are more than just technical hiccups—they’re the quirks that make gaming history truly extraordinary. Welcome to the realm of iconic video game glitches, where every bug has a story to tell.

1. MissingNo. – Pokémon Red, Blue & Yellow

Let’s delve into the world of MissingNo., an iconic video game glitch in Pokémon Blue, Red, and Yellow that has achieved legendary status within the Pokémon universe. This glitch, widely known for its massive payoff, emerges through the exploitation of various glitches in the game.

(Source: Piecemeal)


Encountering MissingNo. results in a fascinating twist: the sixth item in the player’s pack increases by 128 (unless that item already exceeds 128, rendering the glitch ineffective). While there is a slight risk of the encounter corrupting save game data, this peril appears minimal.

Officially reported in the May 1999 issue of Nintendo Power, the glitch came with a cautionary note about potential save game corruption, advising players to proceed with care. In a strategic move, Nintendo eventually acknowledged MissingNo.’s existence, opting to label it a “programming quirk” rather than a video game glitch.

Abundant fan theories about its origin have transformed it into the first-ever cryptid of the video game realm.

2. World of Warcraft – The Corrupted Blood incident/World of Warcraft Pandemic

In the gaming realm, some glitches transcend the virtual world and become legendary in pop culture. Enter World of Warcraft’s Corrupted Blood Incident, a bug that triggered an in-game pandemic back in September 2005, during the height of WoW’s popularity.

(Source: Akshon Esports)

The Corrupted Blood Incident unleashed a virus-like debuff, originally contained to a specific area for a few seconds, but quickly went rogue, spreading panic across the WoW population. 

Some players took virtual self-quarantine measures, while others daringly ventured into infected zones. Surprisingly, the glitch’s impact extended beyond the gaming world; during the COVID-19 outbreak, epidemiologists found valuable insights in the Corrupted Blood data, revealing unexpected connections between virtual glitches and real-world research. 

3. Assassin’s Creed Unity – Disappearing face glitch

Embark on a gaming journey where video game bugs steal the spotlight, bringing laughter and sometimes a bit of spookiness. One standout happened in Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Unity, making characters lose their faces and even float.

(Source: Game Movie Land)

Ubisoft, known for dealing with game bugs, tried to fix the issue quickly, but it had already become famous online. Ubisoft then apologized to players via email and gave them free stuff to say sorry. But, this glitch shows how tough it is for game makers to handle unexpected video game bugs.

4. The Witcher 3 – Roach’s Bug

In the enchanting world of The Witcher 3, where epic tales and stunning visuals captivate players, there’s another dimension that adds a touch of humor – the infamous Roach’s Bug. Roach, Geralt’s loyal mare, seems to have a knack for defying the laws of physics in this glitchy escapade. From strolling through walls to standing on her head and casually perching on random rooftops, Roach’s antics have become legendary in the gaming community.


The pinnacle of Roach’s glitchy adventures is the “Roach on the roof” meme, adored by devoted fans who’ve even transformed it into a piece of artwork. On a playful April Fool’s day, CD Projekt Red, the game’s developers, released a video unraveling the mystery behind Roach’s quirky behavior.

Their amusing explanation? The original version of the famous horse was so impeccably crafted that the developers themselves started experiencing motion sickness. The solution? They humorously enlisted a special team of bug designers to intentionally make Roach a bit more imperfect – turning a glitch into a cherished part of The Witcher 3’s charm.

5. Super Mario Bros. – Minus World

Even the iconic Super Mario Bros. has its own legendary glitch known as the Minus World. If players execute a set of uncommon and intricate steps, they find themselves in World -1, a secret underwater level with a twist. This glitch traps players in a perpetual loop with no escape.

(Source: officialnintendomag)

Upon entering the pipe at the level’s end, players are unexpectedly taken back to the start, stuck in a cycle until their time runs out or they meet their demise. The glitch, famously dubbed the “minus world” or “negative world,” gained notoriety after its discovery in the 1985 version of the game. While the glitch has appeared in various forms in other Super Mario Bros. games, it has been intentionally removed from remakes.

Interestingly, the term “minus world” has endured in the gaming community, now used to describe any area outside the original boundaries of a game. The Minus World glitch remains a testament to the enduring fascination with uncovering the unexpected in the gaming world.

Fight glitches, not become a victim of cybercrime

Stand against glitches, not cybercrime. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to every glitch, you can combat them by promptly reporting issues to developers. However, not every apparent bug is as it seems—occasionally, the root cause may be your setup or connection. 

By systematically eliminating potential causes, you gain a better understanding of common issues that might impact your gaming experience. Ensure you enter your next gaming session armed with PureVPN to ward off threats like DDoS attacks and swatting, fortifying your defense against cybercrime in the digital battleground.

Read more: How to prevent swatting surprises like pro gamers

Wrapping up

In wrapping up our exploration of the fascinating world of video game bugs, from funny game bugs to the biggest glitches, and even the quirks of characters without faces, we’ve uncovered a realm where surprises are aplenty. Gaming, with its unpredictable glitches, remains a captivating journey, reminding us that laughter and unexpected moments are woven into the very fabric of the gaming experience.

Whether you’re intrigued by the intricacies of video game glitches, find joy in funny game bugs, or consider the protection of a gaming VPN, our adventure through the realm of video game bugs has been a delightful one. These quirks and unexpected twists add a unique flavor to the gaming landscape, turning what might be perceived as flaws into memorable, even cherished, aspects of the gaming world.

As we conclude this exploration, remember to follow PureVPN Blog for more interesting insights, tips, and tales from the ever-evolving universe of gaming. 

Stay tuned for the next chapter in our gaming adventures!

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