To say that Paradox Development and publisher Virgin Interactive had no idea what they were getting into with the release of Thrill Kill would be, well, disingenuous. They originally released the game in Fall of 1998, but it was canceled due to graphic content. The game never made it because it was to be banned all over the globe.
It was that controversial.
So what’s the full story here?
Everything About The Thrill Kill Controversy
Thrill Kill was a 3D fighting game developed by Paradox Development and published by Virgin Interactive. The game was to be the first to receive an Adults Only (AO) rating from the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), and would have been banned from sale in several countries.
But it’s canceled status only served to heighten interest among many gamers. In fact, Thrill Kill quickly gained a cult following and that’s where its history began paving.
Thrill Kill began as an Aztec sports game whereas characters kicked baskteball like objects. But the developers kept upping the ante for violence and eventually, the game looked nothing like the original idea.
The game Mortal Combat also influenced the gaming companies, mainly Paradox, to lose the Aztec look and feel.
Reviews for Thrill Kill were all over the place, some “positive,” others, not so much.
- “Thrill Kill is a dark and twisted game that pushes the boundaries of acceptability. But it’s also a well-made and innovative fighting game that’s sure to please fans of the genre.” – GameSpot
- “Thrill Kill is a controversial game, but it’s also a bold and daring one. It’s not for everyone, but it’s definitely worth checking out for those who are looking for something different.” – IGN
- “Thrill Kill is a game that will stay with you long after you’ve finished playing it. It’s a disturbing and thought-provoking experience that will make you question your own morality.” – PC Gamer
- “Thrill Kill is gratuitously violent and sexual, and it’s not something that I would recommend to anyone.” – The New York Times
- “Thrill Kill is a sick and twisted game that has no place in the mainstream market.” – The Washington Post
- “Thrill Kill is a dangerous game that could potentially influence young people to commit violence.” – The National Parent Teacher Association
Thrill Kill’s development history and controversy have also made it a subject of interest for video game historians.
The Thrill Kill Plot
Thrill Kill is set, unsurprisingly, in Hell.
Ten people have been sent to Hell for their sins and are forced to fight to the death for a chance to reincarnate. The main character, Marukka, is the Goddess of Secrets, and is seemingly entertained by the warfare.
The characters in Hell have all ended up there due to different reasons. There’s Belladonna, a dominatrix who killed her husband and sister after discovering that they were having an affair.
We have Cain, the arsonist who was burned alive.
Freak, a deformed man who is obsessed with death.
Piggsy, a psychotic killer who wears a pig mask.
Officer Tenpenny, a corrupt police officer who murdered an innocent man.
That list of characters alone probably rattles a normal person’s soul.
The actual gameplay is relatively similar in style to games of its time, but it distinguishing factor is the intense graphic and sexual violence which accompanies the scenes.
Graphics
The graphics represent everything you’d expect from the 1990s.
Conclusion
Thrill Kill is a controversial and banned game largely considered a failure. But it gained a decent cult following that remains today. Although most people today are more curious about its history than actually playing it.